Rule no.0035 – Stick with the Fundamentals
From the unpublished manuscript 4,040 Rules of Art Conduct
Rule no.0035 - Stick with the Fundamentals
It can sometimes feel intimidating to consider all of the complex things that a creative could learn from the other masters that have come before us. But all you really need to do is stick with the continuous practice of the foundational elements and principles. This is where all of the power is and always has been.
I studied a Japanese martial arts called Yamate ryu aikijutsu for a few years in the 1990’s. Our dojo was in the beautiful mountains of southern Colorado. Our sensei used to tell us that he was going to always repeat certain principles and certain techniques throughout our training because they were the core of the art. He said the core of the art, the fundamentals of the art must always be practiced, mastered and fully ingrained in the student because all advanced practices, the more complex practices were all merely extensions and variations of the foundational teachings.
All others arts are the same way. The most powerful part of any of the arts is that part which is the seemingly most simple, rudimentary and basic techniques and principles that form the foundation of that art. These foundational theories, ideas and techniques when deeply examined, questioned and practiced will open endless vistas of exploration.
from the unpublished 4,040 Rules of Art Conduct
My secret plan is to eventually make the posts in the Touchonian a book about the Creative Lifestyle for Artists. You, my favorite readers, are privy to the book in it’s formation. I would really appreciate your help by making comments, asking questions and suggesting topics I should explore and write about. It is hard for me to dream up what artists need and want to know to keep going and keep creating. I have fifty years of figuring out all of the details I needed to keep going and become self-sustaining as an artist and want to share enough insight to smooth the path for others facing this complicated, daunting task of being a self-sustaining artist. I know from experience it can feel overwhelming, unreachable and even depressing. So feel free to say or ask something! Thanks in advance.