Robin Ha wrote a New York Times best-selling book (COOK KOREAN!: A Comic Book With Recipes) after she discovered she could combine her skills as a professional artist with her enjoyment of making really good food. She learned a lot about herself and creativity along the way.
It takes courage to be creative – and persistence, especially if you are trying something new.
Early on many of us assume that our critics are right and we really can’t paint, or sing, or dance or at least we can’t do any of that well enough. We’ve come to believe there is just one right way to do anything that is usually called “creative” so we give up – often in elementary school.
But Robin says that being creative is open to all of us, that it is a source of energy and it makes us happy. It’s worth finding our fearlessness and jettisoning those critical voices so we can discover how much we can do. She says, “The imperfections often turn into individuality and ingenuity.”
Her own realization that many kinds of creativity have a common element that can be expressed in different ways is inspired and innovative.
This post is an excerpt from a talk Robin gave at a Barnes and Noble bookstore. It’s honest, wise, and offers advice anyone can use. And, what she has created is delightful!
(click to enlarge Robin’s images below)
It’s wonderful to read an affirmation of something I have long believed. Gardening in another ‘art’ which she neglected to mention, with the added benefit of physical exercise, and a never completed work.
Like it!
HI Celia This is right on….came to the computer yesterday as I was struggling with ‘my objective opinion’ of my recent watercolor paintings (very very critical opinions) Hope you are well and hope we can come up with a time to get together mid to late september. I look enjoy and look forward †o your WINN postings. Warmly Sally >