"Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:

That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."

– W.H. Murray

From The Scottish Himalayan Expedition, publ. J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., 1951

History of ACN (continued)

From Isolation to Creative Coaching Community

The Artist Conference Network was founded in 1983. I left my teaching position at the University of California at Santa Cruz. After a couple of years of flapping around outside the coziness of academia, I began to see that, although I knew literally hundreds of artists in that town, in terms of stretching beyond my own limits, I was isolated and going in circles. My work was in good shape, but I couldn't figure out how to make my life work financially without teaching, and without sacrificing the painting. I set out to try and sell my work. Although I had some success, in terms of making a real living, I was a miserable failure.

I began to see that if I was going to do more than survive, if I was going to make extraordinary things happen, I couldn't do it alone. So I designed the Artist Conference Network for myself. I hold myself first as an artist in the Conference. I am surrounded by great coaches. Making sure it works for me as a painter helps me keep my nose clean.

When I designed the Artist Conference I thought I was putting together something which could make a difference for painters in balancing the integrity of the creative process with the business end of things. The impact on the creative work itself, the fun, and the integration of the creative work with the rest of our lives were amazing bonuses. The mixture of different creative disciplines is a treat for everyone and a source for enduring friendships and collaborations.

Within the Artist Conference I feel incredibly blessed and alive. I feel connected to the creative forces of history and of the future. I no longer distinguish my own successes from the successes of those around me. I am fulfilled by all of it, and it is my great joy to witness the unfolding of the adventure of creative expression.

Creative Excellence and the Planet Earth

Our planet needs all the creative excellence we can bring forth. Some of us have the great fortune to have been trained in our creative field. In this twenty-first century, we ache in our bellies as we watch the spectacle of the gutting of the arts from school curriculum.

Instead of moaning and complaining in our own isolation I feel we owe it to ourselves and to one another to see that we are taken care of. We, the planet's trained creative individuals, are a precious resource for our planet's well being. The creative process is not learned from books. We learn from being with someone who lives it.

I say that we, the artists of the twenty-first century, owe it to our planet, to care for and to pass on the illusive, paradoxical, rigorous, and powerful wisdom inherent in the creative process. The Artist Conference is designed to do this. I hold it as my legacy. Fortunately it's fun.