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#13: Make Creative Smoothies

Experiment with blending ideas and elements.

By Chris Dunmire, CoachingYourCreativity.com

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I used to wonder why records had “B” sides. Why was a lackluster “filler” song paired with a hit? Why did I never hear of that song before? For the same reason that everything we create is not going to be a hit. Some of our creations are necessary process pieces that teach us, refine our skills, and hold the space for the masterpieces we will go on to produce with persistence, practice, and perseverance. These learning creations are metaphoric materials building our trophy cases.

Think of Thomas Edison — he lived this way. Imagine how much 'stuff' was thrown into his Menlo Park trash can in between his inventions — the stock ticker, incandescent light, carbon microphone, fluoroscope, and phonograph to name a few (that man had a pile o' patents going!). How many of those inventions did he get right the first time around? Broken bulbs? It's a cliche!

You should see how many times I have to print out a "proof" for a client during a design project. "Change this. Change that. Typo. Design preference. Oops, I gave you wrong info. Can you add this? I like that font better. Change it back!" That's the beauty in allowing more than one right answer.

So, by allowing ourselves room to experiment and make mistakes, permission to ruin materials and blend new creative elements together, and the green light to modify something for whatever reasons, we learn what works for us and what doesn’t. We learn what others like and what turns them off. We learn. That's the point. This is prime territory for new corners to turn, unconventional processes to try, and the coming to terms with just how many carrots it takes to go overboard. Which for me is four.

• • • Take Action Now! • • •

Experiment with ideas and elements. Blend a creative "smoothie" this week with your favorite medium or activity using common and uncommon visual elements, principles of design, sights, sounds, and movements. For example:

• Incorporate a seldom-used palette of colors into a new work of art, craft, or design.

• Dig up and use art materials, fabrics, slush ideas, or techniques that have fallen to the bottom of the pile.

• Compose a different variation of that song you've been playing, like Cyndi Lauper did with her acoustic version of "Time After Time." Both versions were highly acclaimed.

• Play with food — for fun, experiment with blending smoothies in a food processor or blender. Pay specific attention to the blend of colors, textures, and tastes and how they can vary by changing up or eliminating one simple ingredient.

• Ever hear of Nia? Watch a video of the Nia Technique on YouTube to see how Carlos and Debbie Rosas blended mindfulness, movement, comfort, and pleasure into their workouts for greater fitness and well-being.

Bonus Silly What Ifs:

What if Reese's didn't combine chocolate with peanut butter? Can you imagine life without Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or Reese's Pieces? Did it really happen because two people bumped into one another? "You got your chocolate in my peanut butter!" "No! You got your peanut butter in my chocolate!" Who carries an open jar of peanut butter around? That's what I want to know. •

© 2008 Chris Dunmire, CoachingYourCreativity.com. All rights reserved. (07/14/08). Please do not duplicate this article elsewhere without my permission.

About the Author
Chris Dunmire is the author of the Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant and driving force behind the popular Creativity Portal Web site. She finds meaning as an artist, humorist, and creativity coach and channels her overactive imagination into multiple containers on display at ChrisDunmire.com.