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The first thing most people think of when they consider artists is someone with a paintbrush in one hand, covered in paint, possibly wearing a floppy hat but creating a huge masterpiece in oils; or a sculptor, covered in chips, cutting away to find the form in a piece of wood; or perhaps a potter, hands covered in clay, creating an object; or a ballet with graceful dancers; someone living on another planet or at least another plane. In other words someone in the fine arts.

But art is more than that and we all have the potential to be artists. Humans are naturally creative. Creativity and artistry go together. We create an artistic object by piling fruit into a bowl. Being artistic isn't about being a fine artist, it is much greater than that.

Watch children creating their make believe words when they play. They invent characters, situations and sometimes tools. Once children would have made mud pies and decorated them with flowers. The combination of observation and play uses the inventive part of the brain to develop the understanding the children have of the world and explore it. That's what childhood is for and curiously, it is the adult world in it's search for perfection and to satisfy mindsets which destroys that ability. How often are children told that tree trunks are brown? They are silver as in birches, camouflaged as in plane trees, grey for lots of trees, or covered with lichen and moss, but rarely brown.

For adults being able to set an attractive table, make a satisfying meal, holding a fun conversation, or putting flowers in a vase all show aspects of the artist in us. Art can be a simple arrangement of fir cones or autumn leaves but we have seen the possibilities and acted on the inspiration. Few people who have seen a magnificent sunset have been unimpressed and wondered at the power of the colors. It's about letting the potential that we perceive come to fruition. The ability is there, but dare we use it?

The old adage necessity is the mother of invention' demonstrates another branch of creativity. Because we have to solve a problem, the ideas are mulled over and an answer is found. From the need to make a situation easier, a useful tool or method of doing something is found. There is artistry in the actions.

Really good engineering is artistic and elegant, think of bridges; from the simple roman stones arches to the complexity of a suspension bridge. Only an artistic eye could imagine it.

Finding the artist in all of us takes courage to risk doing what our creative souls pine for and not letting ourselves be put off by those unenlightened characters who like to be critical.

Learn more about this author, Rosemary Redfern.
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