Creative Exercise

Below is an article I wrote in 2008, as a Contributing Writer to Authentic Art...

When thinking of ways to unleash one’s creativity, I often think of the budding artist who may be awaiting an exercise to uncover their artistic voice.  This person may feel that they “do not have a creative bone in his/her body.”

As an artist who conducts artistic expression classes, I begin by asking that everyone in the class forget everything that they have learned about “coloring within lines”.  In order to truly move into a creative space that will allow your voice to be heard, I recommend the following tips to the first time adventurer within the world of artistic expression:

1) Think of yourself as a writer who requires the best environment to let your thoughts flow; set your environment, the one that best suites you. Consider lighting a candle, incense, playing your favorite relaxation or “centering” music.  If neither of these work for you, try different things until one of them feels comfortable and just right for you.

2) If you don’t have in mind what to create or how to start, it is okay.  Be patient with yourself. 
a) Get an 8x10 or larger sized piece paper (newspaper print – purchased from any art store - is great)
b) Grab an artistic tool (pencil, crayon, charcoal).
c) Think of your day and all that transpired.  Begin to think of the colors that greeted you for the day.  Think of the objects and sounds that greeted and perhaps stayed with you for the day.  Was there a recurring sound, color, or theme?  If you live in an urban area, perhaps the sounds of buses, trains, cabs and/or conversations were constant.

3) Whatever artistic tool you choose, place the tool on the paper and sketch. Go. Keep sketching. Don’t stop.  Keep going until a shape(s) are formed (keeping in mind, the thoughts you considered in #2).

4) Ask yourself:  What is ‘it’ turning out to be?  Keep creating, not necessarily drawing, keep making objects, sketching, scribbling. Do not get frustrated.  Do you feel the need to write words around your objects? Do so…

5) Is there a way to pull this piece together?  What do you want the end result to be?  Was your goal to create trees, people, or other objects?  Pull it together the best you can.  Put it down for the day and come back to it again tomorrow.

In the next issue, we’ll walk through picking it up again and how to create a collage!  Stay tuned for more fun, enlightening and revealing activities…

Written by Chotsani Williams for Authentic Art
Exuberant Creations, LLC
© 2008
May not be duplicated without permission