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“How does creativity fit into your life?” I asked. “Tell me your creative story.”
I posted questionnaires, sent out scores of e-mails and linked to creativity sites. Heartfelt responses came pouring in from around the world.
From “Anonymous” to “Zacarro;” from medical specialist to record company executive; from jazz singer to horsewoman, we discover how very diverse people - of various ages and from different parts of the world - stoke their unique creative fires.
You will be inspired by these individuals – including the submissions of husband and wife – whose thought-provoking personal stories are included on this website.
These most extraordinary people reveal the very secrets of their individual creativity.
Many make concrete suggestions as to how to be more creative. Some write about their frustrations as well as their successes. Many speak of the importance of supportive people in their lives. Some detail the heartbreaking road along which they have travelled. They all share a part of their private lives with warmth and honesty.
Each one has touched my heart. I believe yours will be touched, as well.
Be ready to become inspired, motivated and moved. Just click on any of the names listed below. Enjoy reading these stories, be ever creative, and, most of all, relish and celebrate the creative process.
And, if you are stoking your heart’s creative fire, I invite you to share your creativity and insights - and light creative fire for others: send your creative story. You can use the Creativity Questionnaire in the right sidebar as a guide.
All the best,
Nellie
INDEX
To read a particular profile, click on any name. This list and links will be constantly updated.
Amanda - Australia
Anonymous – Anywhere, Earth
Harry van Bommel - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dr. Roberto Cantù A - Metepec, Estado de Mexico
Cettina Sylvia Catlin Cantù - Metepec, Estado de Mexico
Violette Clark - Surrey, British Columbia
Vida Cropas - New Brunswick, Canada
Bobbie Dahdi - United Kingdom
Sherri Dickson - Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA
Elaine Rosemary Edie Froese - Boissevain, Manitoba, Canada
Nellie Jacobs - Toronto and Muskoka, Ontario, Canada
Vivian Jeanette Kaplan - Ontario, Canada
Dianne Linderman - Grants Pass, Oregon,USA
Michele Mele – Ontario, Canada
Sue Mitchell – Toronto, Canada
Rosalie Moscoe - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Monica Narula - Ahmedabad, India
Julie M. Ocean - Sunbury, Ohio, USA
Sandy Tobias Offenheim - "Tangled Socks and Wool"
Joan Evelyn Ongodia - Jinja , Uganda, East Africa
Sean Michael Paddison – Ontario, Canada
Ahmedabad, India1) What does creativity mean to you?Thinking out of the box, thinking big, thinking differently, lateral thinking 2) What is your creative passion? How do you approach it?Writing, Developing material, Training Delievery, Learning New3) Describe the feeling you have when heavily into a creative activity you love.Great, Excited, Passionate, Growth.4) What does the creative porcess do you, or for, you?Motivate.5) How have you fulfilled your own creative urges?Writing, Getting New Information, Learning New.6) What do you do to satisfy your soul?Achievement.7) How are you creative in your life?By thinking new and keep changing.
8) Who has inspired you in your life to achieve your potential? How?My father...I want to prove that I have a great potential to be something in life.
Photo by Allison Rose: Pathway to NowhereGabriola Island, BC., CanadaWhat does creativity mean to you?Creativity means happiness, expression, joy. When I haven't been creative for a while, all of those wonderful emotions get locked up inside me. The second I become creative (pick up a camera, or design a website) I can feel the joy and happiness creep out of me.What is your creative passion? How do you approach it?I have several creative passions.
The first is photography, and I love to grab my camera and walk around my surroundings looking for interesting and unique ways of photographing the ordinary.
Surprisingly I find web programming creative. To me it's like a puzzle... I want the website to do a, b, c.... and right now I have a blank canvas. The joy and creative aspect is getting that blank canvas to do what I want.Describe the feeling you have when heavily into a creative activity you love.I generally zone out deep in focus. When I used to paint and draw I would lose track of time. 5 hours could go by, and I would think it was 5 minutes.
