The End Result.

Painting pictures can be a rollercoaster of emotion. From being so engrossed in your work you can carry on for hours, then to being taken over by excitement when something works out, to getting so angry and frustrated all you want to do is pour a bucket of black paint over the painting. This contrasting characteristics is what has inspired the imagery of this painting, stimulated from Csikmentmihalyi’s ”The Creative Personality” which discusses 10 contrasting personality traits of a creative person. Over all the readings this one has fascinated me the most, this is because as a creative person and knowing numerous creative personalities; I see many of the traits in the people. This could have contributed to the reason why I chose this subject to paint. What I wanted to portray is many different personas in one image but all unite; representing the innards of a creative persons mind. Maybe In fact my creative mind. The figures are flesh infused; being directly connected at the hips, (three figures to one hip) limbs and hair joining and turning into another figure.

Csikmentmihalyi’s number one point is “Creative individuals have a great deal of physical energy but are also quiet and at rest”. In representing this I have shown a figure bursting with exuberance, and on behalf of the quiet and at rest I have painted a figure who is meditating, showing how completely at rest one can be. Then energetic does not necessarily mean they have A.D.D. (Attention deficient disorder) or are hyperactive, like a child on red cordial. More or less it is that they can work hours on end. I feel that both of the discussed attributes contain concentration, the one focussed hours on end and the concentrating it takes to meditate.

In point one Csikmentmihalyi also suggests that “generalised libidinal energy which some express directly into sexuality”. This brings me to the third figure, which for me represents a few different attributes. The figure cuddling the breast of another can be directly linked to the high sex drive of a creative personality. I would also recommend that it is linked to Csikmentmihalyi’s point 7 “creative individuals to a certain extent escape rigid gender role stereotyping”. I am a straight, young lady and not supposed to like boobs. I do think it is possibly one of my favourite things to draw. I love the femininity of them, which is what generally attracts men to them.

I feel quite cliché for how I symbolise part of point 2 “creative individuals tend to be smart yet also naive”– a figure reading a book. A person reading a book always has the reference to the person being smart. The fact they are open to soaking up information through a book instantly translates to being smart. In terms of being naive, the victim of the boob cuddling for being naive to think that it was just a normal cuddle. The figure is shocked, so for me it is expressing the naivety of being easily trusting and not seeing ones true agenda.

Csikmentmihalyi’s third point expresses that “a combination of playfulness and discipline or responsibility and irresponsibility”. In relation to the previously discussed figure in point two, the bookworm represents discipline; the discipline one takes to read a book. The amount of times I have read a book, not because I want to but because I have made myself, and it takes discipline. As for playfulness and irresponsibility; it is represented by the figure looking kind of chubby in the face, with the intention of puffing its cheeks up to make a silly face.

Csikmentmihalyi’s states as his fifth point that “Creative people harbour opposite tendencies between extroversion and introversion”. The introversion is displayed through two figures:  one staring solemnly with her arms crossed, and another with her arms crossing over her face; hiding away from the world. The extroversion is shown through two figures: One previously spoken about in point 1 (the exuberant, energetic) giving off vibrancy. The other extroverted being the laughing figure – an outgoing loud creature.

“One to be humble and proud at the same time” is Csikmentmihalyi’s sixth point. Humble and proud: Not easy attributes to capture in a painting. Though for humble, I feel there is a connection with the previously discussed meditating figure. To meditate you have to be humble within yourself. I also want to relate the smiling figure to point six as one who is humble and proud must have a graceful smile and would just plainly smile a lot instead of boasting about their accomplishments.

The last point I would like to directly link Csikmentmihalyi’s fantastic words to is “the openness and sensitivity of creative individual often exposes them to suffering and pain yet to a great deal of enjoyment.” There are two figures: one with a knife going to stab another, which represents a person hurting themselves. In a sense it is one part of their mind going to stab another witch deals with the pain side of point 10. The second figure is the one thinking. Part of being open to pain is the anxieties and depressed thoughts a person keeps to them self. As for enjoyment they have all previously been spoken about; the humble smile, extroverted laugh, and the energetic creature.

For me the painting reveals the depressing, lonesome, darkness of a creative personality as well as the enjoyment, laughter and good humour they are open to. Does this mean all creative people are the same, because majority have these contrasting attributes? Of course not, because I didn’t mention that the reading also states that creative people are independent, and with this independence they apply these attributes to different creative fields. Here is an example: World known Steven Spielberg directed ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Schindler’s List’. Two completely different movies which were shot practically back to back. From a fantasy, action packed, dinosaur movie, then to fabricate a true, tragedy, haunting, Holocaust movie. Can you imagine the range of contrasting emotions he went through during the period of filming the movies? Those are the range of contrasting emotions every creative soul experiences.

