This week I was struck with writer's block for the first time in a while. As I was researching writing prompts, looking through some old creative writing exercises I've done for class and of course scrolling through Twitter for inspiration, it hit me how taxing creativity really is.
I've experienced the mental struggle of needing to be creative multiple times in various situations; at work when I am creating videos, in my photography classes, when I am trying to think of that perfect handmade sentimental gift, the creative drain hits all the time. Not to mention the fact that after my 3 hour long video art class (that starts at 8 in the morning), it seems that all imaginative thoughts are used up for the rest of the week. The end product is worth the mental stress but sometimes I think the process to get to that product is overlooked.
I believe that art, in all of it's form, is appreciated. What I don't think is appreciated, is the amount of work that goes into creating. Whether it be in the form of paint, pencil, photos, videos, dance, singing, ceramics, writing, anything.
When people think of brainpower they think of subjects like physics, chemistry and math. When someone says they are majoring in mathematics, people's automatic response is something along the lines of: "Wow, that is so impressive." Which it is! I know I wouldn't survive a day as a math major. But I also know, that being creative is also just as impressive when it comes to mental capacity.
Sometimes you look at a piece of art and you think, "My three year old nephew can do that." But what a lot of people fail to consider is the deeper meaning behind the piece of art. People see a photograph hanging on the wall and think it's as simple as the click of the shutter. They fail to realize all the thought that went into setting up the shot, traveling to the shot, planning the shot, editing the shot, and most importantly coming up with the passion and meaning behind the shot. The same idea applies to all types of art forms.
All art is created with some sort of intention in mind.
Whether it be to make that office space pop, a personal escape, or even a Christmas gift, an incredible amount of brain power went into the act that is creating.
When you create you are making something from scratch. Your canvas starts blank and then it is up to the artist's own intellect and mental capacity to make that nothing, into something that the rest of the world has the ability to appreciate.
