The Artist's Manifesto

I am an artist. I guess you are too, because you’re reading this, even if you’re not presently calling yourself so. I’ve always been an artist, I felt it just like you do. That feeling of something bigger and broader, waiting for me.

That something inside me, a feeling that I can’t explain. It drew me to weird people, to freaks, people with tattoos and crazy hair and crazy clothes, to bars with alternative music, to lyrics of songs, to arty non conformist things.

To the hidden meaning in words and sentences, to a deeper reality that escapes most of the world. It all just felt like it was my place. Instead of following what felt natural I chose to fit in, to be normal, to get a job, to follow the pre written rules for survival and success. But it didn’t last.

Something else was calling, quietly, whispering to me to follow it. I had no choice, it expressed itself through my work by default. I committed to making the best things I possibly could. Attention to detail was paramount for me but those around me didn’t understand.
My customers, my employees, my friends - most of them wanted less than I was prepared to give. But I knew that it was right and proper to complete my work to the highest level possible.

I had no choice you see, I had to follow what my heart said.

However this caused problems for me. I was working in the world others made, and I was bound by the rules of that game. On one side I had this need to make unique things to a high standard, and on the other I had this idea that I needed to follow the rules.

This was like trying to ride two horses at the same time and it didn’t work. I ignored my inner voice for many years and made many wrong decisions.

After many years of hammering that square peg into a round hole I finally gave up and decided to follow the voice.

Have you ever felt like I did?
Are you tired of trying to make those shoes fit?
Is the constant need for acceptance killing your creativity?

If you’re fed up following the rules others made, if those shoes don’t fit anymore, and if you’re ready to follow your heart the read on.