Artsy Fartsy Types -- Does the Creative Process Affect Your Riding?

[Roan]

Question for the artsy crowd here --

I've noticed that if I take a break from my artwork, my riding goes downhill. I become too left-brained and think too much. When I'm happily lost in my art, I'm very right-brained and when I ride it seems I can feel things much better. Course that could just be wishful thinking. Dunno.

So. . . If you artsy people can answer these questions, I'd appreciate it:

What type of art do you do?: Paint, sculpt, draw, whatever
Does not creating art affect how you ride?: Yes or no, explain.


Thanks!

Eileen

[Ambrey]

Hmm, I'll have to pay attention! I used to be artsy fartsy, and I have been taking computer graphics classes. Maybe they are too left brain anyway? LOL!

[Roan]

Hmm, I'll have to pay attention! I used to be artsy fartsy, and I have been taking computer graphics classes. Maybe they are too left brain anyway? LOL!

Could very well be. When I hurt my back around Christmas time I couldn't work on my art because leaning forward hurt too much. So I was spending a lot of time working at the computer and all my web sites. It's creative, but it's just not the same thing to me.

My riding went thfffffffffffffpt during that time. Now that I'm back doing my art my riding has gotten 100% percent better.

I also find it annoying and frustrating that although riding is mostly an art that you learn by feel, it doesn't come easily to me like other art stuff does. I can open almost any art book in a medium I've never done before and produce something nice a few tries, not so much with riding. Annoying!

Eileen

[PiaffeDreams]

Yes, the creative process really affects my riding. I've always involved myself in some form of the arts... I've played piano and taken music classes in college to "fill in" some fun units, done dance (ballet and jazz), and mostly painted/drawn where I've had my work shown. Recently, as of the past few years I've dabbled more into photography. And as far back as I can remember I've enjoyed being a writer and telling stories.

I have to be creative in order to ride my best. In many ways just being a trainer and instructor provides a lot of fuel for the creative fires. I've designed my own websites, graphics etc., but also designing arena patterns to help teach a rider a concept, or develop the horse requires a lot of creative thought.

Because of my artsy fartsy side, I just can't bring myself to have anyone design a freestyle for me. LOL It just goes against my nature. I have a lot to learn about editting music, using the software, choreographing in the best way to be competitive etc., but I still just want to do it myself and express myself the way I want to. Its the easiest way to incorporate my artistic needs in my riding life. I just can't find the time to paint or do the pen and inks that I love so much. But, designing a freestyle fits right in and I definitely ride better.

I have to feel the music and the tempo, the "life" of the music and that taps into the life of the horse, his movements, his expressions and gets me out of the sheer mechanics of it and into the FEEL of riding. Playing with the choreography also shows me things need to work on without having to be so analytical about it. Suddenly I have an idea of how I could sequence movements to the music, but then realize I don't have an ingredient to ride it technically as well as I could and viola, my "dressage homework" is created for me.

So, short answer, yes it is necessary for me to ride better and whatever can fit into my life and schedule seems to work just fine. :-)

[Dressage Art]

What type of art do you do?

You can see my art here: http://www.dressageart.com/

Does not creating art affect how you ride?: Yes or no, explain.

Since I never had a time with out creating art, since artist is my full time job and a life long profession, I can't really say how I will ride if I will not be creating art at that time. What affects me the most is a hot weather and my migraines that I get during my period? I can't ride during the heat of about 100F and I want to sleep in the very dark bedroom during my migraines. I’ll be interested in reading the responses of others.

[pintopiaffe]

Writer here... by vocation for quite a long time and avocation...

I'd say I notice more the opposite--great rides leave me waxing poetic. Great moments (foaling, teaching, training) inspire me to write. That's mostly why I blog, to have an outlet for that need for expression. It's mostly why I post on public BB's too. ;)

I'm only mildly skilled at music (12 string guitar, singing) sketching, dabbled in painting a bit--no kidding with the OLD Joy of Painting guy--and loved it but never felt really inspired... did passable pastels at one point... I'm just not REALLY good at any thing though. I do consider writing an art in certain forms. I prefer the essay poem the most.

[tollertwins]

I have to ride with music to keep from getting too right brained.

No tunes, right brain takes over, feel goes to h*ell in a handbasket.

I don't get to spend too much time w/ my jewelry making toys because of work commitments - so maybe that's why...

[Roan]

Writer here... by vocation for quite a long time and avocation...

