Creative Spark

January 31st, 2007 Daryle Dickens

I have a very old lawn mower. It is a simple machine with a Briggs and Stratton engine mounted on top of a beat up red metal deck. To start it I place my foot firmly on the deck, grab hold of the black rubber t-shaped handle and pull hard. Some days it starts right up. Other days it will not start at all. I pull and pull and pull, each time a little harder with a little more frustration but the engine will not start. Live damn you live! It does not. It does not spark, does not breath, does not come to life. When this happens I wonder what is different. Why will it not start today? It started on the first pull last week. My creative work is a lot like that lawn mower. Some days I sit down and it fires right up and some days it stays cold and lifeless no matter what I do. And I admit that sometimes I want to give up on it. Other people make creativity appear so effortless, so easy. Maybe I am just not meant to be an artist. I know better. I know there is a reason we call it “work.” Because it is work. And it is through a lot of work that it becomes easier. I have learned that when it will not start it probably means something has been neglected. Much like my lawn mower that may need an air filter cleaned, spark plug changed, or something as simple as gas added to the tank, there is probably something in my life that needs attention before the creative engine will start again. I have learned that for me the most important thing is to see the times when the work will not happen as an opportunity. A chance to take care of something else that needs attention. Today may not be the day to mow the lawn, today is the day to weed the garden and clean out the gutters.

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Seeking Wisdom

January 2nd, 2007 Daryle Dickens

I have realized that I have reached sort of a ceiling with ZAF622. I see a lot of potential but I know now that things have to change for that potential to be realized. So for this project has been a one man show. It has been all my time and all my money. I need to change that if ZAF622 is to grow up.

I believe ZAF622 could be a valuable piece in the landscape of the Fort Collins art community. Media is a very important part of any community. And I think ZAF622 could be a great information source serving the Fort Collins art community. Possibly a great vehicle for raising awareness of Fort Collins art and artists outside of Fort Collins and more importantly outside of Colorado.

There is the potential for podcasts and video diaries. Event calenders and art sitings. Even the potential for a print version. All those will take money though. Money and time. This is the place that I can not decide what to do.

I do not want to make money from ZAF622. That has never been a goal or an idea. But I would like to pay writers and contributors for their work. And I also need ZAF622 to be sustainable. I don’t know how much longer it is wise for me to be paying for the hosting out of my own pocket.

A logical step would be to seek donors. But ZAF622 is not a non profit. And donations would not be tax deductible. The next idea then would be to seek an umbrella organization to accept donations on behalf of ZAF622. And I don’t even know where to start with that process.

Mostly I am thinking outloud here. In hopes that it helps clearify my thoughts as I navigate the future of ZAF622. Thanks for listening.

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The Mission of ZAF622

January 1st, 2007 Daryle Dickens

Why ZAF622? Why do this project? Because I have a mission. And it is as follows:

1. I want to help develop the art community in Fort Collins.
2. I want to help promote artists and their work.
3. I want to do things that allow people to see their own creativity.
4. I want to connect people with things in the art world they may be overlooking.
5. I want to have fun.

That is the basic motivations that caused me to start ZAF622. I hope to continue to grow ZAF622 and develop each one of those mission bullets.

Stay tuned,

Dickens out.

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