I was recently asked to jury a photographic exhibit at a Chicago Gallery. I have mixed feelings about doing so as I saw merit in all the work. Every person has their own unique vision. It got me to thinking about the creative process once again....
There is nothing more meaningful than being true to yourself and finding your own voice. Follow your heart and don't let anyone discourage you. I once attended a portfolio review session providing feedback from four internationally renowned photographers. I had brought 20 photographs and saw each reviewer separately. In the end, I was surprised that each expert cared for different images, and had varied suggestions for how to continue my work. If each expert had been my teacher, I would have pursued four different directions, and lost my way.
It is vital for any artist to nurture and protect that which will make their vision unique. One needs to go inward instead of outward, and learn to trust your own inner guide, preserving your identity and finding the answers from within.
If you must have a rule to follow, I would suggest cultivating a dialogue with your inner voice, and photograph with your heart. If you listen to the clues your own images offer, the resulting work will be fresh, and authentic. Fall in love with your world and shoot a lot.
"Everything is gestation and bringing forth. To let each impression and each germ of a feeling come to completion wholly in itself, in the dark, in the inexpressible, the unconscious, beyond the reach of one's own intelligence and await with deep humility and patience the birth-hour of a new clarity: that alone is living the artist's life. Being an artist means not reckoning and counting, but ripening like the tree which does not force its sap and stands confident in the storms of spring without the fear that after them may come no summer. It does come. But it comes only to the patient who are there as though eternity lay before them, so unconcernedly still and wide." Rainer Maria Rilke
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
4th Anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq
It is hard to believe that Tuesday was the 4th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. It was encouraging to see so many people out marching. How is it that I did not see anything reported in the newspaper the following morning. What does it take to turn the tide?....
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Creativity and Fear
I would like introduce you to Richard Olderman who can
share some of his discoveries about life and
creativity. Lets begin with a simple question...WHAT
IS THERE TO FEAR ABOUT MAKING ART?
The realization that for one to be genuinely creative may require that one become un-attached to oneself and to become lost in the moments of creation . To allow other forces to guide one into territories unknown and be transposed to places only dreamed about or imagined. Before one even thinks about making their creative, or perhaps hidden self public, one has to breath in the moments of discovery, what it is they see , and be prepared to let go of what they have uncovered about themselves. Art Blakely once said that when one has infused their soul in a creative act, when it is finished and shared with another, it then belongs to everyone. I have experienced many souls who pause at the
"moment of discovery" and balk at going beyond what they already know. Taking action to be creative is a journey into the unknown. To lose the self you are most conscious of, can provoke feelings of becoming lost, or perhaps even quiet thoughts of non-being. When this "unknown" is experienced the possibility of new birth can occur and one can actually begin to evolve in a way more consistent with their original nature and, in fearless sharing, begin to reveal their unique selves. There is more than a little courage needed to expose who you are.
I do wonder at times what is not art. Can you tell me?
Richard
share some of his discoveries about life and
creativity. Lets begin with a simple question...WHAT
IS THERE TO FEAR ABOUT MAKING ART?
The realization that for one to be genuinely creative may require that one become un-attached to oneself and to become lost in the moments of creation . To allow other forces to guide one into territories unknown and be transposed to places only dreamed about or imagined. Before one even thinks about making their creative, or perhaps hidden self public, one has to breath in the moments of discovery, what it is they see , and be prepared to let go of what they have uncovered about themselves. Art Blakely once said that when one has infused their soul in a creative act, when it is finished and shared with another, it then belongs to everyone. I have experienced many souls who pause at the
"moment of discovery" and balk at going beyond what they already know. Taking action to be creative is a journey into the unknown. To lose the self you are most conscious of, can provoke feelings of becoming lost, or perhaps even quiet thoughts of non-being. When this "unknown" is experienced the possibility of new birth can occur and one can actually begin to evolve in a way more consistent with their original nature and, in fearless sharing, begin to reveal their unique selves. There is more than a little courage needed to expose who you are.
I do wonder at times what is not art. Can you tell me?
Richard
Monday, March 05, 2007
If you missed my
"LOOK AND LEAVE : New Orleans in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina" exhibt, it just reopened at the Fourth Presbyterian Church. It is wonderful to have it in a religious setting, especially when the music wafts into the gallery space! The church is located on Michigan Avenue between Chestnut and Delaware, across the street from the John Hancock building. The gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday 11:00 – 4:00, Sundays 8:00am – 6:00pm, closed Monday and Tuesday.
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