I'd say I notice more the opposite--great rides leave me waxing poetic. Great moments (foaling, teaching, training) inspire me to write. That's mostly why I blog, to have an outlet for that need for expression. It's mostly why I post on public BB's too. ;) . . .Interesting. A fellow Lipizzaner owner that I know, who is also a writer, has pretty much said the same thing as you. I wonder if it is because writing is more of a left AND right brain activity? Equal exercise :D

Eileen

[Roan]

I have to ride with music to keep from getting too right brained.

No tunes, right brain takes over, feel goes to h*ell in a handbasket.

I don't get to spend too much time w/ my jewelry making toys because of work commitments - so maybe that's why...

Left brained, you mean? Right side is creative, left side is logic.

Eileen

[Donella]

I'd say I notice more the opposite--great rides leave me waxing poetic. Great moments (foaling, teaching, training) inspire me to write. That's mostly why I blog, to have an outlet for that need for expression. It's mostly why I post on public BB's too.

Me too. In fact, I haven't done any art for years really (used to do alot) and now that I have gotten serious about dressage I find myself having spontaneous urges to work..I got home from lessons yesterday and did my first Ink..I also find myself listening too and thoroughly enjoying classical type music, especially piano. Now when I hear it, it goes with the horses. It's weird, and I never really realized any of this until I read this post...

[tm]

Well, my art affected my riding about 15 years ago, when I decided that I could EITHER be a photographer and ride OR be a painter and ride, but there wasn't time in the day to have both a photography business AND a portrait painting business and ride too!

[ctanner]

I am a professional painter.When I taught at university I encouraged my students to find mental space where they could bridge the right side and the left side of their brains.Most of them chose to listen to music.If some people(I am one of them)go to deeply into that creative trance space,they can lose time and perspective.Also it that can trigger depression.

I find my whole life works better if I can ride.My riding improves if I am working with a trainer and have a riding plan.

I can't imagine not creating or having horses in my life.

As Martha would say"It's a good thing"

[FlashGordon]

Interesting topic.... I prefer traditional media, but am a graphic designer by profession which requires a strange mix of left brain/right brain activity.

I think my artsy side has really helped me "think outside the box" when it comes to horses. Sometimes with the really tricky ones, logic just doesn't prevail! You have to get creative.

I have met many, many horse people who are also highly artistic.

I've also found, now that I'm returning to lessons after 7-8 years of riding on my own, I really struggle with processing and executing verbal instructions. My instructor will tell me what I need to be doing but my brain just doesn't always get it. Once I *feel* something, or get a visual, I have an easier time recreating the desired result. I've been wondering if this is somehow connected to being a more "right brained" type of person.... or maybe its just me being a weirdo.... :D

[Roan]

I am a professional painter.When I taught at university I encouraged my students to find mental space where they could bridge the right side and the left side of their brains.Most of them chose to listen to music.If some people(I am one of them)go to deeply into that creative trance space,they can lose time and perspective.Also it that can trigger depression. . . .*boggle*

Do you have any more information on this? I've never heard of it, but this happens to me. I didn't see a connection until you posted this.

In fact, now that I think of it, when I am creating art AND riding, I don't get depressed about how either are developing. If I stop either one, I get depressed and frustrated when things don't go right. Each must augment -- or act as a bridge for, as you say -- the other in my case. . . interesting.

I have some thinking to do, methinks ;)

Eileen

[Roan]

You can see my art here: http://www.dressageart.com/Yah, and your art sucks :lol:

Just kidding -- I'm insanely jealous of your stuff. I especially like "Show Season".

Since I never had a time with out creating art, since artist is my full time job and a life long profession,. . .Bah, you're lucky. I come from a family of artists and my dad totally discouraged me from doing that for a living. No money in it. "You'll starve", says he. I even stopped altogether for 20 years.

After I married my husband found out about my painting and encouraged me to take it up again. He's a damn good sort. Now I stay at home and just create stuff full time. I'm terrible at selling, though :no:

. . What affects me the most is a hot weather and my migraines that I get during my period? I can't ride during the heat of about 100F and I want to sleep in the very dark bedroom during my migraines. I’ll be interested in reading the responses of others.I can barely function if it's over 85 degrees. I'm in Virginia, too, so I have to get out to the barn early, early in the AM before it gets really hot. I. Hate. Hot.

I don't get migraines, but I have endometriosis and therefore experience EXTREME pain every month. I've already had three surgeries to remove endometromas, and it looks like I may need at least one more before I finally reach menopause and the endo subsides. Can't wait!

Eileen

[Blkarab]

I work in an office now doing a lot of data entry, so my job is very analytical and focused. I did notice some difficulty with my riding about the time I started my job.

I also design jewelry (my website is
http://www.thezenlady.com/chrissilynn).

