Ahh the elusive creative self. Some people believe you are either born creative or you are not. There is also the train of thought that there is creativity inside of all of us, we just have to let it out. I.A. Taylor defined five levels of creativity in his book “ The Nature of the Creative Process. “ (P. Smith, ed. Creativity. New York: Hastings House, 1959)

1. The first level incorporates the primitive and intuitive expression found in children and in adults who have not been trained in art. The naïve artist creates for the joy of it.
2. The second level of creativity is the academic and technical level. At this level the artist learns skills and techniques, developing a proficiency that allows creative expression in myriad ways. The academic artist adds power to expression through mastery of craft.
3. Many artists experiment with their craft, exploring different ways of using familiar tools and mediums. This heralds the level of invention. Breaking rules is the order of the day, challenging the boundaries of academic tradition, becoming increasingly adventurous and experimental.
4. At the level of innovation the artist becomes more original. Materials and methods that are out of the ordinary are introduced. Now the artist breaks the boundaries.
5. The fifth level of creativity is characterized as genius. There are individuals whose ideas and accomplishments in art and science defy explanation. Genius is arguably the one level that is unexplainable and perhaps unattainable, something that an individual is born with.”

I believe as an artist, I strive to introduce something from the first four levels into each of my works. However, I must admit the easiest has always been to create my art, just for the joy of it. I’m pretty sure the fifth level hasn’t materialized in my work yet, but I keep hoping the genius in me, is a late bloomer

Painting at Art on the Patio, Grapevine

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