I have heard this sentiment before. “I’m not creative” so I ponder it.
It sounds like a disclaimer, and it may be in the way that not knowing what to do in obviously creative spaces can calm the discomfort the space brings.
I believe they are creative and I often say so. Who decided who was creative anyway? An uncreative parent comes to the studio because their child likes art. They are creative they say. That’s Interesting. They can recognize their child’s interest in art, which is a creative outlet but not creativity itself. Art and artistic fields have been places under the umbrella creativity but what about all the other fields there are in the world? That may have to be another blog post someday.
I have had Parents express that they feel like they have to lead their kids in our open space, give them directions but because they are not creative as they say, they don’t know how to get started. It can be uncomfortable for a few minutes as they settle in, especially if they like to follow rules. Self doubt seems to be a factor in the sureness of creative lack these parents have. Perhaps along the way during their growing up, creativity wasn’t nurtured. But now, as parents creativity is back on the table. Don’t worry, creativity is kind.
Through my work with the studio I have come to understand that we are all creative. I believe it’s wired into our thinking capabilities, a thinking muscle in our brains if you will. The great thing I’ve noticed about creativity is that it strengthens when it’s nurtured and, ironically when we are helping to nurture it in others, it gets nurtured in us too.
During their visit to the studio children start creating in the organic way that they know how, letting what they are doing unfold into simply exploring their ideas and curiosities about what happens and how. In this process they are free to think their way and creativity just flows.
It is my desire that after a session at the studio, the adults who weren’t creative when they came in are creative when they leave.