Once I took up jewelry again after a 5 year hiatus, then I did notice an improvement in my riding. I also started a Tai Chi class and it helped further open up the creative channels. I notice too, that when I have wonderful rides, my mind seems to open up and the designs seem to flow easier. The better my riding, the better my jewelry. Hmmmm---never made the connection before now. I also am more satisfied at work. Less stressed. All good and wonderful things.


DressageArt- Your work is absolutely beautiful! I'm just going to have to order something special for myself soon.

[Blkarab]

[/QUOTE]Since I never had a time with out creating art, since artist is my full time job and a life long profession, I can't really say how I will ride if I will not be creating art at that time. What affects me the most is a hot weather and my migraines that I get during my period? I can't ride during the heat of about 100F and I want to sleep in the very dark bedroom during my migraines. I’ll be interested in reading the responses of others.[/QUOTE]

DressageArt---I have suffered with migraines and headaches since the age of 5 and it was just recently that I began to get them under control. I feel for you! Mine were also menstural in nature. I completely understand the need to sleep in a very dark cool room with no noise.

[Ambrey]

I started college at 17 with dreams of becoming an artist, but I gave that up when I found out that, when it comes to my art, I don't take criticism well ;) So I became an engineer instead. I quit that after 7 years, knowing it wasn't for me.

I took an illustration (not computer illustration) class when I was pregnant with my son and realized that perfectionsim and self-loathing are really not good combinations in an artist. Kind of explains Van Gogh and his ear ;) So I got a MA in Educational Psychology, then decided that wasn't really for me either (I loved being a student, but getting a job proved less rewarding). Now I'm back to the art thing. Full circle.

I dropped my classes when I was injured and took a semester off, now I'm itching to get back to it. I would say graphic design/computer illustration allows me to balance the use of my left and right brains (although being an educational psychology graduate, I have to say that the actual hemisphere stuff is fairly overblown ;), I do understand exactly what you mean!).

I find Dressage fairly left brained, but my relationship with my horse is very right brained, so I think it's a balanced activity as well. Dressage has a lot of rule and structure, but the horse is such a powerful energy and so fluid and beautiful, it really does pump the creative juices.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

I'm kind of a mixed bag. Geek, yes. But scientific research is highly creative (and I did start out as an artsy fartsy type, going to Art Students' League in NYC even when in jr high, mostly drawing and intaglio).

Con: tendency to overanalyze. In science, you are always questioning, stepping back, analyzing. While this is important in riding, you can't go too much inside your head or you will end up falling on that very thing.

Con: when you get a great result or, flip side, brain niggling over an experiment. Harder to focus, and the 1200 lb animal on the other end is very aware of that fact.

Pro: you make connections between cause and effect, get the big picture, visualize the goal more easily, because you are doing this all the time anyway.

The biggest issue I have is that I am very eye-hand as opposed to core. So the riding helps balance that.

The other bad thing is that I always reward Ted for showing intelligence and initiative, the academic in me. When he remembers where something is (like which horses tend to have what left in their feed buckets) I geek others out by talking about how he has developed object permanence.

[Ambrey]

The other bad thing is that I always reward Ted for showing intelligence and initiative, the academic in me. When he remembers where something is (like which horses tend to have what left in their feed buckets) I geek others out by talking about how he has developed object permanence.

LOL!

I agree, I find research very right brained. Although the tick tick tick of a calculator is left brained, the actual solving of problems is right brained. I always said in ME school that it was my artistic/visual side that made me good at math (and my daughter is much the same way).

Part of my problem with the psychology thing was that I did want to get a PhD, but I couldn't justify the cost if I didn't plan to DO something afterward. I didn't really want to be an academic, and I didn't want to be a therapist. There just weren't enough jobs in pure research to make it worth my while :(

I love the scientific method and hypothesis testing. I guess I'm a total geek if that's my creative outlet ;)

[DLee]

For me, art and riding are both more left brained than one might think. I can't just 'get lost and let it flow' in either, art or riding. They are both very much analyzing and thinking activities. :yes:

[tollertwins]

Left brained, you mean? Right side is creative, left side is logic.

Eileen

duh....see? too left brained after work....not to mention right/left dyslexic....

[pintopiaffe]

If some people(I am one of them)go to deeply into that creative trance space,they can lose time and perspective.Also it that can trigger depression.um... holy crap... that's interesting... :uhoh: I'd be very interested in more info on that too.

The thing that my teachers find so frustrating about me, is that as a rider, I *do* respond to things like "more round" or "bring him up," but I DON'T have any sort of natural talent, timing or feeling. When they start to try to get me to time things (i.e. to aid "correctly" with a hind leg or such) I tend to loose everything. Give me the bigger picture I need-- "more round" and I tend to do it/get it. Give me specific stuff, I'm screwed.

