Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The case for creativity

Source: etsy.com via Vintage on Pinterest


I have been on a long search for creativity.  A purposeful quest for inventiveness and originality.  To establish my own voice through my photography, to define the visual imagery that I present as mine.

It is said that curiosity has its own reason for existing, no doubt about that.  It is a natural impulse given to us at birth, and it is one of the most primal and basic instincts for survival.  Asking the right questions will lead us to the right answers.

"Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers"- Voltaire

Or maybe not, but it is a good starting point.  To inquire what truly moves my soul, to understand my fragility... these are the kind of questions I am asking to myself.

Whenever I dig into these kind of subjects, I do it because I genuinely need to understand something.  This is the first time in my adult life where I've paused to examine my own criteria for innovation, and I must say that it is very challenging.  I am self critical to the point where I get frustrated with my work.  I have to push myself forward to cross over the frustration and turn it into motivation for self improvement and for continuance.

As I've searched around for writings on the subject, one name keeps popping up in my readings.

Leonardo Da Vinci.

I have a copy of the book "How to think like Leonardo" that I never finished reading.  I think I will get to work and start the book again, since I think it is exactly what I need.  A good reference to use as a starting point for my own creative exploration.

6 comments:

  1. Not quite sure what to call you now. How about ‘Rustabelle’.
    Rustabelle
    When God created you he gave you a talent of artistic creativity. You are using your talent with your photography. Along with creativity comes frustration in trying to be innovative, producing new and original work. I like you want this to happen all of the time or at times when I expect it to happen. For me success seems to come in phases.
    Be easier on yourself. Let your artist talent be a blessing, put the curse of frustration behind you. Remember you are a mermaid. Sometimes the sea will be rough for to swim in and making headway will be difficult. Other times the sea will be calm and you will be able to swim a long way.
    John
    Great photograph by the way.

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  2. I don't think you have to go in search for creativity and talent as you are already creative and talented. You just need to keep experimenting with the talent.
    Love the photo btw. Did you add a texture layer to it? It looks really cool. :)

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  3. "For success seems to come in phases"... thank you so much for the reminder...

    V...I am definitely experimenting.... thank you for stopping by :)

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  4. Love the abstract look of this. Very cool!

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  5. Thanks for the Voltaire quote… I used it today
    John

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