i'm one of those weird hybrid kind of people...well, maybe not so much hybrid but forced into a niche because i can't make a living (yet) on art. so i was taught from a very young age that i should have a profession to fall back on and then i could make art my hobby. i think my mom was this way too - she did the most beautiful crafts - ceramics, painting, handmaking barbie clothes, all of those sorts of things. but she never believed she was an 'artist' - she saw herself more as a copyist. (is that a word?)
over the past three years i've worked hard on developing my artistic side that i had repressed for a number of years. and now have been able to say, 'yes, i'm a photographer' without qualifying it. i'm sure many of you know what i'm talking about there.
at my old job, the owners wife was a painter so my artistic side (slightly wacky bohemian aspect of my nature - grin) was fully integrated and embraced. my office was a mini-art gallery and we would regularly discuss art in the break room.
here...well, so not the case. we are a serious government agency doing serious government work. my musical garland has hung in my office about a week now and everyone that comes by stops and stares. and then turns to me with a quizzical face - 'what is it?'
it's a garland - you know a decoration.
'but what does it do?'
nothing - it's just pretty.
'oh' and they vaguely nod their head.
i guess they don't 'get' my dinosaur robot or bendy alligator either. *shrugs* as ogden nash said, life is just not that serious.
Aww, you'll be a good influence on them. By next year, I bet they'll all have garland.
ReplyDeleteamen sister! plus, i totally know what you're saying. everytime i say i want to be a writer, my mentor, who is an actual writer reassures me that i am just that. i think that her philosophy must be that if you do it (write) then you are it (a writer). but i still want to be published. so i get you.
ReplyDeleteSome people have no sense of humor. I took out my work "visitor" chair and put in a recliner, I cover the walls with cool pictures I've found or the kids have drawn and everyone in my office owns a nerf gun. Hopefully you find a kindred spirit. :)
ReplyDeleteI get ya! Yes I do! People are way too serious! It was that way at the bank I used to work at...I hated all that corporate crap! I once asked them "do you think someone that comes in here and wants to talk to me about borrowing money really cares if I'm dressed in a suit or jeans?"...they only know what they want! Next time when they ask you what does it do...tell them it makes you happy:)...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo!!
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful weekend Char ~~
xoxo
Love the colors of your sky - they are magical.
ReplyDeleteLove how you are confident in your skin. Those people just need to get with it! Shrug.
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs an artsit in their life :)!
ReplyDeleteamazing photo!+
ReplyDeleteand so you should be a photographer you images are stunning!++
Ahhh...now I understand why you couldn't watch the video I had posted on my blog yesterday. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you have worked hard to develop your repressed artistic side. That is a really good way to put something that I think a lot of people are forced to do. They have to repress a part of themselves and then it's hard to get back to that part. I'm glad you can now call yourself a photographer. Good for you!
Have a great weekend!
Oh I know how that is...I work in an accounting firm! Much too serious...too much number crunching and "important" thing to do. Keep up the garland and keep shrugging. You are an artist! :)
ReplyDeleteThey need you desparately, that is why you wound up there.....
ReplyDeletethis made me laugh out loud because I remember feeling the exact same way when out at a movie with a 'very non arty' friend a few months back. It was 500 days of summer and they were walking through an art gallery and my friend very loudly whispers "man I hate art!". I just thought that was the most mental thing anybody had ever said to me I actually had to laugh.
ReplyDeleteMy youth was consumed with creating, painting, photography and I let it all go and believed that I had lost the skills/talent. I'm finally starting very slowly to get back into what was such a huge part of my being.
Wow...that's funny. But kind of not b/c I know exactly what you mean. I honestly do. There's really nothing I can suggest other than make damn sure you don't get discouraged. Keep your passions alive in your off time, but don't expect anyone at work to get you. They may surprise you and grow into it. And they may not. Just remember, you're not your job. And you know I'm struggling with this now too! : )
ReplyDeleteOh...and that photo is so breathtaking.
Don't feel silly. You may be in the process of giving another repressed artist the okay to let herself shine as well. A couple of days before Christmas I cut out paper snowflakes and decorated my desk (did the same at home). They amuse me. I need to bring some toys.
ReplyDeleteI thought you might like the link to this blog. She is a South African artist. She has introduced me to all kinds of art forms on her blog. She has a great giveaway going right now. http://artpropelled.blogspot.com/2010/01/little-taste-of-africa-and-giveaway.html
Regardless, you are in a wonderful place to just "own" what you do, without apology. Some people never reach that place. Kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteI love synchronicity - whether you intended it or not, this post of yours answers my question about personal spaces at work. I love that you hang garlands simply for beauty and have toys simply for silly. Never stop, my friend. Never stop.
ReplyDeleteWell, you gotta just do your own thing in your own space. It's too bad they don't get it, but maybe they will in time. My work office is the same way - decorated with photos and oddball stuff like hippos and monkeys. :) It's fun!
ReplyDeleteApplause for you for being you! I love it (probably because my desk is littered with all kinds of silly toys that make me happy). If only I had come to the conclusion a lot sooner that it's not that serious--such a good reminder Char--thanks! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletexo
so you work with government stiffs? those types are all about! hahahaha. i work around art, so get the art stuff all the time, and i love it! but i know it isn't for everyone. i think they are missing out, but they probably think i need to get a life and follow sports. :)
ReplyDeletei so get what you are saying. when i was in my last year of high school, we had an info session on career options done by some people from several US universities. They started off by asking each one of us what kind of career we wanted. in a room full of people who claimed they wanted to be either aeronautical engineers or neurosurgeons, i was the lone person who said i wanted to be a writer and that i wanted to work in education. every single one of them turned round to look at me like i was crazy. a writer? they asked. what do you want to do that for?
ReplyDeleteso, yeah. i get you.
i'm sorry for them. and i'm sorry that they don't know what they're missing. to them, a garland is just a garland and a beautiful sunset is just another day ending..
ReplyDeleteyou're right though about not making a living being an artist ..........unless something drastic happens hehehe or if you're a marketing genius, that would help..probably.
I bet they all secretly want one. I do!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's some pretty serious worker people! Who can't appreciate some esthetic dressing up of one's office? Sounds like they need some serious shaking up, Char...I think that's why you've ended up there!
ReplyDeletei am always embarrassed when my husband introduces me as "the photographer"...i feel i have to prove it to...who? i don't know...myself? thanks for sharing your heart.
ReplyDeleteTakes all kinds, doesn't it? Like the commenter above, I get so embarrassed when my friends introduce me as the photographer. I've just never considered myself one.
ReplyDeleteBut what does it do? Well, they'd have real trouble in my house. Things just "are."
ReplyDeleteBrenda
this made me smile...in awe at the sky
ReplyDeletei love that... "life is just not that serious"... how perfect. {and this story made me laugh...because SO many people just don't "get it." I think for many (that I know) just don't 'want' to "get it." I think it's sad}
ReplyDelete