What is creativity?
When I was a little girl, I always thought I wasn’t creative compared to my classmates. When I looked around, there were other kids who were funnier, who had better answers, who drew without tracing, who seemed to have a fountain of ideas and ways to express them. I would go home and draw, write, or act, and I would feel silly while doing it and think to myself, “Who am I kidding? I can’t do this.”
Fast forward some years, and I can confidently introduce myself as an artist to others. I believe in my art style and approach, and I have discovered the ideal process for my brain to activate that “fountain of ideas.” I always thought being creative, and (for me) artistically creative, was something you either had or you didn’t. However, I learned that being creative is a skill you develop and nourish, and everybody has the potential within them. The key is to stop listening to that nagging inner judge and just plunge into the pool of the exciting and unknown.
What is creativity? Creativity is defined as “the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.”
I will be focusing on artistic creativity since that is what I have direct experience with. Let’s dive right in!
We Have Always Expressed Ourselves
If you follow art news (like I do), you most likely saw the article that came out in 2018 about the discovery of a new cave painting, which was dated and designated as the “world’s oldest figurative art.” This comes as no surprise, since leaving our mark is a basic form of expression.
“This painting of a cattle-like animal in a Borneo cave has been dated at at least 40,000 years old, making it the oldest known figurative rock art in the world. Luc-Henri Fage”
In 2018, the art world was energized by a new discovery of the “world’s oldest figurative art,” a cave painting found in the Borneo Jungle. The art found in the Borneo cave was created more than 40,00 years ago! We have been artistic and creative for a very long time. Figurative art is important in history because it reflects the way Homo sapiens saw themselves and the world around them, marking a shift in cognition and expression (Handwerk, Brian).
On opposite sides of the world, yet around the same time in human history, we were creating art in the caves of Indonesia and Europe--reflecting similar patterns and representations of reality. Early humans “seemed to have a fascination with animals,” and scientists believe that this is evidence “of the way the human brain was developing in various, and distant, parts of the world around the same time” (Pogacar, Charlie).
How incredible! This means that we all have the potential to be creative, and even more, that creativity is vital for our existence. Being able to express our thoughts, emotions, and stories has always been and will always be important to us as a species.
Art and Our Brain
There are many types of art being created around the world in different cultures. Art creates a “communication system” between the artist and the viewer in a way that language alone cannot.
Art is a uniquely human activity. In a scientific paper titled “Art and brain: insights from neuropsychology, biology, and evolution,”the authors suggest that there are three main theories of art and its impact on the brain:
Art connects to multiple neural regions.
Displaying and creating art is tied to the biological motivation of courtship and finding a mate.
Because of the “symbolic nature of art,” this marks an evolutionary change in the Homo sapiens’ brain “development of language and hierarchical social grouping.”
The fact that as a species we began creating and connecting with each other, and still do, highlights the importance of cultivating and encouraging artistic expression in our everyday lives. Scientists now know that artistic ability and creativity exists in all people and “some people have greater abilities and expertise for certain creative tasks” (De Pisapia, et al).
So, can we become more creative? Yes!
The brain is an organ that is constantly learning and adapting to our environment and the activities we do. When we practice a particular skill consistently, we are changing “our brain structures and functionalities in the specific brain areas that are used in these tasks” Being artistically active simultaneously engages two parts of the brain that “are often viewed as being in opposition…namely mind-wandering and the control of attention.” In other words, being creative and artistic is good for and challenges your brain. (De Pisapia, et al).
According to Psychology Today, many people feel like they have little or have limited creativity. But as we have discussed, creativity can flourish at any age and time in our lives if we step outside our comfort zone, practice our newly acquired artistic skill in an exciting way, and stay present in the moment. Practice and consistency are the keys to training our brains to be more creative.
As Picasso said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Artists have this reputation of being naturally creative and inspired. But what most people don’t see is all the hard work behind that final art piece. It requires daily work, practice, and diligence. You will create a thousand drawings or ideas that are terrible before you find one good one.
What is creativity when we think about it in this lens? A way of expressing ourselves by creating an art practice. Essentially, creativity emerges through hard work, dedication and not being afraid to fail. For every good idea, there will be a thousand crappy ones. The key is to not give up.
Art and mental health
The arts have always had a positive effect on mental health, and the pandemic really brought to light how vital expression and creation is for our mental and emotional wellbeing. KFF reported that during the pandemic 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, having an art practice can help us learn how to manage our mental and emotional well-being. Studies show that “creating art reduces cortisol levels (markers for stress), and through art people can induce positive mental states.” (The Conversation)
If you want to know more about the connection of neurobiology and art, you can read this article.
“Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself, and connected to the world”
For many people, sitting with a blank sheet of paper or choosing colors for a coloring book can be intimidating. Creating a work of art can sometimes seem like a scary and daunting task. Prof. Girija Kaimal, professor at Drexel University and a researcher in art therapy, explains that “engaging in any sort of visual expression results in the reward pathway in the brain being activated, which means that you feel good and it’s perceived as a pleasurable experience.” (Gharib, Malaka)
Art making can help with our mental health by allowing us to be introspective while letting out stress and frustration. It helps with emotional intelligence by exploring feelings, building self-regulation, and increasing empathy.
In short, making art is good for you because:
It helps you visualize a positive future
It helps your focus
It lowers stress
It helps you process your emotions and feelings
It gives you a sense of achievement
Have Fun Being Creative!
Being creative can also have a positive impact in the workplace because we are more open to being playful as we focus on the process rather than the end-product. It also allows us to be open to different ideas and to be willing to keep experimenting. Being more creative can help you think better through problems and come up with creative solutions.
“Play happens outside ordinary life”
John Cleese has this amazing talk on Creativity in Management. I recommend you watch the video.
According to Cleese, to be creative, you must be in a creative disposition or mood and the only way to achieve that is to play. However, as adults we don’t really give much thought to the importance of play, so we must “create a space where [we] get away from the ordinary responsibilities of everyday life.”
Breaking your routine is a good way to carve out space for spontaneity and creativity. When you decide to give yourself the time and space to be creative, don’t force it! Don’t feel like you must create something amazing. The purpose is to give you a mental break, allow your thoughts and feelings to have a safe space and most importantly to have fun doing it!
You want to be more creative
Often, we find ourselves so busy and overwhelmed that we forget to engage in activities that truly elevate our lived experience. Our lives are filled with endless to-do lists and half-finished projects. We rarely take time to observe and meditate, learn something new, and express ourselves in a creative way.
Research shows that engaging in a creative activity lowers stress, decreases mental fatigue, and enhances confidence and self-esteem. MAR allows you to carve out space and time to discover, understand, study, develop, and grow as an artist.
What can you do? Come to a Moku Art Retreat!
Joining us on our retreat gives you the opportunity for:
Giving yourself the time and space to explore your creativity
Escape the grind of your usual schedule and invigorate your inner artist
Meet like-minded creatives to connect and explore with
An art kit and guides on how to continue your art practice at home
Walk away feeling lighter and more creative
If you are ready to jump right in and invest in your creative self, join MAR today!