Ariana

 How to bring out creativity

Have you ever had a blank sheet of paper and asked someone next to you “what should I draw”? It’s because you have soo many choices! The possiblities are endless! It’s kind of overwhelming. This could be relevent to any situation that involves your input on creating something out of nothing. It could be with photographing, making music, designing, writing, cooking, or even putting together an outfit in the morning. As an art and photo student, I’ve learned to cooperate with these types of obstacles. Being indecisive is one of the traits that I have and I completely hate it, but I always try to remind myself with one of my favorite quotes by Austin Kleon. “In the end, creativity isn't just the things we choose to put in, it's the things we choose to leave out.”

1.) If you think about it.. nothing is original. We are all influenced by someone or something and we are constantly being inspired. The best way I can word it is, you should pull everything that you love from hundrends of other things and mash it up into one thing to create something NEW that reflects who you are. So first thing to do is collect and take note of things you see/find and save them for later so when it comes down to creating your project, they can guide you.“Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new film, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul.” - Jim Jarmusch 

2.) After you’re well aware of what you love and want to steal from. Time to add in all your effort! Use your free time to think over ideas. DO PRELIMINARY WORK. Write out your thoughts. Sketch it out. Do some more research. Make 3 similar options for yourself and choose the best one. Make slight alterations until you’re confident with what you want. The process/outline is the MOST important part. I know for myself, when I’m drawing out my sketches and I find out what my final piece will look like, I get super excited and motivated. I’m pretty sure it’ll be the same for you. And to be straight forward, if you skip this step, you’re most likely going to end up with a shitty execution. Having a solid plan will make things easier.

3.) Now, make it! “Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use – do the work you want to see done.” - Austin Kleon

4.) Be open to criticism! The only way you get better is if you learn from your mistakes. Don’t be shy. Share it! Sometimes when you hear other thoughts, it strikes a new idea. I personally perfer people to point out my mistakes in my paintings/drawings more than just a “good job” type of comment. And if someone asks you for your opinion, give it to them!! With kindness and honesty.   
“All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste, but there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer.” - Ira Glass

5.) There’s always room for improvement. Find your weaknesses. I found out I suck at drawing symmetrical eyes on a face, by meeting people who kick ass. Once you become the greatest out of all your friends, find new people who are better than you. Be friends with them. They can probably give you tips or show you a cool new perspective. “You ever find that you’re the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.” - Austin Kleon


“Think about what you want to learn, and make a commitment to learning it in front of others. Find a scenius, pay attention to what others are sharing, and then start taking note of what they’re not sharing. Be on the lookout for voids that you can fill with your own efforts, no matter how bad they are at first... Share what you love, and the people who love the same things will find you.” - Austin Kleon