FUCK THE RULES.

I MAKE THE RULES. I make the rules because this life is to be one masterpiece amongst many. “THE CREATIVITY OF LIFE” is a concept and philosophy that is very important to me.

The philosophy of "The Creativity of Life" is what I believe to be almost the single most important aspect of perceiving and understanding life. Its a concept that celebrates the inherent creative potential within every aspect of existence. It emphasizes that life itself is a dynamic and ever-evolving process, urging us to embrace our own creative instincts and engage with the world in a transformative and imaginative manner. This philosophy I’ve customized to fit my life, my paradigms and who I am encourages us to recognize the interconnectedness of all things and to actively participate in shaping our own experiences and the world around us through creative expression.

1. Embracing the Creative Spirit:

"The Creativity of Life" philosophy invites us to acknowledge and embrace the creative spirit that resides within each of us. It recognizes that creativity is not limited to artists and innovators but is an intrinsic aspect of being human. By nurturing our creative instincts, we can tap into our unique abilities to imagine, innovate, and bring forth new ideas, perspectives, and solutions.

2. Seeing the World as a Canvas:

This philosophy encourages us to view the world as a canvas waiting to be shaped and transformed. It invites us to engage with our surroundings with a sense of curiosity and wonder, seeking inspiration in the ordinary and finding beauty in unexpected places. By recognizing the creative potential in every moment, we can infuse our lives with meaning and purpose.

3. Embracing Change and Growth:

"The Creativity of Life" philosophy recognizes that life is a process of continuous change and growth. It encourages us to embrace this inherent dynamism and to approach challenges and transitions with a creative mindset. By adapting, learning, and evolving, we can navigate the ebb and flow of life's ever-changing landscape and unlock new possibilities for personal and collective transformation.

4. Cultivating Authenticity and Self-Expression:

This philosophy emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-expression. It encourages us to tap into our innermost passions, values, and beliefs, allowing them to guide our creative endeavors. By expressing ourselves honestly and authentically, we not only honor our true nature but also inspire others to do the same, fostering a culture of creativity and individuality.

5. Fostering Connection and Collaboration:

"The Creativity of Life" philosophy recognizes that creativity thrives in a collaborative and interconnected environment. It encourages us to seek meaningful connections with others, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration. By sharing ideas, supporting each other's creative endeavors, and engaging in collective creativity, we can co-create a richer and more vibrant world.:

"The Creativity of Life" philosophy invites us to embrace our innate creative potential, view the world through a lens of curiosity and wonder, and actively participate in shaping our experiences and the world around us. By cultivating our creativity, embracing change, expressing ourselves authentically, and fostering connections, we can live lives that are vibrant, meaningful, and transformative. Let this philosophy serve as a reminder to embrace the creative energy that flows through all aspects of life and to channel it into a force for personal growth, connection, and positive change.

Taking notes from those who came before me, I aspire to have my actions and activities, works and products to encourage and inspire others. While I seek personal progress and development thru incremental measurable successes avoiding the compulsions for grand levels of social recognition and titles, I further seek to be positions to empower others. It is our creativity that defines us. It is our creativity that has defined and continues to define reality. It is our ability to reshape what we see, taste, hear, and feel to bring or construct an understanding of the world before us. We can define setting laws, order and governance to who we are and our individual to collective worlds out of the chaos that has been and is continually presented to us.

Out of everything I’ve experienced within this life, I see my life as a canvas and tapestry. It is a grand studio managed by an open-air office. It is a kingdom fit for one yet others but full with treasures that only reside in dark corners. I exist to create but had to learn much to have gotten to this point. Now as I continue to evolve ascending to higher heights and continue to create, I work with others to do the same.

If you have a creative project or are at a stage of creative development needing coaching, consulting, support and/or reinforcement, contact us…today.

---

FUCK THE RULES - CONNECTED - PERSONAL NOTES OF LIAM IAN BLACK - © 2023 Liam Ian (LIAM IAN LLC)

What kind of Artist am I?

When I think of artists, it’s often off of a rigid mindset that an artist is and/or can only be one or two things or can only fall into one or two categories. I think this is one of the dysfunctional concepts of what it is to be human; as if we cannot grow past one point, stage, shape or function within reality. I believe this is what informs our level of comfort as seeing someone becoming unfamiliar and changing as a discomfort. A person being recognized for a long period of time leaves us comfortable with them whereas when someone is constantly changing and evolving and capable of being an outlier or standout because have not or do not conform to society leaves us impacted. What’s key to recognize is when one is moving from stage, phase or shape of being, it’s a kind of growth.

Me?

I started this life as William Burrell Philpot IV. Named after a man and a family not my own and often disregarded, Abandoned and left alone more than I should’ve as a child, I had to rely often on me. I began and grew within dysfunction. As I grew older, I came to understand that I needed to change and adapt to the often new, changing, different and difficult scenarios of life—my life. Beginning with a talent for art, art would often be sidelined or unconsciously sidetracked to maintain my survival or a sense of survival while becoming a man.

