November 17, 2009

I'm not sure at all where I'm going with this...

but
before I fell in love with photography
I was an artist
kind of
sort of
~~
okay
I have a great art studio and it's filled with everything mixed media
and
I have taken loads of art classes
and
I was published in two magazines and a book
but still
I have never felt like an artist and choked when I tried to call myself one
~
similar to now
when someone asks what I do
and
I muffle out "I'm a photographer" and mix it with a little cough
into my shoulder
and
then look up to see their reaction
~~
I don't know why I do this
since I'm so very proud of the work I do
but I do
~~
anyhow
lately I've been playing with a new box of crayons
and
I feel like a kid again
~
who knew layers and textures could be so much fun
{well misty did and she's been my inspiration}
yet
frustrating and time consuming
~but that's a whole other story~
~~
so yesterday
after misty and suzanne
~and now lots more of you~
told me how much they loved my new banner
and
jaime asked me how I created it
well
I decided that maybe that artist in me
that I never really acknowledged enough
was getting a little jealous of the photographer
who gets a bit more attention these days
and
that maybe they should learn to run around on the playground
together
and
play
~~
and
then I thought
maybe my clients would like something different
and
that maybe these could be printed on graduation cards
or
on a big wrapped canvas
~~
but now I'm getting ahead of myself
since I haven't even done a test run with a simple 4x6 print
~~
that's on my to-do list today
~
so
I'll let you know what happens
but
in the meantime
I'm going to keep hoping that I don't have to kick anyone of the teeter-totter
*

41 comments:

  1. Beth, you are truly an artist in every sense of the word. Your work always floors me! Remember the stuff you made in Lynne Perrella's class? It could make me weep it was so beautiful. Your photography is on the same level. Can't wait to see the results of today's to do list!!!

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  2. you may not know where you're going with it, but in the meantime it sure is looking good!

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  3. I would not cough and put my face into my shoulder with your work...it's great! I really like the way the pictures work so well with the background and I daresay, so will your clients. Very unique and very good! So keep playing with those crayons!

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  4. That is a cool image. Is this a client of yours or your daughter?

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  5. Say it loud. Say it often. Before you know it, you will own it. Because you are an artist, Beth.

    Gorgeous, artful collage.

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  6. I never knew that you too. See? It was so obvious to me that you are an artist, a photographer, it never even once - never! - occurred to me that you too have that "saying I'm an artist" problem. Oh, I know, know, know this feeling and it feels embarrassing, feels vain, feels just plain weird, like I should be wearing a beret or something. LOL! I am thrilled that you will embrace your inner artist, that your inner photographer will scoot over a bit and see that they can be buddies, can work & play together. This will be fun! (You'll see!)

    xo
    Debi

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  7. Oh just have fun introducing them to each other ... Beth, this is the artist in you and over here is the photographer in you and up there is the wife and there's the mother ... oh and the daughter, sister, friend ... gosh it's crowded but everyone seems to be getting on great! Now who wants to lead today?

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  8. Oh girl, be proud! You are a wonderful photographer. You are a wonderful artist. You are a great person. Tell the world!

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  9. hey...come here honey. i need to deliver a swift kick. (teasing!) you are so talented and now that i know you did the banner too? i was so jealous because it is so professional!! i wondered who did it because i was just in love with it. maybe i need to contract with you to do me a new banner. i have some thoughts but can't draw worth a lick.

    and yes, you're a photographer - i see you growing leaps and bounds. now let me hug you too because honey, you're da bomb diggity.

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  10. I love what you've done here with your neighbor's pictures. I wish I knew how to use photoshop or equivalent. Have fun playing with those crayons too. I look forward to seeing the outcome of your to do list also. Have a great day.

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  11. plays well with others ... A+

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  12. Like it or not, Photographers are Artists. :) You might as well just suck it up. You're an ARTIST!

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  13. I was shocked that day you said you had a hard time saying you were a photographer. Your work, and words, are so amazing. And now I can see that yes, you are an artist. Would love to see some of your other work. Meanwhile this in-progress piece of your neighbor looks great.