Analogical Thinking

I must say I completely see eye to eye with Davis in week 8s reading on analogical thinking. Davis stating that “when we think analogically (metaphorically) we take ideas (or words) from one context and apply them in a new context”. From my past creative learning experiences and personal art practice to acknowledging them everywhere in the creative world. Analogical thinking is a prosperous way to be creative and design.

Previously I studied fashion, for the most part I enjoyed it and I retain information about the importance of being stimulated by something else. Always collecting images from magazine cut outs and making story boards which somewhat looked like collages.
Architecture and clothes designed are spoken about in the same heading, for using the identical analogical strategy for coming up with design concepts, funnily enough as a fashion student we would do numerous amounts of architecture inspired garments.

As a design student it was also important to show where you got your idea from, so you would always be referencing another context. For me I felt it was taking something and turning into my own, and generally the end result would be fabricating something innovative and inventive. Although one of the rules was that we weren’t allowed to have fashion images to motivate as the outcome would be something second hand and unoriginal.

In relation to the reading content about young artists being worried to use analogical thinking as a creating process, I feel that as a young person you want to be as original as possible in your work. Maybe so people notice you, or naive to the workings of a creative mind. Once they realise that being inspired by something is not a breach of copyright I am sure they can reach a higher rate of success.

In the circumstance of turning a book into a film, it is still analogical thinking in the sense that it is the film maker’s interpretation of the book. Sadly I find them always a disappointment as I imagined them when reading a lot different and then I guess you have to take into consideration that you can fit so much into a movie timeslot whilst books are often loads juicier in content and my imagination is awesome.

The way cartoonist use analogical thinking is clever, by referencing something else and turning it into humour. Especially in the cases of a serious issue because I feel we often take things too seriously. Sometimes we live in a depressing and if someone can formulate a grim subject and turn it into something that can make you silently chuckle to yourself when you read it, then yes I praise them a creative genius.

Overall I enjoyed Davis’s reading, as well as a good giggle. Not only could I relate but now I believe that I have a greater understanding in how to stimulate my creativity and give birth to more creative masterpieces.

Analogical Thinking
Davis, G. A. (2004). Creative inspiration through
analogical thinking. Creativity is forever (pp.
145-170). (5th Ed.). USA: Kendell/Hunt.

Csikszentmihalyi’s 10

When discussing Csikszentmihalyi’s 10 contrasting creative person characteristics I am going to attempt using examples from myself.

1- Creative people have an immense deal of physical enthusiasm but there often peaceful and at rest.

I am one of those people who can even sleep when they aren’t tired, in fact in high school a teacher even asked me if I was stoned…I was not. I was just a very relaxed and chilled person, but at times I will have outbursts of energy especially when inspired. I tend to run around like a mad women with an extreme amount of energy and able to keep this up for hours.

2-   Creative people tend to be intellectual but naïve.

A lot of people call me naïve all the time! I think I tend to be easily trusting and do not realise a persons true agenda. As for intellectual in my chosen field of practice, there is still a lot I could learn.

3-   Creative people blend playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.

In preschool I told my teacher when my two best friends dug a hole under the fence to escape…that makes me responsible from a young age right? otherwise I am a playful person.

4-   Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality.

For one to be able  to reach a level of creativity and fantasy without tipping over the edge one needs to have a grounded sense of reality which I find apparent in myself. I can have a joke around and explore creative possibilities with a realistic approach of knowing my boundaries.

5-   Creative people trend to be both extroverted and introverted.

I have no problem having a conversation with a random on the train, or an old lady at the bus stop contributing to me extroverted. Then there are days that I just refuse to go out and socialise or can sometimes be shy. This generally depends on company and mood.

6-   Creative people are humble and proud at the same time.

I am not one to boast about my art,  I will show a picture though and let people make their own judgment. With this technique it makes me proud without being overly boastful, even humble one may say.

7-   Creative people, to a degree, break away from gender role stereotyping.

If by breaking a role of sterotyping I am not always what people expect, otherwise I think I am a bit of a girlie girl.

8-   Creative people are both unruly and traditionalist

When I create I use whatever I can see, the other day I cut up an old pair of shoes (in my defense they were gold) and used it in a college. I have used stain-remover, food dye, hundreds and thousands, latex, basically anything I can get my hands on. Of course with most works I start with the same method of penciling down my idea first

9-   Creative people are incredibly passionate about their work, yet they can be tremendously critical about it as well.

