Creativity Belongs to Everyone

"You can be creative in so many different ways. No one is exempt from this conversation. When we create, we have agency in a world that says that we’re too small to enact change." - Aime McNee

Having worked in the arts for years, I often think about who gets access to creativity. There are many assumptions about what it takes to make art, such as having a degree, gallery representation, or the right connections. At the same time, creativity exists in all of us as a way to find joy, process difficult experiences, and feel more alive.

I believe creativity belongs to everyone. The gatekeeping around who gets to call themselves an artist reflects the same forces shaping our culture, including capitalism, perfectionism, and competition. These values have seeped into the art world like everything else.

I deeply respect those with formal training and recognition. That work is real and often hard. But there must also be room for everyone to express themselves. Creativity is not a luxury for the credentialed few. It is a tool that allows us to communicate who we are. It is a way to feel more resourced and grounded in a chaotic, non-stop world. It helps us use our imaginations to build a better future.

For a long time, I worked in the arts without allowing myself to make art. I thought I did not have the right. I could support others, but not claim it for myself. I did not start creating consistently until 2020, and it is now one of the most meaningful parts of my life!

I only wish I had started sooner. That is why I am sharing this. So others do not wait. Many people feel intimidated and held back by the idea that they lack training, skill, or the right materials. Creativity does not belong to a select few. We reclaim it by making things in our own way and by sharing them. It is liberating!

Judgment can be its own form of gatekeeping. When we label art as good or bad, we reinforce the fear that keeps people from creating. I have stopped using good or bad to describe art. I have seen work by people with advanced degrees and work by those with no formal training. I have had strong reactions to both, and sometimes no reaction at all. Some of the most powerful work I have encountered has come from people without formal training. There is often less rigidity and a different kind of energy. Instead of judging, I try to notice how something feels and what it sparks in my body and mind. If it makes you feel something, it is doing its job.

I still sometimes hesitate to call myself an artist. Collage is often dismissed as a real art form, and even though I know that is flawed, I still feel it. When someone tells me my work made them feel calm or joyful, it reminds me of why I create. I want to move emotion and create more space in my body. I want to help others feel things and have the courage to make their own art!

Not everyone will connect with your art, and that is okay. My dad, who was an artist, used to say that some people will love your work, some will hate it, and some will not feel anything at all. That is true in art and in life.

Sometimes I make things I really do not like visually. That is part of the process. Not everything needs to be shared or perfected for social media. Art can simply help us release and reset. At times, I do share the imperfect work because when we show the messy parts, not just the polished results, we make space for others to create more freely too. So much of our culture rewards perfection and performance. What I hope for instead is more care, collaboration, and connection!

Creativity does not have to look like paintings or sculptures. It can be doodling, cooking, embroidery, collage, or simply noticing the world around you. Noticing itself is a creative act. Start small. Make whatever you want. It might resonate with others or it might not. If it helps you feel more like yourself, that is enough. It has always been enough!

Below are a few of my favorite books to help inspire creativity! For an even bigger list, check out my recommendations on Bookshop.

• Steal Like an Artist – Austin Kleon

• How to Be an Artist – Jerry Saltz

• Find Your Artistic Voice – Lisa Congdon

• Your Inner Critic Is a Big Jerk – Danielle Krysa

• You Are an Artist – Sarah Urist Green

• The Book of Alchemy – Suleika Jaouad

And to close, here is a short and inspiring video featuring author Aime McNee. Enjoy!

I’d love to hear what you have been making or dreaming of making. As always, feel free to reach out to me. Hope your Spring is off to a good start. It snowed here in Maine today! We will get there someday. :) Thanks for reading and take good care of yourself!

Note: all artwork featured was made by me. To view more: www.owlcatstudio.com or find me on Instagram @owlcatcollage. Thanks!