The difference between doing creative things and being creative?

As a fine art painter, I use the photographic image as a guide for creating my artwork. When modern cameras can capture images in such detail, why would we paint a painting of that same image? Why is the photograph not the end of the creative process?

This is a really great question. And please don't misunderstand me, photography is an art form all on it's own, so I'm not diminishing the importance of photography in the art world. 

What I am saying is that, for me, creativity doesn't end at the photograph, it's actually the beginning. I love what a photo can capture particularly as an inspiration for my painting practice. 

I think the deeper question here is: What is creativity?

I mean there are many simple definitions, like the act of creating something from nothing.  This is a definition focused on the doing of creativity.  What about the being of creativity?

In my creative life I've explored weaving, spinning, tapestry, knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, felting, silk painting, jewellery and metalsmithing, woodworking, book binding, sewing, cooking, paper tolle, painting, and drawing.  This is all that I can think of at the moment. So these are the doing aspects of creativity. 

In contrast, the italian lighting magazine that inspired me to create a stacked and layered ring in silver used my skills of doing creativity in order to bring the being of a creative vision to life. 

See creativity comes from a source within, an inspiration searching for a medium to express itself. The being creative is where the magic happens.  When you connect to an idea, a feeling, a vision and then allow yourself to figure out the form and shape so that you can create your idea in a tangible way, that's the being creative and doing creative things coming together. 

So what happens if you feel blocked to the creative inspiration coming to you?  Great question.  I'm going to write about that in my next blog post. 

Leave me your comments below if you have any thoughts from this one.