Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Jan Phillips' THE ARTIST'S CREED

I believe I am worth the time it takes to create whatever I feel called to create.

I believe that my work is worthy of its own space, which is worthy of the name Sacred.

I believe that, when I enter this space, I have the right to work in silence, uninterrupted, for as long as I choose.

I believe that the moment I open myself to the gifts of the Muse, I open myself to the Source of All Creation and become One With the Mother of Life Itself.

I believe that my work is joyful, useful and constantly changing, flowing through me like a river with no beginning and no end.

I believe that what it is I am called to do will make itself known when I have made myself ready.

I believe that the time I spend creating my art is as precious as the time I spend giving to others.

I believe that what truly matters in the making of art is not what the final piece looks like or sounds like, not what it is worth or not worth, but what newness gets added to the universe in the process of the piece itself becoming.

I believe that I am not along in my attempts to create, and that once I begin the work, settle into the strangeness, the words will take shape, the form find life, and the spirit take flight.

I believe that as the Muse gives to me, so does she deserve from me: faith, mindfulness and enduring commitment.
###################################

Now, I, Marie believe that we can all write our own Artist's Creed. I plan on doing that, and publishing it here. I would challenge any reader to contribute their own artist's creed, and I will post a link to yours here, if you desire. And if you believe you are not an artist and don't need a creed, then add your LIFE PURPOSE creed. I'd love to see the blogging world be as inspirational in word and deed as it is in visual appeal.
Happy Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for a place that lets me enjoy my freedom of speech and my right to my opinions.
Love to all.

Jan Phillips is the author of 4 books: Marry Your Muse, The Art of Original Thinking, Divining the Body, and God is at Eye-Level.

1 comment:

Kass said...

Marie, here is a copy of the Artist's Prayer I wrote for Artist's Way:
Oh god, I hate your name.
Help me to creatively find
a new name for you.
How about Stanley?
No, that's too chubby-sounding.
How about Faith?
Yes, I like that.
Faith, I want to create.
I am moved and it moves me
to be moved,
so I want to continue to move
and move what's in front of me and around me.
Life matters and so I matter.
Faith, help me to have the confidence
to remember at all times
that I matter.
I want what I think and say
to matter.
How others are affected by what I express
is their business.
I am given over to you, Faith.
I am yours.
Use me.

I don't like that very much - but I DO like this token piece I threw in our symbolic fire:
It is time to gather our dearly beloved idolatries and cast them into the fire. We all assemble and agree that up to now we have been meeting regularly at "Our Lady of Inaccurate Conceptions" and now we wish to worship from the Holy Center of Our Being. I, personally desire to cast away the chains of self-imposed exile from myself. I have been hiding away in the nether regions of other people's (particularly mens') petty dramas. I offer these tokens as proof of my willingness to surrender all that does not ennable, inspire and promote the enlargement of my spirit.
In the name of many men,
Amen
p.s. I am through frantically looking for the author of confusion - I don't need his autograph.
I am through suffering, unless it brings about great art.
I want to live in a place of ecstacy and connection; from the middle of my body and my words - I want a total sensory experience with art.
I want to be 'texted' because someone needs my art. (I originally said 'beeped') I'm going to work on up-dating this some more so that it is more of An Artist's Creed. Thanks for the inspiration.