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This is the 'manifesto' I mentioned in my last post. It's not about downing tools (paintbrushes, camera, keyboard etc.) but about eliminating motivations that may be confusing or destructive.

RELAXISM Manifesto

1. In the words of the French artist Ben, ‘Il y a trop d’art’.

2. Unless you’re one of the few exceptions, anything you do in the name of art is just a tiny stone chucked in a very big pool.

3. Once you’ve reminded yourself of your artistic insignificance, do what you want to do, but remember it’s a ‘want’ and not a ‘must’.

4. Don’t be a slave to some illusory need to justify your existence. Nor to the opinion of others.

5. Success and failure are relative concepts. Ignore them.

6. If you’re the perfectionist type, find a model that doesn’t constrain what you would do instinctively.

7. If you’re the instinctive type, don’t be bullied or demeaned by other people’s rules.

8. There is no law that states everything started must be finished. Value the incomplete.

9. Dip in and out. Meander. Explore. Take a break. Watch the birds.

10. Don’t berate yourself for not doing enough. And remember, more than enough is indulgence.

11. Do it anyway. If you want to.


If anyone would like to respond in any way please feel free to send me an email via the contact box on my website. To get to my website from the blog, click on ‘News, Views and Stuff’ at the top of this page.