The War of Art and The Lizard Brain

Material to stimulate Art - Continued

This is a repetition somewhat of a previous post with some additional material on the subject of guides for the production of Artistic Work.

The war of Art - Pressfield speaks of a tremendous animus force pushing headlong against our greatest need to create, trying to suppress us creating ( creating anything new whether an entrepreneurial venture or a sculpture or song).  Turning pro is a step in defeating this as is putting work out there to suceed or fail and mostly fail. Failing does not mean I'm a failure - in fact it probably is the opposite - the Lizard and the Resistance did not have their day in the sun either - so is it a draw or a win?  Pressfield  writes that fear is the thing we can use to indicate what we most need to do. Go in the uncomfortable direction - the road less traveled as it were.

Derek Sivers   says the same thing; his idea is to - do whatever excites you or makes you afraid - and if there's something that makes you uncomfortable versus the comfortable safe choice - take the more difficult choice. 

The litany of the saints of artist freedom:

• Derek Sivers
• Hugh McLeod
• Julia Cameron (!!!) 
• Steven Pressfield

Seth Godin also deserves  a mention - admitting though I want to  read a little more of him also. But he says ' Ship it" which as my colleague Tim equates with "Git 'er done" and brings me to the next gentleman writing about procrastination -

The Lefestz Letter is also cool for a really down to earth and realistic look at music industry hyperbole.

Finally Dan Kimpel is another cool soul to catch up with especially for songsters - he really gets into the heart and souls of Songwriters - Go Dan! he the man for networking!

As I write this I am aware I am in exalted internet blogger and artistic company, it's good to have human templates to aspire to as the heavenly helpers may seem very far away - I am following and trying to learn to live an integrated life & walk in their shoes. These writers and bloggers have all helped me in different ways to get through the valley of the day job and now helping me find handholds and paths in the night fog of the pro-artist.

It also has to be said a spirituality is really important; as it used to be called - faith and hope. Pressfield says the muses and higher powers are there to help us -

Yea though I walk in the shadow of no day job I fear no evil for thy rod and thy staff are there to comfort me... 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.