Sometimes the assumption is that all of this childlike stuff is reserved for those artsy, creative “free spirits.”
Not true.
We all could stand to be a little bit more childlike; it’s just that it looks different depending on the type of person you are.
Take the Etch-A-Sketch for example. It is regarded as one of the classic American toys. My brothers and I had one growing up, but I never really got into it. Now that may come as a surprise to you, considering my artistic nature. But here’s the deal: my brain is not an Etch-A-Sketch brain. It doesn’t think in horizontal and vertical lines, which is a skill you need if you want to create something interesting with the Etch-A-Sketch.
I was big into sports as a kid, and loved drawing my sports heroes. To me, the Etch-A-Sketch was nothing more than a novelty. I never looked at it as something that could be used to produce great sport illustrations.
Well, I was wrong — dead wrong — as this video attests:
Now, even after seeing this video, I will not go out and buy an Etch-A-Sketch to start drawing Kim & Jason on. Because my brain still doesn’t think in horizontal and vertical lines. A few minutes spent with an Etch-A-Sketch makes me want to toss the thing under a bus. It’s too rigid and Adultitis-inducing — for me. And yet, for George Vlosich, drawing Lebron James with an Etch-A-Sketch is quite childlike (and mind-shatteringly impressive) indeed.
Creativity expresses itself in many different ways, from an artist creating an oil painting, to a scientist discovering a new way to attack a disease, to a math teacher designing sudoku puzzles, to an accountant scribbling down an inventive investment strategy on a napkin, to a dude drawing celebrities with an Etch-A-Sketch.
A childlike spirit looks different for everyone; it’s as unique as you are. The diversity is what makes it interesting. They key is to let it out and play every once in a while.
P.S. Create your own Etch-A-Sketch drawing online at www.Etchy.org — you can even e-mail your works of art to friends! (Hat tip to Jill McGarr)
Ah, wow. My etch a sketch was bright blue. I loved that. When I was 6 it helped me move all the way from Maine to Wisconsin. Along with our Dodge Dart.
Love the sites! Amazing.
A blue Etch-A-Sketch, huh? I’ve never seen one of those before…
I never really got into the Etch-a-Sketch either even though I had one. I was much more interested in building things. I had all the toys, Lincoln Logs, Erector Set, and my absolute favorite, Lego.
Have you seen what some people do with Lego? It’s amazing.
I have a hard time with etch and sketch too, because of the vertical, horizontal requirements. How cool for the artist who drew the bball player.
There’s something about the toy that makes me pick it up every time, however. You can always erase mistakes and start over :-)