The Power of an Artist Manifesto (a.k.a get out of the way of your own damn self)
A {FREE} GUIDE to creating your NORTH STAR
When I was teaching full time and raising my daughter, the biggest and perhaps single external factor that kept me from creating my own art (with regularity) was time.
Yet, here I am, almost 12 years later and I have more time than I’ve ever had before and I still somehow feel like I have hurdles to overcome. Old mindsets, faulty belief systems and fears at work that are holding me back on my creative journey.
In other words, it is often my own damn self that gets in the way and here are a few examples of these road blocks and some sneaky underlying fears that may be holding you back:
social media distraction
procrastination : underlying fear of failure
fear of taking risks: underlying fear of SUCCEEDING
fear of facing a blank canvas: underlying feelings of doubt like I have no new ideas, I have nothing original (or important) to say
laziness: burnt out, or the need of support or motivation
holding back emotionally: not allowing myself to be vulnerable
lack of direction or clarity of vision
This is where an ARTIST MANIFESTO comes into play.
An artist manifesto is more than a statement; it's a declaration of identity, an intellectual self-portrait, and a roadmap of artistic intentions.
Historically, manifestos have propelled the avant-garde, asserting bold visions and igniting creative revolutions. Crafting your own artist manifesto isn't just a rite of passage; it’s an opportunity to introspect, articulate your values, and share your unique perspective with the world, and moreover give you structure that can act as a template from which you can work. Think of it as your NORTH STAR. A promise you make to yourself each time to sit down to write, paint or work.
Described by the critic John Elderfield as a set of "artistic intentions," they are a valuable insight into the mind of the artist.
Further down the page, I have outlined a STEP BY STEP GUIDE to create an ARTIST MANIFESTO for your artistic objectives. So be sure to check that out!
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