My first memory of me being creative is of me making a skirt when I was probably about 10. I am sure I was creative before that but I don’t have a memory of those moments. I have seen pictures but I am going with my first real and clear memory. At the time, I am pretty sure I dreamt of being a Fashion Designer and obsessed with Jean Paul Gaultier’s work. I think I carried that ambition for many years, even going to college to study for an HND in Fashion and Textile Design after completing my degree in Behavioural Science. I didn’t last, I struggled with the lack of flexibility of college after University and obviously wasn’t that committed to it so went off to do a Masters in Fine Art instead. Indulgent, expensive and for a long time I thought pointless. But turns out maybe not so pointless.
I listened to Sir Ken Robinson Ted Talk this morning which was very interesting and considering I don’t have much love for our education system though I love to learn it rang very true for me. Sir Ken Robinson believes that Creativity is as important in education as literacy, that we should nurture creativity but that it gets educated out of us with our current educational system. Our education system is failing, it is not fit for the world of today and most likely redundant for the world of tomorrow.
Check out the Ted talk here:
Daniel H. Pink and his theories on motivation would certainly be supporting Robinson’s views on creativity and schools. We’ve got it wrong. It shouldn’t be about getting a Degree for the sake of having one so you can get a good job or choose one so it gets you to a high paying job. It goes against motivation and what drives us. It stifles creativity. It’s not just our education system that stifles creativity but it is the first significant hurdle of the journey.
So how do we nurture our creativity?
For some of us (I am mostly talking about me here), we have to wipe the slate clean and forget all past creative efforts because they no longer serve us – my should have, could have, what if – Done. Anthony Burrill on how to be more creative that says Forget what you’ve done in the past. He believes that “you really need to have a process of creative renewal so that you’re not endlessly remaking the same picture…” More here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2018/how-to-be-more-creative-anthony-burrill/
We just need to start being creative as creativity breeds more creativity. Do something new, change your daily routine, sign up to a class, challenge yourself to read a book a week.
We should also procrastinate more, do nothing, meditate and get uncomfortable. I have the most random thoughts when I stop and go for a walk, or meditate or basically where I am doing nothing.
This year I challenged myself to be more creative in my personal life so that my creativity wasn’t just being funnelled into my work – not that is a bad thing - and I think I am slowly getting there. I signed up to a pottery class, I am writing, reading a lot, drawing and taking photos. I guess we will see where my creativity and creative endeavours take me, if anywhere, but I am enjoying the process and journey and that is the main thing.
True art is always done for its own sake, for love of composing it. Follow your instincts, your creative intuition, and cherish the result without judgment. - unknown