To be an Artist Warrior is to be a consistent creator, supporter and protector — a warrior for creating beauty.
Do not take up this challenge lightly.
Artists are conduits of creation. To bring ideas into form you must release the comfort of routine, the 5 o’clock bell to end work. You will skip meals, forget to flush the toilet, and enter the realm of a humbled, Spirit-led life.
Friendships may end, people will mock, doubt will pull you to stop and give it up. Yet…
Hope remains, while the heart is true. True to what, true to Whom? That brings us to the question that will save you in the end:
Why do you want to create?
For the love of money or glamour? If so, thank you for reading this far and go have a nice day. We are all too aware now for that shallow thinking.
Dig in…deep. Behind mind and heart and soul — to your spirit.
Art is one of the fastest ways to shine your light, joy and wonder to the world. Good art bypasses the mind and goes straight to the heart — where beauty can be felt and experienced. Art that is loved and lived with, becomes a part of our conversation to encourage hearts to change.
Art ministers to the human spirit.
Art ministers to the human spirit. Like breathing, it brings life into what you do with your time and your hands. A creative dinner plate makes the food look and taste better, and even a new coat of paint on your car makes you feel better when you get behind the wheel. Art inspires hope that others can see and points to the faith behind the hope.
In the darkest spaces, art creates light.
Now more than ever, art has the ability to cross boundaries in language, religion and culture.
The power to touch to grief, anger and shame and in their place invite wonder, joy, hope and love.
When you create under the torchlight of truth, you’ll blaze an unstoppable path of creativity and transformation.
Stop wasting time.
It doesn’t matter if the glass is half full or half empty – drink it and get on with it!
Got the wrong brush to paint with, get out the scissors and trim it or use your hands.
No paint? Use pencil, clay, beet juice, use your voice, your smile!
Be Uncomfortable.
Toss the couch cushions and the remote.
Record your poem where it isn’t perfect – while you commute.
Sketch while you wait – for anything.
Take your art seriously and train like a warrior!
To explode your voice through creativity all over the world – you’ve got to be ready.
To support and ignite the creative spark in others, you have to be consistent.
Find your deeper reason.
Make your art be an answer to the children who are shooed away by bored adults who tell them, “It’s just picture’s honey, let’s go.”
Show those who feel helpless and paralyzed by circumstances or experiences, those whose gifts are frozen, their dreams in danger of crumbling like dust – show them it’s possible.
Show them your art, the tiniest spark of beauty, that inspires hope that lights the pilot light in their heart, like the flower coming up through the crack in the pavement – your art will make a difference – if only to plant the seed.
Release yourself from the outcome.
Do your work, share and move on. You cannot make someone see or believe or buy.
Share your best work, understanding that everything communicates and do it again the next day.
When you do your art, it makes an impact, whether you see it or not.
It might start small like the butterfly wing and it may first be only felt in your own heart.
Continue with it and your impact will deepen into a dent, your dent – and like a golf ball – the world needs lots of dents to fly far.
Start like an athlete
Eat healthy, drink clean water, get sleep, take care of your temple (your body) exercise, be diligent in your habits to support your best work. For me, starting with a daily dose of the word of God makes a huge difference.
Dig your toe in at the starting line and GO!
Keep moving.
Have the battle is beginning! A painting is paint on a brush that kept moving. Discouragement, self-sabotage, resistance and all related entities are the enemy. Deny them like sugar on a diet and pursue your mission.
Remember why you began.
Continually renew your commitment to sharing your gift. Before you can create well, feed your spirit, soul, mind and body with good food. Your purpose through art is to share hope.
What’s next?
Decide to take your next step. Begin, to create, to sell, whatever that is for you. Ready to claim your place as an artist and not sure how? > grab your free mini-course