Well, that was a much longer than intended pause. I’ve been busy, sad, hopeful, struggling, happy, with friends, hibernating… the list goes on. But what matters is that I’m here now—completing this post that has been in my drafts for months. Here goes:
I did something scary last month...
And I surprised myself because it was actually amazing!
They say speaking in front of a group is so difficult that most people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy. Public speaking is uncomfortable so many avoid it at all costs. I, for some reason, thought it would be a good idea to present my Paper Houses project at an art lecture at the local library. WTH was I thinking?? In the weeks before the presentation I started to dread it. I delayed working on it and I began to imagine excuses for canceling. But I hate disappointing people. I knew the event organizers would not be pleased if I backed out. So I reluctantly went ahead with it.
AND GUESS WHAT?!? I LOVED IT!
This was the first time I had ever done an art talk outside of grad school and even though up until the moment I started I felt anxious, once I got going the words just flowed. I wouldn’t say it was easy—I was out of breath and went way off-script from my notes. But it was very enjoyable. I got to tell the story of my series—a series I feel very passionately about, and people were truly interested in what I had to say. They even laughed at my jokes! Public speaking is definitely something I would do again. BTW if you’re curious about the Paper Houses series you can read about it here:
A deeper story
In my last post I shared a hint of a new project I’m working on: Paper Houses. There have been times in my life where making something has helped to heal my heart. Where the act of creating finds an outlet for my grief. This project is one of those times.
The question:
The talk, and the discussion afterwards, brought up the question of process vs. outcome. For some, the outcome is the most important part of their art. That joy of completion; of achievement. For example, a wedding photographer enjoys capturing the special day as part of their process, but they (and their clients) are focused on the outcome: the photos delivered in the end.
If I’m taking photos, I enjoy the process. I like to take time to be present in the moment, but when I get home and look at the results on my memory card it’s really about the outcome. Did I capture what I wanted? Did I get the result I had in my mind? Digital editing can be fun but it’s not my favorite. I would say, for me, digital photography is about 20% process and 80% outcome.
In other instances, artists may be much happier being in the process of art-making. There are situations where making art is a form of therapy and a way to express or release something through the act of creation. It’s not that the outcome doesn’t matter—but that if there isn’t one, particularly a successful one (whatever that means to the artist), it’s not as important as the time spent going through the process.
When I make a collage it’s mostly about the process. It consumes my time and attention. I lose track of the world around me and I am fully engaged in what I’m doing. My neck and shoulders ache because I’m focused intently on the papers and finding the right bits to put together. Even on the days when I get nowhere, and I leave my studio having finished nothing, I still feel happy about the work. It’s 80% process and 20% outcome.
Neither one is better than the other. Like everything, there needs to be a balance in order for us to move forward. Too much of one and not enough of the other can be frustrating and unfulfilling. Either way you end up in a hamster wheel and run the risk of not doing anything at all. It seems to me that digital work is less about the process than analog work. Digital tools speed up the process so we can get to the outcome (product) faster. Is that a good thing? I have my doubts. If I were to start making collages on my computer or developing my own film I might feel differently about which was more satisfying. What about you? What do you think? Are you a process or an outcome person?
Other art stuff:
Speaking of process (and enjoyment) I’m preparing work for an event in Walla Walla called ArtSquared. Participants are required to create eight 6” x 6” wood panels for a special fundraising event to benefit the ArtWalla grant programs. It starts on Friday, September 26 and continues until Sunday, September 28. On Friday, people can preview the art from 5-7 and then at 7 they open up the chance for purchases. Each square is unique and only $36! This is my first time participating and I’m excited to see how it goes. Putting together the collages has been a lot of fun!
“Tempest” was accepted into the Allied Arts Juried Show and was displayed in the Gallery at the Park in Richland. To see it printed (I decided to sell limited edition prints instead of the original), and framed, and hanging in a gallery was really nice. It hasn’t found a home yet so it’s going to other local calls for art.
Along with ArtSquared in Walla Walla, I will also be at the SoCo Arts Festival in Kennewick. In person events are hard work but they’re so rewarding. I get to meet and spend time with fellow artists and art lovers and have real, in-person, conversations.
Filling the bucket:
Summer is coming to an end. Slowly. Here in east Washington we still “enjoy” 90+ degree days and smoky skies. Daylight hours are shrinking fast and for those that struggle with the long nights, I see you. I enjoy the cold, but not the 4pm sunsets. It may be a good time to work on process-intensive projects and to hang out with artsy friends.
On the topic of artsy friends, my friends from FrogPatch Paper and Works are opening their own brick and mortar shop in downtown Kennewick! They are such wonderful, caring, humans and I am so happy that their dream is becoming reality.
I’ve said this before with different words and I think it bears repeating. Fill your bucket.
That phrase came up during a conversation today (thanks, Heather!) on how important it is to know, and then look for, the things that fill your bucket. Big or small, the things that fill our buckets keep us going when everything is difficult, when the world is in chaos, when things are falling apart. So I leave you with these questions: When was the last time you gave thought to the things that fill your bucket? Have you ever written them down? Think about it. Figure it out. And then… (this is key) find ways to experience those things. Taking action is just as important because you can’t go around for long with nothing in your bucket.
Thank you for reading Photographs and Stories it fills my bucket to know that you do.
Reading this makes me realize I enjoy the process more than the outcome. Good read!
Beautiful work - and congratulations on your public presentation! Those are dreadful.