"Paintings With Personality"

The title of this painting is "Turquoise Water." I look at it and think I'm  sitting on the beach, looking out to sea and thinking deep thoughts.

The other day I was reading about focus in art, hoping to learn how to be more focused in my art and in my life. As I researched I came across the term “Hyper Creative Mind.” I was intrigued and set out to learn more about it. My research led me to self-diagnoses and (typically) diagnosing everyone I know.

“Hyper Creative Mind” (HCM) is a trait some people (not just artist’s) have that is similar to ADHD. One trait of the hyper creative brain is that ideas are popping into the people’s heads all the time. HCMer’s live for growth and change, they like exciting new things, they enjoy taking risks, they like to research and learn new things, but they don’t like routine.  

People with HCM have a battle going on in their heads. One side says keep working while the other side is saying the new idea is better, stop and do that instead. HCMer’s who understand they are hyper-creative can learn to control their thoughts, rather than letting their thoughts control them. They learn to recognize when they begin to lose interest and how to keep going through the boring, “I can’t stand another minute of this,” time. It’s rather like a runner who is tired and hurting but keeps going until they get a new spurt of energy.

I have painted thistles before and sold them, this particular painting was a commission. 

Painters with HCM stall out halfway through their current work because they can’t wait to get to their newest painting idea. They set the unfinished work aside to be completed later and rush off to their newer and better (they think) idea. They aren’t lazy, their “hyper creative” minds just won’t let them stick with one thing for very long. The eagerness to try new things is overwhelming.

To overcome the tendency to rush off to other projects, the artist must know their priorities and what makes them happiest. When there is some other “great idea” calling, they have to remember those priorities and make themselves stay on track. Setting up a few boundaries will help them to function at a higher level. Painters, with discipline, will actually be able to begin a series of paintings and know they will finish before going to another.

All artists, hyper creative or not, must work through their fears and focus on what they are most passionate about. HCMer’s must also control their impulses and recognize what is happening in their brains. They have to carefully examine each one of their wonderful new ideas and decide which are worth following through with.

I only touched on the subject of HCM. To learn more, there is a great book by Blaire Palmer: The Hyper-creative Personality: How to Focus Your Ideas and Become the Most Successful Person You Know

One of several hyper creative traits I have is… I like to research and learn. This blog has let me do that, to the detriment of my painting, so I have decided to stop blogging. I will, however, be posting a bimonthly newsletter. If you enjoy hearing from me, and want to read my newsletter, go the home page on my website and scroll down. You’ll find the newsletter signup on the lower right.

I hate to say goodbye, but it must be done. Thank you all for your years of loyalty, Judy

www.judyballance.com