My creative manifesto.

These are my personal truths related to my creative process.  Ali Edwards

When I first read Ali's book Life Artist, the concept of developing my own creative manifesto was not really new to me.  I do have things I say in my head over and over.  I do tend to think a new project through before I begin, looking at the big picture.  And sometimes looking at my own big picture helps me figure out whether I should even start a project, or commit it to my idea journal for later, or just abandon it altogether.

For example, I have been keeping scrapbooks off & on since 1978.  Juliet was born in 1998 when the scrapbook industry was just getting revved up, so I knew it was time to take a step back and look at my intentions before I got in over my head.  Why did I want to spend my time on scrapbooks?  I put all my ideas on the table, and gave myself a fresh set of parameters.

A few weeks ago my head was getting so crowded with these very thoughts that I decided it was time to write down my creative manifesto.  I tried to distill those things I say over and over into some basic belief statements; so far I have six, but I am open to this being a work in progress (and to not taking myself too seriously).

 
(my two favorite words in the whole English language)

I love to create.  I had to start here with that simple statement, since it drives all the rest.  I like making things.  I am most alive when I'm in my creative world -- thinking about a new project, planning it, making it, cherishing it.

Tomorrow, #2.

Comments

[Emily]

oh, i love this!
can't wait for #2...

xo,
emily

[molly]

amen. can't wait to read the rest.