SO, WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT BEING CREATIVE?

SO, WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT BEING CREATIVE?

a.  Learning about God’s creation is inherent in art activities. I believe God wants us to be creative and has given us the potential to progressively become more like Him. He created us for His pleasure, and we can create for ours and His. Attention to detail may lead us to become more intimate with nature through drawing, gardening, writing, etc., and to appreciate more the unsurpassed greatness of our Creator.

b.  Being creative adds “spice” and excitement to existence. As the writer of Ecclesiastes so eloquently expressed, life can be mundane and feel futile periodically. A person does not have to be a professional artist to experience the thrill of creating.

c.  Even small experiences in art benefit the brain, especially valuable for children’s development. Continued experiences in art cause continued progress. That’s what happened to me. I liked drawing as a child, and I’m still at it, steadily improving. The creative experience of art spills over into other areas, so that fresh neural pathways in the brain are open, and new ideas are possible in any area of life.

d.  Art experiences develop character. Patience is a virtue difficult to learn and more difficult to teach. Art can teach us to not give up, rework the first attempt, or start over, if we make the decision to gain from the experience. Countless times I have reworked a painting, or re-tried if the first attempt was unredeemable. Creativity requires re-thinking, combining design elements into different arrangements, using varied line quality and color. For example, using a large brush sets me free from tiny detail too soon in a painting, and allows me to take advantage of the spontaneity produced by the brush strokes.

e.  Learning to see accurately is one of the greatest benefits of art experiences. If we want realism, we must observe details, edges, line directions, shapes, sizes, and colors. This requires practice in seeing accurately to gain skill - also exercising patience. If we choose “abstract” images, one still has to use art principles and elements skillfully. 

f.  Two keys are practice... patience... practice... patience. We need to practice the fine arts to learn eye-hand coordination, to follow directions, to think creatively in problem-solving, and to make our environment interesting, stimulating, and beautiful. Patience helps us to understand that the learning process may not be instant.

g.  Tests and studies have proved that the production and study of the fine arts increase academic performance.

So, what do you think is the greatest value of art?

WHAT IS ART?

WHAT IS ART?

Have you ever wondered why something is called art? We all see examples of poorly executed art or just art we dislike, but it might still be art. The reason: art is categorized such as any work in visual, musical, communication, creative writing, or performance, whether or not done well. You may have heard statements by museum visitors such as, “They call that art?” Their voices audibly apply extra question marks and exclamation points.

      A good definition for a broad perspective of art: anything that is done well, such as exceptionally good food, fashion design, speaking, comedy, and so forth. The category can be extended almost ad infinitum. It is an opening for expressions of excellence in many venues.

      So, what does it mean to be “done well”? Of course, opinions of those without visual art training will most likely judge a piece of visual art subjectively, according to their preferences. Good art principles and design can be understood intuitively, but my observation is that most without training judge a painting, sculpture, or whatever on subject matter. Sentiment is considered more important than understanding why the quality is either good or bad and allows them to hang something inferior on the wall, but still think it is worth it. Sentiment is important and definitely has its perks, but if the execution of the art is poor or mediocre, then after a while, it becomes merely a decoration, losing its attraction and simply filling space.

      I seldom browse a Christian bookstore’s gift section. Some reproductions are done well, but most I would call mediocre. Sentiment is the only reason for purchasing. It is “expected” art with expected subject matter to be displayed as a sign of a believer occupying the house. I would call much of it “dust-catchers” that have lost their impact through over-reproduction.

      The broadest definition of art would be anything done well in any category, i.e. the art of cooking, the art of communication, and such. The art of good visual art would include adherence to the major principles of harmony in good composition, tone, value, line variation, and more, even to some examples that “break the rules.”

      Now, what would you say art is? I look forward to your comments.

Books and Painting

Hi Friends -

I have received my books (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How? A Creative Look at Life's Main Issues ©) and am ready for the book signing event at the Lakehills Library on May 3. Very exciting. Have placed a synopsis and a "Look Inside" on my web site, designed a new business card with my information about Spears Art Studio, Inc. with the new Shields & Spears Publications info, and redesigned my 1/4 page ad with the new info added to the old. Quite a busy time!

I have really enjoyed this experience of writing - as much as I love painting and drawing. When the marketing part of my responsibility to the publisher is functioning smoothly, then I will definitely get back to my studio with gusto. Good thing oil paints keep over time.

We have lost our lake here due to drought and San Antonio's use, so if I want to paint a lake scene, I must use my photos and/or imagination and memory. After such a time lapse between painting sessions, I am able to see my last efforts in a more critical light. I have a tendency to consider my artworks too precious, and don't see flaws right away. Backing off, or even hiding my artworks out of view has proved valuable in a few instances. I have to remember that masterpieces are more rare than simply good compositions and colors.

The painting urge is rising!!

Diane
spearsartstudio.com

My examination copy of my new book, Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How? A Creative Look at Life's Main Issues© looks great! Left a message with the publisher to go ahead with the printing. A book signing event has been scheduled at the Lakehills Area Library, May 3. I'm so excited!

New Publication!

Hi -

I'm new to blogging, so if this first post looks strange, please let me know. Thanks.

Next week I'm receiving a hard copy of my new book for examination: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How? A Creative Look at Life's Main Issues©. If there are no printing errors, it will go into production in earnest. The book will be available first on line in soft cover, hard cover, and e-book at CrossBooks.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and other online venues. It will be available at brick and mortar bookstores an unknown amount of time later.

I'm quite excited about this. In the past (and currently) I've self-published Christian art curriculum on demand. This is a new experience for me dealing with a publisher that will do the printing and marketing.

My book, Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How? A Creative Look at Life's Main Issues©  is a thought-provoking-answer-giving new publication for youth through adults, It suggests answers to some prevailing life questions such as Why Am I Here? What is truth? Can I control events in my life? The errors we encounter in our culture are non-Biblical, misleading, or superficial and leave us dissatisfied.

      Many issues addressed include our Source, our origin, rejection, pride, victory, unpreparedness, how the animal world mimics human behavior, and current social issues. Original proverbs, parables, short stories, poetry, commentaries, illustrations, and more, make reading a pleasurable experience and the Christian content understandable, palatable and thought provoking. The book offers some deep, substantial answers that call our attention to truths and wisdom to relate life experiences and desires to serious ideas in an entertaining and memorable format. You will be guided into deeper critical and logical thinking processes than most of us are regularly confronted with in daily life.

      As a seasoned educator, I encourage all to think logically and to question everything. We do not check our brains at the door when we enter the Door of Life. My sincere hope and prayer is that Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How? A Creative look at Life’s Main Issues © will inspire you to think on a deeper level about eternal issues than ever before and that you will truly enjoy this experience. 

      A peek at the contents is on: http://www.spearsartstudio.com

      If you like what you see, I would appreciate your recommending it to your contacts. Thank you.

Artfully,

Diane