Creative Spirit Blog November 15, 2025 Creativity Has No Boundaries

The Magic in the Bark Collage

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."  Maya Angelou

We are all born creative, but we use it in different ways.  Creativity is not just about art; it is a way of life. It is connecting things you know in a way that is different from the established order. We can be creative in all aspects of our lives from the studio to the kitchen, to the garden, to the garage. Creativity can solve almost any problem. We just need to allow ourselves to look at things from a different perspective.

Creativity is a very crucial part of our lives. Not only does it shape our art and culture, but it impacts the sciences, business, and everyday problem-solving. Whether you’re an artist trying to find the right shade of a color or an entrepreneur brainstorming your next big idea, creativity paves the way for innovation and growth.

The process of creativity can be difficult for some people.  They allow self- doubt to hold them back and turn it into self-sabotage, which is unfortunate, because the process should be fun. As we move into adulthood the inner realm and freedom we experienced as children gets overshadowed by the constant pressures, demands, and distractions of the external world. We no longer trust the spirit of play we had as children. On our creative journey we are going to find things that work and find things that don’t.  It’s all part of the creative process and that is ok. As Albert Einstein said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun". So, let’s have fun!

We need to let go of preconceived ideas and allow our imagination to roam free so we can have a “Eureka Moment”!  Inspiration strikes when you least expect it, but it does usually find us when we are working! Sometimes it’s when we say, “Oh I should have done it that way”, well its never too late! Not everything we do is going to be perfect the first time. It’s sometimes like a complicated puzzle; you try a lot of pieces until the right one fits.

I am frequently asked, “How long did it take you to do that piece?  There is no real answer to that question. Some take an afternoon.  Others take years. Most paintings take a lot of looking at after the initial painting is done to decide what it needs to give it just the right message. There is no time frame on the creative process. 

A chef works on a recipe many times until he or she gets the right balance of flavors.  A musician can work over one section of a piece frequently until the melody blends.  A gardener often moves plants because they outgrow their allotted space. Writers write and re-write until they develop the right mood, and dancers practice repeatedly for one performance. Creativity takes time and it has no boundaries.

"Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties."  Erich Fromm So go have fun!

Last month a colleague found something in my post that she wanted to share with her readers.   I want to thank her for doing so. She is an exceptional fiber artist and a true example of a person who leads a creative life and finds her ideas from life experiences and nature. I encourage you to look her up. www.bobbibaughstudio.com  Thank you Bobbie for sharing.

On December 6^th I will be giving a talk at the HUB on Canal St. in New Smyrna Beach, FL at 11:00. am. "Painting the Spirit of Nature". If you are in the area, I would love for you to come. Save the date.