This is a quote from author Frankey Schaeffer's book "Addicted to Mediocrity".
I read this last week and it may just have changed my life about how I think of my creative gifts and started me in a new direction.
Perhaps it can help you if you have ever wondered what to do, waited for recognition, or doubted if you will ever "make it" with your talents.
--
And now a word to my fellow artists and those employed or hoping to be employed in some professional capacity in the arts, field of expression and communications, and also to those who, while living in different professions, have artistic and creative urges and interests personally (therefore, I trust, everyone).
"The world has had many kings," said his contemporary Aretino, "But only one Michelangelo."
Do not be discouraged. History is on your side. God has given you a talent. You are important to him and live in the court of God, not the court of men. You cannot wait for the Sanhedrin's approval.
By expressing yourself as an artist and by expressing those talents God has given you, you are praising him. Whether what you express is "religious" or "secular", as a Christian you are praising him. Everything is his.
The church's attitude toward the arts, the narrow-mindedness of it, the demand for slogans and justification, the utilitarianism, the programs, the guilt-ridden view of all life is unchristian, unbiblical, ungodly, and wrong. Do not let this suppress you, as a member of this generation of creative people, the way it has suppressed so many in the recent past. You must press on.
Remember that as a creative person, the important thing is to create.
Who see what you make, where it goes and what it does is a secondary consideration; the first is to exercise the talent God has given you.
You cannot expect too much too soon. It is the lifelong body of work that counts. It is that body of work whose expression means something and changes cultures in which we live in terms of bearing fruit. One individual work cannot say everything.
Your work will vary, one day to express something rather important to you personally and perhaps less important to the world around you, perhaps another time to wrestle with a weighty issue.
There is no right or wrong method. There is no Christian or unchristian subject matter (except for the area of art work or expression that would deliberately have as its primary purpose to lead people away from the truth).
You are tremendously free, you are the most free, for you have from on which to build your freedom, you know who you are, you know where your talent comes from, you know that you and your talent will live forever.
You know that God has placed worth on you; you know creativity, unlike so many things in the fallen world, did not come from the Fall, but was something there when God before he created, with him when he created, and that he has given to man as his creature. It will be there in the new heavens and the new earth.
Your creative talent, exercised and worked on in this life, is something you will take with you. Unlike money, or spiritual slogans, it is eternal.
Produce, produce, produce. Create, create, create. Work, work, work. This is what we must do as Christians in the arts, with or without the support of the church, we are to exercise our God-given talent, praise him through it, enjoy it, bear fruit in the age in which we live.
It is a worthwhile fight, and more than a fight it is an enjoyment of a good and gracious gift from our heavenly Father, freely given, to be enjoyed, practiced, and treasured.
When you get discouraged as a Christian in the arts, consider the heritage in which you stand. Bathe in the knowledge that for centuries Christians have practiced and nurtured the arts with faithfulness, and that now you carry this torch forward. Take courage from this. Take courage from the creativity and beauty of God's world around us. Take courage from the creativity of other people.
If any single group of people are in tune with God himself, certainly it is those Christians who enjoy, practice or simply appreciate creativity."
--
Wow, if that doesn't hit you where you live in some area as a creative person, nothing will.
Makes you just want to go create the art YOU know God made you for doesn't it?
Well, then go do it! Quit waiting for the approval of the church, your friends, or your spouse, and just do it.
Forget money! Forget iTunes! Forget the narrow parameters of what the secular and church marketplace will "allow" to be presented to the world.
God gave you this gift, and this more than anything we have besides our devotion for God is what we will work on this this life, and take and use for ETERNITY!
Huge huh?
What an idea to think the Creator have us this gift, and that it is a pure and eternal gift.
Get busy folks. I know I will be!
Have a great week!
EC
----
Eric Copeland is a producing, producing, producing and also creating, creating, creating. His company Creative Soul revels in their creativity and can help you develop yours. Check them out at http://www.CreativeSoulOnline.com, and also the artists they've helped create at http://www.CreativeSoulRecords.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
For the Creative Soul > Time for a Turnaround
Depending on where you live, you may or may not feel like there's been a bit of an economic turnaround this summer.
But I'm sure many of you are ready for an artistic/ministry/life turnaround.
