Children and Creativity

Children have an abundance of creative energy. Their imagination is unending. The silly songs they sing, their spontaneous thoughts, innovative play, and the apparent ability to make something out of nothing all reflect their inborn creativity. Most wonderfully, they don't fret over what anyone else may think; they revel in their unique style and creativity.

But as we grow, outside influences come into play. We start to look outward rather than inward for guidance, motivation and approval. Books, magazines, television and so many other vehicles influence our thoughts and development. As should be, parents, teachers and others direct our growth. But through this process comes unrecognized barriers to spontaneity and creativity. For example, organized sports replace the novelty and exploration of spontaneous “pick-up” games. Youngsters, rather than dancing at will to the music within, are enrolled into classes to be guided in the regimen of dance. Likewise young artists are taught the mechanics of art, sometimes at the expense of imagination and exploration.

It is paramount through all of this organization that young people hold onto and exercise their imagination and need for search and discovery. Through their developmental years and into adulthood there should never be restrictions or guidelines on dreams, vision, feelings and freedom of exploration, all so much a part of imagination and creativity.

In looking at children, it's hard to believe that creativity ever came that easily to us. But it did. And it's possible to get that creative spontaneity flowing once again. Dance to the music within you, create a painting or do a craft just for the fun of it, decorate your house with a touch of abandon, say something silly without regret. Write an article allowing your creative juices to flow - and send it to me!

Painting With Imagination

Imagined Anamnesis   acrylic on canvas  36" x 36"  J. Plesh

                                          

Imagination is the ability of forming mental images, sensations and concepts, in a time and way not perceived through sight, hearing or other senses. Imagination is the work of the mind that helps create. Imagination assists in providing meaning to experience and understanding to knowledge; it is a basic potency through which people make sense of the world, and contributes to the learning process.

“Our imagination is the most important faculty we possess. It can be our greatest resource or our most formidable adversary. It is through our imagination that we discern possibilities and options. Yet imagination is no mere blank slate on which we simply inscribe our will. Rather, imagination is the deepest voice of the soul and can be heard clearly only through cultivation and careful attention. A relationship with our imagination is a relationship with our deepest self.”        PAT B. ALLEN

I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.    PABLO PICASSO

In the realist you have the sorry sight of the five         senses deprived of their imagination  ROBERT BRAULT

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.       ALBERT EINSTEIN

Painting a Song on Canvas

HOT AUGUST NIGHT II    acrylic on yupo paper   J.Plesh

I cannot sing or play a musical instrument; in fact, I cannot even read music. But music has been very inspiring to me through the years and has played a part in many of my paintings. Sometimes I prefer quiet solitude while creating; however, on those occasions when I paint with background music, I can feel the music’s influence and allow it to engulf me and likewise become part of the painting. Sometimes it’s like the brush or palette knife is the baton swinging in concert with the melody and momentum of the music. That’s the joy and beauty of expressionistic painting. Feeling and emotion come into play, generating creativity and encouraging spontaneity and the imagination to move in unison with the rhythm and beat of the music. Usually the music is an accompaniment to the creation of the painting. But sometimes the music itself is the reason for the painting. My painting, through its creation, represents the music. The song or music is the model, the image in my mind that I am intent on replicating. 

Years ago I attended a Neil Diamond concert with my family at the Providence (RI) Civic Center. It was a great show and we had a great time. Arriving home late in the evening after the concert, my wife and children went to bed. But I was way too pumped up and inspired to call it a night. Being in this creative zone, I chose instead to paint and did so for hours into the night. I painted with the image of the concert and the music playing in my mind. The result was a painting I titled “Hot August Night.” The movement, excitement and inspiration of that evening were all captured in the painting. It was purchased not too long after its creation by the Corning Glass Corporation for display in the lobby of their corporate medical division. The painting, like the music, lives on.