The heart has reasons that

reason cannot know. Blaise Pascal1623-1662

The concept of creativity is that it is

a point of view, an approach towards the

mundane that transforms

every blade of grass into a

wonder of life.

Life Positive Magazine Author Unknown In my view, creativity allows one to

become whole and to share one’s soul though self-expression of inner life with

the outside world. It is self-affirmation in the theater of life.

Creativity: Outside In

Nature in Photos: a window into soul“Imagery and visual expressions reflect the

uniqueness of an individual's life. V. John Steiner

Nature is my source of inspiration: emotional courage,

acceptance of contrast, comfort, faith in things working out and hope in the future. In nature,

I am in touch with my deeper feelings.

Taking photos makes things stop and stand still: it captures my sensations and provides visual memories of thoughts and feelings of each creatively

fulfilling moment. It merges my inner and outer worlds. Each visual image is a glimpse into my heart and soul,

the essence of my being.

Metaphor of Communion: the union of selfThe shaping of a creative life is not an a priori gift but

a process of self-construction. Howard E. Gruber

Being still long enough to slow my heart, I feel deep wonder, beauty

and peace within nature. I hear the morning’s silence and

feel it embrace me.

It is my moment to be in communion with nature's serenity

and become one with myself. I welcome the sensations that seep

into my heart and fills me with the splendor of life.

The photo allows me to visualize my thoughts and inner perceptions, to juxtapose my ideas and feelings in a concrete image outside myself and to

blend my public and private worlds.

Systems: the simplicity of soul

Creativity is not the product ofsingle individuals, but of social

systems making judgmentsabout individuals’ products.

Robert Sternberg

When I place my eyes intimately on the fungi, I lavish in the brilliance of intricately woven patterns, smooth contours and soft colorings. I feel

its texture and as its essence registers its structure and order

within me, I immerse myself in its self-organizing evolving creative

system so strongly and meaningfully interconnected . It is a visually

moving feast that I ravish.

Creativity: the glisten of individual

Creative abilities determine whether one can exhibit creative behavior to a noteworthy degree.

J.P. Guilford

Although creativity is a product of combinatorial factors, the individual sparks the equation with key traits and characteristics, necessary elements but

certainly not sufficient variables on their own. The structure of the intellect clearly has

bearing on individual performance.

There's so much more to seeIn the darkest places

Cloud Cult

curious

flexible

Willing to take a different perspective

Not afraid to take a risk

playful

values peer feedback

likes to incubate

Self-reliant

Needs solitary moments

Sees an advantage to a force fit

Enjoys making combinations

Leaps trusting a net will appear

When we first begin to believe anything, what we believe is not a single proposition, it is a whole

systems of propositions. Wittgenstein

And so it is with creating an exhibit. What we create is not a single exhibit,

it is a whole system of exhibits.

Shirley

Belief: the reality

Milieu: the place of individual

Creativity does not occur in A vacuum. The environment is always present and can have

a profound effect on creative expression.

Everybody here is a cloud… Cloud Culture

Creativity is a process that can be observed only at the

intersection where individuals,domains and field interact.

Robert Sternberg

Clouds give me a sense of free float, the ever lightness of being. I imagine resting on my elbows watching other clouds float away, while I just am. The wind may push me along and brush my hair with a gentleness, but the feeling remains one of wholeness and pure bliss.

My colors can reflect my storming emotions of anger, sadness and disillusionment with the injustices in the world or mirror my buoyancy, joy and delight in the goodness of people.

While my public persona appears driven, purposefully defined, goal oriented, and resolutely serious, my inner sensations are light, carefree and soulful. I often visualize myself naked jumping up and down on my cloud while singing lively songs.

Have you found where your place is?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5kOla5DYSc

Have you seen my cloud?

A Metaphor in Processa blue heron

Stage 1

Preparation>>>Research: Collect

information or data.

Searched through over 6 thousand of photos; and

reviewed over 60 websites for ideas on how to

develop and organize a photo narrative that

would allow me to share my inner self.

Stage 2

Incubation>>>Percolation: Milling over collected information.

Sorted and discarded many photos, at least virtually,

looking for those that stirred feelings and generated

memories. Fantasized with my eyes to nature for

inspiration and experimented with various techniques to

find combinations or force fit.Flying is good for incubation

Stage 3

Illumination>>>Light Bulb Idea: Aha

moment.

Spend too much time thinking too much about

thinking and to muffle the talk from that inner critic that just won’t be quiet. It evolved as it took form

and continues to change. In flight, the fantasy

became reality

Stage 4

Implementation>>>Actual Making, Creating:

Verification.

Project is a work in progress as it will remain for a

longer while; everything can always be improved .

A creative life involves great swathes of attention.

Attention is a way to connect and survive.

Julia Cameron

Thank you all for sharing learning and for encouraging

me to creatively find my place.

Shirley

Photos by sPg