Thanks for checking out my new blog, Creative Tales. In it, we’ll explore and celebrate the creative process, creative places, including art studios and other creative spaces, and creative people. I’ll be sharing my personal experiences and I hope you’ll share yours via the comment section so we can all learn from each other.
Why me?
First of all, you need to know that I wasn’t one of those people born with a pencil, paintbrush or computer mouse in my hand. My first attempts at drawing were on my childhood chalkboard. They were of stick figure people, houses and dogs. Mostly what I remember is being terribly frustrated by these attempts. My lame drawings didn’t match the fabulous images in my head, and I definitely didn’t like the results. So I ditched any further attempts at drawing. What’s worse, I figured if I couldn’t draw, then I must not be creative!
Needless to say, I didn’t follow the direct route to living the creative life. I have no formal art or design training. Yet, thirty years later, I make my living as a graphic designer and marketing consultant. I write, sketch and paint for fun. I drag my watercolor journal with me whenever I travel. And, I even teach classes on creativity to the corporate world.
So, how did it happen? How did a go I from being creatively inept to an adult that works and plays creatively? Here’s the big ‘secret’ – I chose to.
You see I don’t buy into the premise that some people are born creative and others aren’t. I believe we are all born with the capacity to create. Some are born creatively muscular at birth and others of us have to beef up on our own time.
That’s the tales end for today. Next time we’ll explore one of the biggest creative myths of all time and how you can start to bring more creativity into your life.
Tags: creative, Creative Process, creativity
Hi Natalie,
I know I can always count on you to be involved in something interesting. Good for you! The creative process is, in and of itself, an interesting concept…and, to your point, are some of us more creative than others simply because we choose to be?
With Best Wishes
Dianne
Hi Natalie–
You forgot to mention how techno-savvy you are in addition to creative–God bless those skills of yours–they have saved me more than once.
But you are right–you don’t have to be born creative–you truly can develop those skills. I know that from my own experience. Sometimes I truly surprise myself!!
I can’t wait for your new book to come out. I read the preview and saw the cover and it makes me want to read it even though I am not an artist. Who knows what tips I could pick up for inventing a reiki/massage studio because it is all about creating an environment.
Hi Natalie,
I have a question about creativity. Does the idea of being creative apply also to writing skills. When I sit down and work on my book, the words just come out. I started writing after having my writing work praised highly. What the idea we all agreed with is this;
1. Some people are not good at certain skills.
2. Some people are fair at certain skills.
3. Some people are good at certain skills.
4. Some people are excellen at certain skills.
There is a movie called “The Secret” that puts forth the idea that if a person should want a certain thing to happen, all he or she needs to do is focus on that thing, For example a man wanted to recieve $100,000 by the end of the year. He pasted an imitation $100,000 bill above his bed and looked at it everynight. His book did well and speaking engagements did even more to help the sales. In December of that year he recieved a royalty check of $98,000. Not $100,000, but close enough.
One other idea from this movie is about energy. Wondering about the energy we have and there is so much all around, presenters had this thought, ” Look at the tremendous energy in the very “atoms” that is what composes everything.” To me I kind of ‘get it’, but it is beyond my understanding, and I think, as I have all my life of the science of these types of research. Think of Biggest or think of smallest, but just think of what you want, and do it often.
Dianne – Wow tough questions. I would yes – some people are more creative because they choose be. These individuals are fully open to their creativity and when inspiration strikes they act. Better yet, they act even when seems as if inspiration isn’t striking! What’s your take on it?
Hi Ed – Writing is a skill but creativity is what breaths life into the skill! I’m happy to hear you saw The Secret. I enjoyed that movie myself and definitely believe in the power of focused attention – mostly because of the results I’ve realized in my own life. However, I winced when I read “all he or she needs to do is focus on that thing.” I like to think of the Secret as the “first step” in helping us realize our dreams. There are other necessary steps – like taking action. I can visualize a published book all I want, but unless I pick up a pen and start writing (or tap away on my keyboard), my book will never get written – never mind published.
Jean – thanks to years of exercising and acting on your creativity – you’ve got well developed “creative muscles.” What fun you’re going to have designing your new Reiki/Massage Studio! I’m looking forward to being one of your first customers!