Unlocking Artistic Vision

Creativity and Imagination--Are they the same thing?  How can you have one without the other?

That was just the point of an academic paper written by Master Artist Linda Fisler and presented at The Representational Art Conference at California Lutheran University.  

The paper argued whether or not, as an artist, there is a cognizant balance between the two. Can someone be creative without using their imagination? Believe it or not, studies abound with viewpoints on each side. Innovation doesn't necessarily involve imagination unless you intentionally call upon your imagination.  For example, if an artist paints a scene in front of them (plein air) or from a photograph, unless the artist employs imagination, the end product may not be far different from the reference. 

We have all been told grass is green. Tree trunks are brown.  But are they? Learning to see as an artist takes questioning the knowledge of what we've been told. Are all shadows blue?  

Are you stuck in listening to the voices of others instead of employing your imagination?

Watch and listen to the video "Unlocking Artistic Visions--Linda Fisler on Imagination, Intention, and Creative Mastery."

What are your thoughts?