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Art Nurture Manifesto...or better yet, what I'm all about and what I'm trying to do here!

3/30/2014

19 Comments

 

Art Nurture Manifesto
...or better yet, what I'm all about and what I'm trying to do here! 

I recently found a collage from when I was age 6. I am certain of this because I had scrawled my age on the back of it, something most artists stop doing after age 10. The collage was made using a combination of magazine cut outs and crayon...nicely glued down, then laminated for archival purposes.

On that collage was a cut out picture of a dog. Another of a horse. Another of a chocolate dessert. Another of a cup of coffee. And a cut out of the word "Art". So really, not much has changed for me over the last 24 years. 

I share this with you, because I am a real live person on the other end over here and I want you to get to know more about what Art Nurture is all about and what I am trying to do here. 

Truth is, all of us were kids once. With collages and hopes and dreams. I love that kid part of each of us. It's so alive and authentic. It's so in tune with the real us. 

Art Nurture is not about perfection. If you've ever met me or worked with me, you know I am not perfect. Some of you know more than others just how imperfect I really am...yikes! Thanks for still being there.

Here at Art Nurture, you will be wildly embraced in your imperfections...as well as given a kick in the pants to not let them hold you back. Oh no, embrace them and walk on, my friends!

Art Nurture is not about showing off, but it is about showing up and 
truly shining your unique light.

I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for you tracking with me on my Art Nurture Journey and sharing with me your Art Nurture Journey. 

I am learning too. In fact, I'm committed deeply to learning all about this stuff because it has changed my life and I just cannot help but share it. That doesn't mean I will be perfect all the time, but that does mean I will be present. So, whether you've been along for this ride for a while or you are just jumping on the trail here, glad to have you. 

You are important. Your art is important. The world needs you to be fully alive in your unique creativity and to give each of us your unique art. 

Figuring that out and living that out is quite a beautiful process. 

It is just that, a process. Not a wham bam overnight revelation. 
Engage in the process daily. It's incremental. It can be hard work. But don't fret, there are resources for all of that and encouragement to go along with it, with a healthy dose of accountability if you need it too!

Because of all of this, I am currently working on restructuring some of the ways I work with you, the Art Nurture Community! I want to figure out the best ways to continue to nurture community and share this Art Nurture goodness all around. It's my heart to serve, inspire, equip, and empower you to live out your Art Nurture Journey fully.

Some neat-o things are in the works. More one-on-one sessions, more group and community building, more chances to connect and cultivate. 

I'll be adding more to this Art Nurture Manifesto as this process progresses. This is a conversation, feel free to leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, or something you would like to see happen here...I'm all ears. 

Make sure to jump on the Art Nurture e-mail list to receive up to date Art Nurture goodness directly to your inbox.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture, 
Court McCracken
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19 Comments
Sonja Keller link
3/31/2014 09:52:56 pm

Hey Court, Love your work as always. I particularly love the fact that you say what we do can be imperfect and lets embrace that. I happen to think that imperfection in art can be someone else's perfection, so celebrate it all I say!

Reply
Court link
4/7/2014 05:07:14 am

Absolutely! Some of the best things I've ever done were accidents and they happened in the midst of being engaged in process fully, not focusing on outcome. If we worry to much about perfection and imperfection (yada yada!) we miss out on process.... We've just gotta trust the process.

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Sarah Koszyk link
4/1/2014 04:59:49 am

Love this! It's totally all about just showing up and letting yourself go. Thanks for the inspiration to remember to be free :)

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Court link
4/7/2014 05:18:00 am

Yes! A lot of my most "productive" time as an artist is spent showing up (even if only for an hour!) and letting go into that present space and time in total creative freedom. Sometimes, I will set a timer if I have to be somewhere else later, so that I don't distract myself with looking at the clock or worrying about it, so that I can truly be free in the time I have.

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lily
4/1/2014 06:45:52 am

Yes to being fully alive in our art, however we define that for ourselves! :)

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Court link
4/7/2014 05:24:35 am

Absolutely! I look back at how I responded years ago, when I was in pain or sad or confused my inclination was to numb it somehow, to make it go away. Now I realize that being fully alive means that you can accept and love those feelings as a way of guiding and teaching, growing into a more fully alive self! Grateful for each human feeling, realizing that what I once thought of as "bad emotions" are just as significant as the "happy" or "good" ones.

Reply
Sam link
4/1/2014 04:01:02 pm

I love this. You're so right that art is about showing up and shining your light - it's not about perfection and sadly that is what holds so many of us back! Great post. xx

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Court link
4/7/2014 05:32:23 am

Sam,
Spot on! Most folks I talk with say they would do something or wish they could do something, but they "worry" they wont be any good! I ask them why they want to do it in the first place. They usually say, because they have always wanted to or because it sounds fun. Then I say, "Well, that's reason enough!". No need for perfection here. Perfectionists need not apply : )

Reply
Krystal Bernier link
4/2/2014 06:49:51 am

Well said and I am looking forward to the exciting things you have in store for us :-)

Reply
Court link
4/7/2014 05:38:08 am

Yes, Krystal! I have been working on some new one-on-one session structures, as well as some exciting group courses...all focused on each person finding that beautiful dance-like footing on their unique creative journey!

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Camesha link
4/2/2014 06:12:12 pm

Showing our imperfections only make us so much easier to relate to! Great points here!

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Court link
4/7/2014 05:42:28 am

Yes, Camesha...I'm always relieved when the people I admire who have done some neat-o stuff with their life, let us know they are humans. Truthfully, that is what's so cool about any of us people-types getting neat stuff done in the world...that we can all do it in the midst of struggle, within our imperfections, despite challenges or doubts. That is what makes us so stinkin' magnificent : )

Reply
Artist Desiree East link
4/3/2014 11:07:57 am

Beautiful Manifesto, Court!!

Reply
Court link
4/7/2014 05:52:02 am

Thanks so much, Desiree! I cannot wait to hang out with you online next week for Vision Board Dreams!

Reply
Amber Kane link
4/3/2014 11:28:23 am

Loved reading about your journey. So fun to look back on the things that you created as a child!

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Court link
4/7/2014 05:54:35 am

I know, Amber, isn't it so beautiful to see the authenticity that shines through us so easily when we are little? I don't know why I was so surprised to find that collage...Just goes to show, I knew what was up when I was 6 and just had to find it all over again when I became "all grown up" !

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silvia link
4/3/2014 11:49:00 am

Court, I just love how comfortable you are with being perfectly imperfect. That is a wonderful trait and gift you give to the world.

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Court link
4/7/2014 05:55:48 am

Yes, getting more comfortable every day : ) and loving it more and more!

Reply
Ryan
4/23/2014 02:21:43 pm

This has to be my new meditation mantra: "It's a process, it's a process, it's a process." :)

Reply



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