No body is a harder critic on my work, then me. This doesn’t take my passion away from work but it if anything it drives my passion and takes my art further.  Instead of expecting a second rate painting the criticism strives me to take the work to its full potential.

10- Creative people have a sense of openness and sensitivity that often exposes them to suffering and pain, yet also have the capacity to a great deal of enjoyment.

Most of the creative people I know personally have had some battle with depression or anxiety. I myself have, for over two I have been diagnosed with depression, on and off medication and even a selfish attempt that landed me in hospital. I don’t look at it as a bad thing because I believe that with out those dark days and nights my art practice would not exceed at having the depth it now does. As for enjoyment

REFERENCE:

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). The Creative Personality. Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention (pp. 51-76). New York: HarperCollins.

 

 

 

 

Lets chat about Freud

“The best known and least liked psychoanalysis theory of creativity, from the great man himself Sigmund Freud”(week 3 reading, Davis)

My opinion of Freud is that he was given too much as a child (often these children are referred to as a spoilt brat) and one of the main things that has left an impression in my brain is, that his poor sister practicing the piano annoyed him so much that the piano was simply removed from the house hold. Talk about a favoured child but without his encouraging up bringing he would not have had the personal context, that lead to him being globally  known.

Freud’s theory of a personality being broken up into three parts the “Id, Ego and Super Ego”.

He believed everyone was born with the Id present in their unconscious. The Id  strives for immediate fulfillment of all desires, wants, and needs. If not satisfied promptly, will lead to negative emotions such as anger, anxiety or frustration.

It is unrealistic notion that we always get what we desire, as civilized humans we can not go snatching a chocolate bar out of someones hands just because it’s what we want, or for a man to go up and grab a ladies boob because he wants to touch it. Although this does happen and this is  person unconscious Id is getting the better of them.

According to Freud the Ego is developed from the Id and expresses the urges of the Id in a manner that is acceptable. For example you may ask a person to share their chocolate bar instead of snatching. Or the man may ask the lady on a date first, to eventually result in intimacy and boob grabbing. The Ego is responsible for dealing with reality.

The Super Ego represents the moral standards that are introduced to us from our parents and culture gaining a sense of what is right and wrong.The super ego emerges around the age of five according to Freud.

Freud’s answer to creativity is said to be produced from a unconscious conflict between the id and super ego. The primeval sexual desires of the id and the repressed sexual desires of the super ego. One can not indulge in their sexual wants, the sexual energy is then channeled into creative fantasies and practices.

Freud believed that everyone has intrinsic sexual impulses and it is the creative person that would accept the fantasies and expand upon them whilst the uncreative would repress the urges. I believe this could be true as it is a heard fact that creative personalities have high sex drives.

In my opinion their are elements that are true…I will admit to drawing and painting erotic images. Although I do not necessarily believe that the unconscious conflict of the id and super ego is the only way to channel creativity. Personally I hate conflict, I avoid fights and it is such a negative thing. Creativity is a beautiful wonder and to me has no attachment to conflict, even if it is in the unconscious.

References

-History  of Creativity

Davis, G.A. (2004). Definitions and Theories. Creativity is forever (pp58-60). New York: Norton Company

-http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/personalityelem.htm

A Splash of Colour

 

I used black ink, and some acrylic paints defining my characters. At this point I had no idea where I as taking the painting, no idea of how the finished image would turn out. I also new at this point I was nowhere near finished and any artist who finishes a painting this quick has not had a chance to add layers (very important  when painting) and develop their work. If you get the work right straight away then what creative process have you experienced?

The answer is you have not experienced anything nor will you learn anything, from passed experiences it is the works that I have made the most mistakes on are the ones that I have gained the most from. In my drawing class I get frustrated because the teacher just walks past and says “that’s good”  and then only gives me a H as a mark. This angers me because she hasn’t pushed me, has not guided on how to improve and take it further. It also frustrates me because the boy who gets the HD (who is a very talented to his credit) was constantly getting criticism on how to take his pictures further. This is proof the more working out and mistakes you make can improve your chance at a higher success.

This stage of the painting is my base coat, my first layer. I don’t like the outcome of it, but without it my picture would not be the same. I decided to change medium to markers.I just was not having any success with the background so I got experimental and actually put clothes stain remover on the back ground to try and make a different effect. When I paint I simply use whatever is around…and I had been doing laundry. I felt that the background looked too tacky, like a child’s colouring in picture (cute when they are 7 years old, but not cute to a 20 year old art student). I also thought this would add an uneven texture and strip colour off on the segments that had been sprayed. I do apologise for the horrible picture quality on the above picture.

