Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

 

Drawing On Creativity: How To Trick Your Brain


Can you draw?

Your answer to that question reveals a surprising amount about your brain and the way you integrate your right and left hemispheres. (In this article, the left side will be referred to as the dominant one, which is by far the most likely scenario.)

You see, the left side of the brain excels at verbal, analytical, rational and logical tasks. It's the dominant half. It takes over most of the time, using words to describe and define, figuring things out step by step, drawing conclusions based on facts and logic, and thinking in a linear way. The left side of the brain jumps right in with words and symbols, and is such a bully that it takes on even those tasks it isn't likely to perform well.

Now, the right side of the brain is completely different. It relies on nonverbal cues to process perceptions. It's good at tasks requiring the ability to see similarities, to understand how parts fit together as a whole, to make leaps of insight (those a-ha moments), and to perceive overall patterns at once. It tends to hang back a little, letting the left side take over most duties.

It's sort of like siblings. You've got a confident, verbal first child and a quiet, introspective, thoughtful second child. Who do you think wins the argument for that last dessert? Who chooses which television show to watch? Who dominates the conversation about where to go on a family vacation? The second child might have a valuable perspective, but the older one is so assertive that he tends to win most arguments and rule the roost.

If your answer to the drawing question is "No, I'm pathetic," it's likely your left brain is being a bit of a thug. Whenever you pick up a pencil and start to sketch, it's taking over with its tendency to verbalize images and analyze shapes. Meanwhile, the right side--the perceptual, spatial part of your brain--is over in the corner, raising its hand, trying to get attention. "Oh, pick me!" it says. Too bad that the left side is already busy drawing lines and forming a strategy.

What if you could outsmart the bully on the left? What if you could somehow give that right side of your brain its chance to shine?

According to Dr. Betty Edwards, a respected art educator and author of the best-selling book, Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain, you can actually make a mental shift from what she refers to as the "L-mode"--the verbal, dominant form of thinking--to the "R-mode," which relies on visual cues. It's possible to get the right side to kick in and take over the task of drawing.

How? Well, we need to get tricky.

The left side takes over tasks UNLESS it finds a particular job undesirable. If a certain task takes too much time, is too detailed or slow or simply too difficult, then the left side gives up. So, the trick is presenting the task--in this case, drawing--in such a way that the right side is allowed to jump in.

This happens a lot with words. When we try to describe something verbally and find it too difficult, what do we do? We rely on gestures. Just try to describe a spiral staircase without using your hands.

Dr. Edwards teaches people to draw by presenting them with images that are upside down. This puts the left brain in a state of confusion so that it can't easily decipher shapes, assign a top and bottom, attach labels and categorize them to match stored memories.

The key to integrating your right side lies in looking for opportunities to allow it to become dominant. When presented with a confusing image, your left side gives up. We should literally turn things upside down in an effort to thwart the left brain's control and let the R-mode take over.

This same idea works in creative problem solving. Sometimes the best way to deal with a challenging issue is to sleep on it. When the left brain is exhausted, the intuitive, subjective, holistic right side has a chance to sneak in and come up with a solution that seems to have come "from nowhere". See? We don't even give our right brains credit for creative insights!

It's exciting to think that there are ways to outsmart our brains. By intentionally putting ourselves in a state of mental conflict, we can enhance our creativity.

Look for ways to plunge yourself into that discomfort zone. Whether we're tackling a picture or a problem, the key to jumpstarting our right brain lies in shifting our perspective.

Grab a pencil, turn the picture upside down, and start drawing! Somewhere inside you, that frustrated artist will be grinning from ear to ear.

About The Author

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse. Her work has inspired thinkers in over 70 countries. She serves up a unique blend of clarity, comfort and comic relief in her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage. To subscribe, visit http://www.massageyourmind.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Creativity - Google News

Cannes Lions to launch Young Lions Creative Academy - Best Media Info


mediabistro.com

Cannes Lions to launch Young Lions Creative Academy
Best Media Info
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity will introduce a brand new academy at the 2012 Festival, taking place from 17-23 June in Cannes, France. The Young Lions Creative Academy with Bob Isherwood will see him taking the helm as Dean of ...
Saatchi Alum Isherwood Takes the Helm at Cannes' Young Lions Creative Academy ...mediabistro.com
Philippine advertising exec is Cannes Lions jurorInquirer.net
Jones, de Nardis, Tait to lead Juries at Cannes Lions 2012exchange4media.com

all 6 news articles »