Things have ground to a halt creatively, quality wise, or simply just are sitting stagnant period.
Why isn't anyone paying attention??
You've ramped up what you do as best you can, but still there seems to be no result.
What I've seen for 30 years with all the clients and employers I've worked with is that sometimes you need a Dramatic Transformation ("more than meets the eye" if you will. Sorry, saw Transformers on vacation...)
This goes beyond spending more money, making more money, or even getting accolades.
The object here is not to please people, but totally blow them away in every respect.
We talk alot about how quality makes a difference with almost everyone, from the casual listener, to the hardened gatekeeper. This is where things start to turn around.
I've written before about "Jesus, CEO", by Laurie Beth Jones that I read each morning as a devotional. One chapter is "He Was a Turnaround Specialist".
"In almost every situation in which Jesus found himself, his job was to turn things around. In fact, that was his specialty.
"The people have forgotten who I am. Turn it around.
"There is a little girl dying. Turn it around.
"People are dishonoring the temple. Turn it around.
"We are each called to be turnaround specialists. When we are faced with difficult situations, we should rejoice, because that's what we're here for.
"We each have within us the power to turn things around. In fact, if Jesus is our coach and Lord, it should be our specialty."
This resonated with me quite profoundly. I even wrote a song about it with one of our Creative Soul artists, Stephanie Newton, on her record "Fairytale Life"! Check out "Turn It Around" by clicking on the title of this blog.
I've always felt that my role with folks I work for is to not just help out, take their money, or press the record button and say go, but to really improve them greatly. Not just a little, but ALOT!
At GMA Week this year I was stopped by a very successful indie artist in recent years. He said, "Hey, I just have to tell you. If there was a show called "Extreme Artist Makeover: Indie Edition", you would OWN that show!" He was referring to a recent "makeover" I have done with an artist named Drew Davidsen.
I met Drew a few years ago at IndieHeaven's CIA Summit here in Franklin, TN. He was trying to make a solid move into being a smooth jazz artist, and since I do some of that kind of music myself, we obviously got to talking.
About a year ago, I offered Drew a deal to work together, but gave him some very strict parameters of what I would expect to be involved.
Now, this is not something I usually do, but I had comments on his sound quality, professionalism, playing, appearance, and (gasp) even his weight.
To his credit, Drew took every comment and worked on every one to a tee.
He spent some $$ on players (mainly bass and drums), he lost somewhere around 50+ pounds, he cut and dyed his hair, and really woodshedded on his guitar playing.
The result is a new CD we have coming out in about a month, a radio single climbing up the contemporary jazz charts, a scheduled appearance at the prestigious Catalina Jazz festival, a publicist and radio programmer foaming at the mouth, and opportunities flying at him so fast he's having to duck.
As anybody who has known Drew over the past few years knows, this is quite a turnaround. But he worked for it, and I have a feeling he will work even harder now.
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Quote from Seneca, Oprah, or Benjamin Franklin depending on who you ask (actually I don't know if it's from Franklin, but all quotes sound good when you say Benjamin Franklin said them.)
Bottom-line, Drew decided it was time for a turnaround. He wanted to not just do a little better, but completely and remarkably transform his music, ministry, and his life.
How about you? Is it time for a turnaround?
Have a great week!
EC
----
Eric Copeland is a turnaround specialist, and his goal as a company, and his personal mission, is to remarkably transform whoever needs help. Whether it's an artist, musician, church, or company. For the past 30 years Eric has been helping those he works with see a dramatic turnaround in their music, ministry, and business.
For more info check out http://www.CreativeSoulOnline.com. To see artists who have already gone through this transformation, check out http://www.CreativeSoulRecords.com
For more information on Drew Davidsen, check out http://www.DrewDavidsen.com or http://www.CreativeSoulJazz.com
But I'm sure many of you are ready for an artistic/ministry/life turnaround.
Things have ground to a halt creatively, quality wise, or simply just are sitting stagnant period.
Why isn't anyone paying attention??
You've ramped up what you do as best you can, but still there seems to be no result.
What I've seen for 30 years with all the clients and employers I've worked with is that sometimes you need a Dramatic Transformation ("more than meets the eye" if you will. Sorry, saw Transformers on vacation...)
