Opening up to our own creativity

The Profound Difference Between classic Art Classes and Creative Expression

There is a marked difference between taking an art class and participating in a creative expression class. The destination, the need, and the journey are entirely distinct.

In a traditional art class, you’ll focus on learning the fundamentals—techniques, perspective, colour theory, and the "how-to's." You’ll learn how to shape clay on a wheel, how to paint landscapes, or how to master specific artistic tools. These techniques certainly have a place; from my experience as a language trainer, I liken them to learning grammar and structure in a language. They provide the technical tools you need to move forward and create something tangible.

The Call of Creativity: A Personal Reflection

When I was a teenager, I studied science, though my heart longed for art. I had friends at a nearby art college, and they would tell me about their projects and assignments. I would often think to myself, *"I want to do art, but I don't want all that technical stuff. I just want to create!"* What I didn’t realize back then was that I was yearning for my inner creator to express itself, intuitively and emotionally, free from the constraints of technique or the pressure of being judged for a grade.

In hindsight, I’m grateful I didn’t go down the formal art school path because I may not be doing what I am today. The traditional route might have boxed in my creativity, and I’m passionate about the freedom creative expression offers.

Creative Expression: A Different Path

Creative expression is a completely different experience from taking an art class. The beautiful thing about creative expression is that *you don’t need any prior art or creative experience at all.* In fact, it’s often better if you don’t! There’s no pre-conditioning or ingrained techniques pulling you away from the true heart of what you’re expressing.

So, what exactly is creative expression, and how can it benefit you?

Creative expression is about letting go—painting without thinking. It’s not about focusing on the end result but about enjoying the journey. It’s allowing your heart to guide you, staying in the present moment, and focusing on each brushstroke, rather than where you’re going with it.

At first, you might feel like what you’re creating is nonsense, and self-judgement will inevitably creep in. But as you release those judgements, that’s when the magic starts to happen. Creative expression invites us to let go of self-imposed limitations, whether from societal norms or internalised insecurities.

The Benefits of Creating Freely

You’ve probably heard me say it before—*everyone is a creator.* Every child, given a crayon, will draw without any concern for whether it’s "good" or not. They create for the sheer joy of creating. Sadly, as we grow older, this instinct is often shut down. At school, we begin to compare ourselves to others, and that little voice of judgement gets louder and louder. Eventually, we start telling ourselves, *“I’m not creative,”* or *“I’m no good at art.”*

But here’s the truth: We are creating all the time.

Every thought we have, every belief we hold, and every feeling we experience is part of the creative process. These thoughts and emotions are like paint in a tube—when we focus on them, they become our reality, just like using a paintbrush to turn colours into a painting.

We create when we dance at a party, expressing ourselves through movement. We create when we speak, shaping the air around us into words that manifest reality. After all, the phrase "spelling a word" ties back to the idea that through words, we cast spells. Our thoughts and speech have a creative force that we often underestimate.

When we embrace the creative process, we reconnect with our inner child—that part of ourselves that created freely and joyfully, without fear of judgement.

But the power of creative expression goes even deeper than reconnecting with our childlike freedom.

Dropping Into the Heart Space

When we engage in creative expression, we move from the logical brain into the heart space. It’s in the heart that emotions, trauma, and memories are often held. Through creativity, we access those deeper layers of ourselves, allowing us to express and release emotions that may have been trapped for years.

One of my clients, Adrienne, participated in an Intuartiv Expression class. She had struggled with years of insomnia, always sleeping in a fetal position—curled up, closed off, and protective. After just one session, something profound shifted within her.

She woke up the next morning, having slept a full night for the first time in years. She found herself lying in a starfish position—arms and legs outstretched, open, and receptive:

“I haven’t slept like that in years. I always slept in the fetal position due to stress. I woke up spread-eagle, full of energy and totally relaxed. It was the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. I just wanted to know more and get more involved. I feel like everyone can benefit from this.”

This story illustrates the powerful emotional release that can occur through creative expression.

Reconnecting With Your Intuition

In addition to helping us release trapped emotions, creative expression brings us back into alignment with our intuition. As we tune into what our heart wants to create, we learn to trust our inner guidance more and more. The heart is the home of the soul, and when we listen to it, we open ourselves up to our soul’s true desires. This creates harmony between body, mind, and spirit, bringing us into alignment with our deepest self.

It’s no coincidence that so many creative people are deeply intuitive. By embracing creativity, we learn to quiet the mind’s chatter and listen to the whispers of the heart. And the more we do this, the more we live in alignment with our soul’s purpose.

Living in the Flow

One of the greatest gifts of creative expression is that it allows us to live in a state of flow. When we create, we step out of the logical, overthinking mind and into the present moment. Mistakes no longer feel like mistakes; they become stepping stones, guiding us toward the next part of our journey.

This state of flow is where true magic happens. We stop worrying about the outcome and begin to enjoy the process itself. We let go of control and allow life to unfold, just as we allow the paint to move across the canvas without a set plan.

Embrace Your Inner Creator

Ultimately, creative expression is a journey of self-discovery. It invites us to let go of judgements, reconnect with our inner child, release trapped emotions, and live more fully from the heart. It reminds us that we are creators—not just of art, but of our entire reality.

So, whether or not you’ve ever picked up a paintbrush before, I encourage you to give creative expression a try. Let go of the need for technical perfection, and instead, allow yourself to explore what your heart wants to say. You might just be surprised at the powerful transformations that unfold in your life.