Showing posts with label artist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artist. Show all posts

Saturday, August 6, 2011

When I Grow Up

Here I am, 41 years old, and still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I've considered being a photographer and a writer since I was a little kid. I got my first camera when I was 7 and don't know if I have put one down since.
Writing has also been a favorite. In third grade I had a teacher, Mrs. Dennis, that would have us write short stories every week. She'd pick the best ones and the class would vote on their favorite. I almost always had one in the top three and even won first place a couple of times.
In the last couple of years I have discovered the world of Indy Crafting. I love to make things and the people I've met have been amazing. It makes me feel like one of the cool kids when I wander down the aisles at a craft show and know the amazing artists who are taking part.
So what's my problem? Obviously I want to do something creative. That seems to be my calling. My problem, as is the problem with a lot of creative people, is that I lack focus. I need to get myself trained to concentrate on one area and actually WORK on that one area. Any one have any tips for this?
What's the best way to make something a habit when you are busy and often don't know if you are coming or going? How do you create a private space for yourself AND convince the kiddos that you need them to stay out of your way for a bit? How do you work through the creatively dry times and not lose your momentum?
All suggestions are encouraged and will be VERY appreciated.

Monday, January 25, 2010

When I grow up...

When I grow up I wanna be a... A.... Hmmm... Well, let's see..
OK so I can't quite figure out WHAT I want to do with my life. Every time I think I know I come up with something new. I seem to have no focus.
I really enjoy making things. I could see myself doing that for a living. I would love to hang out at craft fairs every weekend and have a successful on-line shop. I'd also love to have my own craft show on HGTV or something.
I also love taking pictures. I always have. I got my first camera when I was like 7 or something. I even went to Ohio State for Photography for a while. My true passion was art photography. Unfortunately, weddings seem to be where the money is at and I am not a big fan of wedding photography.
Writing is another passion. I still remember the short story contests we used to have in Mrs. Dennis' third grade class at Ely Elementary. I wrote one once about an old mattress that had become a mouse hotel. It won. I've taken several creative writing classes and have a book that I've been working on for more than a few years now. There is even a whole novel sitting in a drawer somewhere around here that I wrote when I was 18. It's really bad.
I enjoy working with kids. I don't know if I could deal with them in a structured environment for several hours a day every day but they're fun.
I can't make any decisions. I'm actually working through the book 'What Color is Your Parachute' book to see if that helps. So far there has been no real surprises in anything I've found.
I'm considering going back to school for Graphic Design. My thinking on this is that I can use my artsy fartsy capabilities towards something that may actually help me get a real job. A career even. Even just reading about it makes me nervous though. I'm not sure if I'm cut out for school. I've been out of that world for a LONG time.
Another possibility is that, over the summer, I find out that I CAN make some money doing my crafts. That would be wonderful. Of course that would mean I'd have to get organized and develop some time management skills. Both of these things are a bit weak for me.
If I ever get my book finished I can start the process of getting my rejection letters. Maybe, just maybe, some one will bite. It may also turn out that once I get this first one out of my head there's another even better one waiting to come out. Who knows?

Have you figured out what your true passion is? How have you done it? How many shots did it take? Help me out here... I'll take ANY advice and/or suggestions.