Season of Showing Up

with Messy Collaboration

Step one to being an artist is showing up. It’s the foundation of what we do. From the book, Art & Fear:

Those who continue to make art are those who have learned how to continue – or more precisely, have learned how not to quit.

– David Bayles & Ted Orland

Being an artist means showing up. Again and again. Continuously. And not quitting.

It sounds so straightforward, yet it’s not necessarily something that comes naturally. It’s simple, but not easy. But you’re special. You’re someone who can do hard things. And you have the entire community of Messians who have your back.

In a world that touts the all or nothing mindset, we have to learn that even doing a little bit is enough. Making the decision to create for five minutes is worthy of celebration. Showing up is the good bit.

This season is a set of 21 micro-challenges. Check back each day here for your task. These challenges are small on purpose. They are here as sparks. It doesn’t matter how much you do, just that you show up and create something.

Class Lessons

Introduction
Micro Challenges

Messy Collaboration

We call ourselves Messians. We’ve held solo and group gallery shows, published books, been in magazines and actual newspapers, created online art schools (and art communities of our own), been featured by Instagram, led retreats, sold our art, collaborated with other artists, quit our job for art, and taught art live.

Mainly, we’ve created a LOT of art.