“The artist’s world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where one lives or a few feet away. It is always on one’s doorstep.”
- Paul Strand, Photographer
(I would substitute the word "artist's" in the above quote with "creator's”.)
My early focus in this photography project about being creative is to take aim at anyone thinking they are not creative, and to encourage all of us to rediscover our suppressed or repressed desire to create, no matter what creative passions may be calling us.
We were born with innate creativity. We engaged creatively in play and thought as children. But for a variety of reasons, over the course of our lives, many of us have developed doubt in our ability to create or in the worth of our creations.
In my last post, I provided a definition of creativity. In this post, I want to encourage anyone curious about creating, about being artistic, to give some active thought and time to rediscovering the creative beast within. The following questions could be valuable as a journaling activity or just for brainstorming.
Consider your past engagement in creative activities:
What did you enjoy that you may have stopped doing? Why?
What did you want to try but never did? Why?
What creative activities do you still engage in, for which you have lost your zeal? Why?
The answers to these questions may lead you in a direction for creativity. Pick something and try it. If it excites you, dive in. If it bores you, move on to another. You'll know when you find the creative zone.
Whether you are thinking about pursuing a new creative interest, or resurrecting an old creative interest, you have the rights and freedoms to do so, within reason, and with passion. Try something new. Try something again. Ignore the critics, especially that often cruel one inside of you. Look at the work and efforts of others in a field as inspiration for your work and as aspiration for what you can be, but ultimately what you create is uniquely and perfectly yours!
Just a simple photograph with some creative processing.
Next week, I intend to address some of the below ideas about limits to being creative that have impacted my efforts and as a guide for others.
Time
Money
Ability
Geography
Negativity
Creativity belongs to all of us and is unique to each of us. Finding the spur or the spark for a new creative interest, reaching a higher skill level, or discovering a new direction for an existing creative interest can guide us on the creative path.
Discover your creative passions, enter your creative zones, and take pride in your efforts and results. Listen and learn with an open mind from valuable critique. Above all, give yourself the freedom to be creative, and then create with freedom!
I invite feedback from readers for different perspectives on creativity.
If my writings in this photography project can benefit anyone on their creative journey, I am proud to be of service!
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