A Scientific and Metaphoric Examination of the Creative Self:

Purpose

• To provide further examination of creativity, the creative process, and aesthetic awareness

"How these processes crystalize and enable creative products to be formed is a challenging question for the field"
Russ and Fiorelli (2010)

Significance

• Further exploration of creativity and creative behavior can inform the use of creative production as an educative tool

Creativity

• A novel yet appropriate solution
• The ability to produce something of value
• A cognitive and emotional experience

The Creative Process

• A sequence of cognitive operations
• A method or routine to creative manipulation

Aesthetic Awareness

• The ability to be aware of sensory surroundings

"Creativity is stimulated only when the sense organs are brought to life"
Halprin (1997)

Participation

• Creativity
• The Creative Process
• Aesthetic Awareness

Research Questions

• How is creativity developed within an individual?
• How is creativity influenced?
• Can art production incite creative thinking?

The Self Study Method

• The recognition of the authority of the researcher engaged in practice
• The understanding of oneself in relation to others in order to move ideas forward
• Gaining new understandings and perspectives of process/practice

Scientific Orientation

• Mapping the empirical reality of creative phenomenon

Metaphoric Orientation

• Provides alternative representations of creative phenomenon

Data Collection

• Written Narratives
• Journal Entries
• Self-Interview

Data Analysis

• Data is coded and grouped into themes and subthemes
• Themes are arranged into code books to display chunks of actual text
• The themes are then linked to build assertions

Findings

• Less restrictive play was crucial
• An appreciation for observation
• The encouragement to explore
• Positive Validation
• Confidence is delicate

Findings

• Aesthetic attachment to objects
• Exposure to aesthetically pleasing surroundings
• Significant life changes
• Creative Influence
• Creativity is therapy

Findings

• Preconceived vision/imagination
• Problem solving and finding
• Intense concentration/observational abilities
• Layering of thoughts/creative reasoning
• Expressive invention/creative chioces

Conclusions

• I have used this method to the best of my ability
• I believe I was successful in providing rich and descriptive accounts of creativity
• The primary assertions relate strongly to the creative theories of development, cognition, problem finding, and process

Implications

• This creative form of inquiry contributes to the understandings of creative theory
• This study further illuminates the development of creative generation
• This study supports the concept of the strong relationship that exists between art making and creative thought

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