Linda's Response to Creativity and the Brain

Greetings all,

I really enjoyed the video and discussion because Serra and Close are two of my favorite artists. There were two topics discussed that I was particularly interested in.  

First off, I agree completely about the value of interacting with other artists/people.  One of my favorite things about teaching art in the setting that I do, despite class size, is that we have art 1 and advanced students in the room at the same time.  It drives the younger students to work harder and the advanced students to do the same because they want to be "better" than the young ones.  Likewise, seeing and discussing the work of other adults, makes me work harder. Like Sarah, I do like working in my own space, but I enjoy having the opportunity to interact with others, see their work, and experience and learn new processes. I find the idea exchange very valuable. 

Secondly, I like Chuck Close's comment about the untrue notions of inspiration and beliefs that each work of art is an unexpected discovery. And the idea that "inspiration is for amateurs and the rest just get to work." When I was younger and now with my students, I see them waiting for that "light bulb" moment when things suddenly make sense and an idea drops in their lap. Now, I find that I am more interested in naming "problems" and finding solutions.  I am "inspired" by the things I see and hear and then figuring out the "how."  How they were made and how I can recreate the visual effects differently.  The art tends to create itself while I work through my discovery process.  Sometimes, actually most times, I enjoy the process and my interaction with the work more than the final product.

~Linda