Creativity. Ever enter a room radiating this essence?
I visited a friend’s pottery studio last week. Every cell in my body tingled as I breathed in her imagination on the workbenches. I felt like the first time I walked down Walt Disney World’s Main Street – all my senses bursting with glorious inspiration.
One room held mounds of grey clay waiting to be shaped. The primary studio presented a great array of partially completed animals – dogs, cats, armadillos, mice, birds, – wearing unique forms of transportation – wheels, skateboards, balls, wagons, boats, planes.
Quirky, humorous animals with unusual moving parts – all being molded by my potter friend for a show in Florida this coming winter.
What an imaginative combination. My world whirled with wonderful whimsey.
Her originality and imagination reminded me of my visit to the Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsey in Sarasota, Florida. A must see for any of us who needs some joy. Visiting their displays comes with a guaranteed smile.
Whimsey is one of my W words I am exploring this year (see this post for more information about my three WWW’s for 2019). The visit to this studio fueled my hunger to dive into the elements of creativity and how choosing and cultivating this skill of seeing the world in new ways brings all of us once again to the awe and wonder of the Creator.
Elements of Creativity
What are the ingredients in creativity?
- Curiosity – Cultivate the skill of observing what is and asking what could be if…? Be like a child always wondering, examining, noticing.
- Candid and open – be willing to let go of old patterns, known definitions, and common explanations. Be like a child seeking what is beyond the seen and reaching out for the unseen.
- Connections – See the patterns, noting what isn’t present and make new configurations. Be like a child building blocks into skyscrapers, bridges and lands containing unique combinations like animals wearing wheels.
Creativity is the act of connecting things in an exceptional way.
Jason Theodor
- Challenge – take the risk to try something new, learn a different skill, mingle to unrelated subjects into a unique creation. Be like a child and play. The towers of building blocks may crumble, the recipe may taste bland, the writing idea may start with a bang but die before the ink dries – but you will never know until you start.
God is creative and since we are made in his image the creative gene thrives in each of us, waiting for just the right elements to combine that lights that fire within our imagination.
What elements of creativity am I missing, and you could add? How do you see creativity related to whimsey? What is God teaching you about creativity?
Carol says
June 18, 2019 at 11:10 amI love whimsical.
Just read a book titled Lisette’s List by S. Vreeland. I discovered the art work of Marc Chagall and would love to have a sit-down chat with him but I think he passed on. The way his mind works is truly whimsical … fascinating
Lisa notes says
June 12, 2019 at 1:25 pmWhimsey is something that would not come naturally to me to think about, so I appreciate that it is one of your W words this year. It makes me pay attention more to whimsey!
Jean Wise says
June 14, 2019 at 3:19 pmI too want to pay more attention to whimsey, creativity and delight in my life. As an adult, I am too sour at times. Maybe we whimsey and creative about beung whimsical and creative. LOL
Linda Stoll says
June 12, 2019 at 9:32 amJust the thought of whimsey makes me smile, relax, anticipate …
😉
Jean Wise says
June 14, 2019 at 3:18 pmme too, isnt it a great word?
Nancy Ruegg says
June 11, 2019 at 2:49 pm‘Love your three words for 2019, Jean. Just the word “whimsey” makes us smile! When it comes to creativity, “the main thing is to be moved, to hope, to tremble, to live”–Auguste Rodin. As Christians, we have the supreme privilege to be moved by the Spirit himself, to possess the hope of eternity, to tremble in the presence of God, and to live the abundant life. The inborn creativity woven into our DNA (as Martha so wisely points out!) is enhanced when our spirits intertwine with our Creator’s. But many of us (me included!) do not take time frequently enough to be inspired, dabble in whimsy, and let the imagination explore. I’ve spent a couple of Sabbath afternoons lately experimenting with a few art supplies, creating scripture art and cover pages for a couple of my journals. Creativity is not only a way of connecting THINGS in an exceptional way; it offers a way of connecting to GOD in an exceptional way. (And doesn’t WRITING do that in a big way?!)
Jean Wise says
June 14, 2019 at 3:17 pmLove that Rodin quote. and yes it is a privilege and such a gift to allow the spirit of Truth to also be the spirit of delight and joy. I think we often lose creativity as adults and need to nurture this trait throughout our life.
Martha J Orlando says
June 11, 2019 at 8:27 amJean, I think we are most like our Father when we are creating something, be it original writing, art, music, etc. It’s in our DNA, I truly believe, and we can see/use it best when we do allow the whimsical part of ourselves, the child within, take the lead.
Wonderful post, my friend!
Jean Wise says
June 14, 2019 at 3:15 pmI certainly agree it is in our DNA. Let the child lead – great words of wisdom!