As I begin to write and think about what the Master has taught me through my life I am reminded of Tilda Swinton's speech at the opening of the V&A exhibition last year. She addressed all the different Bowie fans out there that have found their way through him and spoke of how exciting it is to think of all the new fans coming out the doors that had been "picking up the breadcrumbs" and discovering this Moonage Daydream. I'm so thankful for Loving the Alien for as long as I can remember and know countless people that have been influenced by him in some way or another.
A poster at the exhibition explained that “all artists take ideas from the world around them [but] few spread the net so wide or create something so new with what they find. His skill in filtering (all the ideas) to find exactly what he needs is the major contributor to his success. Unlike many stars he never bows to the expectations of the record company or sticks to a winning formula. For Bowie that's the moment to move onto something else". Be creative. What people fail to understand is that creativity isn't something that happens from 9am - 5pm its a full on 24/7 force that needs fostering and indulging. If you want to be successful in creativity then listen to your impulses. Bowie taught me through his constant reinvention, his music, his painting, his acting, his collaborating; to follow my instincts, never to stop and to go with my flow as that's how I evolve and grow.
What I admire of Bowie's capabilities is that of finding others to support him in expressing his vision. His work with choreographers, producers, other musicians, photographers, artists and designers has shown his ability to collaborate with people with the right voice and his understanding that sometimes it is impossible to achieve your whole vision without the contributions of others. So don't be single minded. If you find someone who compliments you or you feel can help better yourself then grab them and collaborate. Together you could achieve the first thought unacheivable.
The law of attraction. This is something that he always taught me yet I never realised til discovering the Secret. Bowie was always a Rock Star even before he actually was. He would wear that energy and let the Rock Star within shine bright until the manifestation became him. Didn't you ever wonder his secret to such a long career? Love what you do and more of that work will come to you. Feel it and it will come, believe it and you will recieve it!
I've learned to persevere and dedicate myself to any task I choose to set my mind to do. Just looking at his amazing journey, his life's work and all that he has become is a truly magnificent work of art. He says "What I do is very simple, is just that my choices are very different from other people." So step out side the box. Don't be a sheep. If there is something you want or somewhere you want to be, go and get it.
The most reliable companion you will ever find in life is Art. In all its forms.