A couple of decades ago, I surprised myself when I checked out from our local library a video course on mathematics, but the title Joy of Thinking: The Beauty and Power of Classical Mathematical Ideas caught my attention. And I was totally intrigued with every lesson. To my delight, the course explores how math can be used as a tool to explore aesthetics and the mysteries of nature.
Too often, emerging artists are told that logical thinking and art don’t mix, that to use logic is to stifle creativity. Art is supposed to come altogether from the intuition, they say. I totally disagree.
Michelangelo could never have created David without years of studying the skills of drawing and stone carving, or without delving into human anatomy, philosophy, mathematics, and more.
The real key is never letting go of the student within us, continually learning the skills and concepts we need, and practicing them, so they open new doors, and an informed intuition can guide us as we create.