I would love to be a creative person; to have an idea and watch it take shape beneath my hands.
I have often wished I was a brilliant sewer, knitter, artist, photographer, chef, or other crafty-type person. Alas, my natural talents don't seem to lie in that direction. My list of talents is pretty thin! I'm very good [okay, obsessive] at editing and proof-reading, good at organising and writing, and okay at swimming. I'm not very inspiring, am I?!
I was thinking about this last night on my way home from work. And I got to thinking: may be the way I live my life is the way I create. After all, creating is about passion, colour, adventure, joy - all the things I look for in my every day life.
May be I can't whip up a fabulous sartorial creation - but I can enjoy wearing the fabulous sartorial creations made by others. May be I can't cook a cordon bleu meal - but I can potter about in my boyfriend's kitchen and have a great time making a simple meal we both enjoy. May be I can't paint a beautiful picture - but I can articulate the designs in my head to a tattoo artist so he or she can make my skin a work of art.
All these things, in their own small way, are acts of creating.
Any way, I have decided to take the plunge and attempt to create some thing with my own two hands: I'm knitting myself a head wrap. I have no pattern, only an idea in my head ... so it's some thing of an experiment, and it might or might not work.
I'll let you know how I get on when I'm finished ... so check back in about 10 years' time!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
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8 comments:
I think you're hugely inspiring. Being inspirational takes many forms, only some of which are related to creativity, and being creative doesn't always imply one's inspirational. It's perfectly possible to be a creative ratbag.
Moreover, I'd disagree about your self-assessment. While I do agree that the way you live your life is the way you create, I think you're more creative (in the conventional sense) than you think. What's this blog if not creative? And what about those events you're so good at initiating (e.g. the peace march, the yoga-outdoors event) — creating action is particularly difficult (believe me ;^P)? Your creativity's also expressed through your imagination — designing and making fabulous sartorial creations would be pretty depressing if no one had the imagination to appreciate them.
I could go on (and probably do), but you get the idea. Best of luck with the knitting, too. When can we place our orders?
Anne-Marie, obviously I don't know you in person, but you've always struck me as someone who is very creative. I agree with Pete that you are selling yourself short. But let's assume, for the sake of argument, that we're both wrong (HIGHLY UNLIKELY ODDS, just so you know). This sort of discussion always calls to mind one of my biggest heroes: Clint Eastwood. He's a good director. He's not a spectacular actor. He's a decent singer. Where he really shines is in how he's navigated his career and, insofar as a stranger can assess it, the trajectory of his life. That man is good at living. And if that's not creativity, I don't know what is. I want to be that way. I think you are already there.
Pete, thanks for your kind words. I think I used the word "inspiring" too lightly... because of course many people who are not necessarily creative can be very inspiring. Perhaps the word I wanted was, um, interesting? I mean, if I told some one at a party I had a passion for apostrophes, it would probably kill the conversation right there!
Thanks for the wider definition of creativity, too. Plenty of food for thought there. As for knitting orders, I'll start your pretty blue headband as soon as I've finished mine. So expect it in 20 years!
Emma, thanks also for the kind words. I think you seem to be doing a pretty great job of living life well, too!
Anne-Marie - you don't think you are creative???!!! You are without doubt the most creative person in our family by a long shot (with Lizzy trailing after you - but she must get those genes from you!). You have a wonderful eye for colour, and you make beautiful rooms, and you always look wonderful and wear gorgeous clothes and you are a beautiful writer - and also the world's best sister, and best aunt, and excellent godmother, all of which are also creative endeavours. And you THINK in creative ways! I'm truly astonished that you don't think you are creative.
And I thought most people who take up knitting would pick up a simple pattern..... but you choose your own path, always :-)
Yeah - what Pete said:
"I would love to be a creative person" - there's more than one way to paint a picture my friend and your blog posts are so creative.
Creativity doesn't always have to result in something physical - but i wish you luck with your head wrap - i know how it feels to have ideas in your head and not know how to put them into practice
Okay people, I capitulate! I am the most creative person in the whole world!
Seriously though, it is interesting when you discover your own opinion of yourself is completely different from that of others.
Lisa - wow, thank you, favourite sister! It's funny you think I'm so creative, because I've always thought YOU were the creative one, being such a brilliant cook, knitter, home-maker, mum, writer, academic - and you wear gorgeous clothes too! I think Lizzy will outstrip any of us in creativity, if she doesn't already.
Hungry Pixies - thank you! You are right, creativity doesn't have to be a physical thing. I will remember that.
Thanks for all your comments, this has been an interesting discussion!
You might well be the most creative person in the whole world! Good luck with that head wrap.
Nadine, thanks! The head wrap is coming along quite well, although it's early days yet.
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