My Artist Manifesto

Letting my Intentions Guide my Way

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a manifesto is “a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer.” This seems simple enough, but the fact that it is such an open and public declaration makes it bolder and more substantive than if it were a mumbled whimper of a sound.

In life, occasionally, it is beneficial to everyone (though mostly to oneself) that the deepest and truest of intentions be transparent and specific. We can then become accountable to everyone else (but mostly to ourselves) and embrace a better sense of what we believe in. Few things are more dismal than uncertainty and the shame that comes with hiding our honest desires.

Taking a cue from fellow artist Caroline Yoo (#5 from my list is inspired by her manifesto), I decided to try my hand at writing my own artist manifesto and to clearly and publicly state the intentions that color all of my creative work moving forward. The graphic displayed above is what I came up with, and I am actually quite happy with it. Surprisingly, each item on this list grew out of a few of my own frustrations.

1.   I will invest my energy in the things I can control.

Disappointment is easily one of my greatest foes. I have lost count of the numerous times when outcomes did not live up to my expectations. A letdown is the wicked stepsister of my hopes and dreams, who always seems to follow along and drain the life out of everything. I went on a date with someone once back in my single days that I thought went well, only to be ghosted by him afterward. I have done shows where I put in a mountain of preparation and thought, only to be faced with a tepid response from the audience.

I have learned to recognize when severe disappointment rears its taunting head, and the best way I know to fight it is to simply reflect on what I was able to control (in addition to some comfort food, a big hug, and a cuddle with my cat). If someone ghosted me after a date, I could recall being kind and friendly toward him, and his response or impressions were beyond my control. If a show was not well received, I can trust that I did my best. Art is subjective, and all I can do is make the most meaningful and beautiful work I can. The rest is for the birds to scrape and claw over.

2. I will find joy in the art I make.

Burnout is another nemesis of mine. More often than not, I have encountered it when something I was doing stopped being fun. Virtually anything becomes easier to do if there is even a little bit of joy involved. While I am deep into a project, I make a habit of checking in with myself and figuring out a way to make the process more enjoyable. I might turn on a favored playlist to listen to while I work or shift to a section that may not be so labor-intensive. In the toughest scenarios, I take breaks that allow me to clear my head and chillax. This is usually a short walk or a nap.

Alternately, I have become more selective about the projects I take on. I have a better sense of the kind of work that feels miserable, and I stay away from it. Learning how to say “No!” can be a superpower. It opens space for projects that are meaningful and joyous.

3. I will allow myself to be authentic.

On my Instagram profile, my bio includes the phrase “happy queer Filipino.” Believe it or not, I was conflicted about using it, but I decided that my authenticity opens up space for myself and others in my tribe. For every one person like me, there are thousands of “not-so-happy, heterosexual white people” who take up even more space (and are not always allies of the LGBTQ/POC variety).

So, I choose to take up space by openly being myself, warts and all. Because if I do not, I will be invisible, and I have already spent too many years doing that. Besides, I am better off being the cat daddy/art nerd/plant dad/pianist/filmmaker/activist/happy queer Filipino that I am in the public domain. Anything else would be disingenuous and not worthwhile.

4. I will cultivate a state of flow in my creative work.

On more than one occasion, I have been performing on stage and had what I call an out-of-body experience. I do not mean that I was abducted by aliens. In those moments, I felt like I was outside of myself. My singing and playing just naturally flowed out of me, and it felt so freeing. I was in this zone in which my entire body and mind fully engaged in the music effortlessly. I am probably doing a bad job of describing this, but what I can say definitively is that I try to replicate that sensation as often as possible when I do creative work and perform.

I try to reach a flow state, particularly when I play music. It is an unencumbered outpouring of sound and physical energy that requires little, if any, thought. It is almost a form of meditation, and quite honestly, it feels wonderful. Whatever this is makes me happy. So, why not do it more?

5. I will not engage in social media that disconnects me from my people.

Social media has been a thorn in my side for a long time now. It eats away at my time and bombards me with “suggested posts” and constant advertising. Even though being on Facebook and Instagram does not cost money, I have paid a lot with my time and attention. Moving forward, I will significantly change my social media usage this year. I will repurpose my Instagram account starting on Valentine’s Day and shift my focus to other platforms that truly connect me with people. There’s this pervasive assumption that artists must promote their work on social media, but I feel the urge to rebel against this and find my own way.

I will find my own way.

Corporations like Google and Meta have devised ways to monetize social media to make millions of dollars. Along the way, this eroded one of the biggest reasons why these sites were created in the first place—to build community and connect people to each other. Now, there are “content creators” and TikTok stars everywhere. I will focus on connecting with my people and shed everything else. For my own mental health, this is the best way forward.

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Writing my artist manifesto has been a great way to stretch my thinking and dig deeper into being the artist I want to be. None of this involves shortcuts or quick fixes, but they are sustainable practices and personal philosophies that enhance the quality of my creative life.

Now, I just have to figure out a way to print my manifesto in full color and proudly display it in my studio (aka Asian lair) for all to see.

I will see it every day and smile, knowing that I am clearing my own path forward.

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PS: Thanks for watching my new music video for Vampire.

I have put an enormous amount of energy into this song and music video. It would mean the world to me if you can share it with friends and on social media. Here are links you can copy and paste:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/dagETLM1b78

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/vampire/1724655636

Tidal Video: https://tidal.com/browse/video/338777907

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You can hear my new song Vampire on every major streaming platform including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal.

Give it a listen, share it, and add it to a playlist if you want. Search for Roqué Marcelo or visit any of the following links:

Spotify
Apple Music
Tidal
Amazon Music
Deezer

Other music sites where you can hear it include Anghami, MediaNet, Boomplay, Instagram/Facebook, Adaptr, Flo, iHeartRadio, Claro Música, iTunes, Joox, KKBox, Kuack Media, NetEase, Qobuz, Pandora, Saavn, Tencent, TikTok/TikTok Music/Resso/Luna, Yandex Music (beta).

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The snow and ice have melted. I ventured out into the world, and it was lovely. This past week, I visited Jerry’s Artarama for the first time. It is an art supply store in east Nashville just minutes from downtown. Since I just filled up my abstract flower sketchbook with 49 Flowers, I needed to buy a new one, and as luck would have it, they sold the same sketchbook at this store. I spent time browsing through all of their supplies. My mind swam with possibilities. They offered quite of a bit of everything for anyone who is a visual artist, and the staff was super helpful. (They even seemed happy to work there. Imagine that.) I will be returning to Jerry’s Artarama for my art supply needs in the future and to also enjoy its vibrant storefront.

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To listen to my music, watch my films, or see my visual art, please visit:

www.roquemarcelo.com

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