I also do not know my right from my left. At somewhere headed over the hill rather than up it, I have little faith I can still learn it. I have a better handle on it now than I did at 20, but not much. Yet, I am never lost. Sense of direction is 100% reliable. An odd combination.

I am almost ambidexterous. Have dysgraphia. Am mildly talented at music, theatre, drawing etc. as I said, but no more than mildly, despite PASSIONATELY loving those things and WISHING I had talent. (hm, like dressage?) Can't add two and two to save my life. Literally can't balance a checkbook. Failed science that used math, failed algebra. Two column proofs = logic = almost FUN. I dunno.

Just rambling. I find the connections made above fascinating.

[Blkarab]

The thing that my teachers find so frustrating about me, is that as a rider, I *do* respond to things like "more round" or "bring him up," but I DON'T have any sort of natural talent, timing or feeling. When they start to try to get me to time things (i.e. to aid "correctly" with a hind leg or such) I tend to loose everything. Give me the bigger picture I need-- "more round" and I tend to do it/get it. Give me specific stuff, I'm screwed.

I also do not know my right from my left. At somewhere headed over the hill rather than up it, I have little faith I can still learn it. I have a better handle on it now than I did at 20, but not much. Yet, I am never lost. Sense of direction is 100% reliable. An odd combination.

I am almost ambidexterous.

I think we all get to a point where the specifics become such a challenge. I also have problems with the timing of the hindlegs and will become blocked mentally if too many specific directives are given to me all at once.

I have problems with the whole right/left thing, and I have asked my instructors to give me inside/outside instead (ie...inside leg or outside hand). This is really silly trick that helped me...when you look down at your hands. The thumb and 1st finger on your left hand makes the letter "L". So, whenever I become a bit confused about which side is left or right, then I just look at my hands, and that straightens it out. I think it comes from being mildly ambidexerous also and often wondered if others who are ambidexerous have the same problem.

Blkarab

[slc2]

Don't believe in 'right' and 'left' brained, never did, have seen enough research that debunks that totally (brains just don't work that way)...but I think creative activities and eye-hand coordination stuff really improves riding.

for years i drew - no time for it recently - but i think having done it for so long affects brain development very positively and that it stays with a person. brain imaging of taxi cab drivers showed they had developed parts of the brain to a remarkably larger size - the parts of the brain that deal with imaging and maps. and the way the brain is, i think activities using vision coordinated to movement in precise ways feeds very directly to the ability to learn 'feel' = sensory info linked to movements and coordination/proprioception of the body.

alot of things can block how effective one is despite that though - a lack of practice, lack of fitness, guidance or tension. i don't think creative activities can overshadow that if those things aren't sufficient.

[Roan]

For me, art and riding are both more left brained than one might think. I can't just 'get lost and let it flow' in either, art or riding. They are both very much analyzing and thinking activities. :yes:

What kind of art do you do, DLee?

Eileen

[Roan]

Don't believe in 'right' and 'left' brained, never did, have seen enough research that debunks that totally (brains just don't work that way)...but I think creative activities and eye-hand coordination stuff really improves riding. . . .Where is this research that debunks it? Links please.

Eileen

[hundredacres]

I'm a sculptor and now potter these days. I flow in and out of all medias from paint to textiles and clay..and it is consuming me, medling with my drive to ride lately. My husband is building me a studio here on the farm and it will be done in a couple weeks and I'm off work for the summer. It will be challenge for me to balance riding and being in the studio. I have a grass arena so the days I can ride are numbered anyway. I will have to be very smart about managing the two loves.

As far as how the creative-brain affects my riding other than how I mentioned above...? I have no idea if it has an impact. I haven't taken a lesson in a year because I'm broke all the time (and my instructor is only here every 6-8 weeks from PA anyway) and That is because I am SO damned picky about what job I have --I won't take a job that consumes too much of my time because I want to have free time to create, care for my horses and my daughter, and garden! I could be making more money but that would sap me of something - inspiration, time, energy?...and I am driven more by the desire to do what I love, than what is practical. I am certain there is a correlation somewhere ~~

I do know I'm not an analyst. Some people analyze their riding (well, or to a default) and I can't. I have to start with the bottom layers, get that technique down and move on to the next layer. I can't jump ahead. I approach all of my skills in that manner. Simplest steps, then practice and hone, then on to step 2.

