Welcome September 27, 2004 ISSUE

Got creativity?

Wendy Rankin

In my experience as an artist, I've found that creativity isn't something that you can just force out of yourself, the way you might force yourself to clean the house or write a term paper (although there are creative aspects to those jobs, to be sure). Creativity is sometimes spontaneous, sometimes thoroughly planned—but it's always pure and honest. It is observation. It is reaction. It is imagination and narrative. Creativity is all these things, and more.

But for me, it all starts with inspiration—an inspiration whose source is the one Creator.

This week, you will meet several artists from different backgrounds. Their stories are full of inspiration. And uplift. Does that mean you have to consider yourself an artist to find meaning in these stories? Absolutely not. It has become quite clear to me that no matter what you're doing in your life, you cannot escape creativity. Life itself is steeped in the creative—whether it's obvious or not. It's happening all the time. Maybe you're finding a better way to keep track of the budget, or discovering how to spend more time with friends or family. Or even mixing up the spices in a recipe (just for a change). These are all examples of creativity weaving its way through daily Life.

No, creativity is not some exclusive club for creative types and patrons of art supply stores.

God is the one Creator. And one part of the definition of "create" is "to bring into existence; to make out of nothing and for the first time." Think about it. You can look for the ways in which God is showing you how to express this activity every day. Just maybe, you'll find out you are one of those "creative types" after all!

Wendy Rankin
Art Director

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