I really felt inspired by the way she discussed collaboration. For Feist, collaboration was just as good, if not better, then actually taking the lead. She talked about how taking the lead can sometimes feel like being in the eye of storm, waiting for stuff to come flying at you, and how she really loved ‘supporting’ the storm (!) rather than being the storm.
She talked about her collaboration with other Canadian musicians – and how they constantly happily call on one another for inspiration, assistance and expertise. To Feist, the collaboration WAS the process. It wasn’t just about the end product (as sweet as it was), her creative life revolved around gathering up like minded people, and creating something great.
I really loved her humble approach. And I loved it that she was absolutely certain that sharing her ideas with her musical peers was the most important part of her creative life. She’s all about evolving things together and bouncing off a constant stream of exciting, ever changing, collaborative options. Some of her thoughts, some of his thoughts, some of their thoughts…. boil it up and good things happen. According to Ms Feist.
And even though she is now a super-dooper star, our Feist, she’s not into it. She’s not on her high horse. She’s not acting up and showing off. Nope she’s taking it humbly and sharing her success. Still looking, still learning, still wondering, still nice. Not a bit wanky at all.
I share Ms Feist’s philosophy. As far as I can see, we’re all superstars, with plenty of untapped goodness to offer. And we need to be on the lookout for the other superstars, and share the ride with them.. because there’s more then safety in numbers, there’s ingenious ideas and fabulous friendships and untapped opportunities and amazing realisations! To sum it up, when you share your life and ideas, good things happen!
And I reckon if you were super busy being a bit of a wanky diva.. well, you’d never see all the great stuff other people might want to share, now would you? And you’d be standing there all by yourself stuck in your own semi-great ideas… when you could just invite a few more nice talented people in… and it could make for extra-great ideas. Sure you might have to compromise, you might not be in the driver’s seat and you might have to share the glory… but surely that’s a small price to pay for things happening?! Especially if they are unexpected, unplanned, fantastic, fun, satisfying, exciting things! Right?!
So a toast to.. Collaborating, Not Being a Wanky Diva or a Superstar.. and to being open to all the great stuff that other people can bring to your life. Creative or otherwise!
Here’s to not worrying about agendas, hierarchies, ego or glory. Here’s to bravely sharing the creative process (and sharing the spotlight too). And here’s to Feist. I like her.
xx Mikes
15 Comments
Loving feist! Great to learn more about her. She is such an inspiration. Keep em coming.
AMEN sister. Aaamen.x
Yah to you Pip for sharing the love, crafting, blogging and having lots of fun….Wanky Diva Superstar would make a great blog name!
so true! there’s nothing more wonderful than the creative energy of a big group of crafty chicks!
Be careful of the feist monster clip, it will lead you to all kinds of sesame street/pop star songs and you will get no work done!
Good stuff! Yay!
Thanks for posting this, you just made my heart swell and bloom! x
this was a wonderful post. thanks to all the internet artists and to you, i’ve really felt comfortable with my new blogging interest. thanks also for the exposure to other types of artists, singers and the like. i like feist too. suesue
Fav collab: Feist and the monsters! ROCK!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kJSEHouoHK0
I completely agree – collaborations are awesome. for the past year my brother and I have been working on a series of drawings/paintings together and the ones we have both worked on together have turned out the best. different styles can work so well together.
What a refreshing approach – thanks for sharing this inspiration Pip!
Just what I needed to read today 🙂
Pip
I think you’ve got some of that lovely Feistiness in you along with your pal Kirsty….I did not know this crafty blog world existed 2 months ago….and I am addicted to this collaborative approach of all things crafty and good. Here’s to you two
Sharon
I heart you Kirsty, friend-so-true and Owl-Hatching-Girl!
As moutarde, Emma (that’s French, you know?!)
You read my mind Pip, I have been thinking of doing a footwear collaboration, asking my fave peeps to design some with me, getting an exhibition together, are you keen?
Lovely post Pippy. You know it’s true!
I reckon you’re pretty good & whirlwinding some exciting happenings up yourself!