Carry it forward: Creativity

When I signed up for Humanities, I thought it was just going to be an English class that appreciated different types of art. What I discovered when school started was that Humanities is actually a class that studies and appreciates human creativity and its importance in all aspects of life. I think that’s a great class to have available in high school because creativity is underrated and overlooked too often in today’s society. This class teaches students to value their own creativity no matter how limited or developed it may already be. It is unfortunate that many people believe (like I used to) that creativity was only essential to artists. I have found recently that creativity is one of the most valuable traits that one can have, because it can help you in a countless number of situations, careers, and in life in general. Creativity helps people solve challenging problems as well as come up with new and original ideas which are two of the most-used skills in any school, field, or career. New inventions, interesting architecture, writing of all kinds, TV shows, nice looking gardens, and a thousand other things we see and use everyday are a product of brilliant creativity. Without creativity, the world would be a very boring place filled with robot-like humans who make no advancements or discoveries what so ever. I think that creativity should be emphasized more in the school setting and that students should be offered more opportunities to use and develop their creative skills. Creativity really should be treasured and used daily by all people. 

I have been creative all my life. I don’t know if it’s because my parents are both creative and always did different types of art projects with me when I was young, or if it was just one of my natural abilities since childhood. I use my creativity to make all kinds of functional art work as well as pieces of writing. I cannot draw very well, and I used to think that drawing and painting was the only “real” form of art, but I have realized that so many things we see around the house and in the world are actually art too. I love to create / decorate unique furniture, tie dye clothing, knit or crochet, make beaded or metal jewelry, make magazine collages, write, and make ceramic pieces. Like I said before, I didn’t used to think of myself of an artist because my art was not on a canvas and I’ve realized now that I was dead wrong. I’m glad that I came to the realization that my art was valid because I could have gone through life ignoring my natural talents. I used to think I would have to express my creativity outside of my field of study and work, but I have realized that creativity is used often in business as well as almost all other fields too.

Recently, I have been thinking about majoring in business and also minoring in art when I go to college. Nothing would make me happier, because I would be able to study both of my main interests in depth. I have never considered studying art before, but I think it will be a great match for me now that I realized that I am an artist. Let’s be honest; if I could for sure make a living by just making my weird art and selling it to people that would be the ideal career for me. I would spend my days just creating in this totally chill and colorful studio with all the supplies I would ever need to satisfy my creativity. What I have been thinking about instead, is to pursue my interest in business and find a steady career while continuously creating new and unique projects on the side in my free time. My ultimate dream would to be to open a little artsy shop where I could sell my own artwork as well as friend’s and family’s, and other small scale artist’s work, who may otherwise not have a way to sell their stuff. This way I could run a business that involves my passion for art and creativity while also helping out other creative people in need. I hope I am able to achieve this new found dream at some point in my life, but even if I don’t, I will never stop making my art and expressing my creativity in every way possible. And that will make me unbelievably happy.