Faded Creativity

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I had the chance to participate in a great event called Minds in Motion sponsored by the Connecticut Association for the Gifted. This is an event that offers workshops for children from kindergarten to 8th grade as well as presentations for the parents. I was providing clay sculpting workshops to 2 groups of children: the first group was 5th and 6th graders, and the second 7th and 8th graders. I had about 15 kids in the first workshop and 6 in the second. These kids went through 100lbs of clay in 3 hours creating all kinds of things that came to their minds from dinosaurs, to airplanes, vases, bass-relief sculptures, princesses, cobras, and many other things.

IMG_5311.JPGThis event was a lot of fun. There were very talkative children and very quiet ones. I was worried the kids in the first group would use all the clay leaving nothing to the second group. Their creations were very imaginative and they produced one thing after another. Some challenged themselves creating large pieces. The girls created less and smaller pieces than the boys but focused on providing details to the pieces. The first workshop was very dynamic and entertaining. We talked about cartoons, movies, made jokes about out names, music,  and some of them were even singing at times. The second group presented a different dynamic.

The kids in the second group were very funny and nice but the conversations were more focused on books. They were very quiet in contrast with the first group. The conversations were less and shorter. Their creations showed faded creativity. Their pieces were fewer, smaller, and took them longer to decide what to create. They created pieces of more practical things like pencil holders. They also created books and an airplane, and a few bases, and something else with angel wings and a mermaid tail.

What does this mean? What conclusions could be reached from these observations? I am not certain it is enough information to reach definite conclusions but it is a good start for exploration of creative tendencies within the age differences, gender, developmental states, interests, and socialization. It could be interesting to see how they create in isolation in comparison with the group dynamics too. I guess my researcher mind was very present during the workshops as much as the artist and the teacher. In all, it was a great afternoon with wonderful children. I am thankful for the opportunity.

Public Speaking

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I had the opportunity to speak to the New Haven Rotary Club during a lunch meeting at The Gallery at Elemar in New Haven, CT. It was a very cold day. Only a few came to the lunch because many people is out of state or inside their houses. Truly it is very cold out there. Nevertheless, it was a good group of people. It is the second group this week where there are more men than women. The previous night I had a painting party with equal number of men and women. Believe me, that is very rare for me. Generally, there are more women or no men at all. What does it have to do with public speaking? Honestly, I have no idea.

The important thing here is the satisfaction of sharing about the healing and learning benefits of art with this fine group of individuals. Public speaking is one of my passions. Speaking about art and cognitive psychology is a great combination for me. Public speaking reminds me of my stand up comedy days. The difference now is that the approach is a little more serious. Being able to speak to people about the things I am passionate about is exhilarating and so much fun. The interaction with people is great too; the questions, the comments, the interest and the considerations. It is all great.

March 13th I go back to the gallery to speak about online media tips for artists. This is going to be fun. In the meantime I keep busy with revising the book, the art, and the sculpting and painting parties, along with a lot of personal stuff. At the same time I remain available to speak at groups and organizations. I hope to continue providing a fresh look at art not only as a profession, but also as a connection to our existence. There is so much to learn about people and so many things that can be done with art and through art.

Observation and Perception

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Observation and perception are two of the most important skills for visual artists to develop. Yes, these are skills that can be developed. I won’t buy into the belief that you are born with them, and even if you do you need to exercise in order to get better at it. It is the same with every talent. If you don’t seek to develop the talent and rely only on the natural-born talent I might be dubious if there is passion involved. Those who are passionate for what they do and love are in constant pursue to get better at it. Talent development requires practice, effort, experimentation, and lots of work.

Observation requires much more than just looking. Observing requires deeper attention. Through observation we can notice things that will challenge logic and sense. In research language the observation process is a way to collect data. It provokes a detailed examination of the phenomena under analysis. This examination goes beyond looking and transfers to all senses.

Perception is like adding another sense; a sixth sense if you will. Perception creates a mental impression from which observations can be understood and interpreted. It is this conception or notion of reality that facilitates making sense of the information we receive. Perception can interpret external and internal information simultaneously and provides meaning to the observations.

In art these two elements are combined for the artist to make sense of the creation process adding meaning to the artwork. I try to mentally document how through observation and perception the elements acquire visual correlation in one cohesive sculpture or painting. I observe where a curve is not complete or following an angle with fluidity and through perception I can define where to fix it to make visual logic within the intention of the piece.

Experimentation and Discovery

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Photo Dec 09, 3 36 39 PMI shared some studio time with a little friend, 4 year old Adie. As she began painting and mixing paint she turned to me and said, “Look! Yellow mixed with red makes orange! I didn’t know that!” This happened several times as she discovered green, purple, pink, gray, and the most exciting discovery: brown! She continued painting switching brushes, sometimes her using her fingers, and sometimes a brush in each hand at the same time. The task continued for about 90 minutes until the canvas was covered. Of course her hands, clothes, and areas of the studio got some share of paint, but it was fun to watch.

Kids have the capacity to engage in a task without considering what people might think. Kids are not creating because they want to please someone or to show off their abilities. They create because it flows from within. They create for the fun of it. Their minds are free from prejudice. Kids are not concentrated on a future sale or market value. They just create.

Photo Dec 09, 4 39 44 PMDo you remember the last time you engaged in an art project just for fun? When was the last time you experimented and discovered something new for your art? Experimentation leads to discovery. Engage in experimentation as kids do. I can’t stop saying this: Renew your love for what you do. Pretend you don’t know. Pretend it is your first time and enjoy it.  Forget about production and time for a moment and just go with the flow of your creative process. Try something new. Watch a kid paint or sculpt. A kid follows imagination where it takes them. It is not about technique or perfection. They just flow with it. Expose yourself with the mind of a kid, experiment, and discover.

Sculpting with your Heart

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Take time to disconnect from your brain and connect to your heart. Allow your fingers to appreciate the texture of the clay as you get lost in the slow waters of your emotions. Taste every second as it was the last. Turn noise into silence. Get lost!

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Sculpting Workshop at The Milford Senior Center

I was sharing some time last Wednesday with an excellent group of people at the Milford Senior Center. I wish you could experience what I perceive from them when they got immerse in their creative process, in their inner peace, in the sensation of the clay on their fingers… Time seemed to stop. In fact, they were working on their pieces in complete silence for about 10-15 minutes but the energy in that room was mesmerizing. In their faces was reflected a great sense of commitment and accomplishment, and an attitude of ownership. “I’m making this! I love how it looks! I can’t stop now!” What a great moment! I felt so proud and honored to witness this moment. Believe me when I tell you that I enjoyed it. They were lost in their task.

According to Picasso we are all artists as kids, but along the way we lost our acceptance of our creativity and imagination for a more “real” and concrete world. At some point in our development we compare the reality we see with the reality we can create and give up when the measure lacks in our eyes. We think too much about it and silence the heart. Then we impose this coward attitude into others (No need to say that art programs are being eliminated from schools). We are missing the point! “Thinking” so much blinded our sensitivity and forced our creativity to decrease to death. Creativity is proven to increase problem solving skills, allows connectedness with ourselves and the world around us, increases and restores confidence and self-value, and relieves stress. Need I say more?

I see transformations in all my classes and workshops with people of all ages and backgrounds. Read the testimonials. The only one stoping you to try something creative is yourself. No matter the age or the situation creativity is ready to rise up and give you a new spark in life. Let inspiration flow. Don’t think about it so much. Let your heart take control.

Thank you to Always Best Care in Milford for sponsoring this.