Right Brain- Left Brain and Art

Robert Genn’s twice weekly column ‘The Painter's Keys’ stirred my interest in right brain and left brain activity. It got me thinking you might say with my left brain. Customarily I don’t do much thinking about how I think. I realize thinking is critical and persuasive. Thinking for Rene Descartes was the evidence he required to verify his existence. “I think, therefore I am.” To arrive at his conclusion Rene was using his left brain.

According to this theory of the structure and functions of the mind which was developed through research in the late 1960’s the human brain has two ways of thinking. The right hemisphere or right brain is visual and processes information in an intuitive, subjective and simultaneous way, looking first at the whole picture (holistically) and then the details. The left brain is verbal and processes information in an analytical, objective and sequential way, looking first at the pieces then putting them together to get the whole. American psychobiologist Roger W. Sperry was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1981 for his 1960’s work in this research field. , although subsequent research has show things aren't quite as polarized as once thought (nor as simple).

I took the test. Apparently according to this quiz I am 75% right brained dominant. So with the other 25% I must have managed a great deal of administrative and organizational and journalistic projects over my lifetime. My son Jeff will appreciate this line. "If the left brain controls the right hand, then only left-handed people are in their right minds." Judging from the most of the material I read on the subject we have pretty much bought this concept.

If you want to read something clinical that blasts holes in the notion that one hemisphere dominates your personality then follow this link in which the dancing girl spins. She will be moving for you either clockwise or anti clockwise depending upon whether your right or left brain is dominant is the popular theory. There is a suggestion that you try to focus to change your perception that the dancer is moving in the opposite direction to your initial impression. My initial perception was that she was turning clockwise which is a right brain observation. But as I became absorbed in mentally processing the words beside the picture I was suddenly conscious that she was dancing anticlockwise. She switched a couple of times as I gazed. This Neurolgica blog demythologizes the right and left brain beliefs with some scientific explanations of how our brain sides are massively interconnected and work together as a seamless whole.

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Here is a great page with resource articles on right and left hemisphere influence on the art of painting.

Take the right brain/left brain quiz

Loneliness, Art, and Understanding Myself

Robert Genn, while explaining artistic creativity yesterday, provided me with an insight that helps me to understand the way I think and behave. Robert is a successful fine artist known internationally to collectors for his landscapes and to artists for his free weekly encouragement. Twice weekly an e-note, 'The Painter's Keys' comes to my mailbox. You can subscribe. Here is an excerpt from yesterday’s piece entitled, ‘Are you lonely this morning?’

“… With the exception of various forms of team art, most of the functioning professional artists I know have come to terms with the strengths and weaknesses of keeping their own company. Although less of a problem for introverts, this art can be learned. The art of effective aloneness includes the understanding that solitude is necessary for creative gain. "Most progress," said self-improvement guru Bruce Barton, "comes out of loneliness." Creative people need to dream and contrive on their own. "Dreams," said Erma Bombeck, "have only one owner at a time. That's why dreamers are lonely."

I spent an entire working career in service to God, Christ, and his church. No apology. No regret. All of that was very public. For half of that time we lived in parsonages owned by the church. One was located beside the church. It was the proverbial goldfish bowl. I did all of the public duties and did them effectively. I was a diligent and creative pastor, crafting words that developed a reputation for predictably good ministry. That required concentration and private time. I received some criticism for the amount of time that required yet I relished such time.

Now as I try to paint, I love being alone. I need to be alone. This is the true me. I train myself to tolerate intrusions. I have struggled to be like most people I know who live to be with people. I have been self critical. Now I understand that innately, my creative DNA has shaped me for loneliness and that’s OK.

GPS Application

Apostle Paul advised, "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). The counsel is to include God rather than leaving him out of something as ordinary as putting paint on canvas. Then even an artistic endeavour is a sanctified activity.