Monday, March 14, 2016

Your Other Inner Artist

A lot of people who are artistic are gifted in multiple ways. And if not gifted, at least interested in exploring a different art form. For instance, I love photography. I'm not going to pretend I'm good at it, but sometimes I get lucky. Either way, I enjoy exploring photography, framing the perfect shot, fiddling with making a photo black and white. I've always wanted to play an instrument, but I don't know how (I'm totally going to make my son teach me). And singing is something I dabbled in while in school.



What I'm saying is, if you have a creative mind, chances are it's not a one trick pony.

Why does this matter? Exploring other forms of artistry can open your mind more. So can combining them. If you're stuck in your writing, try reading a poem, listening to music that inspires you, looking through photos, or going to an art museum. Experiencing the talents of another person can inspire your own. Even watching a movie counts! A whole lot of someones created that movie. Writers, composers, directors, actors. Each had a part in the creative process that ended with a movie.



In addition, there are all sorts of crafting that count. Do you crochet? Sew? Bead? What about woodwork? All creative! Crafting is creating.

My challenge to you is to choose a different type of artistry and explore it. It doesn't have to be a new one to you, so if you're already a multi-creative person, enjoy!



I intend to get out with the kids next week, spring break, and take my camera with me. Hiking is in order. I want to try a few new trails, and hopefully get some great pictures. What I'd really, really love to do is get some scrapbooking done. I'm about 7 1/2 years behind, at this point...

Who is your other inner artist? Do you enjoy doing something other than writing prose? Will you undertake the challenge?

May you find your Muse.

All graphics from clker.com, by OCAL

36 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

My other inner artist is definitely a musician. And I use my guitar practices as writing inspiration time.

Mamapotomus said...

I hadn't quite looked at it this way, that one might have an overall creative mind and not just a few talents. I definitely find that one artistic persuit makes me want to sit down and write because I suddenly have new thoughts.

I always look forward to your pictures, I feel they often are framed in such a way they share a story.

Andrew Leon said...

Photography is never about that one perfect shot. It's about taking lots of pictures and finding the one perfect moment you captured.
A lot of art is that way, even writing.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'm pretty creative in the kitchen and I do crochet and cross-stitch. Not great at any of them. I'm really good at getting things to grow. You can take the girl off the farm.....

H. R. Sinclair said...

Painting and illustrating would be top of that list. I'm an amateur photographer, too. I did make jewelry for a while which was loads of fun too.

Susan Kane said...

At this stage of life, I'd love to pick painting and sketching again. Found my college portfolio recently, and Hey, I wasn't bad at all.

Karen Baldwin said...

I love your idea. I do dabble in painting. I'm fair but I lstill ove the process. It's a nice break from writing. Wednesday my grandson comes here for the first time to visit me in Mexico. I will enjoy watching him process all the new things he will see - and there's so much to see here on the Caribbean. I think listening to my 4 grandchildren's minds as they question everything is joyful to my soul. They take me down new roads all the time.

cleemckenzie said...

After writing, I love to create something three-dimensional, something I can touch that doesn't involve words.

Jennifer Lee Rossman said...

I go through really artistic phases of drawing or crocheting, but they always fizzle out. Writing is the only one that I've been consistently passionate about all my life. I always wanted to play an instrument, but my clumsy hands disagreed.

Chrys Fey said...

I also see that creative types are creative in multiple ways. I like to do photography, fashion designing, and lyric writing. All of them help me when I'm struggling to write my current WIP.

Chrys Fey said...

I also see that creative types are creative in multiple ways. I like to do photography, fashion designing, and lyric writing. All of them help me when I'm struggling to write my current WIP.

Susan Kane said...

I know God's gift to me is story telling. My father was excellent, older two brothers, and my sister writes. I think that is where I need to be.

Susan Kane said...

I know God's gift to me is story telling. My father was excellent, older two brothers, and my sister writes. I think that is where I need to be.

John Wiswell said...

I completely agree with you on exercising through multiple arts. Prose is the most natural form of expression for me, but I love crafting and even block assembly. It can be downright soothing.

shelly said...

I'm learning how to knit. It's definitely a challenge.

A Beer for the Shower said...

My cohort's big into photography, and pretty good at it. I'm more into drawing and music, but it's true, it's never just the one subject. I love anything creative.

Yolanda Renée said...

I can sew, better by hand than machine. I'm considering doing quilting like my grandmother. But I love photography, and want to try water colors even though I can't draw a straight line. I'd also like to try drumming and singing. I'm open to all of it because I believe like you, creativity is not a one trick pony! Go for it!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shannon - regrettably I can't do anything else ... but I can see, craft with words and create different pictures, different ideas, think out of the block ... and generally be unique in what I do - however simple it is.

Cheers and have fun learning your music .. and getting your son to help - the promise of Knickerbocker Glory may help get you started?! Hilary

LT said...

It's perfect you asked this! Shannon, you can do anything you set your mind to... really! I painted some design boxes (different greens) in my kitchen yesterday and now I want to go look at it again. If you take a small part of your house and make something, it changes you.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I think I have a secret inner musician. I always wanted to learn to play the guitar and piano.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Thank you about the pictures!

I have so many creative urges. I can do a couple well, but the rest are there to be dreams.

Shannon Lawrence said...

This one I have to disagree with. While I often do the taking a lot of pictures thing, especially when it's of my kids, when I'm doing it as an artistic pursuit, I prefer trying to get with my eye (and extended eye) what my brain is wanting in that one perfect shot. Working to line it up. I feel far more satisfaction that way.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I had a brief period where I got things to grow like crazy. My green thumb appears to have been revoked. Won't stop my from trying, though.

Shannon Lawrence said...

You've got all kinds of artsing going on! I like it!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I hope you do take it up again then!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Oh, I'm sure. I bet they had a ton of fun with you, and you with them. Kids can open up creativity we didn't know we had.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Makes sense to me. Words aren't something we can feel.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I'm not sure I have the manual dexterity to play an instrument either. But I'd still like to learn! My son plays string bass, and he's getting a guitar soon, so I'm hoping to make him teach me.

Shannon Lawrence said...

The fashion design would come in handy for your books, too!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Sounds good! A family affair.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I do find other forms of art soothing, that's for sure. Prose is more natural for me, as well.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I once knew how to crochet. I didn't have the patience to do it well, but it was relaxing.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Fun! Do you play an instrument?

Shannon Lawrence said...

Oh, I have such quilting urges. Tricky to know where to start, and I'm sure I wouldn't have the patience in actuality, but I'll still be trying it someday. We have drum circles at Garden of the Gods here sometimes. I'd love to learn how to participate in a true drum circle.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Being unique is a creative talent of its own. And I could do all sorts of things for a Knickerbocker Glory!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I think you're right. You've given me ideas!