[carolprudm]

There is a huge difference between creative and "artsy-fartsy" IMHO. SIL is "artsy-fartsy" but can't think her way out of a paper bag, much less think her way to a solution. She can't ride very well, either, because she doesn't listen. She makes jewelry and "Embellishes" photos.

OTOH I'm as left brained as they come, used to do phone support for computer software. IMHO it takes a great deal of creativity and imagination to tell a person how to fix a computer problem when you are NOT seing what they are doing and seeing, and often they have no idea what they are doing. Most of the people who were in my group and did well at it had some music training.

I used to ride quite well. My downfall as a rider stems from my attempt to "Ride with your Mind" Paralysis by analysis, unfortunately

[slc2]

roan, if you are interested in the subject, doing a google search with the phrase right brain left brain debunked will yield thousands of results; neurology textbooks are available too, and show how the brain works coordinating left and right areas.

however, i still feel a person can have 'hemi-neglect' and other conditions involving problems with various parts of the brain communicating. i just don't think creativity, technical skills are so neatly divided up onto 'left' and 'right' brain areas, both sides of the brain participate.

if you like, take a look at

http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/images/Pro2_14.pdf

fear not. this is such a cherished bit of psycho-heresy that i don't expect anyone to react with anything other than outrage if it is even questioned. but i feel trying to divide the learning process up that way is extremely limiting.

[pintopiaffe]

This is really silly trick that helped me...when you look down at your hands. The thumb and 1st finger on your left hand makes the letter "L".

Now, I *know* you are talking about the *back* of you hand. But look at the palm of your other hand... :uhoh: :lol:

[Roan]

roan, if you are interested in the subject, doing a google search with the phrase right brain left brain debunked will yield thousands of results; neurology textbooks are available too, and show how the brain works coordinating left and right areas.. . .

I don't "do" Google on something like this. I want to know what links YOU'VE read -- better yet, what neurology books have you read on the subject?

Eileen

[Roan]

There is a huge difference between creative and "artsy-fartsy" IMHO. SIL is "artsy-fartsy" but can't think her way out of a paper bag, much less think her way to a solution. She can't ride very well, either, because she doesn't listen. She makes jewelry and "Embellishes" photos.That's why I asked what type of art people did :D

OTOH I'm as left brained as they come, used to do phone support for computer software. IMHO it takes a great deal of creativity and imagination to tell a person how to fix a computer problem when you are NOT seing what they are doing and seeing, and often they have no idea what they are doing. Most of the people who were in my group and did well at it had some music training.In another life, I was a Project Manager/Leader and Senior Planner -- not right brained work at all. I also worked in MIS and started there doing help desk. IMO phone support can get creative, but it's really not right-brained. Sure you have to visualize, but everything is either logic based or experience + logic based.

Eileen

[carolprudm]

LOL, most of the creativity involved explaining how to do something when their only computer experience involved finding the power switch

ETA: SIL taught art in the public school system for 25 years

[Roan]

LOL, most of the creativity involved explaining how to do something when their only computer experience involved finding the power switchOr trying walk them through finding the power bar. . . I hated doing phone support with a passion, but it was the only way to get a foot in the door. Thank god I was promoted to Network Analyst before the year was out or I would have gone postal on some of those people. Sometimes I wish I had opted for the lower pay and stayed in Planning. At least I was appreciated there.

ETA: SIL taught art in the public school system for 25 years
Took me a couple to realize that SIL was sister in law.

Eileen

[Ambrey]

I am almost ambidexterous. Have dysgraphia. Am mildly talented at music, theatre, drawing etc. as I said, but no more than mildly, despite PASSIONATELY loving those things and WISHING I had talent. (hm, like dressage?) Can't add two and two to save my life. Literally can't balance a checkbook. Failed science that used math, failed algebra. Two column proofs = logic = almost FUN. I dunno.

Just rambling. I find the connections made above fascinating.

http://www.gifteddevelopment.com/Visual_Spatial_Learner/vsl.htm

Although usually we're good at math, sometimes not :) It also could be how you were taught (I failed math in elementary and high school, then went on to get an engineering degree. I found the university method of conceptual teaching so much easier, math was my best subject!)

I think most visual artists are visual-spatial. It's a different way of thinking, seriously. It is not easy for many people to understand how our brains work!

[Ambrey]

I don't "do" Google on something like this. I want to know what links YOU'VE read -- better yet, what neurology books have you read on the subject?

Eileen

Well, the actual "right brain/left brain" physicality was disproven using functional MRIs. This is a fairly new technique (in the last 10 years, say) that can actually show in real time what the brain is doing while people are doing specific things.

