Marlo Johnson - Create Now!: A Systematic Guide to Artistic Audacity

Copyright 2016 by Marlo Johnson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-4521-5268-4 (epub, mobi)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.

ISBN: 978-1-4521-4602-7 (pb)

Book design by ALSO

Chronicle Books LLC
680 Second Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com

This book is fairly short, and youll soon discover why. I wanted to create a simple but thorough system you can use every day that doesnt require weeks or months to complete. You can use it to create easier, more inspired, and more effective work now, but you can also use the process over a longer period of time to attain deeper and more profound results. You can go beyond just creatingto sharing your work, selling it, and using it as a tool for positive change. You can gradually peel back the layers that are keeping you from your full potential, taking the process exactly as far as you choose.

This book was written with artists in mind, but it can be used by anyone who desires to have more creativity, clarity, and inspiration in what they dowith less procrastination! If you feel blocked in any part of your practice, from finding the original spark of inspiration to getting paid, this manual can help you through it. This guide is designed to be used for your creative tasks, but with enough practice, you will find that a more creative and positive state becomes a natural part of life in all you do.

, answering the questions and following the corresponding instructions. This is meant to be done daily or every time you start a creative session until the process becomes second nature.

Inspiration is not somewhere out there, waiting to be found. You are a powerful and creative being alreadyso much so that you can even create the illusion that you are not. These techniques are designed to allow you to strip away this illusion, to help you realize the gifts you already have, and to allow your work to flow from a higher level of consciousness.

Using your own words, set the intention to let go of all blocks and negativity that are obscuring your creativity now. Then begin...

STEP

Do you have any basic physical needs to take care of at this moment?

1. A No. I feel great!
2. B I could be better.
3. C I feel horrible!

INSTRUCTIONS

A Fantastic! Move on to Step 2.

B Do you need food, hydration, sleep, coffee, exercise, or something else? Fix what you can and then move on to Step 2.

C Perhaps you have more important things to deal with right now. Take care of whatever needs you can and then start over when youre feeling better.

STEP

Do you have any emotional or mental needs to take care of at this time?

1. A No. I am happy and peaceful.
2. B I could be better.
3. C I am losing my mind!

INSTRUCTIONS

A Lovely! Move on to Step 3.

B Perhaps you know exactly whats wrong or are just vaguely unwell. Either way, I recommend some therapeutic writing. On some loose paper, get out all the random thoughts, pent up emotions, and subconscious fears. Vent, scribble, doodle, explore. Dont judge it. Just purge anything and everything that comes to mind until you have nothing left. Be as ridiculous and extreme as you can! Let it all flow without hesitation and consider burning the evidence when you are done. Then continue to Step 3.

C Take some deep breaths. Maybe theres some serious stuff going on in your life, but lets focus on being okay for just this moment. Keep breathing and surrender to what is right now, as much as you can. Giving yourself love and compassion should always be a priority. When youre ready, start again from Step 1.

STEP

Do you have a clear vision of what you would like to create and why? Do you know your purpose?

1. A I have it all figured out!
2. B I have a vague idea.
3. C I have no clue!

INSTRUCTIONS

A Good job! If you havent yet, write this out as a mission statement for your practice and place it near your workspace as a reminder. Then move along to Step 4.

B Its time to narrow your focus. Create a mission statement for your creative practice. It should embody the highest goals of your life and work and give you purpose. What are you most passionate about? Ideally, what would your work be able to achieve for yourself or others? There is no right or wrong type of mission statement, and it can change over time. When you are done, put your mission statement somewhere as a reminder, and then move on to Step 4.

C A naturally flowing art practice should reflect who you are in the rest of your life, so lets start with that. What is important to you as a person? What do you think the world needs more of? What are you most passionate about? Find out what your priorities are and use them as a guide to write out a general list of themes that you may wish to explore creatively. Then return to Step 1.

STEP

So, you have a general direction for your work. Do you have the skills and technical information to execute it?

1. A I sure do!
2. B I dont feel super confident about that.
3. C Definitely not.

INSTRUCTIONS

A Fantastic! Move on to Step 5.

B It sounds as if you need to practice some techniques! Dont be afraid of making mistakes. Do some experimenting, create some mock-ups, or find some other way to practice without pressure or expectations. If you lack the right knowledge, youll soon find out what information you should seek. When finished, return to Step 1.

C Youll find an abundance of resources available these days, from library books to online video tutorials. Use your creativity to find an interesting and fun way to get the skills you need. Dont be afraid to play around and make mistakes. If youre not sure what you lack, just try learning as you go! You can always stop and do some research. Take at least one step right now toward gaining the skills you need. When you are ready, return to the beginning of .

STEP

Do you feel ready to create something amazing yet?

1. A Heck yes!
2. B I feel great, but I dont know how to start.
3. C I suck, and/or this sucks.

INSTRUCTIONS

A Magnificent! Make sure you have everything you need and put aside all distractions. Set a goal for this session, take some deep breaths, and let the inspiration flow. You will know what to do. If your creative session flows well and you achieve todays goal, thats it! Simply repeat .

B Prepare your space, free yourself of distractions, and take some breaths. Set a goal for this creative session, clear your mind, and then let go of all expectations of what might happen. When you feel ready, just start! You are opening the doors, and the inspiration will flow on its own. If you get stuck at all, use each time you set out to work until you think your project is complete.

C Its time to get more serious. Dig deeply into your negative core beliefs and emotions. Do you have healing that needs to be done? Do you feel negativity that needs to be released? Using any medium you like, make some art to work out some of this stuff now. Your art doesnt have to be goodjust use it to explore and release the heaviness you are carrying. For the maximum benefit, include as much extreme negativity as you can muster! Make it so ridiculously negative that you cant help but laugh. Feel free to destroy it when you are done. When you are ready, start again from the beginning.