What a Little Palm Tree Taught Me About Creativity

Recently, I was in Fiji teaching a group of business owners.

Now, these weren't artists.

They were busy professionals, leaders, and business owners who had plenty of other things they could have been doing. In fact, one woman admitted later that she almost didn't come at all.

She told me she was "too busy."

Sound familiar?

When she first saw the painting we were creating - a simple pair of colourful Fiji palm trees -something changed.

Maybe it was the bright colours.

Maybe it was the tropical feel.

Or maybe it was because it looked achievable and fun!

Whatever the reason, she decided to join us.

And I'm so glad she did.

As the session unfolded, something wonderful happened.

The room filled with laughter.

People started comparing colours.

There were comments like, "Oh, I love what you've done there!" and "I didn't know I could do that!"

The hesitation slowly disappeared.

Confidence started to grow.

By the end of the session, everyone had their own version of the painting. No two were the same, and that was the best part.

What struck me most wasn't the finished paintings.

It was the transformation.

These were people who had arrived thinking they didn't have time, weren't creative, or wouldn't be any good.

Yet an hour later they were proudly holding up their artwork and smiling.

That's why I love teaching art.

Not because of the paintings.

Because of what happens while people are painting.

Creativity gives us permission to slow down.

To experiment.

To play.

To stop worrying about getting everything right.

And sometimes, that's exactly what we need.

The Fiji Palm Trees tutorial has become one of my favourite little projects because it captures all of that.

It's quick.

It's fun.

It's colourful.

And it reminds us that creativity doesn't have to be complicated.

Sometimes all it takes is a paintbrush, a few colours, and the willingness to have a go.

Who knows?

You might surprise yourself.

Jenny x

Creativity. Confidence. Community.