Fountains of Creativity: Painting

JAY B. NASH, a recreation philosopher and educator, believed that the highest and very best use of leisure (time free of obligations and responsibilities) is when a person is engaged in creative activities. While we may not all agree with this idea completely, perhaps we should still consider the fact that involvement in an activity which causes us to focus our minds on the task at hand could be, at the very least, a good use of leisure.

There are many different types of activities which could be classified as creative. However, one of the best avenues for creative expression is through painting. Whether it is finger-painting for little children, or working with oils or watercolors for teens and adults, painting provides opportunities for fountains of creativity.

Consider this scenario: an artist, with brush in hand and an array of colorful paints nearby, sits in front of a blank canvas and begins to paint a picture of a landscape. With a variety of brushes and colors of paint, the artist carefully transfers the image of the mind's eye to the canvas. And, before long, the lines, the shape and structure, the design, the colors, and the image of what was in the artist's mind and imagination is being reproduced in a form which others can also see. The creative juices are flowing! What was once nothing but a blank canvas, is now really something - an expression of the artist's inner-self - a painting of a landscape. Wow!

Painting offers an escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life. It gives the opportunity for refreshment and restoration of body, mind, and spirit. It has the capacity to rejuvenate the inner being! It is an excellent form of creative activities, and a great way to spend free time. The old expression, "try it - you'll like it," may seem trite, but could well be true regarding this particular leisure activity.
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-- In the photo above, watercolor artist Kay Jackson displays her paintings in an art show. She has studied under artists Robert and Sharon Long of Destin, Florida.