“In the pocket of her jacket, Aunt Edna found a small sable brush, and throughout dinner she repeatedly dipped it in her water glass and drew…. upon her absorbent napkin. She’d tilt her head as if there were actually something to be seen there in the tight wet weave of the cloth. Finally, unable to stand it any longer, I asked, ‘What is it?’

‘It’s the only important thing, the work itself. I want you to stop worrying about what your pictures look like for now. You should just enjoy holding the brush or pencil in your hand, the time spent.’”

from One Vacant Chair by Joe Coomer

I read that book this week. While contemplating art and creativity for this post and while working on a new series of paintings. These paintings have been a long time coming. In part I was afraid to start them. I had to work up the courage to pick up my brush because I was worrying about what the paintings would look like.

Now that I’m working on them, I’m loving the process. I’m loving the paintings, too. They’re not perfect (and I’m not ready to share them), but that’s not the point. The important thing IS the work itself. The act of discovery. The state of curiosity. Imagination and growth. And yes, my brush in my hand. Time absorbed in making.

It’s hard for me to imagine a world without art and creativity.

Even before I started painting, I had many creative outlets. I’m sure you do, too.

Do you:

Write in a journal?

Sew?

Crochet or knit?

Embroider?

Paint, draw, collage, sketch?

Garden?

Play a musical instrument or sing?

Dance?

Cook?

Take photographs?

Refinish or upcycle furniture?

The list of things we love to do could go on and on. There’s always something new to try, to learn.

Maybe we don’t do these things every day. Maybe we’re not even good at them. Maybe we’re only still dreaming about trying some of them. But without creativity, life would be very bleak.

What would a world without creativity look like?

No books to read.

No music.

No pretty mug for my coffee and tea.

No handmade sweaters.

No museums or galleries.

No patterned rugs.

No decorative curtains.

No movies or movie theaters.

No yarn shops or fabric stores or art supply stores.

No interesting recipes to try or fun restaurants to visit.

No sewing patterns or beautiful fabrics.

No magazines.

No blogs.

This list could go on and on, too.

Take a moment, right now. Look around your room. What would no longer be here in a world without art and creativity?

It’s surprising, isn’t it?

Imagining life without art and creativity helps me to remember to be grateful for the joy and beauty that art and creativity bring to my life.

I’m grateful for my own creativity and I’m grateful for all the beauty created by others. And as I mentioned last week, I’m so very grateful for teachers who lead the way, even if only by example.

I think creativity needs to be celebrated.

I have something special for you this week to share my gratitude and pass on some inspiration.

Issue 4 of Strawberry Moon Magazine just came out. The theme is creative collaboration.

In it, Dana Barbieri and I chat about our collaborative projects.

As a thank you to my blog readers and a celebration of art and creativity, I’m giving away a copy of the magazine.

For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below sharing what place creativity has in your life. I’ll choose a winner on Friday, December 16 and let them know by email.

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway! It was such a joy to read your stories. I used a random number generator to choose the winner:

The 17th comment was from Neha. Congratulations!

No matter what creative projects you’re working on this week, I hope you’re enjoying the process and the time spent. Celebrating your own creativity and the joy it brings to you and to the world.