Drawing on Creativity

I recently read an article that was in Business Week which stated that "creative types" are essential to urban and regional economic growth. If you look at where artists are living now, you will know a great place to invest in real estate in 5-10 years.

Artists, because of their typically lower incomes, usually live in cheaper neighborhoods where they can afford the rent. Their creativity enables them to fix up these areas, eventually attracting boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Maya Roney goes on to say that artists are as important as science and technology companies. Artists stimulate innovation on the part of their suppliers. For example a painter needs a certain type of frame that isn't manufactured, forcing the frame maker to create a design that works well for other artists. Having an area become a cultural center helps local businesses (which use artists for product design, to help with marketing or to solve in dramatic theory employee relationship issues) attract employees who want to be able to go to the ballet, theater or art galleries on a regular basis.

The arts are powerful. Creativity is powerful. We are all born with the ability and the need to create. Drawing is something all people have in common. What three-year-old child anywhere has not picked up a crayon and drawn a picture or a stick to draw in the dirt. We all use our creativity every day whether we are creating a work of art or just figuring out how to solve a problem. People are learning more and more just how important creativity is--Richard Florida has written a book called "The Rise of the Creative Class: and How It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everday Life." This is what Donald Trump is looking for on his reality show--creative thinkers/problem solvers.

As an artist I create drawings to get people to see the architecture that is taken for granted and to celebrate our built environment. Art is a powerful creative tool!