Day 95 - Ch 7 & 8 - The Creativity Habit

Tharp starts off chapter seven with a reminder about planning these creative tasks.  But not too much planning as then the plan becomes the focus and not the verb, the creating.  Having a plan becomes an assurance that one has structure when often chaos may enter in the preparations.  She warns her reader to be alert to deterrents such as other people’s agendas, perfectionism, or having the wrong structure or materials to proceed.  Each of these delay the process.  Her exercises are designed to review the old patterns and old beliefs, especially around perfectionism.  Above all, she encourages her reader to be generous with time and their exploration.  Chapter Eight focuses on the Spine, the strong idea one may have.  The spine is the underlying theme of what is being created.  Or the motive that launched someone into action to take these creative steps.  For the author, the spine keeps the meaning or purpose in the creative process as well as a focus on the task to be completed when off course.  One of her exercises directs the reader to begin with a picture and look for the words that tells the story.


I encourage you to buy a copy of The Creativity Habit for a better understanding of your own creative process.  Whether you're a master artist or beginning artist, this is an excellent book.

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