 |
What is imagination? |
by Kate Simmons >> more about the author
Imaginative people are all around us! For example, writers and artists use their imagination by creating pictures with tools such as words, paintbrushes and clay. The creatures and objects they describe with their tools may not be in front of them at that moment, but with a little imagination, their paper and canvases are filled with images for others to enjoy!
Can you imagine a field of purple flowers? A red fish swimming through a coral reef? When you use your imagination, you picture something that is not there in front of you. In fact, the word “imagination” comes from the Latin word “imaginari,” which means “to picture oneself.”
Sometimes when you use your imagination, your mind helps you create an image of something that you’ve experienced before. For example, you might imagine the smell of your favorite pie baking in the oven, the feel of cool water on a hot day, the sound of your dog’s bark, the taste of a pepperoni pizza, or the way your best friend looks when he or she smiles. Even though these people and items are not there in front of you, you are able to form pictures of them in your mind, thanks to your memories and your imagination!
At other times, you may imagine something you’ve never seen. For example, what if the tree outside were made of gumdrops? Are there gumdrop trees in nature? No! But that doesn’t stop your imagination! Maybe you can picture yourself picking gumdrops off the tree. Can you feel how sticky they are? Are they chewy? How do they taste?!
Imaginative people are all around us! For example, writers and artists use their imagination by creating pictures with tools such as words, paintbrushes and clay. The creatures and objects they describe with their tools may not be in front of them at that moment, but with a little imagination, their paper and canvases are filled with images for others to enjoy!
Can you use your imagination to create a work of art? For this
project, try imagining something you’ve never seen or experienced! For
example, what if a dog had pine cones for ears? What if you were to eat a
pizza topped with strawberry cream and blueberries? What if you owned a
shirt made of clouds? What if flowers had feathers for petals?
To
brainstorm ideas, think of some of your favorite things, then imagine
them in places where you wouldn’t usually see them. Can you draw or
paint your imaginary treasures? Being creative sure is fun!
