Sharing Creativity and Time

Some days I consider that I need a creative pastime that doesn’t involve words or, specifically, my computer. And on those days I think of my friend Jen, who quietly, humbly, and persistently creates works of whimsical beauty with her hands. Jen is always good for a smile, a laugh, a story, a listening ear, and to inspire me to create more. And I love today’s post that reminds us that our creativity is for us, sure, but also for others, a gift to be shared in more ways than one.

Create Challenge #20: Jen Patera

I was created to create by the ultimate Creator who blessed me with a love of creating (say that 10x). I love to make things. I can’t remember a time when I was not making something. Creativity has been a part of my daily life since I discovered tape and cardboard. I am at my happiest when I am making something. Creating allows me to stop, in the midst of an over-scheduled life. My craft table is always a place of peace, prayer, problem-solving, quiet contemplation. I love sharing my creations, and I am almost always making things with others or to share with others.

Is creativity passed down genetically, generation to generation? Scientists say it is so, and I am inclined to believe them! But, genetics aside, I also think it is about sharing your creativity with others to inspire their creativity, especially with children. Bonding over playdough, glue and paint. My mom is a super crafty lady with many creative passions (writing, jewelry making, stained glass…the list goes on). When I was young, she shared her love of making things as we bonded over homemade ornaments and sewing projects. I was encouraged to be creative and express myself. I was indulged with sketchbooks, paints, art classes, and time.

As a young mom, I longed to sit at the kitchen table making things with my children as my mom had done with me. Sharing creativity and time. My youngest son, at a very early age, loved to create. At two, he not only painted the paper on his easel, he painted his body too. Why not? Fabulous! Bravo! During his preschool years, he produced enough art to more than cover the refrigerator. For his third birthday he wanted a farm truck cake with and we set out together designing, baking, and decorating that cake. Store bought invites…oh no! We carefully made all the invites too! After that, we constructed a barn out of a large appliance box. That is how it went until he stopped having birthday parties. Halloween…another great sharing of creativity and time, bonding over ideas and execution. Sometimes his ideas were bigger than my ability…but we worked through it.

When youngest was in Kindergarten, I picked him up at school. His sweet little hands cradled a folded paper plate that held a treasured creation. I opened the plate, which contained a 6” long, lumpy brown piece of clay (imagine what that might look like).

“Look mom, a snake! And it has eyes!” After a short pause, “…brown was the only color they had.”

I loved that little brown snake then, and I love it now. One of my most treasured possessions. But it represents more than just a brown lump of clay, it represents our shared love of making things, of creating, of using our hands, of time spent together.

Now at 18 years old, as I watch him explore his own passions and creative expression, his own process, I am reminded why I love to create; and why my mom, and her mom, loved to create—to share not only a creative process, but also shared interests, to sit side-by-side talking, and most importantly, treasuring time together. 

Born in France, lifelong Army brat, moved 27 times around the U.S. by the time I was 18! Came to California to attend the Academy of Art/University of San Francisco and graduated with a BFA. Married my guy Brent in 1990. Two boys in college, one at University of Montana one at Diablo Valley College.  Breast cancer survivor 5 years out.  Love to travel (my favorite place is Savannah, where my mom lives), hike, and do crafty things. View my creations at my Etsy shop.