EMBRACING CREATIVITY – THE MYSTERY BEHIND THE ART – PARK CITY ART GALLERIES

Defining it doesn’t come easily. By its very nature it doesn’t fit neatly into any box. And it’s forever been essential to the very survival of humanity.

Creativity represents part of our most basic drive as humans, yet its meaning takes countless different forms. At its most fundamental level it’s an ability to solve problems with originality and relevance. How it’s actually expressed is as varied as the individuals expressing it.

While the mysteries of creativity are not reserved only for the artists among us, feeding our minds and spirits with their unique interpretations can be an extremely satisfying way to tap into a valuable and most beautifully engaging resource.

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

Challenging traditional assumptions and looking at life from diverse viewpoints are at the core of the creative journey.

J GO GALLERY
EZRA SIEGEL

THE DANCE” BY EZRA SIEGEL ˜ JGO GALLERY

“The work of an artist is all about pushing ourselves into new arenas,” explains Siegel. “And if we want to be successful, we have to do it in a way that is honest and truthful.” He explains that conveying creativity is really all about an approach, and that it’s one that must be constantly evolving to be successful.

Siegel has discovered a fascinating way to translate his approach to life’s ever-changing dynamics that often involve both order and chaos, as well as planning and randomness all at the same time. Through his intriguing abstract paintings, he demonstrates the type of flexibility and mindset that is absolutely crucial to any type of creative endeavor.

Challenging our expectations, Siegel’s new painting, The Dance, provides a persuasive example of asking his viewers to actively engage and then become absorbed in multiple layers of meaning. Its thought-provoking narrative evolves from stark characters constrained within a grid of defined spaces, but then ultimately transforms to their alluring journey of change and freedom beyond the boundaries of the painting.

EXPRESSING NARRATIVE

There’s always a story behind a need for innovation. Creativity demands a perceptive ability to see the bigger picture.

“PALE FLOWER” BY HEATHER BARRON ˜ TROVE GALLERY

TROVE GALLERY
HEATHER BARRON

Barron describes how growing up, her mother often used sayings like, “The grass is always greener…” or “Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket.” Barron’s reflective paintings have a marvelous way of capturing the essence of those tender, as well as sometimes poignant moments in life, and then honoring them forever in paint. “My paintings tend to express different messages about life that are meaningful to me,” Barron explains.

Her vivid figurative paintings feature bright, colorful images layered with enticing saturated color, texture and mixed media collage.

She believes that we are all born with creativity within us, but that as we leave childhood we diverge and go on our own separate paths, “It’s up to us to decide on how we use our creativity. And what that ultimately looks like.”

“PARABLE” BY NICHOLAS WILTON ˜ MOUNTAIN TRAILS GALLERY

JULIE NESTER GALLERY
NICHOLAS WILTON

His paintings have been described as visual poems displaying the splendor of nature and his personal experiences in life. Layering rich color, texture and organic forms into a complex visual weave, he points to the underlying feelings and complexity of life.

He describes his creative approach, “It’s the accuracy of the feeling I am interested in rather than the accuracy of a specific representation that is already understood or recognizable. My work is deliberately open-ended…I want it to be reinterpreted, incorporated into the experiences and personal stories of others.”

As the leader and founder of Art2Life, an online platform designed to build, empower and inspire the creative community, Wilton believes, “Creativity is not something we ever lose, but rather something that has just been overlooked, possibly relegated years ago to a still, unused corner of our being. However, it still remains quietly within us all, patiently waiting, just below the surface of things.”

DISCOVER CATHARSIS

Communicating creativity holds the profound potential to heal through a deep expression of meaning and emotion.

“SNOW DAY” BY CYNTHIA MCLOUGHLIN ˜ SUMMIT GALLERY

SUMMIT GALLERY
CYNTHIA MCLOUGHLIN

Part of McLoughlin’s painting process involves deconstruction with a most incredible result. Through scraping she exposes the reflective silver from the metal panels she paints on, sometimes revealing a moonlit sky, a shimmering river or shining reflections on a lake. “I interpret what I see and feel into my paintings—be it an awesome storm, a tragic shooting or an incredible sunset, and it is cathartic for me to express my emotions through the paint,” shares McLoughlin.

