Everyone has the potential to be creative. Yet for many of us, we often do not unleash our creative talents but instead, stick to safe routines or tried and tested ways. Creativity is best “learned” through self-discovery and experiential learning rather than traditional lecturing in a classroom. Doing something different from our normal routine and venturing out of our comfort zones can often help us to view problems or challenges in new perspectives and to gain fresh insights about ourselves. If you have been too caught up with only work and deadlines, take some time out to experience something new. You may discover a little more of yourself in the process just as I did.
I am very much a workaholic, constantly pre-occupied with my work. One day, I woke up and decided I needed to change my routine. I enrolled in an art class.
My journey began with watercolour painting and I was surprised by the scientific approach taken to create something artistic. But it bode well for me, and that is when I discovered my “talent.” I amazed myself by producing an array of “beautiful” art pieces. They were adjudged to be so good that a local art gallery invited me to showcase my pieces.
I was proud of my progress and was motivated to continue sharpening my skills. In no time, I began singing the mantra “everyone can paint.” It all boiled down to technique and practice. It was about taking something I like and replicating it. I was getting really good at it. I felt good being recognized and commended for my talent.
Deep down inside though, I felt trapped as I was nothing more than a great “copycat.” I was a diligent pupil and followed the rules of watercolour painting to a tee. I am probably better than average, but I was nothing special.
Disheartened, I decided to rediscover myself. I wanted to unravel the creative secrets, to explore new perspectives and experience new possibilities. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and I began oil painting lessons.
My new teacher taught me to look at an object, and to make it come alive on my canvas. For my first attempt, I was given an apple to paint. I thought it would be easy, until I had to battle with different lighting angles. After several lessons, I went to class only to find that my apple had been eaten! The significance was far-reaching for a then beginner like me. I had to continuously adapt myself to the changes that affected the apple. It has taken me months and it is still an unfinished piece!
Following my experience with the “apple,” I became more adventurous. I enrolled in acrylic classes. I thought it was just more art lessons but to my surprise, I got something I did not bargain for – a new and fun creative experience!
I always prided myself upon having an end in mind and I put in a lot of effort to plan my journey. My art teacher challenged my conventions to not only produce masterpieces but also to take the road less taken, towards self-discovery. The tangible outcome was immaterial.
My acrylic lessons turned out to be a life‐changing experience. I underwent a total paradigm shift. The sessions evolved into my personal creativity journey. Each lesson taught me something new because it forced me out of my comfort zone. I took risks and squeezed every single drop of my creative juices onto bare canvas. I exercised my right brain like never before, and the more I did, the better I felt.
Now, I am an “artist” in my own right. Every piece I paint is my masterpiece. There is no other like mine. Over two years have passed, and I have matured from merely deriving pleasure from seeing and showing off my completed “masterpieces,” to discovering the powerful lessons in art that have changed my life.
It is about CREATIVITY and ME!
aiyat
dfhoe
