As I prepare to launch my updated site, I wanted to revisit my manifesto. I first wrote it about two years ago in a frantic scribble on receipt paper from the grocery store where I worked. Since then, I make it a point to write it on the first page of my notebooks and sketchbooks as a reminder of my values and why I make things.
Each time the wording changes a bit, gets a little clearer and closer to my beliefs about myself, my work, the art world, and the world in general. As of today, March 7, 2021 here is its latest iteration:
I dedicate myself to a life of compassionate creative living
to show up for myself, my craft, and my community
to cultivate a sustainable lifestyle with space for all to flourish
to hungrily pursue expansion of skill and knowledge
to fail fantastically (and keep going)
to live spherically, with childish enthusiasm
to celebrate being authentic, honest, and kind
to empower and advocate for myself and others
and to seek satisfaction in defining my own version of success
Creative Living Manifesto v 1.5
Originally posted February 10, 2020
It’s been about about eight months since I first drafted my creative living manifesto and during that time it has changed and adapted as I work towards honing my values, my process, my goals. I wanted to share the updated version:
I devote myself, wholly, dearly, to a life of creative living
to show up in good times and bad, dedicating time, energy, and love to my craft
to cultivate a healthy lifestyle, creating my own opportunities to flourish
to hungrily pursue expansion of skill and knowledge
to fail fantastically!
to empower myself and others–there is room at the table for everyone
to build compassionate community, curbing feelings of comparison and jealousy
to celebrate being my authentic self, remaining open, honest, and kind
to live spherically, with childish enthusiasm
to define and manifest my own version of success
to seek satisfaction in growth and habit versus arbitrary deadlines
to fall in love with myself and my craft again and again, weaving my own destiny.
Creative Living Manifesto
Originally published July 24, 2019
I solemnly dedicate myself, wholly and passionately, to a life of creative living.
To be none other than myself, loving what I know of me, and trusting that which I do not yet know.
To show up every day, in good fortune and adversity, to work on my craft.
To seek change for the things in my life I do not like and to create my own opportunities.
I vow to fail fantastically!
To curb feelings of comparison or jealousy, and cultivate a compassionate community.
To empower myself and others, remembering there is room at the table for everyone.
To live life spherically, with childish enthusiasm.
I promise to fall in love with myself, and my craft, a thousandfold.
To steal away precious moments committing sinful acts of creative expression.
To hungrily pursue my best artistic self, my creative habit being the thing that matters most while meaning nothing at all.
To follow my own unique path, defining and manifesting my own version of success.
I will not demand my work pay the bills, or meet arbitrary deadlines, but instead seek satisfaction in habit, growth, and happiness.
I will do my best to remain open, authentic, honest, and kind.
I give myself fully to this divine purpose, forming my own destiny, until my work and myself become one.
