Where Creativity Lives

Art is a reflection of one’s innermost being in the physical form; be it literature, architecture, a painting, a dance, etc. We often think of art or artists as separate and unrelated to other disciplines educationally or professionally. Rarely do these disciplines intersect and find common themes, understanding and applications. A musician has no need to take a business class, nor does the business student have any career interest in pottery. Art is something we go see or listen to or experience, not what most of us create ourselves. We may have a hobby of drawing or dancing or playing the piano but we don’t create art as a means for income. We create art as a means to reduce stress, do something we enjoy or have a creative outlet (none of these are bad by the way). Artists and non-artists rarely think of the things they create as actual art. To describe what art is from each of our perspectives is like explaining why we each have different fingerprints; it’s unique to each of us and frankly sometimes we just don’t know. The product that art is has tangible, intangible, monetary or sometimes worthless value. It’s truly subject to a variety of reasons and value is hard to grasp. Though the value in the eye of the beholder may change the art someone creates has value for that person because it is a representation of their own view of the world. At whatever cost to them it has meaning. To think of the products that any of us “create” or sell, it’s not normal to think of it as art. What we do create has meaning, hopefully, but to think of it as art would rearrange the DNA of our intent.     

What seems to define art and the artist is some bridge between their inner world and their outward expression of it. There’s a direct and more aligned connection with artists. Artists can’t escape the need to create something we label as art. So, for all us non-artists, how do we characterize what we create? 

There certainly may be some divine interconnection within the politician who has no artistic talent but creates something beautiful by the way he or she represents and leads their constituents. The connection with someone’s inner self and their expression of it isn’t solely reserved for the artist. There can be creative applications to every pursuit any one of us chooses. To solve any problem takes creativity and a unique approach. A software developer can be just as creative as the painter or the hedge fund analyst. We just don’t define these other “products” as art.   

We don’t see the value or the application of defining what we do as art. Art doesn’t intersect because it seems unrelated. We don’t see the connection because we’re a rational-thinking species; step one needs to lead to step two, step three and on and on. We need a map to follow that makes sense in our simple thinking. It’s easier for us. Why do you think we have the educational system that stands today? Go to school, get good grades, obtain a degree, settle into a career, eat your vegetables, have a family, be happy, etc. No one would study music unless they enjoyed music or it represented another step on the path toward a desired result. Lacking in sufficient reason we ignore an incredible number of options to learn differently and apply an artist’s attitude. 

We do things differently and we do things for a variety of different reasons. We grow to develop the how to naturally; the reasons we do something, however, occur somewhat haphazardly and unconsciously (unfortunately). Partly because of our conditioning and what we’ve been taught; partly because finding the reason that ignores logic and rationale is difficult. 

Ignoring what makes sense, what’s rational and logical, or what follows a certain path creates a divide between humans; husband and wife, boss and employee, coach and player, student and teacher, parent and child, and even within one’s own thinking. Ignoring something does not mean you are ignorant or stupid. It certainly could. However, ignoring something that doesn’t sit right with you will create a tighter alignment within. 

Art, as previously mentioned, is an expression of oneself. You may not consider yourself an artist nevertheless the job you do, the way you parent, the way you love, the way you go about your day in creating something is an expression of you as an individual. You make art every single day. It may not be in the form of a picture or a painting but it’s there; it’s there because we all express ourselves in some way (even the most introverted). We travel the world, go to museums and are witness to incredible works of art around the globe. Some of it draws us in, makes us stop and captures our emotions as we experience a great work of art. Michael Jordan did it for me; the stars and the moon in the early darkness of the day do it for me; the mountains do it for me; pictures of my kids do it for me; The Alchemist does it for me; training does it for me. An artist’s intentions are to change the vision and alter the experience normally perceived. There’s artistry in making a product, whether it’s a coffee table or a Kleenex box. Some products border on the quirky and not quite user-friendly-ish, while some fit quite nice for its intended purpose. 

Now, what does creating art establish in your own mindset? Taken from the answers given by several artists, this article gives a few examples from unique perspectives. It does seem that artists are just doing what they feel they’re born to do. Do artists have a greater ability to tap into this nature within them or do they have a greater ability to perform their art versus taking a more stable path? It’s not an easy question nor should it be a question that applies solely to artists, performers, entrepreneurs, or one sect of our society. Painting broad strokes across industry and individual fails any true understanding. We can have an idea but not sufficient wisdom. A military leader probably doesn’t consider himself an artist but he might have always known that being a military leader was what he was born to do. So, what were you born to do? Creating something beautiful or meaningful allows you to clear your mind of the fictitious rules you’re supposed to follow. It allows you the freedom of choice independent of what makes logical sense. None of us want to be immobilized but structures and institutions and rules. Rules allow chaos to be kept at bay; however, it also restricts creativity, free thinking and productive art.      

Now, how can we apply what we do, or at least a part of it, as art? Answering the question doesn’t mean you have to be creative in every aspect of your life. Start small. Start with one thing in your life and let it flow. At the same time, apply resistance; creating art or being artistic isn’t at attempt to draw attention to oneself. It’s not a “Look at me! Look at me!” mindset. It’s an expression of what’s inside you; your best attempt at finding truth; applying a physical element to something mystical. Take the example of the Japanese culture.  As Boye Lafayette De Mente writes in The Japanese Samurai Code, it is important to develop a special ude (uu-day), which means “ability”, but to keep quiet about it. Or, Joseph Campbell, who wrote The Hero with a Thousand Faces, spent time alone for 5 straight years during the Great Depression reading for 9 hours a day. Developing the skill of an artist is a recreational pursuit that can be done in solitude or more openly and freely. There is no one way to create art. Art creates connections; either with oneself or with other people.  

               Creativity lives within us all. We harbor that creative spirit when we abide but a narrowed perspective. The work an artist creates ignores the return on investment, but looks at the gain of their soul. Creativity allows you to explore nontraditional means of experience and meaning. Creating art embeds a message that can last forever; your impact is greater. If you were to consider yourself an artist or what you create as art, would you go about the work you do the same way? Would you parent the same way? Would you compete the same way as before? Would you live the same way?