The Creative Process is often spoken about as if it's a journey of transcendent intellectual labor shrouded in mystery and available only to the most enlightened souls.
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​We call BULL SHIT. The Creative Process is simply a series of steps that someone goes through to get from idea to final product. Anyone can do it. And everyone should do it. 

Picture yourself on a hike, fully prepared with all your supplies and a clear strategy in mind. What's your plan?
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​Some of you have your field guide to the trees of the Adirondacks and your DSLR camera so you can slowly make your way down the path, identifying all the flora and fauna along the way and taking pictures of the breathtaking vistas. 
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​Then there are others who have their hiking boots laced up tight and watches at the ready to start their timers before beginning the ascent. Sure, you have your phone with you, so you can click a few pics at the top while you slam down your water and a couple of handfuls of gorp before heading back down. Mission completed!
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​While these examples are a bit extreme, you will likely identify more with one scenario than the other.  One is not better than the other, but it's important to know what time of person you are - especially when it comes to thinking about your creative process.
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​Are you a journey person, and is it all about the process for you? Or is it about the destination and the final outcome?

A Journey Person may like to take things slow and take time to be inspired by their surroundings. Consider being intentional about how you go about your day:
- Take in the day using all 5 of your senses
​- Do a daily drawing or take a daily photo
​- One-sentence journal

For the Destination Person, your ideas will likely come from desired outcomes, goals, or solutions to a problem. Once you identify the outcome or end goal, you can work backward to brainstorm different ways to achieve it. 

We are all limited by something. Our limitations will affect the Creative Process. On the flip side, limited resources can spark or enhance our creativity.
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​When we think about resources as they relate to creativity, we usually think of time, energy, attention, money, and space. While limited resources can present challenges, you may be surprised with what you come up with if the constraints are approached as opportunities to think more critically, innovate, and adapt.

Ephemeral art is any creation that is temporary, meant to exist only for a short period of time before it deteriorates, disappears, or is intentionally destroyed.
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​You've probably encountered many examples of ephemeral art, like a child's sandcastle that washes away after the first big wave or the intricate ice sculptures at a fancy wedding that drips away into non-existence by the night's end. 
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​Sometimes, ephemeral art tries to communicate grandiose concepts like the passage of time or the impermanence of life or to challenge traditional ideas of art as something permanent.
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​But it doesn't always have to be so high-minded or ambitious. It can just be you and your sidewalk chalk sketching out your ideas.

It's about the process.
​In ephemeral art, the process of creation often takes precedence over the final product. It can teach you to appreciate the act of making and the creative journey itself. 

If you are a Destination Person, this may not resonate with you. One way to turn this type of creation into something a Destination Person can appreciate is to set a tangible goal related to ephemeral art, such as spending 30 minutes a week making sand castles. You'll get a checkmark when you've completed the task. And as a bonus, you can document your progress, giving you a final product.
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It takes away the fear.
Knowing the work will not last can reduce the pressure to achieve a "perfect" final product, allowing for more spontaneous and intuitive creation.
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​It can be used for skill improvement.
Ephemeral art allows you to practice a skill over and over without using up valuable resources, thus making your art more environmentally friendly.
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​It strengthens your creative muscles.
​Creativity, like any other skill, can be improved with practice. With ephemeral art, you become more comfortable with the process of creativity.
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​Here's a useful tool to help you get started with ephemeral art: Zen Board

It all starts with the intention to be creative. With your intention set, you can start looking for sources of inspiration and ideas.
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External Inspiration
External inspiration can come from a prompt given to you by someone else (teacher, friend, or the internet). Ideas can also come from observations like different aspects of nature, people watching (or overheard conversations), or activities in your daily life.

Internal Inspiration
​Internal inspiration comes from your imagination, emotions, and experiences. 

For any creative endeavor, you want to ensure you have what you need before you get started. For example, if your new creative outlet is cake decorating, you will likely need several things. It would be super inconvenient to have to run out to the store for more sugar if you are middle of a half iced cake.

If this is your first attempt at creativity (or still relatively new), it's easy to get overwhelmed with all the hobbies you can start, skills you can learn, and supplies you might need. 
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​Fight the overwhelm by starting with the basics and starting simple—graphite pencils, colored pencils, markers, and a writing surface. Then, start drawing basic shapes—circles, squares, hearts, and stars.

Some creative endeavors may take a little bit of skill. Now, it's time to start learning. 

​You may consider learning in a structured environment by taking a class or hiring a coach. There are also informal methods like watching videos, reading books, or engaging with a creative community.

However, remember that experience is the best teacher. It's important to strike a balance between learning and practice. Don't get so caught up in learning that you forget to experiment with and practice what you are learning. This balance ensures a comprehensive understanding and application of your creative skills.

Your need for space will be dictated by the creative act you've chosen and what you've been inspired to make. This will be one of the limitations you must take into account as you go through the creative process.
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​The critical point here is that you do make space. 

During this show segment, we introduce four ways to interact with the material presented: A question to answer, a quest to complete, an aspect of creativity we've noticed this week, and a quote to ponder.

What will you create based on what we've discussed today?

Complete the first step in the process. The three I's - intention, inspiration, and ideas.

Creative ways to study utilizing all learning styles.

"Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns
​- Edward de Bono