So yesterday, Patti asked me to go to the museum with her. Right, the museum. I’m more of a concert, movie, play type of girl.
I hesitated and was about to say no until she told me the name of the exhibit she wanted to go see at the De Young ~ The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.
I was so in!
Jean Paul Gaultier is wild in his creations ~ wild with colors and fabrics, creating designs that are provocative and fabulous with the finest dressmaking and detailing ever. He designed the outfits for Madonna on her tour (and I’m hoping he does mine when I go on tour).
Looking at his work, I could tell he had such great fun doing what he did ~ that he loved expressing his creativity. And now I can’t stop thinking about creativity and how we all express ourselves differently.
I know what you’re probably thinking ~ “I’m not creative. Only real artists are creative, people who are famous.”
That is so far from the truth.
Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.
~ Anne Sexton
Every one of us is creative ~ we just, unfortunately, have this self-limiting idea of what we can and cannot do. Being creative doesn’t mean what you do is shown in a museum, though that just might happen. It’s having fun, letting yourself move from your heart, not your brain. Opening yourself to whatever comes in whatever format you feel drawn to.
Creativity adores solitude…
provide quiet creative time for yourself
It can first fit into the cracks of your life,
and as you nurture it,
it will expand into a glorious interior garden!
~ Sark
My Uncle Tony loves making collages ~ that’s how he lets his creativity shine. He took a Contemplative Collage workshop with this very inspiring, funny, smart woman named Dante Jericho, and he didn’t even have to go to New Mexico where Ms. Jericho lives to take the class. She does collage classes on Facebook ~ yeah, how cool is that.
Collage offers a venue for the rich symbology
of the inner Self to begin dialogue with our waking mind.
Unlike dreams, which recede and fade with time,
collage offers a concrete snapshot,
a workable thumbnail,
of the conversations behind the scene.
~ Dante Jericho
So, you’re not just having fun making something cool, you’re also getting to look inside yourself, which is what art is all about ~ expressing what’s inside.
When it is working, you completely go into another place,
you’re tapping into things that are totally universal,
completely beyond your ego and your own self.
That’s what it’s all about.
~ Keith Haring
Now Patti’s creativity is all about putting together found objects. Our garden is filled with different things she’s found and everyone says that our garden feels so peaceful to be in.
Me, I love to sing and act, and Petie likes to write poetry. He thinks he channels Dr. Seuss, which is pretty funny.
Don’t have any idea where to start? Well, here’s a few suggestions:
- Journaling ~ If you’re afraid of being creative or believe that you’re not, write it down, write it all down ~ every criticsm you have, every fear, every thought.
- Hum in the Shower ~ Next time you’re in the shower, start humming ~ make something up, experiment and have fun.
- Sing a Song ~ If you have a favorite song, learn the words and sing it. Who cares if you think you sound off key. Sing with heart and soul. Open your voice.
- Try Writing a Poem ~ Write something that doesn’t have to be shown.
just a little diddie
maybe one about your kitty
it can be long or short
and you can write as you eat a tort
let the words roll out
don’t let yourself pout
creativity is in you
just bring it into full view
- Buy a Coloring Book and Crayons ~ You don’t have to be a kid to buy one of the great new coloring books. Be sure to buy a big box of crayons and dump them out in front of you so you see every color and go for it.
- Paint ~ Buy watercolors or acrylics and paper, and paint. It doens’t have to look like anything, just put your favorite colors on the paper however you want them to be. You can’t make any mistakes ~ it’s your creation.
- Take a Class ~ Check your newspaper for art classes in your area. If you like the idea of making a collage, contact Ms. Jericho and see when the next four-week Facebook class is. I know you won’t be disappointed.
Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist
once we grow up.
~ Pablo Picasso
Twitter: nighlon
says:
This was such an amazing post! Thank you for sharing- I love being surrounded by creative people!
Cari recently posted..Testing: Blogging From A to Z
My creativity normally manifests in writing. Unfortunately, as of late, a lot of the writing I’ve been doing has been more “have to”, rather than creative ‘want to”. Thankfully, I’ve recently discovered Pinterest where I can dream, imagine and collect ideas for all the house and garden projects that are needed, along with ideas for crafts projects to do with the kids I work with. Some might not consider it very “creative”, but for now it does a pretty good job of satisfying my urges within the time constraints I have.
Corinne recently posted..Interruptions
Twitter: MOLM2011
says:
I have absolutely no creative genes in my body what-so-ever. I find it amazing that others do. Thank you for sharing your post, and for your kind comment on my blog!
Making Our Life Matter recently posted..Misfit Monday Blog Hop~Introduction
Being surrounded by creative people definitely helps prime the pump as they say and with the creativity you show in your work, it is definitely working for you!
Ah yes, Pinterest is definitely a way to show your creative side and make wish boards (love wish boards!).
I so enjoy your writing and one day, when you are settled in your new home, new country, new everything, I’m sure you’ll be back to writing for fun a lot more than your writing from the have to place.
Oh, that makes me a bit sad. Writing your blog is actually quite creative, making a beautiful home for your family, setting a pretty table, cooking something fabulous ~ all ways of being creative and I’m almost positive you do those things. Sometimes we just think creativity has to look a certain way, but not true. Keep looking ~ I think you’ll see you actually do have creative genes!
Twitter: udebate
says:
Great post. I agree that every persons creativity manifests itself in different ways. It just so happens mine is stuck in a very weird place right now. Thanks again, loved the quotes!
B
Hmmmmm, I’m intrigued by your term “very weird place.” Hope that weird place has some fun in it!
Wow, cool! This is my “culture” for the week as I haven’t been to a museum in a while…
Aging Gal recently posted..Is Ignorance Bliss?
You’re so creative. I love it. I also admire your love for the earth. That’s so inspiring to me. Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comment. Great post and I’m excited to get my journal and crayons and let my creative juices flow.
I like the idea of being “culture”, makes me feel a bit special!
So glad you stopped by and a big woo-hoo for getting those creative juices flowing!
I am creative writing on my blog.
Maggie S. recently posted..Normal: An Accidental Guide for Prince Harry
Writing is such a great way for me as well to be creative ~ I get to use so many different parts of myself … as I am sure you do … and we get to share our creativity! Pretty cool. Love meeting SITStah!
Twitter: #!/ThisBusyLife
says:
I wish I had more time to be creative. I love sewing and lately I have been playing with photo editing.
This Busy Life recently posted..Pretty Spring Cupcakes
Yes, I wish I had more time to be creative as well. How wonderful that would be! Sewing and photo editing really can get those creative juices flowing.
Twitter: TinaLaneBlogs
says:
Writing is my #1 creative outlet but here are a few of my other everyday favorites.
Cooking (Even if it is something simple.)
Dancing (Even if it is around the living room.)
Tina L. Hook recently posted..Inspirational Quote: Life is a Dare
Big yeses to cooking and dancing ~ what perfect ways to be creative. I love dancing alone with music or without ~ just closing my eyes and moving my body. Thanks for adding such great additions to the list. So glad you came by for a visit!
Thank you for the article!
Journaling definitely always helped me. The collages idea seems very nice, but I should probably start with something simpler like a colouring book. I think I was six last time I had one:)
Alona @ Etiquette Blog recently posted..All You Want to Know About Business Professional Dress Code
Journaling is so creative ~ you can write a poem or draw or just write your thoughts. It’s such a great way to express yourself.
I think you’ll be quite surprised at the cool coloring books there are now for all ages.
So glad you came by for a visit!