Blog

One of our final projects in Cheryl Taves' "The Artist's Mindset" program was to absorb all we learned and create our own artist's manifesto. This was such a valuable exercise in choosing those ideas that can guide, encourage, and remind us what our work is really about.  It's so easy to get lost on the rough days and forget why I'm even painting.   This is now printed and hanging in my studio as a reminder to read on those challenging days when I want to give up.

My Art Manifesto

1.  Painting is my practice in being present and fully alive.

It's about the process not the product.

Stay awake and pay attention to what thoughts and feelings arise.

Accept what arises with curiousity.

My paintings need to flow and change to be alive.

2.  I find joy in taking on and fulfilling challenges.

Take more risks.  Be bold.  The more I risk, the more exciting the process.

If I'm not failing, I'm not risking.

Work towards excellence not perfection.

Show up fully and be seen.

3.  Growth will be accompanied by resistance because I am moving into the unknown.

Get comfortable with not knowing.  Embrace the mystery.

Choose courage over comfort.

Meet resistance with curiosity and compassion.  Lean into the resistance.  Question it and journal about it.

4.  I have the answers within.  Listen.

Practice call and response.

Practice discernment.  Choose that which lights me up.

Quiet the inner critic.

Ignore outside voices.  Praise and blame are all the same.

5.  Inspiration comes while working.

Show up in the studio regularly to build momentum.

Clarity comes through engagement not through thought.

Stay playful through the end to allow ideas to flow and to keep the piece alive.

It doesn't matter how long I painted or how well I painted, the only question is, did I overcome resistance today?

Being present in the moment while painting energizes me, the rest is just bullshit!