The Art in Creativity
Learning June 1st, 2009
I’ve been thinking and writing a lot more about creativity lately and today my thoughts brought me to the subject of art. Art is one of those things that seems so subjective and person its hard to really define. Most people when they think of art, think of the traditional styles of art, like drawings and paintings, perhaps music or even sculptures. To me, art is much more than that, it is not in the things you produce as an artist but actually in the process of creation. Art, therefore, is really anything that is created. It is still subjective since it is a personal reflection or process to create something but it is wrapped around the process of creation, not the end product. The creation itself is what drives an artist to do what they do, not only the end product itself.
What is Your Art?
What led me onto this subject is my graphics business. It’s a business that lets me create visual content and end up with an animated 3D piece of art. I used to have much more desire to make this a full time career because it was my most significant area of creativity and art in my life and I love it. Still do in fact. The difference now is that I’ve learned that there are many other areas in my life where I can be just as creative and find art in that creative process as well. This includes my writing here at LearnThis.ca and it includes my engineering work in design, architecture and managing of people. The art is in all of that as well. More importantly I’ve found art in creative actions with my thinking, my feeling, my relationships and my spirituality. All these areas now I find myself using my creativity to produce change. Change in myself and change in others around me. That realization lets me look at creativity and art in everything I do, not just in a few fixed products or actions.
The Art of Change
Think of all your actions, all your passions, everything you spend time in life creating. Maybe your art is not in some traditional sense but instead in the art of change? I know that personal development and life learning require change and if change can be sparked by creativity, then embrace your creative actions, extend them in all directions of your life and see the results in your own personal art of change!
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Mike King
June 1st, 2009 at 6:03 AM
I love this post and how you incorporated the art of change into it. I believe those who aren’t artistic in the traditional sense feel like they don’t have an art, but that’s just not true. Art comes in many, many forms and I think you’ve made that clear here. Love the idea of the art of change!!
June 1st, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Positively Present. Thanks for this comment. Art is definitely in so many forms, it’s just not always recognized as art. Even traditional art is seen as a way to inspire others, express oneself and inspire change, the same applies in others forms of art.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I have always believed, like you, that beyond the traditional art forms, there exist many creative forms and processes that I consider artistic.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Hi Mike, I am agree with your thought. Art doesn’t mean traditional styles of art. Art can cover a whole aspect in our life, like in family, business or relationship.
Thanks for sharing, Mike. 🙂
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:29 AM
Mike, you are absolutely right. You can be creative in any facet of your life whether it is making a beautiful salad, a ceramic pot, or a birthday card. So many people think they are not creative because they can’t draw or paint. My hope is that everyone will realize they have a gift.
Life is change. We are recreating ourselves all the time. Thanks for the article. ~Terry
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 AM
Thanks so much for your comments Karen and Arswino, I’m happy to share this form of art with you!
And Terry, those are great examples of simple places where art exists and yes, everyone has the gift of creation and art, it can occur in any action or thoughts in life.
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:51 AM
That’s one thing that powerfully resonates with me, Mike 🙂
I’m totally with you in this new definition of art. Every creative process is an artistic event, and as such, we’re responsible for creating our own art of living.
Thank you for this one 🙂
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Never thought of it that way before Mike. I suppose I am an artist as well! Thanks Mike.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Recently I thought of my hobby-working in the garden and ask me a question-why it is not so pleasant as it was before.Now I understand it is the time for something new.The life needs changes and I must try to find something new and fresh.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:07 AM
Mike,
What a great post! This is my first visit to your site and it won’t be my last! I find that art is in the small stuff. We have come to associate with grand gestures and elitism. We need to reclaim art for all of us!
June 4th, 2009 at 9:35 AM
That’s a very interesting take on it; art being more about creation than the actual production of the product. With that definition, art is just the implementation of the mind’s creativity in physical reality. Inventors, Scientists, Writers; all are artists in their own way.
Very nice post as usual!
June 5th, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I agree. Art is creativity in action, regardless of the generally acceptable definition of art. Thanks for shining a new light on this.
June 14th, 2009 at 11:07 AM
One important differnece I’ve noticed between times when I’m creative and times when I’m just being smart or clever is that the unconscious is involved in creativity. When I’m truly creative, I surprise myself by what I come up with…
June 16th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Hey Mike, Thanks for expanding on the definition of art for us. It’s like you kicked the door open on the whole subject so we could fully appreciate it. I like to think of my entire life in terms of creativity, and now I can view it as the art of living.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:41 PM
I’ve always viewed my life as a work of art in progress. this is more of a story with out end or a still wet painting being touched up.
Perhaps this is why I am drawn to personal productivity and lifestyle design and living creatively.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:54 AM
Speaking of the “art of change”, the most successful entrepreneurs are successful because they anticipate the next big thing. In other words, they are able to cope with ever changing demand in the market.
I guess, the best business people are artists in their own right.
Loved reading the post!
June 19th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
The most remarkable art is our life.And we all are creators and co-creators of the events,episodes and moments.Let them be bright,colourful and joyful.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:46 AM
You are right, art can be found anywhere. Art is creativity in any form. Art is not an easily defined term that’s for sure. That’s cool that you have found a type of art for you
Till then,
Jean
October 19th, 2009 at 6:33 AM
Thank you for this… I learned so much.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:35 AM
art is made by God… It is the life w/ colors and shapes here to our world… I have learned… Everything you discussed here in Lectures…