Who is an creative Individual?

Why hello, I am Katrina Hales and I am a creative individual;)

My BIG head.(2011)

Is it arrogant of me to think I am a creative individual? All those compliments from peers and loved ones growing up, nurturing my art. No way hosay! It gave me confidence and with that confidence it has helped me grow and further my talent. Does that mean that I think every work I do is amazing?Of course not! If anything I am my hardest critic, and often have to paint  few things at a time so in my anger I an switch works and not rip the work to pieces. This its self is a form of passion for my work which related to point 9 of Csikszentmihalyi creative personality, week four reading which I am directly relating my creative project to and majority of my blogs…

Csikszentmihalyi writing has had the biggest impact on me, I feel this is because I can relate so easily to it. In every point I see a glimpse of myself. Even down to the morbid point of depression and suicide but hey I will save that for another blog.

Back onto the point of my creative project…I am going to give you a gander at a sketch of mine done earlier in the year that helped me work out how to make my creative project possible.

connected (2011)

Let me start by if seeing lady’s nipples offend you then stop reading because there is alot of titage (showing of nipple) in my work. I will openly admit I love boobs, they are awesome and no that does not make me a raging lesbian I just enjoy the female form.

At first I was going to draw faces, trying to reconstruct in visual form, to try and capture the 10 creative contrasting components. Then I thought, wow that would be seriously lame having all these floating heads and there is only so much one can capture in a face and they would not be directly  connect but then I thought back to this sketch drawn experimenting…and this blessed idea was born.

pencil sketch

As I take this picture further I will do a further analysis of every character, relating directly to me and the reading.

A Few People and Their Portraits.

Inspiring people deserve to have their portraits painted, especially people who have excelled in a creative area from music to film or just being born so god dam sexy it hurts, here are a few works I would like to share  of people who have an established a name for themselves. A few examples of my creative work.

Charcoal, ink, acrylic, spray paint, varnish on canvas (2010)

The Super Successful Martin Scorcese, A Film Director whose movies have been cinema released since the the early 1970’s. To summarize his movies is impossible as throughout his creative career he has succeeded in most film genres. From “Taxi Driver :1976”  to “Shutter Island: 2o10” he has not had a failure of a movie.

I painted this picture with the power he has proclaimed over the Film Industry from a picture taken on the film set of “Taxi Driver”

Acrylic, ink on canvas (2010)

The Rock n Roll King Mick Jagger, The front man of the Rolling Stones, although in this painting I admit he looks like a laughing an Asian.

I wanted to paint a picture of him that captured the incredible energy and enthusiasm he brings to his audience, I am surprised he doesn’t faint at the end of every concert, youtube him performing and you will see what I am talking about. The Rolling Stones and him created the image of rock star with attitude.

Ink, acrylic, charcoal on canvas (2011)

The forever Mysterious Stanley Kubrick. His Work is praise upon by many. The Films he made shocked audiences and was stupidly blamed for gang attacks (A ClockWork Orange:1971) but opened their minds to new ideas (2001;A Space Odessidy: 1968).

He was a perfectionist but strangely never had a camera interview making him one very mysterious artist. In images his face often looks vacant but you know his mind is most certainly not.

Charcoal, ink on canvas(2010)

The Guitar legend Jimi Hendrix. Who wouldn’t be creative when they take 20 tabs of acid before a performance…but seriously he took guitar to another level and although he apparently hated his voice which shocks me. He was a musical master, bursting with sex appeal. Sadly like a lot of creative personalities in the era of his career (1960’s-1970’s) it was the drugs that got the better of him in the end.

Ink on canvas(2010)

I would like thank Twiggy, for all that she has done for the modeling world. Her big eyes and tiny waist has really had an impact on the way we view models and giving anorexia a place in the fashion world.

On a serious note though she has a beautiful face to paint and this started like any other painting…I wanted it perfect. Unfortunately or fortunately I was painting and watching T.V. and split a  massive black ink blob on her chin(failure as a stereotype women who can multitask). I was a bit angry and was like screw this and threw every single ink colour I have on her face. Producing a psychedelic 1960’s-1970’s feel to the image. A happy accident.

Ink, spray paint on canvas (2010)

This is someone famous, the ultimate Sex Symbol of the 20th century. I did not want the image to be just another Marylin Monroe painting. Her face is a known one and often used in art as she is an captivating women. For me this painting captures the feeling of a few drinks,  the vague and dreamlike appearance has been accomplished with spray paint.

