I wouldn't describe myself as a creative person. I think I am adaptable and flexible in new situations, and I think I can exhibit problem solving skills when pushed. Really though, I tend to be more of a reactor than a creator. I don't see a pile of something and imagine it could be a pile of something else entirely, but I may see a pile of something and see something that might solve a problem or be used in place of something that needs replacing. I tend to build on what is already part of my life, my work, my home and apply my brain and resources to the situation needs or wants. This is valid and works.
Creative people though might see that same pile and start from scratch as to all the new possibilities, whether there is a need or a situation that calls for it. They create something that wasn't there before, something new to the world that may not have any functional purpose other than to just be. They bring joy and color and freshness. They bring messages of hope or change.I appreciate the arts so much because I am unable to satisfactorily create these messages of joy and hope and expression and appreciate those that can, and those that bring out that creative persons vision through performance or display.
I don't think I am very ingenious either, but is a characteristic I'd like to develop. Ingenious people have a solid place in both application and creativity. These are people who want to figure out a new way of doing something, a fix or enhance something that is not working well, or create efficiency, then go out and look for the literal or figurative piles of stuff and get working. While reacting to what they want to resolve, they give themselves the freedom to start from scratch if needed and reinvent based on what already is known.
I love when creativity meets ingenuity. When the concept of creating something meaningful to the spirit also resolves a purpose in life. This might be both on a small or on a grand scale. Think big beautiful orchestra halls that combine the artistry of design for beauty into maximizing physical space for sound quality. The bowl above, a gift from a board member when I left my last job, is art and function. Or what I am striving to make this winter, a crazy quilt-that I hope will turn out pretty enough that I'll want it in my home, but practical enough to cuddle under while watching a movie. With that, I want to share a link to a post I read the other day by fellow blogger Ur-Spo, titled Purple Yoke Shirt. It made me smile.
I think you have to redefine your term creative. TheHub and I have always been totally different personalities with completely different abilities. I laughingly once told him I married him so I would never have to do math again. Of the two of us I am the one traditionally thought of as creative, but he is equally creative__just in a different way. Finding a solution to a problem is just as creative as making a bowl from clay.
ReplyDeleteLike anything I write, its my simplistic view of definitions and my need to put containers around things. I see what you mean, and in my head problem solving falls more in line with being ingenious, but I agree all creativity is not just in making something.
DeleteVery cool shirt. What a great use of resources. :)
ReplyDeleteI was wowed and impressed. Like Vix's use of patter in her home curtains and furniture coverings. So cool.
DeleteI can't wait to see your crazy quilt, I've always wanted one. I really should learn to sew. I love the beautiful bowl and I also went by to read Purple Yoke Shirt, his shirts are so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWe;ll see if I can actually pull it off. I'm n the collecting fabric stage now.
DeleteI'm not naturally creative either and I wish I were. It's amazing to me to see a creative person make something out of nothing - or even just see the possibilities that they see. I'm into quilting and yet despite lessons I still cock it up because I'm not accurate. In the end I've decided that I'm not going to go back to my patchwork lessons because I want to be left alone to do it "all wrong" if I have to, but knowing that I can always pop down to her shop and ask my teacher if I get stuck. And that's fine by me too. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be satisfying. I'll look forward to seeing your quilt too!
ReplyDeleteI used to long for being more creative, but now i see what I really need is to be more skilled. That's part of tackling a quilt-if I make loads of mistakes, nothing to lose.
DeleteDefinitely the creative type here although I denied it for years.
ReplyDeleteI'd say with how you seem to pull rabbits out of hats on a regular basis. I see my self as sufficient and pragmatic-responding to a need, but I won't just think of things to think of things. I need prompts, even for creative outlets like writing.
Delete" I tend to build on what is already part of my life, my work, my home and apply my brain and resources to the situation needs or wants. This is valid and works." Well, I think this is the very essence of creativity. I think that we overthink creativity. I don't think it's about pulling something out of nothing. Didn't Aristotle say "Art imitates life?"
ReplyDeleteI still stand by my definitions for my world view. I'm practical and pragmatic, but feel I need prompts-purpose to take things on. I rarely take things on just to explore, but am pushing myself to do more of that.
DeleteI think you misread my comment, perhaps? I agree with your definition. I called it "The very essence of creativity." I think creativity comes about from needing to find a solution to a problem/or to enhance a situation--prompts, as you call them.
DeleteI think you are likely more creative than you give yourself credit for. Building on ones life/work/home is creativity. Perhaps you don't do traditional arts per se, but, eg., your meals and recipes sound creative to me. Example, you just pull together a hotdish and they sound yummy, but I have no clue how you can do that! It's routine for you; it's creativity to me. We each have our own versions. Celie
ReplyDeleteI've been described as creative, seeing the possibilities in, and different purposes for, things others discard. The creativity is still there, but much of it was borne out of necessity as I didnt have the resources to go down the conventional route of furnishing and styling my home. I haven't been creative, other than knitting, for a while, but I will be doing something next week, and am looking forward to tackling an item that has irritated me for quite some time!
ReplyDeleteI think I was more creative when I was young, a child, when we literally created play out of nothing or minimal toys. We had enough, so I was not stifled by necessity, but not placated wth too much stuff. That perhaps is the rub for me not being creative now. I to easily rely on other things to solve a need or want.
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