The Creative Process

 Hello Everyone, Happy Thursday!

Sometimes it blows my mind how everything can be so connected and how you can find life lessons no matter where you look.  

I opened this video clip the other day which I thought was just going to talk about the simple creative experience around making a cute flipbook.  I am not sure what compelled me to watch it but it was probably the look on the little balloon's face.  I figured there might have been some lesson about the balloon's struggle that I could pass along.  Overall, it is a pretty basic how-to and for-fun artistic experience, but alongside the artistic experience, Andymation says some profoundly important things.

First, watch the video...

(Sorry for the commercial in the middle of it, but even that provides a valuable nugget).  

The artist reminds us that in art, just like in life, there are so many possibilities...you can go in any direction you choose.  It's nice to have some ideas about what you might want your life to hold, but it can be limiting to have one view of how that idea can unfold.  There are many avenues that can lead to the same or similar destinations.  In life keep yourself open to the vast possibilities that await you!  

To further that point, while Andymation describes his creative path, he reminds us that no process is right or wrong.  The same is true for life.  There is no right or wrong.  There is only what works for you.  Now, will there be times where teachers or mentors ask you to accomplish specific things, yes, but within that, there are multiple creative options.  I am reminded about an assignment that students on Prodigy used to complete with a former teacher.  I believe that the assignment was to draw a picture of what a scientist looks like.  The ask was the same, but the variety of interpretations were endless and that was evident in the 25 different pictures hanging in the hallways each year!  

Another important point the video highlights is the idea that if you are ever stuck or feeling blank, you can just take a step into the unknown and begin.  You don't always need to know where you will end up or have the journey pre-planned.  Often times the right direction will be revealed to you once you make the first choice.  Being able to choose is freeing and empowering!  Also to this point, I appreciated Andymation imparting the idea that where you start is not always where you will finish.  Sometimes along your journey, you'll start with one idea, and that plan can take vast twists and turns as it forms into something new.  New possibilities can come to mind, new passions become obvious, and a stumbling block can become a springboard.

I hope you can close out today knowing that anything is possible, and I hope you can wake up each morning and breathe in the new possibilities of each day!  

Be well everyone,

Mrs. Hempey