The Art of Creative Livin’

A mini manifesto

It was such a simple—silly—question.
But for some reason, it made me sweat.

 “Okay, if you had to go to an artist residency tomorrow, for a month, what would you create?” 

I froze.

 Normally, my brain is a bunker of ideas, if the creative apocalypse hit tomorrow, I’d be set for life with plenty to share. But in that moment? Nothing. Nada.

Sure, I create all the time; content, brands, meals. When I applied my energy, I even made a whole human. My literal body of work. But when was the last time I made something just for me? No deadlines. No audience. No agenda. Just for the pure meandering pleasure of it. 

Later that night, the answer came back to me. The one I didn’t have the courage to say out loud: I would write.

Grayson Perry (b. 1960), The Map of Nowhere (Red). Etching in red from five plates, 2008

Last week, I talked about reimagining your business as a creative playground. From the amount of replies that came in, it seemed to trigger something in you too.

And I see this all the time with my clients. They come to me wanting a new brand, a sharper message, or a website, but what they really need is permission.

Permission to go after the big, audacious idea. To make space for authenticity. To feel the creative spark again. To breathe human connection back into their work life.

For me, this journal is that space. A creative discipline and ongoing conversation with you.

And the more I make my way home to creativity, the more I see the parallels between art and entrepreneurship. Both are about bringing an idea into existence. Both are an expression of the worlds you want to live in. Both the artist and the entrepreneur are masters at seeing problems as opportunities and envisioning a creative solution.

 So in that spirit, here are my principles on “ The Art of Creative Livin’ ”. Consider them reminders, provocations, invitations. A manifesto for making—whatever that looks like for you.

 Principles of the Creative Process:

1. Make before you’re ready.
Perfection is a myth. The real work happens when you start before the idea is fully formed, before you feel qualified, before you know where it’s leading. Just begin. 

2. Follow your curiosity.
Not every idea needs a purpose. Chase what excites you, even if it seems random. Creativity thrives in unexpected places.

3. Embrace constraint.
Some of the best art comes from limits. A sonnet has structure, a canvas has edges, even jazz has rules to break. Constraints fuel creativity.

4. Play is serious work.
Kids don’t question whether their doodles or dance moves matter—they just create. What if we did the same?

5. Trust the process.
The middle is messy. The idea will look bad before it looks good. Keep going.

6. Share before it’s perfect.
We grow in conversation, not isolation. Art isn’t just about making—it’s about sharing, connecting, evolving.

7. You are an artist.
Whether you write, design, build, cook, sing, strategize, or dream—you’re creating. Own it. Claim your space. Make your work.

So, if I were at that artist residency, I would write. What about you? If you could create anything, no rules, no expectations, what would it be?

If you feel like sharing, I'd love to hear from you!

Onwards and artwards!
Olivia