Creativity Rocks

I was lying in bed a week ago, thinking about this column. You know how it is. You get a great idea, you develop the idea, you fall asleep. I know I should have gotten up and written it all down right then, because it was really great stuff. Instead, we have to settle for what I can remember now.

On Thanksgiving, my sister and I took the annual "walk-the-food-off" trek. About halfway through one of us (I won't mention any names, but her name does rhyme with "Terry") needed to make a quick stop. We were near the home of a friend of hers, so we made a slight detour. Before we left the house, I was asked if I wanted to see some of the paintings that the woman's husband, J.D., does. Sure, I thought. I love to see what other people do with their talents. He pointed out several elegant pieces of art in the front room. I was impressed. We went through the kitchen, and into the garage, which has been transformed into J.D.'s art studio. There were paintings covering the walls, the floor, easels!

Wow! I thought to myself. He must really be serious about this little hobby of his. Wait a minute. I asked if this was his profession. He smiled, a little shyly, I thought, and answered, "Yes." As I was perusing my surroundings, I noticed pictures torn from magazines, lining the walls, up around the ceiling. Aha! He surrounds himself with ideas, in order to spark his creativity! What a concept. Only a moment later, I noticed something else stapled to the wall. It was a professional-looking poster for John David Parrish. Hmm. That name sounds familiar. J.D. John David. Oh, wow! This guy is no amateur! I think I may have turned a lovely shade of rose. Hopefully, nobody noticed.

So, where am I going with this story, besides the fact that I met a semi-famous artist? Remember, I said I noticed that he had torn out pictures and placed them all around the room, to boost his creativity. He surrounded himself with ideas. One thing that he said that I thought was interesting was that he has been through some emotional pot holes the last few months, and was having a hard time being able to paint beauty, when all he wanted to do was to strangle something.

I'm like that with my writing. But instead of working with it, and writing an Edvard Munch*-ish Scream as practice, I make excuses. "I just don't feel like writing today." Or, "I'm too depressed. Where's the chocolate?"

This issue is all about creativity: ways to boost it, ways to get it, ways to use it. Several writers have contributed their own ideas about being creative. I'd like to open up a new column called "Creativity Corner." Every month we'll have a few people give us ideas, insights, jokes, whatever, on creativity. If you have ideas, please, please, get brave, sit down in front of your computer, write them down, and e-mail them to me!

*Edvard Munch--(pronounced Moonk) Dutch painter, b. 1863, d. 1944. Known for founding the Expressionist movement in art. Most famous painting: The Scream.