Suzu Creative
Art & Language – Where Magic Happens.
Resurrecting the Creative Genius
How and when exactly does our artist’s soul wither and die? It often happens so quietly it goes unnoticed. More importantly, can it be revived?
The phenomenon of creative mortality was illustrated very vividly years ago when I attended a luncheon, where the keynote speaker was motivational humorist, Craig Zablocki. (Wise and hilarious – go see him if the opportunity arises!) At one point he asked the room of 200 or so business owners to raise our hands if we could paint a picture if so requested. I have been drawing and painting since I was a kid and had just recently opened an art gallery – my hand went up, as did a few dozen others.
He then inquired how many of us could sing a song and I quickly dropped my hand lest he make eye contact and ask me to demonstrate. About the same number of hands went up for the song. Craig’s next question made us all take pause.
“So, how many would raise their hands if this was a room full of first graders?”
Um, yeah… all of them.
My earliest joy actually was singing. However, at some point – definitely after first grade – I decided to confine my musical career to the shower and focus on the visual arts. I don’t necessarily think most of us have a defining moment or a soul-crushing incident that leads us to believe we are incapable of drawing, singing, dancing or creating. Part of it is the decline of focus on the arts in education, but I believe as we get older, we uncover weaknesses, fears and doubts that send our childish zeal and confidence into hibernation.
Which means it can be awoken.
Like a bear coming out of the den, yawn and stretch those muscles! Sing with abandon in the car like I do. Dance like a weed-whacker in your living room or take tango classes. Go to one of the many paint-it-yourself studios and events. There’s a reason those businesses are growing in number, not to mention the popularity of adult coloring books and karaoke nights. And experts agree that being artful and creative touches other aspects of our lives; a little bravery from the right side of our brain can do wonders for the professional arena as well.
Like Elizabeth Gilbert says in Big Magic, “If you’re alive, you’re a creative person.”
Tell me what piece of you went to sleep as you got older, and what you could do to rediscover it.
Suzu Creative 