Darlene the Artist

Ever since I was introduced to the different ways the brain can process information, I’ve come to appreciate the concept of “lateral thinking.” In his 1967 book, “The Use of Lateral Thinking” Edward De Bono defines lateral thinking as modes of thinking concerned with changing concepts and perception. Lateral thinking is about reasoning that’s not immediately obvious and about ideas that may not be obtainable by using traditional step-by-step logic alone.

Linear thinkers—as  exemplified by most bureaucrats, government workers and military hierarchies—are usually unaware there is any way to process information other than sequentially, logically, verbally, analytically, numerically, categorically etc… They are unable to value what they can’t quantify. How unfortunate! Due to our society’s left-brain bias, linear-thinkers are predominately in positions of power and control.  

 

Roger Sperry (who received the Nobel Prize in 1981 for his work on functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres), wrote in 1973, “Our educational system, as well as science in general, tends to neglect the nonverbal form of intellect. What it comes down to is that modern society discriminates against the right hemisphere.”

 

The right brain tends to look at the whole picture and can quickly determine the spatial relationships of all the parts as they relate to the whole. This component of the brain is unconcerned with things forming into patterns because of long-established codes and rules. Instead, the right brain excels at complexity, ambiguity and paradox and can process information very quickly. At times, right brain knowing is challenging to put into words because of its complexity, its speedy ability to process information and its non-verbal nature. That’s why the right brain has been associated with the realm of creativity.

 

More spatially-oriented people perceive different types of information by sorting through the relationships between things. Spatial memory is the memory of how things are oriented in space and how to get to them. Lateral thinkers are assets to organizations because they can perceive things that are pretty much invisible to linear thinkers. This gives me hope. Though I might be strange, but I’m not unusual.

 

As a lateral thinker, I perceive the pathways connecting things. At my corporate job, I use my ability to identify and enhance the bonds between things (customers-employees-co-workers-departments) through art, graphic design, and marketing. I am also thought of as an idea generator. I also function as the “glue” that keeps things running smoothly between departments—especially in terms of communication. That keeps management happy. They don’t care to know how I accomplish my results—it’s only important that I do achieve them. 

 

I also have a good friend who is in the midst of writing a book about the complete experience of sensing the world. From her research, Nancy Kimbell Baumgarten concluded that people habitually use a lot more than what has been traditionally identified as our five senses. When we gather information about our world around us, we are continually using a combination of two or more sense organs as well as using other means to sense things. Psychism is not only natural to human beings, its development was essential for our species’ survival.  

 

For too long a time, I’ve been apologetic about my desire and ability to extend the range of my spatial knowing beyond its customary boundaries. I have not divulged how easily I can step-out into the abstract, archetypal/ symbolic worlds which interpenetrate our “normal” waking reality. But as I accept and reclaim the parts of myself that I have discarded, I’m faced again with what to tell the nay-sayers who enjoy ridiculing, criticizing and belittling those who seem different. 

 

This time, however, I have an answer. And what I have to say is how sorry I am for anyone who has chosen to limit their personal experience of the world’s wonders, miracles and possibilities. I’m sorry if you are not copasetic with my work or vision but why put me down for exploring the fullness of my God-given gifts? What could it matter to you if my art comes from my imagination, from inspiration or from another source? Anyone who cannot leave behind a smug, judgmental attitude of superiority will not be able to appreciation the fullness of what’s being offered within my art.  

 

As I better perceive the true relationships between something and the symbol/archetype it expresses, the deeper insights I receive. Through my art, if I create a resonance with an archetypal image, I concurrently construct an experiential pathway. Thus it is that I’m using all my gifts to create artwork—such as my lines of Greeting Cards–that truly can speak to the heart.