What am I trying to say as an artist? Where is it that I want to go? Those questions are swirling around in my head after taking a one-day class called Preparing and Presenting your Photographic Portfolio from a wonderful instructor, Chris Eagon, at the Oregon College of Art and Craft yesterday.
The question “where do I want to go” is an important one for us as artists. Having goals and direction are what keep us moving forward, learning and growing. It’s through the continued journey that we figure out how to make our unique mark in the world.
I’ve known since living in Italy that the next step for me, upon moving back to the US, would be to bring my photographs into the real world. I needed the foundation I gained while in Italy: Confidence in the creation of my images, sharing them with others online, and identification of my unique vision. I’m building from there now, learning how to print and exhibit my work. Even harder, learning how to talk about my work and myself as an artist, with people face-to-face. I did not expect it to be such a challenge, with all of that confidence and knowledge I had gained. But it’s a new realm, and the challenges are different. The fears are different. It’s the next step I need to take in my creative journey, regardless of the resistance that comes along.
I am starting to understand that there is the journey that is “Kat the blogger and teacher” and the journey that is “Kat the artist.” The are separate yet inextricable. If I did not continue on my own artistic journey, separate from blogging and teaching, I would have nothing to share here. I have to admit, the journey of the artist feels a bit more scary and lonely. It’s the one I have to do on my own, in order to be true to myself.
So I’m letting my thoughts swirl around the questions: What am I trying to say as an artist? Where is it that I want to go? Only by answering these for myself will I figure out how to make my mark as an artist. I thought I knew the answers, but they have changed. It’s time to answer them again.
How about you, do you know the answers to these questions for yourself? Do you know where you are headed next?
But I think that’s a huge part of it too Kat … changing, adapting, evolving and growing.
A path shouldn’t be set in stone, right? 🙂
I look forward to seeing where yours leads you.
xoxo
Too true – no path is set in stone! Thanks Jan.
It’s amazing how the answers tend to bubble to the surface if you just let them simmer, with prompts and pushes such as the class you just took.
You will definitely find your way because you keep asking and searching.
Oh Kat – we are so much on the same path here. Me too – I’m struggling with the same questions…and with bravely putting myself out into the world. Will be interested in seeing where it is yours leads…
Marcie, thanks so much for your comment. It is interesting to hear that we have similar struggles! I would love to hear how you answer the questions for yourself.
Holy cow….what a quirky coinky dink to see your post after writing mine. Even blogging has me wonder why….why am I doing it…But I know I have to….or is it need to? I just don’t know HOW I am suppose to get where I want to go…maybe because I don’t have a clear idea of my purpose. Did I just answer my own question???!! I find comfort in knowing I’m not the only one that struggles with these questions. Good luck on your path Kat.
It’s easy to feel like we are alone, since we are the only ones who can answer them for ourselves. But I guess we aren’t alone, in the need to answer them, and for that there is camaraderie! Good luck on your path too, Kelly.
The always present “change”. Time to read “who moved my cheese?” again. Agonizing and uplifting, challenging, rewarding, frustrating, exhilerating..and yes scary. You are a wonderful blogger and teacher…and yes, artist. It’s just harder to own that last one, and to keep feeding it, and to ride its constant morph. I have no doubt you will. You go girl!!
Thanks for your encouragement Susan! I need to read that book…
I rarely have any idea where I am headed! For me, blogging and writing is a great way of organising my thoughts – Joan Didion sums it up beautifully “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear”. I hear what you’re saying about finding your path as an artist though. Good luck, I really look forward to seeing where this takes you.
I love that quote Becs! I often feel that way as I write. The photographs only bring more things out for me.
Happy Transformation, Kat! 🙂
Kat – so very excited for you and your artistic journey – the move into sharing your photographs in this new way with the world. And I find this image extremely moving – the tentative nature of the handprints – as if the person isn’t quite sure about “making their mark” upon the world. I think I can identify with that tentativeness – certainly the fear about making any similar moves of my own. You have given me much to think about.