And, also, remember that there are people who can function fairly normally on only one hemisphere. People who have hemispherectomies as children to correct massive seizure disorders don't note any loss of the functions of that brain hemisphere.

But as I said, as a concept I still use it. It has to do with seeing "big pictures" and seeing details, with understanding the brain's use of symbolism vs. realistic rendering, etc. The functions of the brain that they are talking about DO exist, they just don't exist solely in one hemisphere or the other. But using those terms, people understand what you're talking about, whether it translates onto an FMRI or not.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

I also have spatial and left/right issues. I am certain this is because of my left eye dominance: my right eye was so much weaker, never caught by 3 opthamologists while I was a child, even though I did things like walk through a glass door - "Gee, honey, are you upset about something" "Well, yeah, I mean, I stuck my arm through the glass door." "Well, why did you do that?" "Um, I didn't think the door was where it was?" "Yes, but are you upset about anything?" - you'd think they would have checked my freakin' vision!!!!). So if I shut my left eye, my right eye is severely myopic, but with both eyes open, my left is 100% dominant and I have no vision in my right eye.
(By the way, diagnosed at age 35 when I took my first vision test for my Missouri driver's license...all yellow boxes with my right eye, and the person doing the test was saying, "So - have you always been blind in your right eye?"). Hence, I have never been binocular - I have always used just the left eyepiece of a microscope. I depend heavily on peripheral vision and have obviously compensated pretty well, but almost flunked geometry - couldn't look at a page of squiggly lines and figure out which triangle was which (and they wouldn't let me use colored pencils to identify them). Had issues with the SATs - I wasn't allowed to use a ruler to go down the page, so I couldn't match up the circles with the appropriate question. I can't wear sunglasses while walking around because it cuts my peripheral vision, ditto for safety glasses in lab.

When I ride, I can't tell you how many times my trainer will say, "Put him in the right rein" and I am doing my damndest to put him in the left, and vice versa. If we have to turn I can't tell you how many times I am convinced we are going right into the wall (and this is why I no longer jump - can't count strides if you can't figure out a distance). In dressage tests, I'd put my whip in whatever hand it was that was the direction of where I needed to turn at C, otherwise I would do the test backwards.

One time in a clinic, the clinician said, "Put him in the right rein" and I kept doing the opposite, he kept asking, I made it more pronounced, and finally a friend yelled, "No - no - the OTHER right rein!" and then I got it.

Try explaining this weirdness to people. So left brain, right brain, funky brain - who knows!

But I do think Ted is very aware of my issue, because if someone comes up to us while I'm grooming, and my back is turned or I am on the other side, he pins his ears. Regardless of who it is.

And if the bridle or halter gets turned inside out, I always have to say, "DON'T LAUGH AT ME!" while it takes me the 10 minutes to figure it out. I will NEVER take a bridle fully apart to clean it, because I could spend 20 minutes cleaning and three days to try and put it back together - unsuccessfully.

[Wellspotted]

I write, and when I am writing about horses I like to spend as much time as possible with actual horses in order to keep the writing alive. There are rhythms at the barn and out riding that I get out of if I spend too much time indoors writing.

I also find that "too much" barn time (as if there could be such a thing as "too much barn time") tires me out for the work of writing, and also takes time as well as energy.

That said, I think of myself as a creative person, and I dislike the term "artsy fartsy." Certainly a creative person should be able to come up with a better, more accurate and certainly more sympathetic term! :winkgrin:

[Ambrey]

LOL, everyone has their issues. Some people just hide them better than others, and some of us have long since given up trying.

I am smart but not quick. So, I can figure things out, but it might take a while. Drives my husband BATTY! He can not figure out how I got to be an engineer when it takes me 10 minutes to figure out what the tip is on the restaurant bill ;)

[Trying]

This sounds like everyone needs to take the Meyers-Briggs Type Identificaion. Took this while I was teaching high schoool and it was the best self education and perceptive tool ever. I even can see the type of horses for their learning. My problem is that, as a very high percentile INTP, analytic perception of others is difficult. Horses challenge me and i love finding what "clicks". Right now I have a red-headed Anglo-Trak mare that can unglue me whenever she wants - mentally - and I am determined to "get" her respect.
Bonne chance!!

[sm]

anything creative is much more intuititive, there's less ego involved in the brain's thought process. So the OP observations makes sense to me, there is a more organic connection (??) for lack of a better description.

It's a big difference in knowing now is the time to apply the aids or correct your seat (by the time you realize it and start to apply the correction you are already behind -- think Lurch in Frankenstein) then just intutitively and non-selfconciously riding.

My background is drawing and painting, graphic communications...

The other times I notice I ride well is when I'm really really tired. Less tense muscles to get in the way I guess.

