Yes, we used to draw when we were kids, and we typically drew quite a bit. In fact, for most of us, it was one of the first things we figured out how to do. It's fairly common to encourage that youthful free expression by putting crayon to paper, coloring books, or walls. And maybe fingers in paint, then to paper, table tops, or faces. There's some simple joy in the creation of something from nothing, that is amazingly, totally unique to you!
The key words here are simple and unique. Simple, because there is really no initial training or study required to scribble some color on something, and unique because it's new every time. And that experience is more often than not, delightful on a personal level. Even if the scribble isn't great, or special, the process is always a good time. We feel free to let our minds wonder in an imaginary place, designing as we go, and sometimes we're completely surprised by where we went. That's delightful.
Drawing is also our first method of communication, not only with pictures, but as we learn our language and alphabet. We don't actually start by writing our letters. Remember? You drew them, one portion of the character at a time, learning to stop, and turn, and reverse. It was often a tracing process so we could develop a sense of control and structure with drawing. It was common for us to include letters and numbers into our drawings, and making them elements in our imaginary place. This too was delightful, because it was fun and creative!
It's difficult to put any real metric on what creativity feels like, especially when we're very young. It isn't a foreign feeling, but it does make us feel different, or changed, with each creative moment. It could be seen as our earliest efforts at problem solving, in a very basic sense. We ask ourselves, "what if..." and then we try something. And with the luxury of time in our youth, we keep trying and learning from each moment of imagination and creativity. Again, a delightful process.
Excerpt from Runaway Species; "Our ability to remake our world is unique among all living things. But where does our creativity come from, how does it work, and how can we harness it to improve our lives, schools, businesses, and institutions?" ~ David Eagleman & Anthony Brandt
I've included this prior thought as a reference to a wide-ranging exploration of human creativity, and why we draw. In our youth, many of us imagined wild and strange things, which we were free to explore, write stories and draw the resulting creation. Most of my generation imagined a voyage to the moon, long before we had any means of making that trip. This creativity comes from our desire to innovate and improve our lives. We imagine ourselves capable of doing whatever it takes, to achieve anything!
We drew every imaginable type of craft that would take us to the moon. We designed engines, helmets, wardrobes, weapons, and technology for the amazing journey into outer space. A place that was totally in our imagination - not unlike the early explorers that sailed the oceans. Many of us dreamed of being astronauts and exploring the universe. Our ability to draw and create this imaginary future, resulted in, not only taking the extraordinary risks of launching rockets into space, walking in space, landing on the moon, walking on the moon, but ultimately driving a car on the moon! Someone had to draw that - now that is delightful.
We should all inspire imagination and creativity in children of all ages to push beyond their barriers. If you want more information about our nonprofit and how we help inspire, engage, and promote these initiatives, please read more about the REASON WE DO THIS!
Written by George Vroustouris
