Every now and then I take odd bits and pieces of interesting facts and tidbits on creativity that I’ve found here and there and I put them together in a post. This is one of those posts. Below you’ll find a medley of creativity:
1. Of course, you recognize the image above as Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” which is painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. There’s an interesting interpretation of this painting based on neuroanatomy.
If you look at the image of God, surrounded by His robe and by angels, you’ll notice the outline of the human brain. The theory is that Michelangelo used this symbolism to depict that what God is giving Adam is the divine gift of intellect. (Source)
2. This might be a true story, or it might be legend: Picasso was sitting at a café when a woman approached him and asked him to draw a portrait of her. Picasso acquiesced and quickly sketched her. He then handed her the sketch, with which she was very pleased, and she asked him how much she owed him.
Picasso replied: “$5,000.”
The woman protested, “But it took you only five minutes.”
“No, madam. It took me all my life,” replied Picasso.
3. David Lynch is a visual artist and filmmaker. As an example of his enormous creativity, one of his films is about a young boy with abusive parents who plants some seeds he finds from which a grandmother sprouts to love and comfort him. Lynch is a big proponent of meditation as a creativity primer.
He explains that if you have a golf-ball sized consciousness, when you read a book you’ll have a golf-ball sized understanding; when you look out at the world you’ll have a golf-ball sized awareness; and, in general, you’ll have golf-ball sized inner happiness.
When you expand your consciousness you expand all of these things: your understanding, your awareness, and your inner happiness. The way in which to expand your consciousness is through meditation. And when you expand your consciousness you’ll find that your pockets will be filled with new ideas. (Source)
4. Ain’t this the truth 
:
5. The following is from “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll:
“I can’t believe THAT!” said Alice.
“Can’t you?” said the Queen in a pitying tone.
“Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.”
Alice laughed. “There’s no use trying,” she said, “one can’t believe impossible things.”
“I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why sometimes I believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!”
6. This is a fabulous five minute animated short about a creepy doll shop (if you’re reading this post by email, you need to click over to the blog to watch the video).
Alma from Rodrigo Blaas on Vimeo.
7. David Wahl wrote an interesting blog post over at “Creative Creativity: A Daily Guide To Creativity And New Ideas” on a great method for coming up with new ideas: make a list of ten things you love. It can be anything, from orchids, to werewolves, to bicycles, and so on. Now look for ways to make interesting combinations of the different items on your list.
8. A subject I refer to frequently is that creativity is not necessarily about creating something radically different that the world has never seen before, but about combining existing elements, objects, or ideas in a new way. Here’s an example:
“A man named George Thomas was searching for an effective way for people to apply deodorant. He was very frustrated in his research for a solution until he realized he was holding the answer right in his hand. George borrowed the concept of the ballpoint pen and created roll-on deodorant”
From Jay Abraham’s “Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got”.
9. Here’s what happens when you try too hard to think outside the box (if you’re reading this post by email, you need to click over to the blog to watch the video):
outside the box from joseph Pelling on Vimeo.
10. Writers hold the power of creation in their hands:
“As a writer, you already know what it’s like to hold the power of creation in your hands. With a few strokes of a pen, you can forge a universe or start a galaxy spinning in space. You can mold brave new worlds and planets, complete with mountains, plains, and seas. You can even establish nations and cities, and populate them with culture and history. Like a living god, you can determine the future of an alternate reality.”
– Corrine Kenner
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I Recommend:
My ebook “How to Be More Creative – A Handbook for Alchemists” explains that creativity is not the sole domain of the arts but is important in any field. Whatever you do, creativity helps you do it better. Discover practical advice on how to be more creative in every life endeavor by reading my ebook.
The Sedona Method is a simple, powerful, easy-to-learn technique that shows you how to let go of any negative, unwanted or painful feelings you may be experiencing at any particular moment. It consists of a series of questions you ask yourself that lead your awareness to focus on what you’re feeling in the moment and gently guide you toward letting it go. Read my review of the Sedona Method here.
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Awesome Post!
Very cool
Thanks for sharing!
Nice post Marelisa. Creativity is important for us to expand our mind and see things from different perspectives. I like the idea of not reinventing the entire concept, but taking things that already exist and making something different out of them, like the example of the roll-on deodorant. I thought that video was really creepy though. It made me sad and sorry for that child. The other video was a lot more hilarious. But nevertheless, both videos were both very creative.
I love the Picasso story! True or legend, it's a beautiful story.
Thank you.
Hi Vered: He could create a masterpiece in minutes because he had devoted so much time and effort to his craft.
Hi Hulbert: It is a creepy video, but I warned you.
I also love reading about people who take an idea from one place and then apply it to something completely different to create something new.
You're very welcome Dawn.
I want to be more like the Queen from “Alice in wonderland” and believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast… how lovely!
There's a quote that goes something along the following lines: “Those who say something is impossible are usually interrupted by someone doing it.”
Great post, and thanks for sharing it. It'g giving me a a great smile to start the day
Hi Oscar: You're about to start your day, and I'm about to shut off my computer and call it a night. I love the internet.
Marelisa,
Thanks.
Always love your medleys
M
Hey Marelisa,
I loved the little tidbits you gave. Each was a little nugget that will probably resurface the next time I'm working on a creative project.
Great medley – and a wonderful blog that I always turn to for inspiration! Thanks so much for writing, Marelisa =)
Hi Marelisa .. great ideas .. I usually link a few things together – giving myself some interest and learning, but also offering alternatives within each post to interest all readers – opening up the thought process for us all. I love the word 'medley' ..
Hi Mimi: Sure thing.
Hi Ben: Always glad to provide nuggets that help others with their creative process.
Hi Jess: You're very welcome, I love writing on this blog.
Hi Hilary: I love the word “medley” too. I was actually waiting for the opportunity to use it in a post.
Nice post, thank you for sharing!
Glad you liked it.
Your blog always inspires me – this post was no exception. thank you.
Marelisa. Thanks for this blog and this post. Your writing is always inspiring! @TweetRightBrain
I love going to vimeo occasionally to view the clips posted there. It features many videos produced by highly creative people. I enjoyed the ones you posted here! Thanks!!
Mare,
Here is one for your next medley:
http://www.archive.org/details/openmind_ep1742