Art has always been a part of my life, an ever-present companion through every twist and turn. The journey through art and creativity has been deeply personal.
Rosanne Araneta’s recent webinar on creativity was nothing short of an eye-opening experience. Her words resonated with me, prompting me to reflect on the role of creativity in our lives and the avenues through which it can be nurtured. The insights shared by Araneta were invaluable, and in this blog, I will explore the key takeaways from her talk and take you on a heartfelt tour through my world of artistic or creative expression.
The Childhood Canvas
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”– Pablo Picasso
As we venture into the vivid realm of my early years, we are met with the image of a child—wide-eyed, endlessly curious, and brimming with boundless creativity. In the simplicity of childhood, I discovered the profound beauty of self-expression and the boundless wonder of art.
Blank pages were my playground, and I glimpsed the universe’s infinite possibilities within them. They were not mere sheets of paper but gateways to uncharted territories where my imagination reigned supreme. Crayon-stained hands—those vibrant streaks of color celebrating my fervor—became my trademark. The world, as seen through the eyes of a child, was a canvas yet untouched, and I was the fearless explorer ready to paint upon it.
My journey with art and creativity began at a young age, and it’s a passion that has stayed with me throughout my life. From the time I was a child, I couldn’t help but be drawn to the world of art. I remember the sheer excitement I felt when I wandered through stores and caught sight of coloring books and art supply kits. For me, these were treasures waiting to be explored. I was never shy about expressing my desire for art supplies, whether for Christmas or my birthday. My family quickly picked up on my passion and always found joy in fueling my creative endeavors. I cherished the new brushes, paints, and sketchbooks I received as gifts, and I couldn’t wait to put them to use.
In these moments of creation, at the heart of my childhood, I unwittingly laid the foundation for a lifelong love affair with art. There, I uncovered the seeds of imagination, sown in the fertile soil of innocence, which would continue to blossom and flourish in the chapters to come.
Araneta’s reference to children’s creativity and their boundless capacity for play struck me as a reminder of the simplicity of creativity. It’s all too easy to get bogged down by rigid structures and routines, forgetting the spontaneous, joyous creativity that children embody.
The Awakening
We find ourselves at a crossroads, a moment of awakening. Here, art transcends the realm of mere aesthetics and begins to don the robes of a deeper, more profound purpose.
As I navigated the tumultuous waters of adolescence and young adulthood, I discovered that art was more than just a medium for external expression—it was the mirror to my soul. In those formative years, art began to resonate with the rhythms of my heart. Each canvas I graced with my emotions became a map of my inner landscape—a visual representation of the joys, sorrows, and enigmas that life presented to me. Art, in its purest form, became a sanctuary, offering solace in times of need and celebration during moments of triumph. In the face of life’s challenges, I discovered that art was my faithful companion, always ready to lend an empathetic ear.
As someone who practices meditation, I have experienced firsthand how a shift in my mental state can foster creativity.
It reminds us that external factors do not solely influence creativity but are deeply intertwined with our internal state of mind.
Araneta’s explanation of the Theta state, associated with deep relaxation and creativity, shed light on the internal aspect of creativity. I uncovered a path to navigate the labyrinth of emotions and to express what words often fell short of capturing. Here, I found my voice, not in spoken language but in the expressive language of mindstates.
Art became my means of coping, a refuge where I could lay bare my innermost struggles and joys.
The Evolution of Creative Style
Through the brushstrokes of practice and the exploration of various styles, we begin to weave our unique narratives onto the canvas of our lives. As we traverse the vibrant landscapes of this life, we’re invited into a realm where the artist in us experiences an evolution akin to the growth and transformation of an individual, just as the tapestry of life unfolds with time.
Like an artful mosaic, my journey is woven with the threads of various challenges and downfalls. Creative evolution is, in many ways, a reflection of personal growth. Through trying and experimentation, I found the subtle contours of my self-identity coming into focus. As life continually unfolds to reveal new facets of our being, so did my metamorphosis, mirroring my inner transformations. I learned that within me was a dynamic entity, perpetually redefining itself and pushing the boundaries of creativity. The transformation is a powerful reminder that growth and personal evolution are intricately interwoven threads in the tapestry of life.
Art as Communication
At times, the limitations of spoken language leave me searching for alternate means of expression. During these moments, art emerges as my voice, speaking eloquently where words falter. I’ve often encountered emotions, thoughts, and experiences that elude verbal articulation. There’s a vast emotional landscape that words struggle to navigate, where nuances, subtleties, and complexities are lost in translation.
Araneta’s suggestion to embrace doodling struck a chord with me. While doodling may seem like a simple and almost mindless activity, it is, in reality, a subconscious means of externalizing thoughts and emotions.
Art has been my vessel to convey the ethereal and the visceral, the abstract and the concrete, and the emotions that reside within the soul’s uncharted territories. It is a language that transcends the boundaries of the spoken word, enabling me to communicate my deepest thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Rosanne Araneta’s webinar was a refreshing reminder that creativity is not exclusive to artists or writers—a universal gift we can cultivate. Araneta’s insights have given me a deeper appreciation for the myriad ways we can foster creativity.
After participating in Roseanne Araneta’s enlightening webinar, I have made a profound self-promise to ignite my creative potential within me. I am wholly committed to embracing my creative self and tapping into the profound depths of my imagination. I am well aware that nurturing creativity is a continuous journey, and I pledge my unwavering dedication to this profound endeavor.
I realized that through personal anecdotes and shared stories, we would discover that creativity, in its diverse forms, is a silent revolution waiting for all of us to embrace. It is a call to action, a force for change, and a constant source of inspiration. I hope you, too, will appreciate creativity’s incredible power in shaping ourselves and society.
As I reflect on my journey with art and creativity, it becomes apparent that the flame of creativity never extinguishes. It’s a torch lighting the way through life, inspiring not only myself but those who cross its path. In the world of art, there are no mistakes, only discoveries waiting to be made.
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He wrote this reflection paper for his class on Integral Human Development. He can be reached at [email protected].
The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.
