The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS

We are a community of artists, arts advocates and writers dedicated to raising awareness about how art enhances the well-being of individuals, society and the environment.

  • Home
  • About
    • Praise About The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS
    • Join Us
  • Gallery
  • Art Reviews
  • Articles
    • World Changers
    • Artists Stories
    • Art in Healthcare
    • Eco-Art & Artists
    • Arts in Education
  • Exhibitions
  • Friends
  • Resources
    • Art and Healing Organizations
  • Call for Artists
You are here: Home / Articles / Artist Members Explain The Power of Creativity

Artist Members Explain The Power of Creativity

By Renee Phillips 4 Comments

“Creativity Takes Courage” ~ Henri Matisse…

Creativity may be defined as a mysterious, life-affirming gift that requires passion, risk-taking, and the ability to surrender to its fullest power and potential. To ignite creativity and keep it alive we need to preserve our inner child, as Picasso reminds us, “All children are born artists, the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.” We all have access to the unlimited magical supply of creativity, best told by Maya Angelou: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.”

The power of creativity is at the heart center of every artist, so how do they explain it? One of our artist friends Carolyn M. Abrams suggested an inspirational idea for an article about “The Power of Creativity”. She proposed we ask artists: “Where does creativity come from?  How do you react to it?  How does it manifest?”

Carolyn M. Abrams

“I refer to creativity as intuitive process vs technical process. Play, spontaneity, letting go, trusting the process, letting the work speak during the process of experimenting or letting go. Not attached to the outcome but letting it develop on its own. Being open to surprises. Creating the essence of an idea. Being inspired by the landscape but not directed by it.” She adds, “That’s where my ‘Soulscapes’ come from. The atmosphere of a place… The stirring of a word or phrase…”

I sent these spectacular questions to all artist members of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS online art gallery and asked them to provide an 80-word maximum statement. I know you will love reading the artists’ statements. May your own creativity flourish!

Artists’ Statements appear in the order in which they were received.
Their names will take you to their pages to view more of their art and find links to their websites. Please contact them directly to purchase their art.

Peter N. Van Giesen

Hopefully Serene, acrylic, 14" x 11"
Hopefully Serene, acrylic, 14″ x 11″

“My creativity comes from my deep sense of my individual humanity. My state of well-being depends on me being responsive to that urge to create. My muse is Aura, the goddess of the gentle breeze that whispers to me to manifest the interconnected sensation of everything.”

Debora Levy

Basket, Oil Painting on Canvas, 23" x 16"
Basket, oil on canvas, 23″ x 16″

“Creativity comes from an inner light, from an authentic instinct in our imagination where it is created and developed. Everything exists in our imagination seeking evolution, change and transformation. The reaction is a kind of vulnerability confusion and the goal is to combine various concepts that we already know in a new way with the aim of solving a problem and arriving at something new. It manifests itself after a lot of experimentation. The power of creativity can change the course of history.”

Monique J. DuFour

Let's play in the rain - 36 x 36 x 1.5 - Acrylic on canvas
Let’s Play in the Rain, acrylic on canvas, 36″ x 36″ x 1.5″

“My creative inspirations are life, music, and energy. When I enter my studio, I move into and become totally lost in the vibrancy and energetic frequencies. My tools ‘perform a dance ‘ and the story unfolds itself on canvas. My paintings are a journey not only for myself but also for the viewer. I seek primarily to move others through my artistic practice. I paint in a trance like state, not knowing what the creation will be or who it will be for.”

Roopa Dudley

Sun in Leo, acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"
Sun in Leo, acrylic on canvas, 40″ x 30″

“Creativity allows me the power to achieve that psychological gratification that has a lasting power. When it comes to spiritualty, I can make the mundane and ordinary into extraordinary. I utilize forms and symbols that make the otherwise intangible thought into evocative compositions. Lastly, when talent meets opportunity, it makes way for financial success. Creative people get rewarded for their grit and discipline when people use their hard-earned dollars to become staunch art collectors.”

Sandra Belitza-Vazquez

Yosemite Falls Reflection Photography 18x24
Yosemite Falls Reflection,  photography, 18″ x 24″

“A heightened sense of observation and reaction to our environment sparks the creativity residing within many of us. Curiosity and the desire to explore and discover can spark one’s creativity and result in a visual, written, or performed work. A creator can even devise a new machine or instrument that detects eye disease or otherwise helps to alleviate pain. An idea comes to mind that explodes in the birth of something entirely new that can change or alter the world.”

Rajul Shah

Sound of Me, acrylic on linen, 21" x 28.5"
Sound of Me, acrylic on linen, 21″ x 28.5″

“For me, creativity is bringing together the jumble of ideas in my head. Swimming, skiing, traveling and the cultural aspects of the places I visit; or sitting in silence each bring me a sense of peace that allows me to relate and organize ideas. Whenever I travel, I take photos of anything that piques my interest: texture of old walls on ruins, people, sand, nature, traditional costumes, array of colors from a sunset/rise or the sky right before a storm.”


