This week we will continue to explore traits that are common among creative people- these in particular are part of a category that scientist Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi believes exist in a uniquely, diametrically opposed way. What interests me in this research is partially these qualities as innate to the creative personality, but also this paradoxical tension between naturally occurring opposing forces within.  The idea of this as unique to the creative personality speaks ultimately to the drive and power I feel when working with creative people. Without further ado, let’s explore the traits (adapted from “Creativity” by Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi):

1. Creatives have a lot of physical energy, but can also be at rest. They can work for extended periods of time and maintain their enthusiasm which might even be a genetic advantage. They may also sleep “a lot.” This alternation between periods of intense productivity and intense rest can be normal for creative people. Be careful- this may be a tough one to navigate and require monitoring to keep healthy.
2. Creatives are smart, yet naive. Sometimes described as “IQ” or even “g” as in “genius factor,” creative people are smart.  Part of this is their ability to think in divergent ways, or “against the grain.”  This requires some naïveté as a byproduct but also contributing to the curiosity driving the thought pattern of discovery and investigation. 
3. Creatives view things both playfully and seriously. They have playful perspectives and new ideas, but are also diligent and perserverent in their work. Creative people are willing to “lighten up” to look at something differently, but are also known to take and defend strong points of view.
4. Creatives are imaginative and concrete. They need both of these things to imagine new things while referencing the here-and-now and/or historical events (i.e. becoming an expert in their genre so they can innovate). They may be very talented from studying and practicing the technique or media of their choice, and springboard from this concrete skill set the imaginative process to innovate.
5. Creatives are often both introverts and extroverts. Many people fall on one or the other side of this scale. Creative people often embody both, depending on other variables (e.g. introverted becoming energized by new work, extroverted when sharing their work with others, etc).
6. Creatives are both humble and proud. They are awe-inspired, interested and humbled by the work of other artists and the world around them, while simultaneously passionate about their own work.
7. Creatives often escape gender norms. This is an example of how creative people sometimes revel in shades of gray- their default thinking pattern is to look for exceptions to a rule rather than follow them- gender norms both in themselves and their work are frequently investigated as a part of this process. 
8. Creatives are both rebellious and independent, as well as conformist and cultured. Something seems to drive the creative personality to question and explore their own path, but they may also find they enjoy aspects of culture, routine and conformity.
9. Creatives are both passionate and objective.  They tend to be able to look at things with strong emotional reactions, as well as take a step back to analyze them. This is an innate skill that may not come with control, but for which control can be learned making it a very valuable tool for them. 
10. Creatives suffer and enjoy immensely. This is something on which I build my Creatively practice.  I tell creatives often that part of their personality is to feel deeply. This means stronger highs and stronger lows. What makes their ability to see the world so special is the capacity to tap into its beauty and pain and translate this into something visual that others can also experience.

So, creative, does any of this sound familiar? Most of it? All of it?  Let’s talk more about how these qualities exist within you, and how you can harness them to create your best life.​

(C) 2018 Creatively, LLC

The Wellness Series with Cindy Cisneros Artist/Therapist

Biofeedback for Artists
An introduction to the science of biofeedback. Use a simple device to pair your body’s rhythms with the calming power of making art.

Zen Doodling
Try on the simple language of drawing for peace, repetition and control. Try your hand at mandala drawing and feel your stress melt away.

Meditating with Art
Learn the benefit of making art just for the beauty of it. Make beautiful pieces and experience guided meditation using your work.
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Getting Unstuck with Mindfulness
Disarm expectations by experimenting with different media and modalities of art. Free yourself from artists’ block and get inspired with mindfulness approaches.

Experience the power of your creativity! Come recharge in an explorative environment at Root Studio. This workshop is perfect for those feeling stuck, stressed or overwhelmed, looking for a fresh approach or wanting to add creativity to their daily lives. Artist and therapist Cindy Cisneros leads this weekly workshop where participants use a variety of techniques to harness the restorative power of creative practice including biofeedback and meditation for stress reduction, and exploring the grounding and mindful components of the art making process. Learn how to use your body’s natural rhythms to engage your creativity and be well with art!
Materials provided, or feel free to bring your preferred supplies!
Benefits:
● deepen your creative identity
● enhance personal well being, unplugging from our busy lives
● build self esteem
● self discovery
● learn mindfulness
● use mindfulness for inspiration
● learn to meditate
● decrease anxiety, stress and more

To reserve your seat or to learn more, click on the button below!

This week marks the beginning of a new category in the Creatively blog: creative exercise prompts to refresh yourself and help you get unstuck. They are random and designed to get your creative juices flowing and start producing work.  Creative energy isn’t constant and one of the best ways to reignite is to be productive and prolific.

For this exercise, there are three aspects- you can choose to use one, two or all of them in your work.  Make as many pieces as you can exploring the prompt.

Aspect one: Make a self portrait using symbols to represent yourself. Include at least four characteristics of yourself in your work.

Aspect two: Make your work a painting and limit yourself to making only 100 brushstrokes to complete your piece. 

Aspect three: Make your work only using your favorite color. You can use different hues, saturation’s, values but all of the same color.  Try at the end incorporating a color you usually don’t like. 

When you are finished, write about the process.  This will be a free write: put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and just begin writing.  Fill a page with your reflections about the exercise. 

Alternative: if you are a musician or a writer, edit the exercise in a way similar to this:

Aspect one: Write or play a song/poem/piece as a reflective self portrait. Allude to at least four characteristics of yourself in your work.

Aspect two: Make your work using only 100 notes/words

Aspect three: Make your work using only your favorite music/writing style. You can Explore the style any way you would like within the genre. Try at the end incorporating a style you usually don’t like

When you are finished, choose a different creative approach to explore your experience (eg if you are a writer, draw or make music, if you are a musician, write or draw, etc)

Despite snow flurries, the Creatively Office is open today, Sunday, 2/4.  Come if you can travel safely.  If you can’t, give me a call about attending online via telehealth.  See you soon!