I am frequently asked where I get my ideas. Students want recommendations of magazines or activities that will encourage their creative juices to flow. In general I recommend a cross-pollination approach, encouraging them to go to the library and check out some books on wildly different topics such as knot-tying, African textiles, geology, reptiles, haiku and graphic design – the less you know about the topic the better. The idea is that exposing yourself to a variety of new stimuli can sometimes be the catalyst for new ideas. In fact one of my favorite quilts, Happy Accidents, (above) was inspired by a piece on National Public Radio in the US about a new book describing the invention of aniline dyes. The inventor was trying to develop a cure for malaria and dropped the beaker which permanantly stained the floor bright purple. Prior to that all dyes were plant-based and less intense in color. I got the book out of the library and read all about how this invention changed the fashion world and clothing as we know it. I would never have been able to make that quilt had I not heard that story.
If, however, I had to choose the single best book on creativity that I’ve ever read, it would have to be Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit:Learn it and Use it for Life. My favorite aspect of this book is that she debunks the myth that somehow you’re either born with creativity or you’re not. She explains that there are processes, mindsets and environments that encourage creativity and those that don’t. I’d love to hear the thoughts of others about this book or about what they have found that encourages creativity.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you have to be open to creativity. I agree that everyone has the potential, and that circumstance, experience and willingness are key. You have to continually work at it and strive to gather new experiences, push yourself in new direction and create more. Which can all just be hard work sometimes.
i bought this book last year when i was trying to get back into a writing routine, and thought it was great. i’d heard her on the radio and loved her “get to work” message –i think that the ‘rituals of preparation’ and the ‘project boxes’ are great. sometimes it got a little too new agey for my taste, if i’m remembering it correctly, but overall, a great book.
I thought this book was great as well. After starting to do freelance work at home for the first time last year, I became really interested in people’s creative processes and how they structure their day. So I loved reading about her daily routine.
Another book that’s great is The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield. His approach is the opposite of new age/”feel good”. More like a kick in the ass. Which is why I like it. Check it out on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/0446691437/sr=8-1/qid=1157339387/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5228562-0203923?ie=UTF8&s=books
hey thanks for the post and thanks for the book recommendation! i’ve never really considered myself ‘creative’. i have friends who take amazing photos, write the most beautiful poetry and paint the most astounding paintings. i have now recognised that i’m pretty good at creative stuff too and i’ll be going on a hunt for this book to get some more ideas. thanks again! thanks to gaia for the book recommended in the comments too, i’ll be looking for that one as well.
What is the name of the book about aniline dyes (the one you heard about on NPR)? I’d love to read that one too.
The name of the book I referred to in my original post is “Mauve:How a Man Invented a Color that Changed the World” by Simon Garfield.
I loved this book, too, for its message that anyone can be creative . . . that it is in large part a result of establishing and commiting to good work habits/rituals relative to your chosen art form. I found the exercises very worthwhile. In particular, I found the discussion about the development and mastery of skills very informative and how to think about practice as a circle: “You work on a skill unitl you master it, and then you move on to the next one . . . eventually you’ll come full circle to the task that you began with, which will now need remedial work because of all the time you’ve spent on other things.” I’ve created a couple of these skill circles myself to keep those items I want to master in front of me.
Twyla Tharp is an absolute legend. Can’t wait to get a hold of this book.
She is my creative heroine!
Mia
This is the third time I’ve heard about Twyla Tharp’s book, so I think this is a sign that I must read it!
Also, another book that I found crucial to my creative growth is “The Artists Way” by Julia Cameron. It is actually a 12 week program that walks the reader through several exercises and essays, encouraging them to be the artist they were meant to be. This program was my life saver when I was feeling like a complete creative failure. I would recommend it to those who would like to get in sync with their creativity but have no idea how to start.