Growing Roster of MIPCube Speakers - MarketWatch (press release)


Growing Roster of MIPCube Speakers
MarketWatch (press release)
6, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- MIPCube, the two-day high-level networking and live learning experience for the business and creative architects driving the future of TV, is proud to announce an exceptional and growing line-up of speakers and ...

and more »

Creativity Top 5: Super Bowl XLVI Edition - Creativity


Globe and Mail

Creativity Top 5: Super Bowl XLVI Edition
Creativity
The game's over, the Giants are happy, and so are we, thanks to a handful of ads that made us smile--in all sorts of ways. Want to see the rest of the spots on the big game? Check out our archive of Super Bowl XLVI commercials.
KAMERA OBSCURE: This year's best/worst Super Bowl commercialsBall State Daily News
Super Bowl ads spill the beans early this yearDaily Illini
The Worst Super Bowl Tech AdsGizmodo
Syracuse.com -WattGlobe Network
all 1,971 news articles »

Creative options for extra money - Baruch College The Ticker


Creative options for extra money
Baruch College The Ticker
17, 2011 New York Times article, "College students replace poverty with creativity," Jennifer Conlin argues that even in this economic downturn, college students are able to save up and afford school in different creative ways. She highlights a student ...

and more »

Citrus bumper crop bears creativity: It's time to peel, slice, squeeze and ... - Sacramento Bee


Citrus bumper crop bears creativity: It's time to peel, slice, squeeze and ...
Sacramento Bee
Or you can get really creative and use different kinds of teas. Chamomile adds an herbal note. If you can find a really nice jasmine tea, that adds a spectacular floral fragrance. This weekend, I finished a big meal with a salad of blood, Cara Cara and ...

and more »

Time for more creativity, collaboration - Iowa City Press Citizen


Time for more creativity, collaboration
Iowa City Press Citizen
The situation gets somewhat better as the outside temperature rises, but even when the teenagers are on their very best behavior, the transfer period at the mall highlights a perceived lack of creative problem-solving skills among city and school ...

and more »

Creativity floats Krewe's boat - Monroe News Star


NOLA.com

Creativity floats Krewe's boat
Monroe News Star
Krewe of Janus prepares floats last week for Mardi Gras parade at the Krewe Den. / Margaret Croft/The News-Star Above: The detail on a float for the upcoming Mardi Gras parade Saturday in Monroe. Right: Another member of the Krewe paints a sign for a ...
Library to hear late night Mardi Gras frock talkGay News Network (press release) (blog)
DID YOU GEAUX? HarborWalk kicks off the Mardi Gras season in styleDestin Log

all 32 news articles »

Pre-engineering program encourages creativity - Winfield Daily Courier Online


Pre-engineering program encourages creativity
Winfield Daily Courier Online
Through engaging, hands-on curriculum, the courses encourage development of problem-solving skills, critical thinking and creative and innovative reasoning. Through industry and university partnerships students get cutting edge technology and exciting ...

and more »

Creativity trumps cute factor in Super Bowl ads - The Detroit News


The Virginian-Pilot

Creativity trumps cute factor in Super Bowl ads
The Detroit News
Perhaps this is why the ads that left the biggest impressions — good and bad — are those that showed sparks of creativity and pathos. This is why Chevy deserves a gold star for its apocalyptic ad. In the spot, a man and his dog are shown in a truck ...
Skechers dog race commercial the Super Bowl's best, MSU advertising faculty saysMLive.com
MSU professors rate Skechers top Super Bowl commercialMSU News

all 122 news articles »

Hayes: Reflections on being caretakers of creativity - Midland Daily News


Hayes: Reflections on being caretakers of creativity
Midland Daily News
I honestly believe this is a most significant structure, not only as a functional building but also as a catalyst to generate new facts and new feelings in the creative lives of all who use it." The 2011/12 season marks the 40th anniversary of MCFTA ...

and more »

Click here for Best Buy In-Store Pickup

StreetSideAuto.com

Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?

My Life Through The Lens

Jumbuck Domain Is For Sale - $5,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.Jumbuck.biz 2011

home | site map | links

eXTReMe Tracker