Creativity at Play

From left side to right side: Fred Varley, A.Y. Jackson, Lawren Harris, Barker Johnston (not a part of the Group of Seven), Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer and J.E.H. MacDonald In 1920, seven distinct and individual artists came together to discuss art in Canada and paint. Then they were known as Lawren Harris, J.E.H MacDonald, Franklin Carmichael, A.J. Casson, Arthur Lismer, A.Y. Jackson and the honourable member Tom Thomson , but with the insight of Lawren Harris and J.E.H MacDonald became the group now known as the Group of Seven. Who as a group were determined to change the art scene in Canada, showcasing their own take on Canadian landscape leading the way for future artists in Canada. For this we thank them, and have the rare opportunity to understand the inspiration behind their works. (J.E.H MacDonald representing the Group of 7). Question: So tell me fellows how did you become a group from individual artists into the Group of 7? Answer: Really, it was Lawren (Harris)&#

Well from my experience creativity can be many things, but mainly it's our ability to create something out of nothing  whether that be in writing, painting, sculpting or cooking. It is all in that act, and the sense of accomplishment from doing so. The fearless creatives who have experience in the world of making nothing into something know that it's gift- or at least I see it that. A great one at that to be able to create, and even more so when it takes little work. In those rare occasions when we finally harness that energy, at it's finest and it feels like this thing moves right through you almost too fast to keep up with. The author Elizabeth Gilbert believes this as well and does an even better job of explaining how creativity works and the idea of " creative genius " . This idea is explained in her book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear but is remarkably explained in a similar detail during a  TED Talk she gave titled "Your Elusive Creative Genius

The Amazon connection... I first stumbled upon Ann Patchett 's superbly written State of Wonder while listening to a book on tape titled "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert, in which Elizabeth herself describes the almost unbelievable connection between her story idea and Ann's book State of Wonder. It seemed like such a crazy coincidence I couldn't resist checking out Ann's State of Wonder myself and as it turns out I was hooked within the first few pages. Deeper and deeper we go... It is a fiction based piece with science and medicine tied into the premise set against the fascinating Amazon jungle where we are introduced into the world of pharmaceutical companies and the search for the next great "cure" drug. We first meet our main character Marina in Minnesota working at the Vogel company, though we eventually find ourselves wandering into the Amazon in search for answers over another employees mysterious death.  As Marina wa