Photo Credit: Dimmed/Creative Commons
When our children were little, they enjoyed coloring, painting, and crafting. Creating.
We encouraged this.
Ordinary mashed potatoes became volcanos. The “lava” was the gravy.
We also made green eggs and ham (and yes, we ate them). Mealtime was always an adventure.
During other creativity-bursts, we strung beads, built forts, fired pottery, wrote stories, and wove potholders. We colored, painted, and crafted our way throughout the grade school years.
Our teenager still appreciates a plain sheet of paper and can turn it into a masterpiece in a matter of moments, while our oldest child (now an educator) adores the theater and acting. Different avenues, but similar gifts.
I believe creativity comes in many “colors.” Some folks lean toward the bold and fanciful while others are drawn to the subtle shades of “unique.”
Why?
Because God made us that way!
Creativity is evident at an early age because kids rarely see life in black and white. Their little minds are drawn to bold, vivid imagery that kick-starts their creative juices. For instance, a small child may color the cow purple and the rooster pink at age three because they haven’t yet learned to conform. They’re still thinking outside the box and doing what comes naturally–creating beauty as they see it!
It doesn’t take long for children to realize, however, that their version of creativity doesn’t always mesh with what’s expected or required. They learn that the perceived “odd ducks” rarely swim with the swans.
While constraints are necessary at times, they can stifle creativity, and I think that’s tragic.
It’s the creative thinkers that turn drab to fab. They see life as a buffet of crayons instead of a Number 2 pencil.
And for writers, that’s power.
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What do you like to create?
Photo Credit: Dimmed/Creative Commons
Blessings Always,
Comments 6
Your talk of family creativeness reminded me of a time my siblings and I decided to built a fort with blankets. We stuck a blanket over a lamp and didn’t realize the fabric was actually touching the light bulb…it ended up melting and steaming and…and it was hilarious. 🙂 Things like that happened fairly often in our household it seemed.
As for what I like to create…stories. (I also used to paint a lot, but now I just don’t take the time to do it anymore…which is sad…somewhere in my spare bedroom closet my easel is languishing away. 🙂 )
Author
Melissa, ahhh, the ol’ blanket fort! Those are the best!
A writer and a painter! Yes, you really should take your easel out again. It just may spark the idea for another story! 😉
My parents always encouraged creativity with my brothers and me, too, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for that. When I work with kids now, I have a great time telling them to think outside the box when I get the chance. They’re nearly afraid to at first sometimes. I’ve realized it often takes the experience of the teacher losing some of her dignity for the kids to lose some of their inhibitions. I might look ridiculous in the process, but it’s totally worth it! Thanks for this post. It made me smile.
Author
Brittany, I bet you’re an amazing teacher! Educators who are willing to think outside of the box make learning fun and incite passion in a way that no one else can. Seeing youngsters stymied by their own inhibitions is always sad so it’s a relief to know we have teachers like you who free them to be themselves!
Stifling creativity is like murdering an aspect of God. Bad thing to do.
I used to paint, and found that creativity and discipline went hand in hand. I was impressed by the work of Bierstadt and Church, but was encouraged by teachers just to ‘express myself’.
I didn’t listen, and did a LOT of training, so I could produce the kind of creative work I wanted to live with.
People called it ‘derivative’ and ‘old-fashioned’, but I didn’t care. A couple of times I felt like I captured the sweep and majesty of the landscape that the ‘big guys’ did, and I was happy with it.
Author
Andrew… “stifling creativity is like murdering an aspect of God.” Hear-hear!
I admire artists–writers, painters, craftsmen–who create from the very depths of their souls, always improving and honing their skills, sometimes just for the pure joy of it. Goals vary so I guess we have to decide what we’re striving toward, be realistic what it’ll take, and go for broke!
(And I adore landscapes!)