This goes beyond spending more money, making more money, or even getting accolades.
The object here is not to please people, but totally blow them away in every respect.
We talk alot about how quality makes a difference with almost everyone, from the casual listener, to the hardened gatekeeper. This is where things start to turn around.
I've written before about "Jesus, CEO", by Laurie Beth Jones that I read each morning as a devotional. One chapter is "He Was a Turnaround Specialist".
"In almost every situation in which Jesus found himself, his job was to turn things around. In fact, that was his specialty.
"The people have forgotten who I am. Turn it around.
"There is a little girl dying. Turn it around.
"People are dishonoring the temple. Turn it around.
"We are each called to be turnaround specialists. When we are faced with difficult situations, we should rejoice, because that's what we're here for.
"We each have within us the power to turn things around. In fact, if Jesus is our coach and Lord, it should be our specialty."
This resonated with me quite profoundly. I even wrote a song about it with one of our Creative Soul artists, Stephanie Newton, on her record "Fairytale Life"! Check out "Turn It Around" by clicking on the title of this blog.
I've always felt that my role with folks I work for is to not just help out, take their money, or press the record button and say go, but to really improve them greatly. Not just a little, but ALOT!
At GMA Week this year I was stopped by a very successful indie artist in recent years. He said, "Hey, I just have to tell you. If there was a show called "Extreme Artist Makeover: Indie Edition", you would OWN that show!" He was referring to a recent "makeover" I have done with an artist named Drew Davidsen.
I met Drew a few years ago at IndieHeaven's CIA Summit here in Franklin, TN. He was trying to make a solid move into being a smooth jazz artist, and since I do some of that kind of music myself, we obviously got to talking.
About a year ago, I offered Drew a deal to work together, but gave him some very strict parameters of what I would expect to be involved.
Now, this is not something I usually do, but I had comments on his sound quality, professionalism, playing, appearance, and (gasp) even his weight.
To his credit, Drew took every comment and worked on every one to a tee.
He spent some $$ on players (mainly bass and drums), he lost somewhere around 50+ pounds, he cut and dyed his hair, and really woodshedded on his guitar playing.
The result is a new CD we have coming out in about a month, a radio single climbing up the contemporary jazz charts, a scheduled appearance at the prestigious Catalina Jazz festival, a publicist and radio programmer foaming at the mouth, and opportunities flying at him so fast he's having to duck.
As anybody who has known Drew over the past few years knows, this is quite a turnaround. But he worked for it, and I have a feeling he will work even harder now.
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Quote from Seneca, Oprah, or Benjamin Franklin depending on who you ask (actually I don't know if it's from Franklin, but all quotes sound good when you say Benjamin Franklin said them.)
Bottom-line, Drew decided it was time for a turnaround. He wanted to not just do a little better, but completely and remarkably transform his music, ministry, and his life.
How about you? Is it time for a turnaround?
Have a great week!
EC
----
Eric Copeland is a turnaround specialist, and his goal as a company, and his personal mission, is to remarkably transform whoever needs help. Whether it's an artist, musician, church, or company. For the past 30 years Eric has been helping those he works with see a dramatic turnaround in their music, ministry, and business.
For more info check out http://www.CreativeSoulOnline.com. To see artists who have already gone through this transformation, check out http://www.CreativeSoulRecords.com
For more information on Drew Davidsen, check out http://www.DrewDavidsen.com or http://www.CreativeSoulJazz.com
Sunday, June 21, 2009
For the Creative Soul > Better is Better
“Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer.” - Rick Pitino
“The test of the artist does not lie in the will with which he goes to work, but in the excellence of the work he produces.” - St. Thomas Aquinas
“Bigger isn’t better. Better is Better.” - Keith Mohr, Indieheaven
Everyone who fist emails any of us in the industry basically wants to know the secret of how they can improve?
They think they know.
They think the answer is to become bigger. Spend more. Get more radio play. Get into stores. Get more publicity.
But that’s really not it at all.
The way to get better is to work hard at your craft and literally become better at it.
Sound like I’m talking in circles?
Well, playing or singing scales isn’t much different. Music is literally a “circle of fifths”.
But it’s the same with any creative talent: singing, dancing, drawing, technical, playing...it all boils down to how long you practice your craft.
