Book Description
This Project Demonstrating Excellence is a qualitative research project using poetic metaphors and a feminist approach to weave together intricate questions and ponderings about the creative process. the project is a quest to understand the complexity of the creative process first through various publications, and later through the thoughts and comments from eleven women. the heuristic model outlined by Moustakas (Heuristic Research: Design, Methodology, and Applications, 1990) serves as a backdrop and comparison with the steps of the creative process, thus incorporating the words and voice of the author. the project focuses on the creative spirit of women without children and explores this question in interviews with a small population of ordinary, everyday women in northern New England. Together, these women explore the meaning of creativity, beyond the traditional definition of artist. They offer their unique perceptions about a complex subject, sometimes illuminating the topic and other times muddying the already murky waters. They share their experiences of creativity, both with personal experiences and stories from the world of work. These women tell their stories of support and encouragement as well as disappointment and pain as they explore their own consciousness and inner awareness. During the journey a distinctive link is established between creativity and spirituality, although few of the women can articulate the connection. Even though no common denominators or specific patterns are uncovered, a sincere desire to understand and make meaning of creativity is clearly evident. Readers will not find techniques or how-tos for creative expression. What they will find is awareness and attention to questions surrounding creative expression. Although this project focuses on women, and specifically women without children, creativity and the ability to process thoughts and ideas transcend gender, age, education, and biology. What begins as a quest to investigate possible connections between creativity and women without children, evolves into a journey of the heart to understand and nurture the creative muse.