Art, Women, and Creativity

Women have been given the greatest gift of creativity there is-the capacity of creating and having a child. Even if a woman has never had children, just the biological possibility, is life defining.

The theory has often been that artists create their best work when they are young and after that "peak" in their career, their art becomes stale and predictable. The assumption is that an artist's work is the most important early in their lives. I would beg to differ, especially when it comes to women.

I have a theory that women come into their own as artists later in life, after the possibility of having children has passed and while the potential of having children is beginning to diminish.

Because of the biological ability to have children, women understand intuitively that creativity is a life long process, not a destination. The tremendous urge to create is still there after the capacity to have children is gone.

The passion and drive to create is combined with the wisdom learned from life's inevitable lessons. Women frequently find that their "artistic voices" become more confident and self-assured later in life. That is why women often come into their own artistically in their 40's, 50's, 60's and on up; Georgia O'Keeffe, Louise Nevelson and Grandma Moses are three examples.

This is not to say that younger women do not create great art, they most certainly do. For younger women creatively your best years are still ahead-very good news and definitely something to look forward to.

Women who have created during their earlier years have an advantage for two reasons:

1. A woman who has been creating continuously doesn't have to play catch-up in regards to the technicalities of making art. She has already spent years learning her craft.

2. "Artistic creativity" is like a muscle. If you haven't used it, the muscle atrophies, and it takes longer to get " in creative shape".

If you are a young woman and struggling with how to balance work, family, friends and the multitude of things that make up life, don't give up your ability to create art. You will be way ahead of the game when you get older and it is my very firm conviction that the best years for creating art are still ahead!

Mary Baker © 2005

Mary Baker is a contemporary realist painter, whose studio is in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This New England city, north of Boston, has been the inspiration for the artist's realistic oil paintings. Mary Baker is a professional artist and has shown in New York art galleries. Mary's art work has passion, depth and beauty, capturing moments in time that many people pass by.

Mary hopes that if you have a vocation in the arts that you will share your artistic gifts and artistic voice and be delighted that your art brings much needed beauty, depth, wisdom and integrity to the world.

You can visit Mary's website, Mary Baker Art and see her beautiful paintings at http://www.marybakerart.com, as well as read her many comments on art, artists and creativity.

---

Brazil--Comments by a Gilliam Fan a Little Too Late

Either I am one of the darkest people ever or... Read More

Are You Embarassed by Your Civil War Uniform Impression?

"Authentic," "authentic," "authentic" is all you hear if you are... Read More

She Wrote the Book on Fakin It

She brought the guitar into vogue. She created the first... Read More

An Interview on History and Educational Media

1. Can you briefly summarize why you think history is... Read More

Mexican Living: Myth Busting

Myth One: Mexicans are lazy, good-for-nothings.I mention this one first... Read More

What About Those Pyramids?

'Mr. Rhodes aspired to be the creator of one of... Read More

Berenguer Sauniere - This Place is Terrible

INSPIRATIONAL COMMENTS:"Let me issue and control a nation's money and... Read More

Sixties: The Decade of Rebellion

It is safe to say that in ... Read More

Heraldry in the Crafts--Why Not Specialize?

I have a small website where I try to sell... Read More

Man and His Machines

A woman creates life from her womb, and man tries... Read More

Family, Incest, and Law

Family Values in Ancient Times:Many people of the present make... Read More

Creating a Virtual Art Gallery

To the online artist, it might seem a paradox, at... Read More

At 60 plus Amitabh Bachchan Rules! - A Vastu Study

No words in this universe are enough to describe him,... Read More

The Dazzling Beauty of the Shwedagon Paya

The Shwedagon Paya is much more than just another temple.... Read More

History of the Royal Barges - a Timeless Tradition

The history of the royal barges dates back to the... Read More

When We Was Kids In Chicago

Radio was the big communicator, back when I was a... Read More

A Brief Biography of Rene Boissevain the Agate Adventurer and Creator of The Crystal Caves Museum

In 1964 myself (René), Nelleke my wife, and our daughter... Read More

On Being Human

Are we human because of unique traits and attributes not... Read More

Sir Francis Drake

FRANCIS DRAKE: - It is my perspective that history has... Read More

How to Clean Your Civil War Uniform

How necessary is cleaning your Civil War Uniform?The every day... Read More

Tribal Tattoo Designs - Why Are They So Popular?

Tribal tattoos have been practiced for thousands of years. Modern... Read More

Chinese Tattoos - Meaning of Chinese Dragon Tattoos

Chinese Tattoos have always been hugely popular. At one stage... Read More

Feng Shui Monsters Under Your Bed

Good feng shui often requires making wise decisions based on... Read More

The New Age Movement

What is the New Age Movement? It is similar to... Read More

African Masks

The following is a general over view of African Masks.There... Read More

How to Create a Multi-Artistic Piece (Article 1 of 2)

In the late 19th century the music world was graced... Read More

Can You Hear My Secret Calling

A true love story"So, was it an eyes-meet-across-the-room-thing and you... Read More

Lance Armstrong Bracelets: Fashion Accessories for a Worthy Cause

Lance Armstrong bracelets, the yellow rubber wrist bands inscribed with... Read More

Bohemian Grove

"Bohemian Grove is 'the greatest men's party on Earth', according... Read More

Dreaming of Love and Peace

She dreams of touring Europe and the US to sing... Read More

Shakespeare and Human Nature

Isn't it peculiar how human nature evolves through environmental and... Read More

Body Jewelry and Todays Stars

Body jewelry and body piercing practices have been observed by... Read More

Saturn: Your Challenge to Become An Expert

The true meaning of Saturn is that he is the... Read More