By Nick “Furious” Meyers
This is Furious again for another installment of blogbomb. This week I want to explore something necessary for understanding how to sustain as an artist. That is the art of self education or being an autodidact. Autodidact(s) are those fearless souls willing to take charge and self educate on any number of causes. We artists need to be continually autodidact in order to stay relevant. If we aren’t growing we are dying so keep expanding and never stop if you wish to stay on the cutting edge.
Slipping and Cruising
After so many years of being an artist we may slip and begin to cruise and are simply on auto pilot as far as our craft is concerned. I believe that it is necessary for growth and longevity of all artists to be willing to try new things. Be brave and if it feels weird at least try it momentarily. Own each attempt even if you feel awkward or out of place. If it’s new, it’s most likely gonna hurt a little at first but when you’re done you see immediate and exponential results.
Along with being brave and attempting uncomfortable new angles and twisty approaches we must also feed the creation bank. We internalize a lot more than we are aware of and that is the best way to empathize and connect with emotions and ideas to use as motivation. But we must actively go beyond the easy and embrace the challenge and benefit of out sourcing. Autodidacts must seek new books to read, new articles to ingest, rediscovered an old journal entry, watch a documentary about something they never thought or cared about, study a martial art, make a connection with other human beings.
Feeding the Pysche
The idea is to force feed the psyche with abundant amounts of knowledge from traditional to the absurd thus connecting you to additional realms. Actively reacting to your environment and connecting new synapses.
Practical use of your craft is a must. Daily we need to find time to produce, write, record, compose or create something new. It doesn’t have to be for anyone other than you but it must come with intent. If we do not have time to formally create due to our schedules and whatnot then take time to freestyle or improv something that you do during the day. The more we push ourselves the more we expand. Maria Popova says about journaling that it allows us to be in a state of solitude, alone with our thoughts, this stimulates new, fresh ideas and increases productivity.
Most of us internally know this but it’s a great reminder for us and possibly a teaching moment for those up and coming artists out there how are seeking direction. Stay autodidactic and open to any possibility. If you do this you will not only be more informed about the world but you will truly be able to expand and command your craft. Good luck.
*****
Nick “Furious” Meyers
505-515-4458
CEO FuriousStylz Entertainment
And BNN Music
http://www.bandwidthnoname.com
Nick “Furious” Meyers
Nick “Furious” Meyers is a longtime veteran of the New Mexico Music scene. Nick has worked with Community Publishing in the past, having served as the Audio Engineer on the multimedia children’s book, Fiona the Funkadelic Freckile Fairy. Nick is currently working working as the Audio Engineer on the Animated multimedia book, Bella the Caterpillar (written by 7yr old Marisol Paramo) to be published in the late Fall by Community Publishing: From the Community For the Community!
Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.
We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market.
#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org
