Creativity
Creativity
by Dave Latchaw
What is “Creativity”? Some might say it is looking at something familiar in a different way. The process of being Creative is a positive experience for an artist. I think that most people would like to consider themselves creative. As an educator and a student of music, I look at creativity on five different levels.
The first level is innate or basic. This is how the untrained individual creates, just for the sheer joy of it. This art has a simple, direct approach in its expression. Folk and primitive art would be an example of this level.
The second level of creativity is developed through academic study, which leads to a degree of technical skill. This allows the artist to be expressive within what is correct for a particular style.
The third level would be invention. This is where the artist has a strong enough command of their artistic language that they can explore it in a nontraditional direction. Level three creators come across as adventurous and experimental.
The fourth level is that of the innovator. This is where the artist works “out of the box” of traditional ideas to break the boundaries and rules of a given idiom. They have such complete control of the academic side of their art they create with inspired effortlessness. The innovator creates a whole new direction out of the ordinary.
The last level would be the genius. This is where the artist’s creations are unexplainable. Bach, Mozart, Hendrix and Miles would be a few that come to mind. I would say that this is something that one is born with. All of us who create should explore all of these levels of creativity. If you commit to be an artist, you are agreeing to be a lifetime student of developing your creative voice.
There are several reasons that get in the way of an artist developing their creativity. First, the fear of ridicule keeps some artists from exploring even level one of creativity. This hassle usually comes from other artists or colleagues who are lofty with their academic skills and narrow perspective. They have spent so much time learning the skills the academic world says are important, they have lost touch with the basic joy of expression and creation. Fear of failure is a reason many artists don’t explore creativity past level two. Our society measures success according to commercial potential. Yes, buckets of money would be cool, but don’t let that be your only motivation. Remember, the person who is first at developing the next new thing is the creative one. Many artists will copy something successful just to cash in. That’s what the entire commercial record business is all about. If one is going to create in a more commercial area, they need to focus on the second and third levels of creativity. The second level will let the artist have a good connection to the commercial genres, and the third will let them bring something new to the table. Many artists are insecure, which makes it hard for them to explore the third level. Society’s need for conformity doesn’t help the artist to have the confidence they need to be adventurous and experimental.
The fourth level is the hardest and the loneliest. Society looks for familiarity, and being an innovator, you have to try to break the traditions that would keep you from fully developing your creative voice. To create at the fourth level, I believe one has to bring an aspect from level one, the sheer joy of it. The fourth level has the least commercial possibilities, art and economics battle with each other here. If you have the luck to develop the next new thing, and it brings you a better economic situation, enjoy it, it is a rare in the creative world.
Everyone who has chosen an artistic path should spend some time reflecting on their creative efforts. While you reflect objectively analyze your creative procedure. Make a note to yourself about those moments of creative bliss, or what I like to call “The Zone”. How did you get there? You might find there is a consistent pattern that takes place. The idea then would be to let those patterns naturally happen to strengthen your creative efforts. Don’t try to force it, just be aware of what works for you. “The Zone” is a place where you detach from conscious thought and you are just creating. If you try to force it, you are too attached to the moment. When analyzing how you reach “The Zone”, think of that process as a map for you to reach it again. Good luck and be creative!
