The Artist's Creed

My friend Joyce, whose blog Peaceful Legacies I discovered while reading the blog of another friend, recently brought to attention the work of visionary thought leader Jan Phillips, who is known worldwide for her dynamic speaking talents and is the author of numerous books, including The Art of Original Thinking — The Making of a Thought Leader (9th Element Press, 2006), God Is at Eye Level — Photography as a Healing Art (Quest Books, 2000), and Marry Your Muse — Making a Lasting Commitment to Your Creativity (Quest Books, 1997). Joyce shared with her readers Phillips's "The Artist's Creed". The creed is one of the most affirming statements I have read about the urge and need to create and the discovery and affirmation that await the self through art-making. 


I wrote to Phillips and received her permission to publish "The Artist's Creed" here on my blog. May it guide your muse.

The Artist's Creed

I believe I am worth the time it takes to create whatever I feel called to create.


I believe that my work is worthy of its own space, which is worthy of the name Sacred.

I believe that, when I enter this space, I have the right to work in silence, uninterrupted, for as long as I choose.

I believe that the moment I open myself to the gifts of the Muse, I open myself to the Source of All Creation and become One with the Mother of Life Itself.

I believe that my work is joyful, useful, and constantly changing, flowing through me like a river with no beginning and no end.

I believe that what it is I am called to do will make itself known when I have made myself ready.

I believe that the time I spend creating my art is as precious as the time I spend giving to others.

I believe that what truly matters in the making of art is not what the final piece looks like or sounds like, not what it is worth or not worth, but what newness gets added to the universe in the process of the piece itself becoming.

I believe that I am not alone in my attempts to create, and that once I begin the work, settle into the strangeness, the words will take shape, the form find life, and the spirit take flight.

I believe that as the Muse gives to me, so does she deserve from me: faith, mindfulness and enduring commitment.

    ~ Jan Phillips, "The Artist's Creed" from Marry Your Muse. Reprinted with permission. Copyright © Jan Phillips. All Rights Reserved.