IATW Manifesto
It dawned on me that I need to work on an “artist’s statement.” Which isn’t the typical kind of me-me-me statement about my aesthetic. It’s more of a discussion (treatise?) on why creativity is so important to me and why it can be, should be vital to others.
I have a new book from Amazon entitled The Creative Family
But what does one do when the kids are older and more to themselves in terms of their inner life? When they need and want to separate from mom/dad, and when one is looking at the mid-point? In 10 or 12 years, the kids will be gone — either grown or left home. Or both. What then? “Is that all there is?”
Hell no. And “I Am This Woman” is the statement, the anthem, the battle cry, the slogan that says I am me, inside here. A woman (or man — I’m not excluding men, per se, stay tuned) thinks: “I’m not just an anything — not just a mother, educator, professional, worker, writer or domestic goddess. I’m way more than that, and the sum of those parts is far greater than it seems. I’m not just a woman either… I am THIS woman. I’ve matured, I’ve made decisions, I’ve lived. I’ve struggled through pain, I’ve had great ideas, I’ve had a small degree (or large-ish) of fame, and I’ve loved. Hard.
“I’ve given pleasure, I’ve received it from people, places and fine things. When trouble arises, I hurt acutely, I think deep thoughts. I have a relationship with nature, God, religion, the Spirit. What I have learned is important. It keeps me going, it helps me to survive my past, and I have much to share with others. I treasure life and my experiences.”
And to keep going, to keep alive, to keep flowing, to live now, THIS woman must assemble and garner her inner resources and talents, and bring them to bear on the present, to shape the future. She creates in order to have direction and focus. Or she will wither and all that work, energy, heart and spirit will die.
Traditionally, women have had less opportunity, though they possess insight and depth in equal and in different measure. Careers, families and obligations can indeed temporarily blind us from our true selves, but in the end, as Jimmie Dale Gilmore sings, “even when you’re laying with somebody, you have to go to sleep alone.” We are, ultimately, stuck with just ourselves. And so my belief is that we ought to bloody well like who we are, what we’re doing and where we’re going.
What I’ve been working on, slowly and in tiny increments, is a course of study that explores the ordinary kind of creative spirit in all of us — even if we cannot draw, paint, sew, sing, play or whatever — we do indeed have the same kind of brain (for the most part) that can do all of those things.
So, this course (focus group, direction, workshop, tutorial, discussion group, whatever it becomes) will provide research about the brain, exercises/projects/techniques to unlock creative potential and a community that will act as inspiration, support, lightning rod and teapot. It will not be a sewing circle, though sewing may be discussed. It will be a home-grown grassroots think tank, and fount of personal wisdom, growth and satisfaction.
That’s the plan, and that’s what I am working on uncovering as I examine my own creative process, through mastering my crafts (writing and food), and take up new ones (painting, music, voice, handwork).
Even after Holidailies is over, I hope readers will keep checking this blog for more info. Now that I’ve planted the seed, let’s see what grows.