A Conversation Between the Right and Left Sides Of An Artist's Brain

Below I made up a conversational scenario between the right and left sides of an artist's brain.  But first, here's a brief summary of how the two sides of the brain operate . One is often more dominant than the other in an individual. It's interesting to find out which side is dominant in you. There is an quick online Right Brain vs. Left Brain Creativity test you can try at http://www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com

What Is Left Brain - Right Brain Theory?

According to the theory of left-brain or right-brain dominance, each side of the brain controls different types of thinking. Additionally, people are said to prefer one type of thinking over the other. For example, a person who is "left-brained" is often said to be more logical, analytical and objective, while a person who is "right-brained" is said to be more intuitive, thoughtful and subjective.

The Left Brain
The left-side of the brain is considered to be adept at tasks that involve logic, language and analytical thinking. The left brain is very sequential. Those who are left-brained are list makers. Scheduling, making lists, checking tasks off in order of completion, and knowing what comes next are all things that a left-brained individual enjoys. It's the way that makes the most sense to them.

The left-brain is often described as being better at:

• Language

• Logic

• Critical thinking

• Numbers

• Reasoning

The Right Brain
 The right side of the brain is best at expressive and creative tasks. Right-brained people get just as much done, but they don't prioritize. If you are right-brained, you would be more prone to jump from task to task, doing a bit on each, but not finishing one before you moved to the other. Right-brained people prefer to work on what they feel like working on, as opposed to what a list tells them comes next.

Some of the abilities that are popularly associated with the right side of the brain include:

• Music

• Expressing and reading emotions

• Color

• Images

• Intuition

• Creativity

Conversation Between the Right and Left Sides Of An Artist's Brain:

Righty: I'm ready to paint a masterpiece today!

Lefty: What about our "To Do List?" There's laundry and bills and don't forget we need to get the dog groomed.

Righty: We've been working all week on that list! I feel inspired right now! Time to strike while the iron is hot!

Lefty:  (Sigh), ok. What are we going to paint?

Right: I'd like to try and capture the colors in the maple tree in the yard.

Lefty: What's to capture? It's a tree with a brown trunk and green leaves.

Righty: The problem with you, Lefty, is that you never really see things when you look at them. There are so many different colors and textures in the trunk of a tree; colors which show the reflections of sky, grass, and whatever else is in its vicinity.

Lefty: You will, at the very least, paint the leaves green, won't you?

Righty: Who's to say leaves must be green??

Lefty: Uh, ever hear of chlorophyll?

Righty: Art is unpredictable, lefty! Ever hear of Van Gogh?

Lefty: Yeah, he's the guy who cut off his ear.

Right: He did a lot more than just cut off his ear! His work is renown for its passion and movement!

Lefty: Well, all I can say is that his left side must have been sleeping on the day of surgery..... what are you doing now?

Righty: I'm drawing the leaves.

Lefty: That looks like a cloud.

Righty: It is a cloud. Will you zip it and let me work?!

Lefty: Trees don't grow that high into the sky. That looks ridiculous! What will people think?

Righty: I don't care what people think! If it if was left up to you, you'd probably draw every individual leaf.

Left: At least it would look like a tree!

Right: You're a bore, lefty!

Lefty: Yeah? Well, you're a weirdo!

Silence

Righty: Listen Lefty, if I promise to get back to that list later today, will you leave me alone for awhile and quit interjecting yourself into my work? Can we make a deal?

Lefty: Ok, deal. I guess I could go take a nap for a couple of hours.

Righty: Sweet dreams, Pal! Now to get into my zone...