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Comments

• [1] nina February 07, 2008 - 09:26AM

  Looking forward to this segment. I feel that a lot of creatively-inclined folks are also perfectionists, myself included. If I can't complete something 'perfect' or if I feel like I can't due to time, resources, ability, etc, then oftentimes, I just won't finish or even start. Creativity into action is only successful if you let go of this ideal, uncommit. Fine art is knowing when to stop.

  I've also found that setting up a work station that is always ready for action helps, too. Yes, a difficult task in NY, but you have to find a way to do it. My work space is barely 4 sq ft and since it's this giant monster in the middle of the room, I can't avoid it. It's there when I wake up and when I go to sleep, taunting me.

  
  
• [2] Richard Bohn from Spokane,Washington February 07, 2008 - 11:12AM

  I have made my living as an artist for over twenty years. The conversation between my over-judgemental/father critic and the playful/child defendant which interferes with my ... 'creative moment' ... very often results in tears, sulking and lots of yelling.

  I can restore peace to these stormy, neurotic episodes, by an act of self-remembering .. and by the summoning the appearance of my .. ' witness ' ... whose role is to invoke the inner mantramic antidote to being over- judgemental .... INNOCENCE.

  
  
• [3] hjs from 11211 February 07, 2008 - 12:12PM

  bowerbirds make art

  
  
• [4] chestine from NY February 07, 2008 - 12:13PM

  There you go - Elephants and Apes do indeed draw. Arrogant biped, the amazing Emilie Conrad calls us , speaking of profound creativity (both Koko and Emilie - and i haven't heard a woman's name mentioned!!!

  
  
• [5] ab February 07, 2008 - 12:14PM

  I hate to be simplistic but I've found that you have to "just do it". It's very hard in NYC to keep doing one's art on the side but I have found that even when I may not be 100% in the mood I have to just force myself to do it. I usually get in the mood when I do and feel better for it. I agree with the above as well...having a space where things are ready and set up to work on really helps the process.

  
  
• [6] chestine from NY February 07, 2008 - 12:16PM

  i think cretivity has to do with a willingness to entertain a new way of looking - or looking at -

  Laura Nyro was synesthetic

  
  
• [7] sophie blackall from brooklyn, ny February 07, 2008 - 12:16PM

  I just wanted to remind Edward Albee about the bower bird, which consciously makes aesthetic arrangements to woo a mate...these meticulously created bowers are impossible to dismiss as anything but art.

  
  
• [8] Sinthia February 07, 2008 - 12:16PM

  There is an African bird (it's name escapes me) who uses found objects to build very elaborate decorated nests. It looks like art to me. It is only the males who do it as a mating ritual.

  Personally, I create for meaning in my life.

  
  
• [9] Jennifer Hickey from Queens, New York February 07, 2008 - 12:18PM

  I'm a fledgling short story writer. I've taken classes on the craft and done many first drafts of stories but have a hard time turning off my inner critic with the revision process. I have so much going on in my life --work and family. It's hard to find the time. But I find myself thinking about new or old stories when I'm not writing. So I feel compelled to return to them despite the doubts.

  
  
• [10] ab February 07, 2008 - 12:22PM

  I create due to some need to do that since I was a kid...not sure why. It certainly gives me a meaning or purpose in my life but I have had that need since I was very young so I am not sure it is just simply to create personal meaning.

  
  
• [11] Connie February 07, 2008 - 12:22PM

  When I makes things, I find it's best to think of it as playing. That takes away the tendency to be a perfectionist, and so the judging that can be such a problem. And often the desire to create comes at unexpected times, like when I'm brushing my teeth or scrubbing out the sink. I've learned to be open to these impulses.

  
  
• [12] Polly from Manhattan February 07, 2008 - 12:25PM

  Not a single one of the names mentioned was that of a woman. Couldn't the editors think of any creative women?

  
  
• [13] tom from nyc February 07, 2008 - 12:28PM

  Obstacle? Having it too easy. After I have made sales and can relax, like listening to the radio -- I sometimes need he pressure of necessity to get started again. Art needs a purpose sometimes.

  
  
• [14] creative from new york city February 07, 2008 - 12:31PM

  well then what's the difference between being encouraged and fame?

  
  
• [15] Alison from Inwood February 07, 2008 - 12:32PM

  I wish the question re creative women had not been so quickly dismissed. There have been fabulously talented and dedicated creative women making art just as long as there have been men. Yes, it's a matter of socio-economic factors, but I don't think the author of such a book should be so easily excused for not digging a little deeper to counter the trend to only recognize the talented men!

