When I was four, I could draw as well as Raphael. It has taken me my whole life to learn to draw like a child.
-Picasso
Here’s an additional New Year’s Resolution for you: a re-connection with that barely containable, creative curiosity you had as a child. In those days, there was this fluid state of being, an enjoyment of the moment and the process in which you were engaged. It was almost as if you existed largely in a state of wonderment because you were free of self-consciousness or the drive to achieve or be at all times, realistic.
“The desire of adults to be realistic above all else, distances them from the valuable playfulness of childhood. They lose that freshness of vision, and the openness and gullibility that first took place in childhood and was such an important aspect of their creativity.” (HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HUNCH? The Importance of Creative Thinking)
Explore, Discover and Try
There are adults who continue to create universes throughout their lives. Certainly, Walt Disney is an example of that with his characters such as Donald Duck, Goofy and Minnie Mouse. Millions of people continue to experience the magic of his kingdoms – whether in theatrical performances, music, movies, television or on the web – and in his theme parks. Adults such as Disney, have the ability to combine an adult perspective with a child-like vision. They nurture their imaginations, take creative chances and have fun while doing so. Why not give yourself time in the New Year to reconnect again with the child you once were? It was a time punctuated by your desire to explore, to discover things and try them out, to attempt to do things differently while playing with friends or dreaming on your own.
I also wish you a 2019 filled with many whatifs and whynots and let’s-try-it-outs. May you trust your own active imaginations enough to explore further what resides within each of you. May your journeys be intriguing and open-ended. Anything can happen as well as unexpected discoveries…
Perhaps you will discover that you are called to be an artist. Then take the destiny upon yourself, and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking yourself what reward might come from outside. For the creator must be a world for himself and must find everything in himself, and in Nature.
Rainer Maria Rilke,
Austrian poet
Find Everything in Yourself
And may you have fun on your creative journeys. A couple of years ago, I had great fun playing with friends – the very talented musicians, Maryanne Kremer-Ames and Allen Ames of LYRA. At CHANGING HANDS BOOK STORE, we re-entered our childhoods as we performed excerpts from my book, THE WORLD OF GLIMPSE…
And learn more about Maryanne and Allen’s huge musical contribution from my interview of them which you will find in my book, CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CREATIVITY and here on my website.
WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND CREATIVE NEW YEAR!
Thanks for putting this video on, Ellen. It’s a great reminder of how much fun we had! Also, I think we all got into our “inner child” again! 🙂
The colors of your work jump right out of the frames. Most of all, you seem to have so much fun as you create. I love to continue to see your work.
Szlamek Rzeznik
Happy New Year, Ellen, may you continue to be creative and inspiring.
This is truly wonderful, what you created with Maryanne and Ames! What a joyful journey of humour, creativity and playfulness. When a child creates her/his world, life is full of wonder and curiosity. Doors of perceptions are wide open and playfulness is the key. However, the playfulness is grounded in being focused on the here and now. With your creativity, you returned to this source. Thank you for letting me part of it by this video.
You are spot-on, Traude! It is about focusing on the here and now and simply being spontaneous. You are right, that is what children do so naturally and so can we – if and when we let go of any fear of being judged. We can then freely take creative risks and make creative leaps. Maryanne, Allen and I really had fun with this performance. Thank you for your great comments.
Ellen’s book, Conversations about Creativity, is a wonderfully diverse collection of artists and creative people of many disciplines. A must read for those who are interested in the creative process and all that it entails, this book will take you on an enjoyable exploration and adventure through the joys, mysteries and stories of fascinating people! Ellen’s ability to interview well and write imaginatively will both entertain and inform, making this a great book to read!