S sent me this link this morning. A long read, but worth scanning, by a favorite author, researcher, and University of Houston professor, Brené Brown. A quote then a long personal note:
“‘I can’t tell you how many people have stories of being in a classroom or with a parent who said, ‘This doesn’t look like anything’ and literally having their art ripped up,’” she says.But that isn’t the whole story. Even more of Brown’s interviewees, about 90%, recalled adults who helped them see their value. “I can’t tell you the number of teachers and parents who’ve taped those pieces back together and said, ‘This is art. You have a unique lens. It belongs to no one else,’” Brown says.”
In my house growing up, I don’t remember any overt encouragement in creativity. Like Brown’s childhood home, everyone was just creative. Ma made amazing clothes and toys from na’tnii (used clothing from missionary barrels). She made appetizing meals (read, beans), from very limited resources. Later in her life she took up art, specializing in tole painting. Pa was a writer, a teacher, and a coach, try doing those things in the middle of the desert without creativity.
Ma, and all my siblings were very musical. I never remember a time where I didn’t know that the music I heard on records was created by real people (research shows that’s a fairly rare thing, actually!). I remember my brother Jeffrey working out pop hits on our piano. Later, Jeff would encourage me by buying records for me whenever he could. Jeff was always an amazing story teller and is a published author of multiple books and articles. My brother Greg, put together a little band with me and my sister, Beth Staley Drechsel. We even “toured,” singing in various churches in the region. Greg also encouraged me by teaching me my first chords and scales on guitar and procuring a drum set from somewhere. (When I said I wanted to move to LA to be a musician after high school, I said that I knew there were a lot of drummers in LA. “Not many that are as good!” Greg said. That’s stuck with me for all these years). BTW, Greg built a large telescope painstakingly grinding the large mirrors on a machine he built. He also built a banjo from scratch, and a black powder pistol.
My cousins are all creative as well. Janise Ingram is an amazing artist. Rebecca G Cázares creates bespoke clothing. Ben Staley builds and flies model airplanes and helicopters. Tim Staley is a computer developer from long before computers were a household appliance.
The greatest testament to the creative home that Ma and Pa provided for us is seen in the lives of my siblings’ (Sherry Staley, Greg, Jeff, Brenda Meyer and Beth) children. Each of them is involved in creative pursuits The oldest, Travis, builds amazing sets for films and shows. Erin Cartmell makes her living as a ceramicist. Robbie creates intricate and beautifully painted game pieces. Justin is a writer, Corinne Hoetmer is a writer and photographer…
Too long, I know. Just grateful this morning for being raised as a creative person in a creative home.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_to_help_kids_grow_their_creativity