Some artists have a natural gift to create, others need much time and effort to create ideas and translate them in art. What means creating in plastic arts? In certain periods creation was not considered a necessary element of art: art meant imitation of the reality, or replication of already existing art. The Greek tragedies tried to visualize moral thinking, mediaeval artists wanted to express religious ideas and values, or the greatness of their sovereign. And through history artists created art to underline their own importance (Wagner, Warhol)!
The ability to create is probably a brain function, related to intuition, freedom of thinking and expression, the ability to disconnect of existing patterns and traditions. The power to make something new. So imagination, rather than rationality. Expression of inner feelings, emotions, in images, rather than concepts or language. Creating is making something new, something that does not exist. Creating is combining thought and feelings, fantasy and flexibility, inspiration and dreams, passion and courage.
I am optimistic in the supposition that every individual may have some capacity to create in a unique form. To have some freedom to look at the world in a different manner, to express differently. An imagination process that results in products that are authentic, new and original and added value.
Finally, there is something special: I did write in an earlier blog that at times the work of art creates itself, steers the hand of the artist who at the end remains surprised or bewildered by the result of his/her work, not foreseen, not planned in this way…...