What I connect with Artistically with the two Grandchildren that we're raising is that like me they are constantly thinking and living outside of the box or lines. They have their distinctive point of view at a very tender age and aren't inhibited about expressing it, regardless of popular opinion and what everyone else is doing... they refuse to conform or be intimidated and coerced into living in the box, following "rules" of creativity or design and fashion or coloring within the lines... I like that about them. Who made the "rules" of creativity, design and fashion anyway? Those who think outside of the box and color outside of the lines are often quite misunderstood or thought to be different and rebels... and not always in a good way... so there is often the pressure to fit in and conform or be convinced that how you're doing it is "all wrong" or weird... and it is my Hope that they never stifle themselves and succumb to such social pressures and instead remain true to themselves.
This week we attended a Halloween Festival at "Bass Pro Shop" and they had a Face Mask decorating activity. All of the other children were choosing Orange and Green Markers to decorate their Pumpkin Masks, or the true and accurate colors of the Animal Masks they were creating. But not my Grandchildren... and it was intriguing some of the older Adults observing them, there were comments, interest and glances. Being so bold, distinctive and confident in their approach, oblivious to what everyone else was creating and not being unduly influenced by it... intent upon their creations and vision with no interest of what the majority of children were doing or suggesting... unconcerned that theirs was obviously quite different by comparison. My 5-year old Grand-Daughter was creating her Pumpkin Mask with Aqua, Turquoise, Violet, Yellow and Red Markers, she wouldn't be swayed when someone would ask if she wanted the Orange or Green Markers... and when an elderly Gentleman inquired about how she came up with such imaginative hues that weren't at all like the other children's Pumpkins she simply stated in a matter of fact way that Orange and Green would not have matched her outfit!!! *LOL* I'm a seasoned Artist and yet I hadn't even considered that she was forward enough thinking that she'd taken into consideration that the Mask she would be creating and wearing should compliment her ensemble and that her vision was to match the hues and design in what she wore that day so that it coordinated!!! And my 10-year old Grandson wasn't content to have a Zebra Mask colored in the traditional Black and White Stripes... no, his Zebra had Rainbow Stripes... I realize the conviction and celebration of being who the Master Creator designed you to be it takes to be the Aqua-Turquoise-Violet Pumpkin in a sea of Orange Pumpkins... or the lone Rainbow Striped Zebra. Colorful and imaginative their Masks were... outside of the lines of conventional thinking and conforming... consistently living outside of the box in our colorful style and World... and we'd have it no other way... because that's how we roll and who we are... Dawn... The Bohemian
To be more creative one should simply choose to be. Then be. Then support everyone else in being.
While we busy ourselves creating this World our Children are occupied inventing a better one.
- Quotes from "A Thousand Paths To Creativity" by David Baird