Jul

Find Creative Inspiration and Invent the Unknown

by Meredith Mullins on July 1, 2013

Forest firepPainting shows creative inspiration from Donald Sultan

Forest Fire Jan 5 1984
© Donald Sultan

A Test of Creativity

What do photographer Michael Kenna, writer Mary Pope Osborne, visual artist Donald Sultan, and entrepreneur Elon Musk have in common?

A. Curiosity
B. Dogged Drive
C. Risk-Taking Genes
D. Penchant for Hard Work

These four personalities probably have more in common than we know. But the most convincing single answer (besides the time-honored “All of the Above”) is this: they all have a commitment to creativity— with full life force.

I posed some questions about creativity to this diverse group and was struck by the strong unifying thread in their answers.

The responses are inspiring. Their creative lives produce unique results—identified with them and only them. Since there is a further story to tell, this is Part I of a Creativity series. More inspiration to come.

Winter Seascape in Hokkaido, creative inspiration from Michael Kenna

Winter Seascape, Wakkanai, Hokkaido, Japan, 2004
© Michael Kenna

What Is Creativity?

The dictionary defines creativity as “the use of imagination or original ideas” (not a very “imaginative” or “original” description). Wikipedia says it’s “a phenomenon whereby something new is created which has some kind of subjective value” (ugh, even worse).

So, to get to a truly original definition of creativity, ask creative people. And, although most creative people don’t spend much time thinking about definitions (because they are focused on their work), the responses can be enlightening.

Elon Musk says it’s about pushing boundaries and reshaping the future.

He has done both with his ventures into reusable rockets, solar energy, and electric cars.

Rocket takeoff, creative inspiration for Elon Musk's space travel

Pushing boundaries
© iStockphoto

Michael Kenna gets right to the heart and says it’s “the drive and passion to explore the world through a chosen medium.”

His medium is photography, and he has dedicated his life to making images that reveal the relationship of the landscape with the traces that we humans leave behind. His unique style of long exposures in dim light produces enigmatic and hauntingly beautiful work.

Parc de Sceaux pathway, creative inspiration from Michael Kenna

Pathway, Sceaux, France, 1998
© Michael Kenna

Mary Pope Osborne believes it’s about “using talent to its fullest expression and seeking the highest level of integrity and originality in the process.”

Her life is dedicated to writing time-travel stories—so popular that they can be retold by almost every young reader on the planet. (The award-winning Magic Tree House series is about the adventures of Jack and Annie—in the past, present, and future— and has been translated into 30 languages).

Summer of the Sea Serpent, creative inspiration by Mary Pope Osborne

Magic Tree House Series
© Mary Pope Osborne

Donald Sultan offers that creativity is “the mysterious ability of humans to discover and express unique manifestations of previously unknown ways of experiencing the world.”

He is known for his large-scale still life paintings and industrial views, as well as for his range of techniques, from charcoal drawings to a complex use of industrial materials such as linoleum tile—cut or burned—with applications tar or plaster. (Add printmaking and sculpture also.)

Fruit and black lemon in a painting that provides creative inspiration from Donald Sultan

Three Apples Three Pears and a Lemon Dec 6 1986
© Donald Sultan

Oh, I See: Creativity Is About Inventing The Unknown

The diverse personalities here all seem to agree that creativity is about exploring the unknown and seeing the world in new and unique ways.

The “Oh, I See” moment—the inspiration from these innovators— is that creativity is about seeing things or doing things that have never been done before.

Of course, you are influenced by other talented people—those who came before you and those who have direct influence during your life. But the heart of creativity comes from defining your own path and sensing the world as only your senses can.

Seeking Inspiration

What inspires creativity? What gives someone a unique voice or vision?

Donald Sultan—
“Work inspires discovery. Through working, new solutions are revealed.”

Donald Sultan in his studio, creative inspiration in the art world.

Donald Sultan—work inspires discovery.
© Phyllis Rose

Mary Pope Osborne—
“It took me years to develop my unique voice—years of reading, living, thinking, suffering, rejoicing, having heroes, being curious, and talking to myself.”

Mary Pope Osborne at Paris bookstore, providing creative inspiration with Magic Treehouse series.

Mary Pope Osborne presents the Magic Tree House Series at a Paris bookstore.
© Meredith Mullins

Michael Kenna—
“We are all unique. It’s a matter of finding one’s own personal voice, or vision. Personally I’m inspired by visual manifestations of our miraculous and fragile existence.

Memories and traces of our footprints on the earth, atmospheres of anticipation, visible suggestions of what is invisible—all these subject areas, and many more continue to inspire me.”

Michael Kenna in snow in Japan, creative inspiration from the land.

Elon Musk—
“What are the things that need to happen for the future to be an exciting and inspiring one? I think about these things . . . and I also work a lot.

The first principle is reasoning. Boil things down to their fundamental truths and reason up from there. Discover new things that are counter intuitive. Pay attention to negative feedback. In fact, solicit it. It’s important.”

Elon Musk with Iron Man cartoon, creative inspiration from a multi-tasking entrepreneur

Once again, there is agreement among our group of unique personalities.

Hard work. Perseverance. Fundamental truths. New solutions. Discovery. Personal voice and vision.

Now we’re getting somewhere on that definition of creativity . . . and finding creative inspiration.

Stay tuned for Part II of this series as we delve deeper into the creative world.

Elon Musk Quotes VIA TedTalks.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins 6 Comments

Literary World/The World's Art & Design/The World's Entrepreneurs

Comments:

6 thoughts on “Find Creative Inspiration and Invent the Unknown”

Enid on July 25, 2013 at 10:38 pm said:

I love these creative impressions! Would love to improve with my own Art and writings. Busy making a website so that I can be sponsored. Plz pray for me and add me as a facebook friend. Facebook.com/Vanessa.Boyd.7
- Meredith Mullins on July 26, 2013 at 12:59 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Enid. And I wish you well on your creative journey. So glad you’re making a website to share your work with the world. That’s a good reason to create—to share your thoughts and feelings in some artistic way!
  
  With best wishes for success,
  
  Meredith
Mark on July 12, 2013 at 2:06 am said:

Thank you for sharing this. I agree that “creativity” is inherently difficult to define, due in no small way to the fact that it comes in so many forms.

For instance, I recently read about a team from the University of Toronto who built the first human-powered helicopter to fly for a full 60 seconds (story and video at http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/07/the-atlas-human-powered-helicopter-wins-the-ahs-sikorsky-prize/). While most would consider it a great feat of engineering (and it was), it was also a colossally creative endeavor, requiring the kind of stretch-the-boundaries thinking that can only come from a creative mindset.
- Meredith Mullins on July 12, 2013 at 10:07 am said:
  
  Hi Mark. Thanks for your comment. It’s true that any form of “pushing the boundaries” is ultimately creative.
  
  Going where no one has gone before …. it’s fun and scary and risky and invigorating … all giving freedom of flight to the imagination.
  
  For example, a human helicopter! Cool.
Meredith Mullins on July 6, 2013 at 2:06 pm said:

Thanks for your comment, Henrietta. Creativity is always in the eye of the beholder, but it is, indeed, about inventing the new. These are some of my creative heroes, so I admire their originality and unique way of doing things.
Henrietta on July 2, 2013 at 5:19 am said:

Quite a task to define creativity. Our capacity to invent new from old is probably what sets us a part from animals. I’m looking forward to reading #2 :)

World Views:

Topics