Comments on: Digging Deep: Creativity

By: Laurrie at My Weeds Are Sorry

Laurrie at My Weeds Are Sorry — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:39:29 +0000

Creativity for me seems to equal “necessity”. I have to screen something, or hide an eyesore, or fill a gap or get some shade where it’s too sunny, and voila! I end up with a lovely garden. I never thought of this as creative design before. Your series may be an eye opener for me as I go from looking at my gardens as problems to be solved… to imagining designs. Looking forward to this.

Laurie-
It sounds like alot of what you consider to be ‘problem solving’ or as you refer to as ‘necessity’ is, in fact, your creative process at work!! Fran

By: carolyngail

carolyngail — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:05:18 +0000

Born that way, Fran. Growing up on a farm without a mother in the rural South and not having material things like a lot of kids do brought out my creativity. If I wanted a doll or new clothes I would have to make them. When I was ten I was given the task of tending the vegetable garden that fed our family year round.

My father made a blank paper border around the perimeter of my room when I was very young so that I could paint or draw as I pleased. No big surprise that I grew up to be an artist.

Teachers were a big inspiration that brought me the magic of books and the love of reading them. The education I received helped me rise out of poverty and become the person I always imagined I could be.

So yes even now in my 6th decade of life I am still an “endless spout of creative activity ” as you put it. I want to be like my Aunt Nell who at 92 kept her own house and tended her own garden. She had a sparkle in her eye to the very end and a sense of humor beyond compare.

Carolyn-
What a beautiful description of your background! Thank you so much for sharing it. Fran

By: Jayne

Jayne — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:27:03 +0000

I could have used graph paper, but instead this week, I played around in Photoshop this week and created a basic drawn plan of our neighborhood lot. Now I have a plan that I can use to visualize ideas as I’m planning the garden.

Dear Jayne-
Fantastic….it’s great that you were able to use Photoshop to draw your lot. It will help alot to have the basic shape and dimensions on paper when you start designing. Fran

By: Rich Pomerantz

Rich Pomerantz — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:57:20 +0000

A wonderful experience I have had when giving presentations to middle school kids is when I tell them that almost everything they see, touch and use in their lives began in someone’s imagination, from the material used in the walls of the room we are in to the fabric of their clothes to the stories in their books and on and on. They so get it. The light that goes on in their eyes and the energy that fills the room is palpable. I always hope that the idea of the power of their imaginations stays with them long after they forget about the rest of the ‘lessons’ they learn that day.

Rich,
I wish I had had you as my teacher in middle school. You are potentially giving them a gift that will remain with them the rest of their lives. Thanks for sharing this with us. It’s a keeper. Fran

By: Liisa

Liisa — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:53:04 +0000

Fran,
I am really excited about this new series of posts. I find myself most creative when I can manage to get out of my own way. At times, this is a huge challenge. I look forward to learning new ways in which to be creative.

Liisa,
You are right on target with your phrase about ‘getting out of your own way. Thank you for mentioning this. It is our ego, often a critical voice, which prevents us from surrendering and playing in an uncensored way. And yes, it is one of the biggest and ongoing challenges in our lives . I look forward to your participation in the workshop over the next several weeks. Fran

By: Artist

Artist — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:08:52 +0000

Creativity is also transformation of two or more things into something new. Gardening is a top place to be creative.

dear artist,
that’s a good thought. i would also add that it is the process and how the person feels when they are doing something that is labeled ‘creativity’. I agree with you that gardening is a wonderful place to express creativity but that are several other ways to do so as well. i’m looking forward to more of your thoughts over the next several weeks. fran

By: Dee/reddirtramblings

Dee/reddirtramblings — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:41:15 +0000

I think all gardeners are extremely creative. I watch them as they plant seeds, which whether in straight rows, or broadcast, are done in a creative manner. Thanks so much for this opportunity. I’ll try to keep track of those creative moments and look forward to reading more.~~Dee

dee- so sorry for the slow response to your post. I was out of town for a few weeks (with no computer…yippee) and seem to have missed quite a few posts when I returned. I love your philosophy that all garrdeners are creative. Would love to hear about your creative moments! fran

By: Joanne

Joanne — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:42:21 +0000

An interesting post and I suppose I have used my bogs as a creative outlet and also used my skills to try and draw attention to Lyme Disease through my blogs.
The fact that my latest blog Looking at Lyme has now appeared on not only Lyme Disease Google Alerts but ME/CFS Google Alerts means that some success is being achieved and fun along the way.

Joanne-
So glad that you’e having success and fun…that is a winning combination! Fran

By: Mr. McGregor's Daughter

Mr. McGregor's Daughter — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:46:15 +0000

It’s not the creativity I’ll have trouble with, it’s the writing it down (or rather remembering to write it down). If I make up something for every day, does that count as being creative?

MMD-
I laughed when I read your post on several counts….join the crowd in forgetting to write things down. I’ll let you be the judge as to whether or not making up something counts as creative moments during a day. It will be interesting to see what you experience over the next several weeks if you participate in the workshop! Fran

P.S. I actually thought your post was pretty creative.

By: Kathy Green

Kathy Green — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:59:57 +0000

First, I am really looking forward to following this series, and to try out the exercises each week. Since my businesses are based on my creativity, it will be interesting to see if I can break those functions out from the other parts of my life. This will be great for for me in more ways than you could imagine. Thanks!

Kathy,
I’m delighted that you’re going to participate in the workshops. I hope over the next weeks that you’ll share how your businesses are based on creativity and the changes you are able to make in other parts of your life as well as in your business (I think that’s what you meant, yes??). Thanks for joining us! Fran