Somewhere, Over The Rainbow

One of my favorite quotations of all time is:

"The secret to creativity is to cover up your sources."

I've always chuckled at the ironic truth this statement bears. 

We've all come to believe that creativity is purely from the person.  Sometimes when I think myself clever for creating an insightful phrase or perhaps a unique perspective I think--where did this come from?

Well, surely it came from me.

But what am I?

I am the product of influence and the conscious choice to follow each influence.

Hmmmm...Perhaps I could better explain this in an analogy.

I am a painter.  But even the best of painters cannot paint without...well...paint!

So...I have an influence.--I am exposed to mathematics.  We'll say mathematics is green.  Now, I can paint pictures of green.  ...well that's rather drab, wouldn't you say?

Now say I am exposed to a girl I met at a dance who I eventually have a relationship with.  Her influence gives me the color red.  And say we break up some months later--now I have the color black.

Soon, I can paint paintings of green, red, and black.  Sure, I may be able to create masterpieces using only three colors.  Even the best painters--Da Vinci, I'm sure, created masterpieces with less than all the colors of the rainbow.  But more color does add to my arsenal of abilities, does it not? 

Attending the University -- Dark Blue

Working at Yogurt Factory -- Light Yellow

A special friend who can sing -- Magenta

A broken leg in 12th grade -- Dark Purple

A death of a loved one -- Bright Silver

A book I read on History -- Milky Orange

Soon, I can combine colors--mix, mesh, blend, or even omit colors of my liking to form unique pictures I have yet to imagine.

And they'll say:  "Why, that boy is creative."  

I guess.  I'm simply painting what's obvious to me.   And such obviousness is granted through my experiences.  My memories.  My pains.  My joys.  My exposures.  

Sometimes I meet Black-And-White pictures of people who tell me:  "I've lived here my whole life."  and I think:  "Well perhaps you need more color."  Not to say that one needs to travel for color.  But many people limit themselves based on their exposures, based on their perspectives--but they haven't seen the colors I have seen!  They haven't felt the blends I have felt!  They haven't smelled the shades I have smelled!  There's an entire world of color out there that they have yet to experience!

I might as well add that each person carries their own color--something that could never be duplicated by anyone, by any stretch of the imagination.  And that color is what makes each of their paintings different from the next guy.  Even if they had a twin who was theoretically exposed to every bit of the same experiences and memories, their paintings would differ drastically solely because of that different color. 

So when my dad asks me:
 "Son, I have to change the spark plugs on the truck.  Want me to show you how?"  

And in reality I couldn't give less of a shit about motor vehicles, I say:
"Yes.  Yes I do."  

I will not refuse free resources.  

I will not refuse an opportunity to enhance my palette.  

Call me greedy.  Call me crazy.

But I'm slowly learning that the secret of life is not in one thing...

It is in bits of ...literally, everything.