With photography a feeling of release and happiness comes over me. It feels right to walk around with a camera in my hand.What does the creative process do to, or for, you?Creativity, or the creative process, keeps me happy. It keeps my mind active and helps me look at the world in different ways.How have you fulfilled your own creative urges?I have found ways to be creative in every day life. My job is creative in many ways. I find both aspects of my job, designing and programming websites to be creative in different ways. I also read a lot, and find it wonderful to be caught up in someone else's creative spirit. I try to go out with my camera as often as possible.What do you do to satisfy your soul?I moved to a place that is IN nature.... where trees outnumber people and I can hear the sounds of nature. Nature keeps my soul happy.How are you creative in your life?I'm creative with my work and with my hobbies.
Who has inspired you in your life to achieve your potential? How?My family. If they were not accepting of my creativity and tried to push me into other life directions, I would probably not be in the fields I am today._____Allison's website: www.allisonrosephoto.com 
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Thinking Spring. Photo by Marlene Walker Marlene has two Masters Degrees: an M.S.W. and M. Sc. She has had considerable experience in several professions, including social work and property management. Currently, she considers herself lucky to be able to incorporate her love of nature, writing and photography to pursue careers as Nature Walk columnist for the Muskoka Sun newspaper, author of two recently published books about nature, keynote speaker - and facilitator of photography and nature appreciation week-end retreats in Muskoka. E-mail Marlene at naturewalk@rogers.com. Visit her website at www.marlenewalker.com________________________
What does creativity mean to you?
It’s my inner essence – it takes me deep into myself. Sometimes it flows out of me and I don’t even know where it comes from.
Creativity in others is their expression of something unique to them in any form.
What is your creative passion? How do you approach it?
Nature photography and nature writing……….
I both direct it in terms of goals but often it just happens and it is such a surprise!
It also excites and stimulates me both intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.
Describe the feeling you have when heavily into a creative activity you love.
I lose track of time – time has no meaning – the minutes and hours are of no consequence. It takes me into another dimension.
What does the creative process do to, or for, you?
It gives me great satisfaction. Sharing it is what I love to do.
How have you fulfilled your own creative urges?
I set goals – publishing books, writing articles, developing a theme to photograph i.e. ‘snow shadows’, maple leaves, organizing retreats
What do you do to satisfy your soul?
This question made me catch my breath.
My love of nature satisfies my soul; hearing a bird sing, capturing an image that is something so small that most people don’t see it
How are you creative in your life?
Writing, photography, sharing ideas, creative problem-solving, taking on a challenge
Who has inspired you in your life to achieve your potential? How?
My parents, my husband, my friends, Freeman Patterson, my creativity group, myself
Share your inspiring story…..
I fell in love with bluebirds… it was the beginning of a love of nature that has been part of me for my whole life.
Have you had several sucessful careers changes in your life?
I guess I have re-invented myself several times. When I meet someone whom I haven’t seen in a long time, they think that I’m still doing what it was from before.
I take each of my careers and experiences with me…they become integrated into my new life experience. They are not left behind.
Describe your creative thinking.
I try to look at things in different ways…..there’s always some new way of looking at a challenge.
Tell about any creative projects that you’ve been involved recently.
Natural History and Photography retreats, PowerPoint Presentations
How would you describe Creative X-Spot?
Something deep inside of me that pulls at my creative core
Describe a serendipitous experience.
I met a woman at Chapters. We had a great connection. She and her husband are attending my retreat. One has to be open to opportunities. We are often confronted by these interfaces but we have to grab the opportunity for things to really happen.
Have you ever had a hunch you've followed to a successful conclusion?
The creation of my books developed from following my instinct. I trusted someone’s integrity and opportunities have continually evolved from our initial meeting.
“How does creativity fit into your life?” I asked. “Tell me your creative story.”
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