To power her creativity, she said, “I need time outdoors to fuel my creative energy and to be inspired. I often take photos of things I find extraordinary: a mountainous composition, a dramatic storm about to explode, or a glorious Park City sunset or a herd of elk grazing off a quiet trail. In my studio I need music to find energy, mood and rhythm in my work.”

MOUNTAIN TRAILS GALLERY
TROY COLLINS

EXTRAORDINARY BLESSINGS” BY TROY COLLINS ˜ MOUNTAIN TRAILS GALLERY

Collins’ captivating impressionistic paintings capture a faithful passion for creating a visual experience to move viewers beyond the expected to connect with the colors, texture and design elements in his majestic landscapes.

“Cultures across the span of history have gravitated to the mountains for peace and clarity. Creating paintings using mountains and storms as subject matter allows me to express my thoughts, emotions and love of nature,” said Collins. “I delight in the effects of light, the opposing darkness and color, and I’m always looking for new ways to let the light show through in my work. Light relays the metaphor of hope and love.”

FINDING CONNECTIONS

True creativity includes as much relevance as novelty.

 

“BRUTUS” BY SHANNON MARIE SCHACHT ˜ THOMAS ANTHONY GALLERY

THOMAS ANTHONY GALLERY
SHANNON MARIE SCHACHT

“Animals, art, nature and being creative are my passions in life…” describes Schacht. Her work has been aptly described as the art of painting personality. The entrancing eyes and telling expressions on the faces of the animals she portrays instantly capture an authentic connection. “I strive to create works of art that reveal the gentle souls of these animals,” she said. Something in her animals’ tender gaze has a mesmerizing way of immediately drawing you into her true love for wildlife.

Her creative advice is to always keep exploring. She shares, “If I had never stepped out of my comfort zone to learn something new, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” When asked how she feeds her creative energy, she explained, “As a full-time artist, I have set up a daily routine that I follow to stay motivated and productive. Part of that routine includes a morning run so I can take in the surrounding mountain views. Th is inspiration helps me envision what I’ll be bringing to life on my next canvas.”

TRUSTING THE PROCESS

Allowing creativity to prosper requires trust in the unknown, in yourself and in the hope of possibility.

BEDROOM WINDOW” BY LIS PARDOE MEYER GALLERY

MEYER GALLERY
LIS PARDOE

Pardoe’s work provides an intriguing example of the importance of using our past experiences as a bridge to connect to our future possibilities to develop our own unique look of creativity. Her paintings aim to tell stories about those important connections in our lives—to our emotions, each other and our environment.

Capturing our eye with subtle pattern, luminous color and authentic depth, she often uses plants as a universal voice. She describes her process as working from life and imagination, placing a great emphasis on her overall experience of interacting with her subjects.

GALLERY MAR
T.S. HARRIS

When asked about her creative motivation strategies, Harris replied, “I feel like the creative energy is always there. I just need to find a way to tap into it. Gotta be honest though, deadlines are a big motivator…

“WINTER SWIM” BY T.S. HARRIS ˜ GALLERY MAR

She went on to describe some of her tried and true contingency plans, “The first thing I remind myself is that once I start painting, the very process of painting sparks my enthusiasm. So, I tell myself to just start, start anything to get me going and usually that does the trick.” Looking at her amazing paintings, I would say it’s definitely working. Part of the job of working professional artists, she explained, is that they don’t always have the luxury of waiting for “inspiration” to strike on its own, “We’ve figured out how to spark it ourselves.”

With an intention to merge past with present, the stylish figures in her paintings offer a sense of charisma and intrigue that draw upon emotions of days and moments too quickly vanished. Harris’ nostalgic work has been called “sunshine noir” in its focus on brightly colored, yet sometimes bittersweet memories.

In an age of great change, we live in a world that constantly redefines the very concept of creativity. Neuroscience research supports the idea that using the multiple areas and strengths of our brains is essential to creativity. Using functional MRI scans, scientists understand from a deep physical level how accessing everything from our memories to our thought processing functions and ability to create novel solutions makes a difference in our creative output.

But research and opinion aside, creativity’s very essence must always embody newness and change. And while many of its muses and secrets may always remain under a seemingly traditional veil of mystery, its hope for future discovery and beautiful innovation endures.

SOURCELaura Jackson
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