Now, there are certainly prodigies out there,. You know those kids with natural talent that make you never want to play again? But even they have probably put in years of scales, training, and lessons behind the scenes to achieve what you see as an amazing “natural” talent.
Now if you’re tuning me out here because you say, oh here we go, another ‘you’ll never be any good if you don’t work at it’ speech.
Well, yeah! That’s EXACTLY what I’m saying. Quit whining and listen up slackers!
Every single day I see an email from someone saying “I just want to use the talents God gave me and get it out to the world.”
A fine and noble statement.
But if that isn’t backed up with hard work, rugged determination, a solid sense of exactly who you are, that fine and noble statement will echo harmlessly down the halls of your empty ambition.
(And the award for Best Dramatic Line in a Blog or Online Post goes to...Eric Copeland!!!)
But seriously, there has to be a plan.
Have you ever thought, “I would like to get out there and use this talent, but I am absolutely alone in this. Who do I even see or talk to?”
That’s when you seek out folks who can help. Consult with you, look at your creative work, and help you get a real sense of what you have and how best to hone it.
This should NOT be someone looking to “make you a star”, “sign you to something”, or “hook you up with someone who can take you somewhere”. The answer is to do some research and find someone you feel you can trust to give you answers and direction on how to get Better.
“When in doubt, just take the next small step.” - Regina Brett
If you have been doing this, and know the direction you need to go, but keep running into roadblocks, maybe it’s time to look at the quality of your materials. Are they top notch? Can they be Better?
And yes, I know all this costs money. I’m an artist too and write songs and books I’d like to get out there. So, I work on writing, arranging, save up $, and get it out there.
Maybe (gasp) you don’t do a 10-song CD. Maybe you approach it a song or two at a time. Just keep in mind, it has to be Better than what you had before.
Yes, Aunt Margaret loved the last CD you recorded in an hour using your ukulele and two cans tied between string. But that won’t help you move to where you want to be.
Computers and software have made it possible for complete beginners to make much cleaner demos and recordings that ever before. The days of getting laughable demos are becoming a dim memory.
But even if you could buy a complete top of the line music computer system, you still have to know not only how to operate it, but have amazing material and be able to play the instruments, plus it wouldn’t hurt if you could actually sing.
I know of exactly ZERO people who can do ALL that (except for a few freak producer/artists like Prince, who has been honing his craft for only 30 years or so...)
Maybe it’s time for you to make a bigger step than you have before.
"Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small steps." - David Lloyd George, former Prime Minister of England
So, are you ready to get Batter?
In Rory Nolan’s great book “Heart of the Artist”, he writes: “Pursuing excellence means we do our best with what we have, to the glory of God. He is worthy of our very best. We serve an ultimately creative God. When He created the world, He imbued it with breathtaking beauty and awe-inspiring majesty. God didn’t just throw things together when He created the universe. He modeled creative excellence for us. Seven times during the Genesis account of creation, God stands back, looks at what He created, and says, “It is good.” It’s obvious that we serve a God who delights in creativity and values doing things with excellence.”
Nolans goes on to quote Proverbs 22:29. “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” When we do things with excellence, the world will sit up and take notice, and we can point them to the God who created us, gifted us, and loves us.”
Wow. That kind of says it all.
So this week, this month, this year, consider taking a further step of excellence.
Get Better.
Have a great week!
EC
---
Eric Copeland is a producer, arranger, songwriter, and pursuer of excellence who works with songwriters, and artists of all kinds to help them get better. If you’re interested in taking a step now, check out his creative company in Nashville, TN at http://www.CreativeSoulOnline.com
“The test of the artist does not lie in the will with which he goes to work, but in the excellence of the work he produces.” - St. Thomas Aquinas
“Bigger isn’t better. Better is Better.” - Keith Mohr, Indieheaven
Everyone who fist emails any of us in the industry basically wants to know the secret of how they can improve?
They think they know.
They think the answer is to become bigger. Spend more. Get more radio play. Get into stores. Get more publicity.
But that’s really not it at all.
The way to get better is to work hard at your craft and literally become better at it.
Sound like I’m talking in circles?
Well, playing or singing scales isn’t much different. Music is literally a “circle of fifths”.
