What Counts As Creative?

While experimenting with my gatherings, and even in comments on this blog, I often get asked, “Does this count as creative?”

My usual answer is something along the lines of “Hey, why not?”, just for the sake of brevity. But here’s my long answer, in case this is something you’ve been pondering too.

I’m not particularly interested in making distinctions between “Real Art” and “craft” and all of the other labels that have been placed on various kinds of creative expression.

But I do think there’s something very different going on internally when I’m painting as opposed to, say, baking a cake. Both of which I consider creative activities. But for me, painting is much more personal and expressive. It can be pretty intense, actually (which may lead to resistance, whereas I have no resistance to cakes).

Baking a cake is fun and you can certainly get very creative with it. But when you bring out a freshly made cake, it’s not exactly like you’re baring your soul to the world.

It seems like a lot of people have the same idea, more or less. And so they ask whether things like baking can really be considered creative.

My answer to that is: who cares?

Oh, not who cares about your question, my dear – it’s an excellent question, really – but who cares whether or not it’s technically considered “creative”?

The last time I checked, there was no Ministry of Creativity (although that would be pretty cool, wouldn’t it) passing laws about what counts and what doesn’t.

If the thing you’re about to do is something you’re passionate about, just do it. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s composing a sonata or knitting a sock. Does time seem to fly by when you’re doing it? Are you only awakened from your creative reverie by the sound of your grumbling stomach, or the phone ringing (“Um, hi, are you still alive? OK, just checking.”)?

Yes?

I think that’s all the answer you need then.

Labeling things as creative or less creative is kind of a waste of time. I advise just doing them.

(On the other hand, check out the picture of the cake layers I baked not too long ago. You have to admit the use of the cheese grater is pretty damn creative. Speaking of which, donations of wire baking racks to Artful Play are always welcome. Contact me for my postal address.)

COMMENTS: What’s your definition of “creative”? How many things that you’re doing these days fall under your own definition of what’s creative?

Or have you never even thought about this, because you’ve  just been busy doing your things? If so: nice! And please feel free to share what you’ve been working on.