BeadLinks.com
Bead Links on The Net Find Bead Links for Bead Stores Around the World
Crafts & Hobbies Information BeadLinks.com Home | Directory of Craft & Hobby Articles | Browse Craft & Hobby Articles from the Top | The Down The Street Bead Show

Articles on Artistic Creativity

Trying to Create From Distorted Perceptions?




We've all met people who are "negative" - negative thinkers who consistently see the glass as half empty.

In certain situations, particularly stressful ones, even the most positive person can fall victim to this distorted thinking. As a creative artist, this kind of thinking can keep us away from our art and can keep us from enjoying it even when we manage to keep at it.

Distorted Perceptions Seem Real to Us

I've recently started performing at a monthly "open mic" event, and it's been a very positive experience. This is a big change from the intense stage fright I used to have. Back then, as the sign-up sheet was being passed around from table to table, I probably would have been thinking:

"I just KNOW I'm going to screw up."

This is an example of "predictive" thinking - when we're sure we know how something will turn out, or what someone else is thinking. Predictive thinking tends to come true (have you heard of the term "a self-fulfilling prophecy"), so be careful about what you're consciously predicting! If that's something you can imagine yourself thinking, try this thought on instead:

"I can't know exactly what will happen, so I'm going to aim to have a great time up there!" Imagine how different your performance will be with THAT thought instead of the first one.

Or maybe I would have thought:

"I'm so nervous - I'm never going to be good at performing!"

This is an example of black and white thinking. We're either good at something or we're bad at it. There are only two options, with nothing in between. This doesn't give us any room to learn, explore, grow, fail, try again or get better. Try this thought, instead:

"I'm becoming a better and more experienced performer every time I do it." Imagine the difference to your performance!

Put It Into Play

Choose one of your creative goals. Now, write down all of the thoughts you have about it. Just vent everything - whatever comes to mind (use a computer keyboard if that's easier for you).

Watch for any patterns of distorted perception. Are you predicting how something will turn out? Are you using black & white thinking?

When you come across an example of distorted perception, write down a more positive thought that challenges it. If you need help with this, check out my coaching program for creative artists at http://www.everydayartistcoachingstudio.com

Predictive thinking and black & white thinking are just two examples of the many ways our creativity can fall victim to distorted perceptions. Watch out for these so that the true voice of your creativity can be heard.

© Copyright Linda Dessau, 2005.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. To receive her free monthly newsletter, "Everyday Artist", subscribe at http://www.genuinecoaching.com/artist-newsletter.html


MORE RESOURCES:
ArtisticCreativity - Google News
Gray Area blends tech, artistic creativity - San Francisco Chronicle

Gray Area blends tech, artistic creativity
San Francisco Chronicle
... Area's biggest strengths - information technology and artistic creativity - Gray Area has pushed San Francisco to the front of the digital art movement, ...

and more »
Handicapped children show their artistic creativity - VOVNews.vn

Handicapped children show their artistic creativity
VOVNews.vn
An art festival for children with disabilities was held in HCM City on March 14 by the municipal Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association and the Volunteers ...

2010 Art Competition Now Under Way - Pontiac Illinois Community News

2010 Art Competition Now Under Way
Pontiac Illinois Community News
The 2010 Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to encourage and reward artistic creativity in students throughout the 15th Congressional District. ...

and more »
Rem: Music Is My Life - 24hourhiphop

Rem: Music Is My Life
24hourhiphop
Anything is possible though so if I was able to find the right balance between artistic creativity and commercial success, I would not hesitate to make it ...

Speech from the Throne: a stronger Canada, a stronger economy, now and for the ... - Lexology (registration)

Speech from the Throne: a stronger Canada, a stronger economy, now and for the ...
Lexology (registration)
... to encourage and protect the rights of Canadians whose research, development and artistic creativity contribute to the country's prosperity. ...

press release - Yes! Weekly

Yes! Weekly

press release
Yes! Weekly
... vision have gained these North Carolina artists nominations, will represent the highest level of artistic creativity for our beautiful state well. ...

Helmets are Corona designer's canvas - Press-Enterprise

Helmets are Corona designer's canvas
Press-Enterprise
But Lee clearly has succeeded in merging his artistic creativity and love of fast moving sports into a thriving business. He started as a youth who raced ...

A collection of exceptional importance and quality - NEXT

A collection of exceptional importance and quality
NEXT
The exhibition gives a unique opportunity to celebrate and promote Ife and its stunning artistic creativity in a major venue visited every year by an ...

and more »
MONTGOMERY: Woman charged in theft at non-profit - Packet Online

MONTGOMERY: Woman charged in theft at non-profit
Packet Online
... Realization Technologies, which creates technology that allows physically challenged people to express artistic creativity, according to the statement. ...

and more »
Philip Kennicott on New Brow art exhibit 'G40: The Summit' in Crystal City - Washington Post

Washington Post

Philip Kennicott on New Brow art exhibit 'G40: The Summit' in Crystal City
Washington Post
The distinction between amateur and professional broadly sorts the world of artistic creativity, and helps the critic forgo saying mean things about work ...

RSS integration by RSSinclude
home | site map
© 2006