But it’s the same with any creative talent: singing, dancing, drawing, technical, playing...it all boils down to how long you practice your craft.
Now, there are certainly prodigies out there,. You know those kids with natural talent that make you never want to play again? But even they have probably put in years of scales, training, and lessons behind the scenes to achieve what you see as an amazing “natural” talent.
Now if you’re tuning me out here because you say, oh here we go, another ‘you’ll never be any good if you don’t work at it’ speech.
Well, yeah! That’s EXACTLY what I’m saying. Quit whining and listen up slackers!
Every single day I see an email from someone saying “I just want to use the talents God gave me and get it out to the world.”
A fine and noble statement.
But if that isn’t backed up with hard work, rugged determination, a solid sense of exactly who you are, that fine and noble statement will echo harmlessly down the halls of your empty ambition.
(And the award for Best Dramatic Line in a Blog or Online Post goes to...Eric Copeland!!!)
But seriously, there has to be a plan.
Have you ever thought, “I would like to get out there and use this talent, but I am absolutely alone in this. Who do I even see or talk to?”
That’s when you seek out folks who can help. Consult with you, look at your creative work, and help you get a real sense of what you have and how best to hone it.
This should NOT be someone looking to “make you a star”, “sign you to something”, or “hook you up with someone who can take you somewhere”. The answer is to do some research and find someone you feel you can trust to give you answers and direction on how to get Better.
“When in doubt, just take the next small step.” - Regina Brett
If you have been doing this, and know the direction you need to go, but keep running into roadblocks, maybe it’s time to look at the quality of your materials. Are they top notch? Can they be Better?
And yes, I know all this costs money. I’m an artist too and write songs and books I’d like to get out there. So, I work on writing, arranging, save up $, and get it out there.
Maybe (gasp) you don’t do a 10-song CD. Maybe you approach it a song or two at a time. Just keep in mind, it has to be Better than what you had before.
Yes, Aunt Margaret loved the last CD you recorded in an hour using your ukulele and two cans tied between string. But that won’t help you move to where you want to be.
Computers and software have made it possible for complete beginners to make much cleaner demos and recordings that ever before. The days of getting laughable demos are becoming a dim memory.
But even if you could buy a complete top of the line music computer system, you still have to know not only how to operate it, but have amazing material and be able to play the instruments, plus it wouldn’t hurt if you could actually sing.
I know of exactly ZERO people who can do ALL that (except for a few freak producer/artists like Prince, who has been honing his craft for only 30 years or so...)
Maybe it’s time for you to make a bigger step than you have before.
"Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small steps." - David Lloyd George, former Prime Minister of England
So, are you ready to get Batter?
In Rory Nolan’s great book “Heart of the Artist”, he writes: “Pursuing excellence means we do our best with what we have, to the glory of God. He is worthy of our very best. We serve an ultimately creative God. When He created the world, He imbued it with breathtaking beauty and awe-inspiring majesty. God didn’t just throw things together when He created the universe. He modeled creative excellence for us. Seven times during the Genesis account of creation, God stands back, looks at what He created, and says, “It is good.” It’s obvious that we serve a God who delights in creativity and values doing things with excellence.”
Nolans goes on to quote Proverbs 22:29. “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” When we do things with excellence, the world will sit up and take notice, and we can point them to the God who created us, gifted us, and loves us.”
Wow. That kind of says it all.
So this week, this month, this year, consider taking a further step of excellence.
Get Better.
Have a great week!
EC
---
Eric Copeland is a producer, arranger, songwriter, and pursuer of excellence who works with songwriters, and artists of all kinds to help them get better. If you’re interested in taking a step now, check out his creative company in Nashville, TN at http://www.CreativeSoulOnline.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Get the NEW For the Creative Soul E-Book!
- For the Creative Soul, a 52 Week Devotional
- Start every week with an inspiring, idea-packed, and humorous reading to get your creative juices flowing. Culled from the popular reprinted column and blog read by thousands every month, each devotion is filled with Bible verses, quotes, and stories from Nashville music and media producer and author Eric Copeland. "It's a little like some chicken soup, but with a swift kick in the creative pants", says Copeland. "This is your weekly marching orders to get back on your creative horse and take the world by storm!" To order, go to the "For the Creative Soul" site below.