Day 5 of HEIA: Creativity.
I am a creative person. As a little girl, I would play pretend for hours. I was a mother during the American Revolution. A mermaid in the midst of a deep and mysterious sea, a playful puppy, and even a gardener. I wore elaborate crowns and ruled my country in humility. I painted masterpieces. I educated young pupils in my classroom. I built fortresses and flew airplanes. I was anything and everything I wanted to be.
It often surprises me now when I hear anybody, young or old, say they aren't creative and that their imagination is lacking. Now that just seems absurd -- no creativity? Bah.
As adults, whether we are artists, teachers, doctors, politicians, pastors, parents, fashionistas, chefs, or athletes,
we share one thing in common: the ability to create something where nothing existed before.
And so my friends, I created a list of pointers on how to become a more creative person:
1. Believe in yourself.
Back when I started working on my art minor, I walked into my first figure drawing class and felt very much like
a journalist in a room full of artists. I was sure I wouldn't stack up against the rest. My teacher, Terry Morrow, was a tough grader, too, but told us almost every class that we were the
"creme de la creme," that our minds were brilliant and we were capable of learning. I needed him to have that confidence for me when I couldn't, but I quickly learned that I really am capable. In fact, by the end of the semester I had won the title of
"most improved."
A drawing of the same model on the first day of class and then towards the end. In the words of Terry, the "Big Mich" would have been really very proud.
this is the only non-awkward picture of myself I could find.
