During the Knowledge Café conversation on 7th February 2024 (Sharp, 2024) an interesting dichotomy was articulated. Creative outputs can happen under pressure and according to need (necessity is the mother of creativity). However, on the other hand, creative outputs can happen where people have ‘space to think’ and ‘play’. Therefore, to be creative is it best to be put under pressure or to have space to play and relax? I would not say I have the answer to this question but some participants of the knowledge café argued that all employers should give employees at least half an hour a day to pursue ‘creative play time’ (Sharp, 2024). Authors suggest that making space for creativity is important for personal wellbeing, success in life and, potentially, a source of financial income (Adair, 2007; Cameron, 2016; Vernon, 1973).
Doing creative things, whether because of some personal coercion or necessity, or through fun and making time, produces expressive outputs. In my life, that tends to be through painting and writing. Recently, I gave myself an hour to paint the Dee Estuary on a sunny Saturday morning when a cool mist pervaded the Estuary and provided some ethereal effects (see Figure 1). The scanned version does not give justice to the subtle colours and effects on the paper, but the top of the lower hills of North Wales are visible above the mist!
Figure 1 Picture of the Dee Estuary
If nothing else, this was an enjoyable experience that provided a picture with colours I enjoy looking at. Also, the painting provides an aide memoire for me of a beautiful relaxing experience listening to the wind, water, and wading birds. Some may describe this whole exercise that I am sharing with you – a bit of creative indulgence.
Dr Peter Sharp 28th February 2024
References
Adair, J. (2007) {reprint} The Art of Creative Thinking, Kogan Page, 120 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JN: ISBN: 13 978 0 7494 1.
Cameron, J. (2016) The Artist’s Way – The Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, MacMillan, 20 New Wharf Road, London, N1 9RR: ISBN: 978 1 5098 2947 7.
Sharp, P. J. (2024) London Knowledge Café Revitalised: What are the Strongest Motives for Creative Enterprise in your Life?, 7th February 2024 {accessed from https://knowledgelearningpd.wordpress.com/2024/02/14/london-knowledge-cafe-revitalised-what-are-the-strongest-motives-for-creative-endeavour-in-your-life/ on 28th February 2024}
Vernon, P. E. (1973) (ed) {Reprint} Creativity, Penguin Education, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England.
Knowledge Learning and Personal Development 