[Ambrey]

Roan, this article gives a decent summary of the research up to 2000:

http://www.cranepsych.com/Psych/Right_left_brain_myth.pdf

There has actually been a lot more research since then. Truthfully, I have come to rely more on processing differences (since my major was ed psych, this is to be expected- we focus a lot on learning disabilities). So, I like to think of people as sequential vs. spatial, and auditory vs. visual (the multiple intelligences theory has many more, but when it comes to art and learning these two are foremost in my mind). I think the visual-spatial people are the most creative, because they are always looking at the big picture, and they can manipulate concepts.

[slc2]

roan sending you pm

[DLee]

What kind of art do you do, DLee?

Eileen

Hi Eileen,
There is a link below to my site. Oil painting mostly, I've done one bronze and am working on another.
It's interesting to read the Right Brain Left Brain comments, I've been seriously doubting the validity of that, thinking I was just a weird Left Brainish type artist. Who knows? :confused:

[slc2]

DLee - WOW!

I really like your work - very strong. Beautiful contrasts! 'A Day at the Beach' - BEAUTIFUL strong composition! Chino - very nice use of light!

[Roan]

Hi Eileen,
There is a link below to my site. Oil painting mostly, I've done one bronze and am working on another.
It's interesting to read the Right Brain Left Brain comments, I've been seriously doubting the validity of that, thinking I was just a weird Left Brainish type artist. Who knows? :confused:
No matter. The question as it is is what I'm wondering about more than anything else.

Since I started pushing and working my tail off on my wire sculptures, my riding has gotten 100% better. Good enough that I felt enough confidence to try jumping my Spookmaster today :D

Oh, the link -- yah, I didn't see it in your sig :D I really like your oil paintings!

Eileen

[pintopiaffe]

I also find that "too much" barn time (as if there could be such a thing as "too much barn time") tires me out for the work of writing, and also takes time as well as energy.
hmmmm.... another glimmer...

I think sometimes the horses are too spiritual. I get spiritually exhausted--in a GOOD way, but still *exhausted.*

This is quite interesting! Timely too. :yes:

[DLee]

DLee - WOW!

I really like your work - very strong. Beautiful contrasts! 'A Day at the Beach' - BEAUTIFUL strong composition! Chino - very nice use of light!

Thank you so much! :o

[Bluesy]

I draw/paint/sculpt/write - none that well either :winkgrin: especially compared to some of you other creative people here - soooo jealous! :eek: :D

I haven't been that creative for a while; I did write, and also drew a bit a couple months ago, and I never correlated anything between being creative to riding. I find this topic very interesting and will have to take notice next time I get artsy. I'm in a limbo right now where I want to be creative but am too exhausted by the end of the day to ever come up with anything. I had the other day off and enjoyed typing out one of my old stories and putting it on my website hoping it might spark something. (It was a bizarre story about a retro orange Chesterfield that wasn't really a chesterfield, but an abstract life form from a different planet :lol:) I'm also not riding as much as I want because of being exhausted from work.

I also have a bit of a darker side to me, where I will write/paint "scary" stuff. Possibly this affects my riding in a negative way, but I haven't really gone through a dark period in awhile, so I don't know.

I also find I get very sensitive - and sometimes the way trainers say things(or even how I perceive they feel) just really hurts (though they don't mean it) and I feel very wounded and useless. I attribute this to being somewhat artsy - or perhaps I'm just crazy. :o

Some of my older stff:
http://dawncoyote.deviantart.com/gallery/

[Iheartappy's]

I watercolor, but I've noticed the opposite. When I dont ride I get painters and writers block, and my aspergers gets worse

[pintopiaffe]

Ambrey, thank you SO MUCH for that link! I am a teacher (of riding, and special students) and am familiar with the concepts, but not really delved into it.

Of course probably NO one fits into entirely one category or the other, but when I look at the two parallel lists--the very top, "thinks in pictures" vs. "thinks in words" is the ONLY THING on the entire list that does not apply.

My house is a pigsty at times, and yet I can get my hands on the exact thing I want/need, even when it's in a bizarre place. :lol: The "intuitive leap" was a HUGE problem when I was working on search warrants. I'd figure out the bad guy when sorting through info, but sometimes was hard pressed to document HOW I figured out the bad guy in a logical, sequential enough way to obtain Probable Cause! :uhoh: :lol:

WOW. I'm pretty floored... I think it helps us to know how we learn. I've been very aware of how my STUDENTS learn but not paid much attention to ME. I'm possibly embarking on a new teaching adventure, and I'm fascinated and stoked! ;)

[Dressage Art]

Yah, and your art sucks :lol:

Just kidding -- I'm insanely jealous of your stuff. I especially like "Show Season".