As I finally became stable, I began to focus more and more on my abilities as an artist. I then became…an Artist. As an office worker, I learned my capabilities as a desktop publisher and graphic designer. Aware of the need to compartmentalize the normalized life of being a Father and a husband, I began to step into Photography—a world I had only previously glimpsed while working in news and events publication. It then became my (then) newest artistry. Liam Ian (Black) was manifested and brought to the forefront.

I was—and still am—informed…by what was around me; a pride for what was current, hood, urban and Black. Hip-hop. Clothing, Fashion and Style. Women. The DC Go-Go scene. The New York thug persona. The dogmatic and stigmatizing identity of the urban Black Man. Black Women as goddesses and then play things. Sex. Poetry. A hope for the future due to Sci-fi and an associated interest technology. The urgency—the then urgent need—of African American Intelligence and Sophistication as the new African American Identity. Now?

I create because of the resources given to me. I create because of the advantages I’ve worked hard for. I create for the Blessings set upon me that have remained my possessions that I feel they should’ve dissolved away some time ago due to laziness, hesitation, procrastination and avoidance throughout the years. Then again, perhaps it was more due to distraction and dysfunction that just prevented me from being able to make artistry a substantial part of my life.

Now, I’m into the resurgence—The Resurgence—of intellectualism within being African American but now…beyond that. Whether as a Man, Artist or Entrepreneur, I act because of an acknowledgment that I soon will not exist in this form anymore. It is thru our artistry, our acts of creativity, compassion and analyses of Life that we become more. I create whatever my heart, mind and soul moves to because it is what resides deeply within. Whether cartoon art, inspirational designs, nude photography it is—at the end—the cumulative body of work that then becomes the masterpiece.

I am an Artist of late 90’s to early 2000’s Hip Hop, Rap, Soul and R&B culture. I’m an Artist of maleness and manhood…loving the female body in the most respectful and dysfunctional forms available to me. I am an Artist of Integrity, Honesty and a Loyal adherence to a Pride of Intelligence, Ethnicity and Innovation. I’m vulgar and angry and peaceful and modest. I’m organic—shifting and changing. I’m an Artistry loves the word Fuck and responds to the need of empathy to those who show it. I’m a complex Man of Color, Ethnicity and Culture born out of the many cultural dysfunctions that would either demonize, diminish, encapsulate, incarcerate, or truly destroy those who look like me therefore I am also a complex Artist and Work of Art.

---

CONNECTED - PERSONAL NOTES OF LIAM IAN BLACK - © 2023 Liam Ian (LIAM IAN LLC)

FROM MY JOURNAL

I must—I MUST—shift the paradigms as to offer information that might or that will serve and beneficial, valuable and useful to moving the business and myself—as the business—forward. What does this mean? Well this means the inclusion and use of Ai to assist in developing content. As a Spiritual African American Man who has survived much to now be a Father and Husband and Business Owner, there are many subjects that I can comment on and inform people of. It all has to come from my core of being a Creative Soul (first) and then everything after. My Art and my Opinions on what is today and how it all relates. Then being a Black Man—a Man of Color, Ethnicity and Culture. Then an Entrepreneur…and Father…and Husband and everything else.

In developing NEW Creative Works, it ALL must cater to developing my brand. In developing NEW Creative Works, it must in some contribute to developing…PRODUCT. I believe I’ve allowed myself to fall back into confusion…but then…not.

“CONNECTED”

I’m giving some attention to the website—specifically to the blog page “CONNECTED”. I believe it might make sense to move a bit away from social media and focus on the platform that I have in front of me.

The Passion of Creating!

I’m nothing like nor too interested in consistently making TikTok’s and IG Posts. First of all, I don’t feel like I need to hear myself talk all the time nor do I need to be engaging platforms that demand a specific something out of me just to gain traction with or within algorithms that truly are a mystery to me. It just makes sense at this point to focus on my local community and REAL people around me. Perhaps is a natural result of things based upon where we are with tech in society now but it is what it is.

I need to further steep myself within the Passion of Creating. I’m not creating when, where and how I should. Also…I’ve attached monetary appreciation and worth on my works and so there’s the other problem.

---

My message to anyone who might read this is that life will get confusing. Life will become hard. Your agendas and plans are subject to feel as if they’re under attack or that you just chose the wrong roads to go down…but stay encouraged. I encourage YOU to stay encouraged and focused. Stay your course…especially if you know your course is true and is from your heart. Seek help, guidance, support or just a listening ear to assist on getting back on track…but understand that falling off track is just normal.

It’s not that you fell off or that you lost your focus or even that you just needed to take a break that’s the problem. It’s just nature. It’s the natural oder of things. Stay consistent as best and possible and be persistent on accomplishing your tasks and goals…but also be patient with yourself. Be patient—have patience—with yourself within the process of your endeavors but be understanding of the nature of who you are, how you work and the environments that you exist within.

---

CONNECTED - PERSONAL NOTES OF LIAM IAN BLACK - © 2023 Liam Ian (LIAM IAN LLC)