This document discusses various approaches to art education research including qualitative interviews, autoethnography, and infusing research into teaching philosophies. It explores research and representation as creative processes. Key aspects of creativity mentioned include being puzzled, concentrating, accepting conflict/tension, feeling a sense of self, receptivity, curiosity, attentiveness, connection seeking, and complexity. Examples of arts-based research projects are described, such as using portrait painting as a metaphor for qualitative research and visual data communication. The relationships between pottery, education, and poetry are explored through metaphors of vessels and cells.