Personal art and creativity

Published in the Idaho State Journal and Blackfoot Morning News week of July 25, 2010


What is art? What does it mean to be creative?

Art is one of the oldest expressions of self there is. Ancient drawings cover the walls of caves around the world. Cultural dances, music, architecture, literature, symbols date back thousands and thousands of years. It seems artistic expression is one of the first things humankind learned how to do—and it’s been a vital part of our wellness ever since.

How often do you engage in the artistic process for your well-being? It’s easy enough for me to skip over—I don’t feel very confident at drawing, or singing, or dancing, or music, or poetry. So what is there to create, and what’s the point, exactly?

Just because your finished work of art isn’t going to end up on a museum wall, doesn’t mean the creative, artistic process isn’t valid and worthwhile for everyone.

We’re a chatty species; we use lots of words that stream through our brains at a bazillion miles an hour. But relying on linear, everyday trains of thought alone to express ourselves and cope with life sometimes falls short of what we are really trying to say or understand.

Enter the crayon box. Or lined notebook paper, or living room dance party, or silverware rhythm jam. Art doesn’t need to be expensive, it doesn’t need to be anything fancy, it doesn’t require a lot of prep time or work space, and we don’t need any formal training to participate in it. And sometimes art can take us where everyday words and dialogues can’t—art can help us come to closure, it can quiet our minds, it can evoke feelings that need some attention, it can help clarify a vision. Or, it can simply be a fun way to occupy some time and make you feel good about yourself.

So what do you want to create? Everyone has their artistic preference, and I like putting pen to paper in the form of doodles or little sketches. We can draw whatever we’d like. Maybe a detailed picture of your ideal life—where you don’t worry about scale or style (you can be a stick figure as tall as your house if you’d like), but draw all the things you’d like your life to be, being sure to include all the great things that are in your life right now. Or draw spirals—one of the oldest, most mystical symbols of all. Let your mind go and hypnotize yourself by tracing rhythmic patterns in, out, in, and out again. It’s as good a meditation tool as any.

While artistic expression in it’s basic forms don’t require any formal training, simply permission, if you’d like your trees to look more like trees, or you want to upgrade from silverware to real drumsticks, take a class and enjoy every minute of it. Most community art classes are short, to the point, and don’t usually cost much more than a spa day or lift ticket.

We are bombarded with images and noise every day—we can’t even quietly read a news story online anymore without having to fight off video—a filmmaker’s cut-and-paste art project of the day. And there are magnificent works of art to see and experience—which we should, even if we have to skip that trip to Paris or the Met in lieu of an art book or audio recording. But some days, the best art that can be produced is that which we produce ourselves. Onward!

Nancy Goodman is a licensed counselor with an emphasis on life and career coaching. For questions or to schedule a free consultation, please contact Nancy at 208-478-1414 or goodnanc@yahoo.com. http://vocatusidaho.blogspot.com.