Allowing Creativity to Flourish - Motivation Monday

Don't Hold YOUR Creativity Back

Everyone has creativity!

I know,

everyone except you, right?

Wrong.

Everyone!

Middle Schoolers included!

 I recently had the opportunity to spend the morning teaching two classes of middle schoolers how to create art from life.

 It was so interesting to observe as these young people each created their art differently.

Some took great pains to get a very good likeness of what they were looking at, while others paid little attention to their work, but still got a very good likeness.

I like the girl standing while everyone else was sitting.  She was confident in herself.

Lots of laughter and joking around with this table of young men.  Bet you're shocked.

They were however, serious in their art.

 During these two classes, each table had various drying leaves, sticks, acorns, and a slice of a log to draw.

I showed them several techniques to use to achieve certain looks and then they were to go back to their table and use the "methods" I demonstrated to create their own work of art.

This beautiful fire was at the end of the room.

We were at Camp Kysoc in Carrollton, KY.

This used to be a summer camp run by Easter Seals for children.

Funding became an issue and it was sold.

The county now has control of it and it is rented out for various functions.

 

Let's get back to "Everyone Has Creativity"

Many of these students were worried they couldn't create something.

Aren't we all like that on occasion? 

But creativity comes in many forms:

drawing and painting

sewing

cooking

gardening

woodworking

writing

singing

dancing

clothes selection

interior design

automobile repair,

and the list goes on and on.

Each class had about 20 students in it.

They laughed, they giggled, they joked,
and as they did all this,
they created art.

 

 Some were more confident than others,

but almost all of them responded to positive

encouragement, suggestions, and belief in themselves.

As I said, it was interesting to watch as each student went about their creating in their own way.

Each table had crayons, markers, pencils and chalk and paper and the items they were using as models.

Most chose chalk which was another interesting thing.  

Each of us can choose how and what we will be creative in.

Even if we don't realize that's what's happening.

That is what is happening.

We are using our creativity when we pick out our clothes,

when we decide what's for dinner and how we will make it,

when we fix a car,

make a piece of jewelry,

set our table.

Our creativity is a piece of us.

Even if we choose to deny it,

it's still in there.

All these kiddos spent their hour listening, learning and creating.

 

We can each learn from them.

 

Some of them had lots of artistic talent,

and others were afraid they couldn't draw a stick person!

 

Sound familiar.

 

But once I showed them how to draw the items on their tables,

they went back to their seats and got to work.

They forgot their fears

trusted what they had learned

and created their piece.

 

If there's a talent we want to cultivate,

we can read, study, or watch

but then we have to actually do the work.

 

We have to try the thing we want to try.

and then try again.

And then re-evaluate and try again.

 

I've been trying out several different art forms I'll be sharing with you in the future.

 

Leave a comment about what you want to create,

regardless of the area. 

Maybe we can all help each other as we create.

 

If you haven't peeked into my Etsy shop

click HERE and prepare to have fun. 

Vintage home decor,

jewelry making supplies

and of course, my art.

 

Thanks for stopping by today

and especially for leaving a comment.