Never run out of creative ideas
Resources to support your creative juices
Four-year-olds, in my mind, are the most creative people on the planet. At four, their language is good enough to communicate, but their logical and rational brain is still developing, so most often, their imagination rules. Just ask a four-year-old to tell you a story, and you’ll probably experience their active, unfiltered imagination.
Of course, as children grow, society focuses on and teaches left-brain thinking, and - “Gasp” - some children are criticized for their imagination just when they need the most encouragement. Or their stories of people and faraway lands are dismissed and shushed.
Some days, I feel like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry stranded in the desert after his plane crashed, except I feel marooned from my source of creativity.
When I worked in a graphic design firm, creativity squarely belonged to the artists. I was in sales and marketing, and the subtle, hidden message was, “The artists have the creative power here. Don’t mess with their ego and their ideas.”
So, back in the box of left-brain thinking, I went. It’s a corporate safety net for those of us not designated as creative. Gradually, I spanned the distance from climbing ‘back in the box’ to where I am now by peeking out of the box a little at a time. Here are some things that helped me appreciate and express my creativity:
Learn something new
When I lived in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, I took writing classes at The Loft. Years later, I started my visual art journey with print-making classes.
There is a vibrant art community in McKinney, Texas, where I live, and even the most accomplished artists love learning. The master artists here in McKinney are incredibly supportive and encouraging. I always feel safe and accepted, no matter how bad I think my work is. My teachers always push me further than my abilities and comfort level which, of course, expands my creativity.
Here are a few of my early collagraphs - one of my favorite forms of print-making. The first two are part of an eight-piece series, and the last one is an experiment printing with herbs.
Tell a story based on a painting
Another thing I learned was in a writing class at the Dallas Museum of Art. One of the exercises was to wander through the museum, find a painting, and write a short story about what you saw in the painting. That was a great way to foster imagination. A writing workshop I took last fall used the same approach only we all used the same painting as reference.
I love this idea so much. You can visit a museum or search your favorite museum’s website for inspiration. Below are two paintings that I find fascinating for their composition, color palettes, and themes. I found these when I searched for famous art in the public domain. I’m going to use them for inspiration for a writing activity.
Try Neurographic Art
I stumbled on this several years ago. It’s a mindful meditation practice that is soothing. Start with a drawing tool and a piece of paper. Let your pencil wander over the page in no particular form or need to make something look realistic. Just let your drawing tool wander where it wants without picking up your hand. After you fill the page with the continuous line, you can fill in the spaces with whatever medium you have on hand. It all works, whether it be watercolors, pencils, markers, or pastels.
Use Tarot to Inspire Creative Thinking
A Tarot Deck is an endless deck of stories and images that can stimulate your imagination. Here are a few of my favorites:
The Radiant Tarot by Alexandra Eldridge and Tony Barnstone has beautiful images and guidance. I picked it up to flip through the cards, and wouldn’t you know, the Seven of Pentacles flipped out, which is about work, creativity, and imagination. The card advised me not to give up creative pursuits. I love these cards for their artistic beauty and the messages.
Two other decks I have on hand are:
Crystal Visions Tarot by Jennifer Galasso and
The Centennial Edition of the Smith-Waite Tarot Deck which is based on the classic tarot.
Give yourself boundaries or structure
I had the privilege of being on a panel with the founder of a well-regarded design firm in Minneapolis. When asked if design limited creativity, Tim Larsen, founder of Larsen Design, said that no, structure and rules gave him more opportunity to be creative.
You can create structure in several ways:
Give yourself a time limit.
Limit your palette.
Write fewer words. What can you say in 500 words? In 250 words?
Work with a different size than you normally do.
Try to say what you want to communicate in a short headline and write 50 to 100 versions.
You’ll find limitations stretches your notion of how you use your creative force.
Buy a book that inspires creativity
An earlier post of mine lists eleven books on creativity to choose from. Currently, I’m working with one on this list, “The Doodle Revolution” by Sunni Brown. Doodling inspires creativity and helps our brain absorb ideas and information. So go ahead and doodle in that workshop or meeting.
My journey for creative expression has a long and winding road ahead. But I know if I don’t have some form of creative expression, I get depressed and unmotivated.
The Number 1 way to not run out of creative ideas
Follow the advice of Henri Matisse: “Don't wait for inspiration. It comes while one is working." Do what you do. Do something new. Just do and have fun.
There are infinite ways to expand your creativity and keep ideas flowing. What are your favorites?
Thank you for reading “The Light in Us.” Feel free to share this with others.
May the light in you illuminate the light in others.
Aww, thanks Paul!
You are quite a good Artist, Kathy!