Cultivating Creativity: The Power of Asking Questions
Creative people are intelligent, just like you. But their true strength isn’t just in their intellect—it’s in their curiosity. They don’t settle for easy answers. Instead, they ask open-ended questions that unlock new ways of thinking. They ask who, what, when, where, why, which, how, and if to dig deeper into ideas and push beyond conventional boundaries. This approach is known as the Six W's, H & I Technique of creative problem-solving, and it’s a method that can revolutionize your own creative process.
Think about children. They’re constantly asking questions. Their endless curiosity helps them explore and learn, and they aren’t afraid to ask why things are the way they are. But as we grow older, we start to lose that habit of asking. We settle into routines, stop asking as many questions, and lose the natural curiosity that once fueled our creativity.
But what if you never stopped asking questions? What if, at 30, 40, 50, or even older, you still approached life with that childlike curiosity? Imagine the creative doors that would open. The truth is, we all have an incredible reservoir of creativity within us—it just takes the right questions to tap into it.
The Six W's, H & I Technique: Unlocking Creativity Through Curiosity
Creative minds don’t just ask any questions—they ask the right ones. When faced with a problem or a blank canvas, they go beyond yes or no answers. They ask: What else could this be? Why does this have to be this way? What if I tried something different? These questions spark new ideas and lead to innovation, which is at the core of creativity.
In today’s world, information is everywhere. If you’re curious about something, a quick search can often give you a solid answer. But real creativity comes from questioning those answers, from challenging convention. When creative people don’t agree with the answers they find, they create new ones. They innovate. That’s the essence of creativity—continually questioning the world around you and being unafraid to carve out a new path.
Learning From the Greats: Einstein and O'Keeffe
Albert Einstein is a shining example of someone who mastered the art of asking the right questions. His famous theory of relativity wasn’t born from accepting the scientific ideas of his time. It came from challenging them. He asked questions like, What if light travels at a constant speed? and What happens if we push beyond the known boundaries of physics? By refusing to accept the limits others placed on his thinking, he revolutionized our understanding of space and time. Einstein wasn’t just smart—he was deeply curious.
Artist Georgia O’Keeffe took a similar approach in her own field. O’Keeffe didn’t just paint flowers—she asked herself What if I zoom in on the details? Her large-scale, close-up paintings of flowers forced viewers to see nature in a completely new way. O’Keeffe’s curiosity about perspective and form led her to break conventions and produce work that changed how we look at the natural world. She didn’t stop at what was expected; she pushed further by asking questions and exploring the unknown.
Breaking Conventions: Fire, just in the nick of time.
I’ve had moments in my own career where I’ve had to challenge convention and embrace the unknown.
While attending an artist residency, I was part of a group working on a series of woodblock prints. The pressure to meet the deadline was intense, and everyone was focused on getting their pieces finished in time. I, however, wasn’t satisfied with the prints I had produced. They didn’t feel right, and I couldn’t ignore that nagging feeling.
So, instead of tweaking them or trying to salvage the work, I threw the prints into the fire.
At that moment, the other artists thought I had lost my mind. We were on a tight deadline, and here I was, destroying my work. But I didn’t care because I knew that letting deadlines or expectations dictate my process would kill the creative spirit I rely on. Letting convention guide my decisions would have resulted in work that felt forced, uninspired, and inauthentic. For me, sticking to something just to meet a deadline wasn’t worth it.
By throwing those prints into the fire, I asked myself a new set of questions:
What if I start over? What could I create if I break free from the pressure of time and expectation? Those questions led me to produce a body of work that felt more true to my vision. It reminded me that sometimes breaking with convention—and even destroying something you’ve worked hard on—is the only way to unlock your true creative potential.
Applying This to Your Life and Art
This approach isn’t reserved for Einstein, O’Keeffe, or even for artists like me. The Six W's, H & I Technique can be applied to any creative endeavor.
Whether you’re starting a new art project, tackling a problem at work, or simply feeling stuck, the key is to ask yourself the right questions.
Next time you’re in front of a blank canvas or grappling with a new idea, don’t ask, Can I do this? Instead, ask, What if I approached this differently? What could this become? How can I push beyond what I think I know? And if the answers you find don’t feel right, challenge them.
Innovate.
Create new solutions.
The beauty of this technique is that it works even when you don’t know all the answers yet. Sometimes, you have to jump in, experiment, and make mistakes. That’s part of the process. Like me throwing my woodblock prints into the fire, there’s value in taking risks and challenging the expectations you place on yourself. It’s in those moments of uncertainty that true creativity emerges.
Curiosity at Any Age
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been creating for years, it’s never too late to reignite your creativity. The key is to keep asking questions, keep exploring, and keep challenging the status quo. The Six W's, H & I Technique is a tool you can use at any stage of your creative journey, whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond.
Remember, creativity isn’t just about intelligence or talent—it’s about curiosity. It’s about being willing to question what’s in front of you and pushing through the boundaries of what’s expected. So next time you’re facing a challenge, don’t just settle for the obvious answers.
Keep asking, keep exploring, and watch your creativity flourish.
Creativity thrives on curiosity.
Whether you're facing a blank canvas, a new project, or a tough decision, let curiosity guide you. Ask yourself, What if? and be unafraid to break with convention. You never know where it might lead you.
See you in the studio!
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