This is a page of journaling my thoughts about the creative process. May you find it interesting. It will grow as I write about it. I hope to inspire others to think about what their own creative process is about. Why do you do what you do and how? Can you answer this question or do you simply feel “I just do what I do?” I say we are motivated by what we want to convey! But what is that process and how does the mind fulfill that need? What role does choice have in our creativity. The mind predicts what we want! These thoughts make me curious! How can I use these thoughts depends on what I can learn about the processes I go through. (The image above is me creating a Shibui Found Image Art.)

The creative process greatly interests me. Especially when it comes to how it is a part of healing the body. The mind, housed in the brain sends message throughout the body telling it how to respond. This involves what we believe, what we trust in, and how we respect these two vital aspects of being human. A lot of information we use comes from the subconscious mind, and we do well if we come from the heart and higher self! The creative process involves neuroplasticity and consciousness.

My information is backed up by researching for years, science, psychology, neurobiology and neuroplasticity, consciousness, the creative processes and how we communicate with one another. I have a lot of questions. I am also an artist so am very intimate with the why of what I do as my creative process. I write as well so there is not a lot of time to ready about this topic of interest. However, I do it to understand how Shibui Found Image Art can help others through its creative process. 4/28/2026

What is neuroplasticity?

(There are two main mechanisms for neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity interest me for the following reasons regarding Shibui Found Image Art. Primarily because of the fact that creating art helps people to heal mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The mind given time heals the body through the messages it sends throughout the body.

The brain shifts its functions from damaged areas of the brain to healthy areas of the brain. A good example is what happens after a stroke where a different part of the brain may take over speech or motor function” This is called Functional Plasticity.

Structural Plasticity is repeated experiences or the practice of the experiences which leads to physical changes in the brain. This information involves new synapses, it strengthens neural circuits, and remodels neural pathways. This is how we learn new skills. The creative process is learning new things, and repeating what we know. It is memorizing. The brain is reshaped as we learn new things. The big filing cabinet of our brains we use to predict what we want is being added to.

What happens at a cellular level?

Synaptogenesis happens! Synaptogenesis is where synapses connect to neurons. The brain also “prunes” the synapses it does not use. Much like the pruning of plant suckers. It eliminates that connection so that the synapsis it uses is prioritized and more efficient. Neurogenesis happens. This is the creation of new neurons; those found in the hippocampus for example. Cortical remapping is another part of the process. This is where the brain reorganizes regions to take on new functions after the brain is injured or there are sensory changes.

The kinds of things we do daily like driving a car, playing an instrument or speaking a new language. When we create new art or write, create music. When we adapt to sensory loss such as our ability to hear or see. When we go through rehabilitation for brain injury, use therapy that helps the brain to develop new pathways to regain the abilities that allow us our normal activities. These involve neuroplasticity.

Understanding how the mind heals will make a difference in my development of Shibui Found Image Art as an art therapy tool. Shibui is a problem-solving art which I believe can help rewire the brain that it heals. 4/28/2026