Self-Expression Through Art and Creativity
By: Miracle Onyeugo-John
Whenever I think of art, I think of beauty. Art is beauty, and beauty is everywhere around us. Art is a form of self-expression. From the songs we listen to, to the books we read, and the movies we enjoy—these and more are forms of art. Art is. Yes, art simply is.
Do you still not understand? Whatever comes to your mind when I say "art"—that is what art is. It doesn’t have to appeal to everyone; as long as you feel some form of connection when you hear, see, taste, smell, or feel something that is enough. Art tells a story. Art creates that avenue for the artist to communicate what they feel, and it makes it possible for the audience to receive and appreciate the message without misinterpreting it.
Humans are more than just flesh and blood. As Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once said, “We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” For this reason, we always seek outlets to express the deep longings and intense feelings within us. Art provides that channel.
Listen, spirituality and creativity go hand in hand. Here’s how you can use creativity and art to express yourself:
Find your art: What comes naturally to you? Do you like cooking, drawing, singing, dancing, painting, sketching, or writing (like me)? All these and more are forms of art. Any outlet that allows you to express the yearning of your consciousness, communicate, and connect with the world is your art. Take time to explore different activities and discover what resonates with you. Your art reflects your unique perspective and experiences; through this expression, you can truly connect with others and share your inner world.
Use it: According to the law of use and disuse, the size and quality of a structure are modified by how much it is used. In other words, the quality of your art improves over time when you actively engage with it and quietly withers away when you don’t. We don’t want any “Oh, I wish” moments at the end of our lives. I understand that artists get blocked from time to time, but thankfully, that is not the end of the world. When we start as new artists and dip our toes into the world of creating art, we see many great artists we aspire to and expect to start out doing excellently well. However, most times it doesn’t happen that way. It takes lots of practice, trial and error, learning from our mistakes, and so much more to get there. It does get daunting, but one step at a time is what we need. We need patience with ourselves, and maybe some more empathy with our inner child, since creating art comes from the inside to the outside. Just understand where you’re at with creating, accept it, and use it. You’ll be pleased with how far along you’ll come in no time.
Artist dates: You deserve to reward yourself as a creator. Give yourself treats from time to time. Treat yourself like a queen, a source, an artist. That is who you are. One of the basic needs of humans is to be appreciated, and our inner artist sure loves to be pampered from time to time. An artist's date can mean different things to different people. Having a picnic where you're looking over the lake and listening to birds chirping makes your artist swell with joy. Or does having a hot cup of coffee in a five-star restaurant make all the difference? Did you know that J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, often rented a room in a luxurious hotel that inspired her creativity? She found that the environment mirrored the world she was creating, and helped her immerse herself in her writing. I highly recommend Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, where she provides in-depth and helpful details on how to go about your artist dates.
Keep a creative journal or morning pages: In a busy world, our inner artist often feels unheard and almost invisible. This is where morning pages come in—writing three pages of longhand, whatever comes to mind, pen to paper, inner child to artist. Unlike traditional journaling, which often has an end goal in mind, your creative journal is solely for letting your artist express itself freely before the hustle and bustle of daily life takes over. Morning pages are freeing and inspiring. Just write whatever comes to your mind. Over time, you’ll discover that your inner child has been orchestrating a fantastic plan all along. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a writer or not, keep going. As a painter, through writing your morning pages, you can draw inspiration for your next portrait. This practice allows your creativity to flow naturally and helps you stay connected to your artistic self.
Connect with community and share your work: Sharing your art can be scary because it opens up a vulnerable part of you. Remember, the art you create contains your deep desires and longing for connectivity. Like a loving mother allowing her child to experience the world, trust that the good seeds you’ve planted in your art will blossom. Sharing your art allows it to grow and helps you grow as well. An added advantage of sharing your art is that it opens opportunities for you to connect with the community. Find your community on social media, through exhibitions, museums, art bids, and more. People share stories of struggles, successes, near misses, and art that did or didn’t fulfil its mission. You’ll find people who share your idiosyncrasies in art and those who don’t. It also allows you to appreciate your art more and the art of others that you might not have noticed otherwise. Connecting with the community is a gentle reminder that you’re not alone in finding your feet in the art world, no matter where you are now or where you plan to be.
Set aside creative time: Dedicate specific times for your art. The most successful artists have a routine; they don’t sit around and wait for inspiration—they invite it in by setting aside regular time for creativity. Just like any other important activity, this helps you stay committed and make consistent progress. Treat your creative time as sacred, free from distractions and interruptions. Establishing a regular creative schedule not only maintains consistency but also makes the idea of using your art more appealing.
Draw inspiration from life: Art is life. The purpose of art is to breathe life into what would otherwise be a drab world. Drawing inspiration from life makes art more relatable and authentic. Emotions, relationships, nature, animals, and everyday moments can all be sources of creativity. There is no better way to give back to the world than to draw inspiration from it
Explore different mediums: Don’t get stuck in one part of art just because you can't imagine yourself elsewhere or because the thought of starting over seems daunting. One important trait an artist must have is an open mind. There's no limit to what you can do, who you are, and what you can create. A great example is David Bowie, who started as a musician and transitioned into acting, starring in films like Labyrinth and The Man Who Fell to Earth. Trying new things can give you a fresh perspective and make all the difference, offering a refreshingly satisfying view of your artistic potential.
Embrace your imperfections – just be: You are enough. I believe in God; I am a Christian. Above all else, I surrender my art and let Him write through me. No one put it better than Julia Cameron’s mentor, Thomas, who said, “The Force That Through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower.” The fact that I am surrendered has made me better equipped to see my flaws and embrace my imperfections. Art is not about perfection; it's about expression. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. Imperfections often add character and authenticity to your work, making it uniquely yours. Embrace the flaws and let them be a part of your creative journey. I do my part by making time and using my art, and the rest is taken care of by the source from which I am fetched. What drives you? Art is subtle; it flows. Art is more about being than doing. Art is. It connects. Have you learned to embrace your imperfections? How far have you gone with sitting with them instead of fighting them? Because they are the cherry on the smoothie of your art.
As I was looking for the perfect 10th point to finish this writing, I realized that perfection isn’t the goal—expression is. I have 9 points that encapsulate the essence of using creativity and art to express yourself, and that’s more than enough. What else have I to say? Just as art is about embracing imperfections and finding beauty in the process, so is this piece. Therefore, I will embrace my 9 points and offer them to you in a spirit of artistic camaraderie, trusting that they will inspire and guide you on your artistic journey.