  
  
• [16] Hal from Crown Heights February 07, 2008 - 12:32PM

  All creativity is interpretive.

  The abstract painter interprets his emotions.

  The playright interprets relationships.

  The architect interprets quality of life.

  The movie director interprets stories.

  The designer interprets needs and fashion.

  Even a successul salesman must be creative.

  Creativity is not the exclusive domain of 'artists'.

  
  
• [17] andrea from brooklyn February 07, 2008 - 12:32PM

  dont you think that the woman in creative fields would be more well known if they were included in such a book???

  that was a very poor excuse for not including more women and i cant believe that leonard let that pass so easily

  
  
• [18] Terry Dame from New York February 07, 2008 - 12:33PM

  Three women out of twenty...and this is because there are more "well known" creative men in the world. Please! How hard did you try to find well known creative women? It's really not that difficult. Nothing like perpetuating the status quo.

  
  
• [19] hjs from 11211 February 07, 2008 - 12:35PM

  Sinthia (8)

  i think ur thinking of a bowerbird, but they live in Australia, New Guinea.

  
  
• [20] adeena from NYC February 07, 2008 - 12:36PM

  I'm listening to your broadcast at work. Our organization, Elders Share The Arts, works with older person to help them transform their stories and reminiscences into varied art forms. Doing so affirms their their creativity, their visibility and rightful place in our multi-generational community.

  Recent research by Dr. Gene Cohen, affirms significant benefits - health as well as emotional- to older pwrsons who consistently express themselves creatively. There's a burgeoning movement of arts programs for older persons who've expressed themselves creatively over their lifespan as well as for those who have been drawn to the arts later in life.

  
  
• [21] ab February 07, 2008 - 12:37PM

  The explanation regarding women not being represented was just lame lame lame

  
  
• [22] Brad from Bronx February 07, 2008 - 12:42PM

  So much talk about bad art. Get over yourselves. Im embarressed for these guys.

  
  
• [23] JPC from NY February 07, 2008 - 12:57PM

  1) I agree with the comment about the excuse for the lack of women in the book being lame. I don't think it's a generational thing as they seemed to claim. Martha Graham, anyone?

  2) I've always felt that creating something is synonymous with being free. It's the one opportunity to BE that no one can ever take away, despite criticism, judgement, etc. It's the only thing one can really own. No matter what happens to an individual, the creative impulse will push itself into becoming. Perfectionism is my enemy, too, Nina.

  3) Some people confuse shopping with creativity.

  
  
• [24] Polly from Manhattan February 07, 2008 - 01:04PM

  Thanks for asking my question, Leonard, but come on! They could only come up with THREE "well-known" creative women? On a planet with over 6 billion people? That's ridiculous.

  Not a lot of nonwhite names on that list, either.

  
  
• [25] May from New York February 07, 2008 - 01:10PM

  Honestly, that comment about so few creative women was just plain embarrassing! How could Leonard have just let that go? Obviously the author is limited by his own experiences, ambitions, friends, and perhaps- age related viewpoints. Creativity is equally distributed among everyone: gender included. Recognition is still in the male domain, but that does not mean there are few creative women out there - even if their names are not 'household'. The fact that this group did not seem to think the answer given is a problem clearly shows THEIR beliefs only. If you had offered a call in session, your phone lines would have been jammed. Lame lame lame, as others have said. This deserves more discussion!!

  
  
• [26] chestine from NY February 07, 2008 - 01:21PM

  Honestly, I was waiting to hear Kara Walker's name mentioned as the list rambled down, man after man. But I think sexism is really as entrenched in our culture as racism (maybe older and deeper, even) and that's part of why Hillary gets so much undeserved flak in the press - things said that nobody would dare do to Barack or any male. I was shocked to come out of art school and learn that the last field to accept women as peers would be fine art. (still waiting btw...) How shameful is that! I won't be reading that book!

  
  
• [27] chestine from NY February 07, 2008 - 01:26PM

  JPC bravo for point 3! LOL! I've forever been bemoaning the loss of American creativity - or even thoughtfulness, it's been out shopping at the mall

  
  
• [28] chestine from NY February 08, 2008 - 11:44AM

  Another one of those creative women the guys couldn't find to include in their book about creativity (shame! shame!) is named Heddy Honigmann, a Dutch filmmaker who makes great documentaries (maybe the Terry Gross of documentaries) - and astonishing fiction (film) - one called "Tot Seins" or "Au Revoir" - Heddy was a biologist (from Peru by way of the Holocaust) who went to film school in Italy - described the lovers in her movie as a biological process and it's amazing (5 minute takes) - Leonard I think you need to have some astonishing creative women on!