Published:
12/26/2011 01:39pm
Nine New Year's Resolutions for Creative Artists
“Creative artistry is a flowering plant that must be continually nurtured,” artistic coach and author Brian K. Hemphill states. To help artist improve their artistry for 2012, Hemphill offers nine New Year’s resolutions performers, visual artists, and writers can make to reinvigorate their artistry. “The nine resolutions are based on the nine root elements of artistry identified in my new book The Elements of Creative and Expressive Artistry: A Philosophy for Creating Everything Artistic,” Hemphill said.
The Elements of Creative and Expressive Artistry (www.ElementsOfArtistry.net) is an all-artist guide aimed at helping artists understand the nine fundamental elements common to all artistic disciplines and their significance to expressive artistry.
Here are Hemphill’s nine New Year’s resolutions:
Form
Resolution #1 – I will investigate a new or unfamiliar form related to my artistic discipline. (All art relies on the expression of form. If you are a classical singer, for example, explore Gregorian chant, or, more daringly, jazz.)
Composition
Resolution #2 – I will improve one compositional element to improve my artistic expression. (All art products and performances must be expressed through composition. For example, visual artists or writers can improve arrangement or movement in their compositions. Performers can also explore these elements through performance.)
Technique
Resolution #3 – I will improve my technique by increasing my knowledge, skills, or concentration. (Technique comprises three branch elements: technical knowledge, skill dexterity, and concentration. Set yourself to improve at least one of these aspects of your technique.)
Perception
Resolution #4 – I will restimulate my perceptions with new sensory experiences. (Perception is the artist’s ability to collect, interpret, and re-express artistic sensations. Rekindle your senses by visiting a museum, attending a dance or musical concert, or taking a walk in the woods.)
Emotionality
Resolution #5 – I will renew my feelings towards the simple, everyday acts and things I observe. (Emotional sensitivity impassions artistic expression. Reexamine your feelings when you observe the tenderness between a parent and a child or when you see a spontaneously act of kindness.)
Conscious Imagination
Resolution #6 – I will perform one adventurous experience to expand the capacity of my imagination. (Conscious imagination is the playground of adventures fueled by new experiences. Engage in one new experience related or not related to your art field. For example, sky diving or scuba diving can provide great adventure; but so can writing, painting, or dancing atop a mountain you climbed.)
Subconscious Imagination
Resolution #7 – I will foster an expectation to create a significant artistic breakthrough that transforms my artistic domain. (Creative breakthroughs and epiphanies arise from the subconscious imagination and often push the boundaries of art. This resolution is ambitious and may require 1, 5, or even ten years to accomplish. Accept that artistic accomplishment is a process.)
Spirituality
Resolution #8 – I will commit to my vision and actualize a challenging artistic project or performance. (Recognizing and acknowledging the role of spirituality in artistic expression is critical for personal growth. Commitment to a vision draws passion and inspiration to any artistic cause.)
Spontaneity
Resolution #9 – I will incorporate the values of play and an appreciation for the “aliveness of the moment” in my artistic work. (Spontaneity revitalizes artistic work by focusing on creativity in the moment. Experiment with bringing a sense of fun and creative abandonment to your work. Spontaneity is a vital element to cultivate.)
“Artists who are serious about progressive and steady development of their artistry would benefit greatly by preparing a yearly list of their artistic goals,” Hemphill said. "The Elements of Creative and Expressive Artistry is a resource that can speed up and deepen a