Read More Articles About Creativity
Artist Members Share Their First Experiences with Creativity
Creativity is Good For Your Health
How Mothers Nurture Artists and Their Creativity


 

Filed Under: Articles, Artist Members, Featured Article, Featured Articles Tagged With: Carolyn M. Abrams, creativity, Debora Levy, Maya Angelou, Monique J. DuFour, Pablo Picasso, Peter N. Van Giesen, Pierre Matisse, Rajul Shah, Roopa Dudley, Sandra Belitza-Vanquez

Make sure you don’t miss a new article or exhibition when it’s published here on The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website. Receive our free inspirational weekly email newsletter. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

About Renee Phillips

Renée Phillips founded The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS in 2015. She is founder and director of Manhattan Arts International www.ManhattanArts.com, where she maintains an online art gallery. She also helps artists achieve their fullest potential with articles and writing services at Renee-Phillips.com.

Comments

  1. carolyn says

    06/14 at 4:02 pm

    What a wonderful article. I so enjoyed reading everyone’s responses and how creativity is informed in their work! Bravo Renee!

    Reply
    • Renee Phillips says

      06/14 at 4:40 pm

      Carolyn, you offered a fantastic suggestion and it worked! Much appreciation and bravo to you and to all of the participating members.

      Reply
  2. Andrea Robinson says

    06/14 at 3:33 pm

    Thank you for these wonderful insights Renee. Really enjoyed reading the different responses to this question and seeing the common links between artists.

    Reply
    • Renee Phillips says

      06/14 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you for participating. I love your statement and I agree. It’s wonderful to see each artist’s perspective and your shared links.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Who Are We?

The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS (HPAA) is an initiative of Manhattan Arts International, NYC, NY. It was founded in 2015 by Renée Phillips, artists’ advocate & mentor, and also Founder, Director & Curator of Manhattan Arts International. As a community of artists, writers and advocates we believe ART & ARTISTS are positive catalysts for enhancing the well-being of individuals, society and the environment. ART & ARTISTS have the power to bring positive change to the world.

Learn more about us.

Read Current & Previous Newsletters

Art Newsletter

VISIT OUR PARENT WEBSITE

Manhattan Arts International website logo

Visit Our Healing Online Art Gallery

Hummingbird with Purple Columbines, acrylic on canvas, 20x16 by Judy Hatlen

Judy Hatlen is our Featured Artist of the Week

Career Advice For Artists

Renee is the Founder & Director of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS. She also maintains another website devoted to "Helping Artists Achieve Their Fullest Potential". Visit Renee-Phillips.com

Featured Artists ~ Art Reviews

Art Reviews

Comments from Some Satisfied Artists

Praise from Artists about My Art Reviews

Visit Our Special Friends Page

Corina Ioana is Our Special Friend of the Week

Check Out These Articles

Many Shades of Gray in Art by Artist Members and Art from Art History

Enjoy Art and Facts About Gray! Our series of Color theme online exhibitions are a big success. We … [Read More...]

Artist Members Celebrate the Color Orange

A Happy, Energetic and Eye-Catching Color When it comes to the healing power of color we know that … [Read More...]

The Power of Yellow in Art Created by Artists On Our Website and Master Artists

Yellow is a Powerful Color With Many Healing Benefits  Yellow is the color we associate with the … [Read More...]

The Healing Glow of Pink in Art by Artist Members, Famous Artists, and More

Glowing Art and Facts About Pink! We invite you to bask in the healing glow of pink in art by … [Read More...]

Peter N. Van Giesen

"Capturing Nature's Eternal Aura" About Peter N. Van Giesen: Peter N. Van Giesen's paintings … [Read More...]

View Our Artist Members Exhibitions Devoted to Color

It is undeniable that color affects our behaviors, moods, and thoughts. It has the ability to bring … [Read More...]

Fantastic Flora and Fauna

View Inspirational Art! In this inspirational presentation view some fantastic images of flora and … [Read More...]

Many Shades of Green in Art by Artists On This Website & Master Artists

Plus Many Fascinating Facts About the Color Green The color green generally signifies growth, … [Read More...]

Art About Love, Peace, Harmony and Unity by Artist Members

Be Prepared to Be Inspired It's easy to get distracted by the loud noises of negativity and forget … [Read More...]

Artist Members Share Proud Achievements of 2023

Bravo to Our Members! It is June, 2023, and we embark upon the midpoint time of the year. I invited … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2015 -2025
Manhattan Arts International

Mailing Address
200 East 72 Street
New York, NY 10021

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in