Bah, you're lucky. I come from a family of artists and my dad totally discouraged me from doing that for a living. No money in it. "You'll starve", says he. I even stopped altogether for 20 years.

After I married my husband found out about my painting and encouraged me to take it up again. He's a damn good sort. Now I stay at home and just create stuff full time. I'm terrible at selling, though :no:

I can barely function if it's over 85 degrees. I'm in Virginia, too, so I have to get out to the barn early, early in the AM before it gets really hot. I. Hate. Hot.

I don't get migraines, but I have endometriosis and therefore experience EXTREME pain every month. I've already had three surgeries to remove endometromas, and it looks like I may need at least one more before I finally reach menopause and the endo subsides. Can't wait!

Eileen

Thank you for your compliments. My mother, a piano player in the concert orchestra, was also not very supportive of me becoming an artist. (My dead-beat dad was nowhere too be found) I was about 16 years old when with a couple of friends we use to go to one of the tourists streets in our town (in Europe) after school and set up a fast caricature stand with just my small school easel + pastels. We would charge only $1 per caricature (color pastel on velour papper) and it'll take me 5 minutes to finish it, while my friends would collect money, catch new customers, and crack up the jokes while I would be drawing (I can't talk and draw). We would have a crowd of a dozen people laughing, watching, waiting, sometimes we would raise our price up to $5 if would get a tour group and tip the tour guide as well. We would get enough money for ice cream/dinner/movie for 3 of us and be done. Pretty soon, we figured out that we can make better money by doing that than most of our teenage friends. That was the very first sign for my mom that I CAN make money with my art. She sent me to Art School to get my BFA.

I'm not good at selling my fine art either and never was able to make a "living" with it. But I'm good at delivering on the deadline and since I know most of the 2d and 3d software, I was able support myself (and my horse) comfortably with my art. After landing a job of lead artist for Lord of the Rings, it eventually became easier to find good gigs. Now, I selectively freelance, art direct, and do my life long fantasy: equestrian art!

Commercial art CAN support an artist comfortably, b/c it's a necessity to business. Fine art is a luxury, thus it's quite difficult to support yourself doing only that. The difference between commercial art and fine art is BIG and that was our parents didn't see. So now, when people ask me can artists support themselves – my answer is always YES with commercial art ;)

[Wellspotted]

I like the story of the chesterfield.

If it had traveled to my barn, it could've bedded down a few coyotes on winter nights at least 'til dawn, when the barn cats would be let out of the barn. During the daytime it could've seated spectators by the arena, and I could've lain on it to cuddle with a barn cat and store up energy for writing at the barn!

[Sdhaurmsmom]

[/quote]
...I completely understand the need to sleep in a very dark cool room with no noise.[/quote]

Hey, who doesn't? Migraine or not!

I am a lifelong artist and musician, and when I ride I find myself going into the same non-verbal state that I experience while painting or playing. So in some way, it is a parallel experience - it feels like it's coming from the same place.

That's the good riding. The less good riding is usually accompanied by internal dialogue.

Definitely, riding to music helps me sink in to the non-verbal state. However, only if it is music I like! Music I disike really gets an internal dialogue going! Gets the inner critic revved up and alert! Chuh.:rolleyes:

[Ambrey]

WOW. I'm pretty floored... I think it helps us to know how we learn. I've been very aware of how my STUDENTS learn but not paid much attention to ME. I'm possibly embarking on a new teaching adventure, and I'm fascinated and stoked! ;)

As an educational psychology major, I really have always felt that it was a HUGE consideration- if the teacher does not understand that some people thing sequentially while others thing conceptually, how will they understand why they can TRY to teach us the steps to the solution, yet we will ever understand until they teach us why the steps work the way they do?

Trying to teach my daughter, who is so much like me, long division was a huge trial. I can't wait for algebra!

Certainly there can be the auditory-spatial thinker. The reason the auditory-spatial thinker isn't quite the issue is that most school programs (as a teacher you might see this) are auditory-sequential. So at least as the auditory-spatial thinker, you have half of the equation. The visual-spatial thinker is missing both, and often spends much of their elementary years baffled :)

As a teacher, you've been told to teach in a 1-2-3 step system, and although most programs emphasize both auditory and visual aids now, 10 years ago they did not. This totally has application in riding instruction as well. The thinking, overanalytical type tends to be the spatial thinker, who needs the concept rather than the step-by-step. Telling us what to do doesn't do much for us if we don't also know why we're doing it!