Ink, acrylic on canvas(2010)

The last portrait I would like to show you. Another Monroe.

Creative Personality; Chris Ofili

On My Recent research for another class I found out about an artist who particularly intrigued me I would like to introduce to you Chris Ofili:

The English born artist has made quite a name for himself. One of he thing that I find most interesting is that he is famously known for using elephant dung in his works…slotting him perfecting into point 8 of a creative personality “Creative people are thought to be rebellious and independent (in the sense that some artist can bend the rules when necessary and their expression can be interpreted as rebellious‘). To be rebellious in the practice of their chosen they need to belong to the domain and understand the rules first to be able to experiment.” For using elephant poo (haha poo) he has attracted a lot of negative attention but in my eyes those people are prudes and need to open their eyes and see the beauty he can create with such a repulsive medium.
Proudly presenting to you Afrodizzia:

Made from stretcher bar paper collage, oil paint, glitter, polyester resin, map pins and elephant dung on linen in 1996. Ofili was bought up in Britain but took a six-week visit to Zimbabwe which strongly as influenced his work. He himself has said “My Project is not a PC project…It allows you to laugh about issues that are potentially serious”.

Which brings me to another one of his works I would like to show you, this being one of his most controversial, with the New York mayor describing it as “sick” and Canberra refusing to show it (more bloody prudes)

Another Piece of art featuring elephant poo, porno cut outs of bottoms and the last most controversial thing about this fine, ironic piece of art is its name “The Holy Virgin Mary” I honestly don’t think your brain is wired right if you can’t giggle or even smirk at this.

I myself praise Ofili for being so rebellious and individual and not only creating beautiful pieces of work but pictures that make you think…maybe we do take things a little too seriously and if it is elephant dung that makes you question that, then so be it. High five to Ofili too for being so inspiring and hilarious at the same time.

 

REFERENCE:

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). The Creative Personality. Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention (pp. 51-76). New York: HarperCollins.

http://www.artinfo.com/galleryguide/19534/6081/…/chris–ofili/biography/

The Inspiration

For one to channel where their own creative ideas come from has no definite answer, but I do believe in muses for having a source of inspiration can often lead to beautiful creative works. Then there is the complete opposite, when one is taken to a dark lonely place and turn their pain, frustration and sadness into pure beauty. I myself can relate to both.

I am a drawer, a painter, a very messy artist. I have a picture of a tasteful, shirtless lady in my room. The picture  is taken in 1968 and her name is some European ramble I wouldn’t even try to pronounce but she has been a muse to me, the hours I have spent absorbed in her beauty (and ignoring her hairy armpits).

Ink on canvas(2010)

I painted a picture of her and it is one of my proudest works, I spray painted a stencil of her on my chest of draws, so I can say she has definitely been one of my inspirations. Just that picture, it is not even the fact she is a very beautiful lady, but it’s her eyes. I only wish I had more images of her, although at least I was lucky to come across that one.

Spray paint,ink, acrylic on chest of draws (2011)

Creativity can be created through pain, those who have/are suffering from severe unhappiness can reach high levels of success in creative industries. Classic examples include Vincent van Gogh who as a young man suffered with lack of confidence and also two unlucky relationships. Shaping van Gogh to use colours as an expression of his emotions, the tortured artist let his emotions greatly influence his work. I myself  let my dark emotions get the better of me, transitioning a bad mood into a good art practise. These horrid emotions can often be sourced from a broken heart, tortured soul which I am sure van Gogh suffered. I myself have put my negative emotion into a painting. Funnily enough the person who caused these emotions in me mentions this as one of his favourite work of mine. Hundreds and thousands, inks, food dye and hairspray.

Ink, acrylic, 100’s & 1000’s, food dye, hairspray on canvas(2010)

To have your heart-broken you have to give it out, given to someone special they can be your muse, your inspiration, your partner, your friend. A very good source for creative outburst, so then on the other side if they stop caring for your heart you get the long deary gush of creativity. Sadly sometimes the darkness gets the better of us, and artist have known to get loopy, with creative people loosely connected to poor mental health normally due to unfortunate past events, ie family deaths, broken hearts, mistreatment from peers and failure, can all contribute to wonderful music, and brilliant art of any form of visual or performance.

Both Romantics, in the state of being driven by emotions. Not always thinking, letting their work be engaged with their feelings towards their inspiration, whether it be a muse or a tragedy it can be translated into beauty it is used as an unplanned source of creativity and of course born with a bit of extra talent wouldn’t go a stray but it is ones choice where to take it and with art practice, you definitely need to practice like any other creative art.