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  14. You look like an artist to me! Whether the "paint" is camera or brush you have the eye to see the world in a beautiful, unique artistic way that is yours alone. If you ever wanted to teach on line classes on how to use photoshop to get unique results - I would love it. So glad I found your site!

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  15. Your photos are amazing enough to stand alone, however, I do so love what you've done with these and I am in love with textured layers in photos these days.

    The more you say out loud that you are an artist and a photographer, the more comfortable you will be when someone asks what you do. You have to tell yourself enough times so that YOU believe it.

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  16. OMG shut up! you are wonderful artist and photographer! Repeat after me!

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  17. Be proud~ cause you so rock! ; )
    xo

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  18. Of course you're an artist! There's no doubt about it. I felt the same about calling myself a writer, always saying it in an abashed tone of voice and a little wince. But ever since I started writing in the blog world, somehow that made the difference. I was 'published'. It's silly how we need these kinds of qualifiers in order to feel we deserve the title of artist or writer, but I imagine lots of us are like that.

    You are most definitely an artist and your idea sounds perfect. I love the line about running around in the playground together. This is the stuff of creativity - having ideas spark from each other.

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  19. Hold your high high Beth...you are an artist and a very talented one! No more coughing when you say you are a photographer...ok?

    Ahhhhh...textures and layers...a whole new world opened up for me when I learned to use these. BTW have you been to shadowhouse creations yet??? Holy cow, this guy is sharing the most beautiful textures...FOR FREE! Be sure to visit his flickr site too (his name on flicker is skeletalmess...you can access his flickr site through his blog).

    Run over there now!!!
    http://shadowhousecreations.blogspot.com/

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  20. Your work is fabulous...own it!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  21. I knew you were an artist because your photographs show me that. Now I see you are even more than I imagined. Your art is beautiful and creative and sings from your heart. It is a difficult word to say, isn't it? I have a difficult time with saying I am an artist too, eventhough I have created in many different ways over my whole life.

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  22. You are definately an artist. When I first started following your blog it was because I thought your photos were just beautiful. I very much enjoy coming to see what you've created next.

    I love what you've done with the photos above and the banner is quite lovely. :)

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  23. you are definitely a very talented artist and photographer...no cough needed. xo

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  24. Well Beth, you are an artist of all things, of life, your photography, art and your poetry. I love everyday coming because there is always something new. I LOVE the artwork today, and your banner is wow. People ask where I got my picture, and I say from Beth, she is an amazing photographer, now I am adding artist to that!...no coughing required my friend.

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  25. You ARE an artist Beth. Can I recommend Clarissa Pinkola Estes 'The Creative Fire' audio CD, it's absolutely fantastic and she relates the creative problems that we all experience and how we can overcome them to myths, legneds and folklore and the message that can be interpreted via them.

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  26. You may choke at calling yourself an artist but I never will. You capture little pieces of the world's beauty with your artist soul and then share them with us. That's nothing to choke on, beautiful One.
    Love the photoplay ! Practice makes perfect !;)

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  27. Beth you are a mighty talented artist, amazing photographer, and your writing is bliss! I have a present on my blog for you to prove it!

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  28. Your published in 2 mags and 1 book? I'd have "I'm an artist" tatooed on my forehead.
    Your blog speaks for itself, artist.

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  29. Omigosh Beth, This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING! You are onto something wonderful!

    And I agree with everyone else, you are an artist and you are definitely a photographer... But I completely understand the feeling of not quite screaming it from the tops of mountains...I'm the same way.

    Please share more of these wonderful collage creations!!! I think this is an absolutely BRILLIANT idea... They would be so cool as a wrapped canvas. You could have different themes depending on who your client is... Can't wait to see more!!

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  30. SHUT UP...seriously? i am amazed by your work. seriously. linda

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  31. Beautiful work...beautiful photography!

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  32. You were published in two magazines and a book!!!! That is awesome. Congratulations.

    I think you are a great artist and a fabulous blogger! And your work in this post is further proof of your abilities.

    You go girl!

    xo

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  33. beth,
    i love this idea! i think your clients would be crazy about it too. i meant to comment on how much i dug your new banner too...you go girl and keep on going you are on to something!
    kt

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  34. What a wonderful montage. Love the play of textures..of colors. Is this digital? Or paint and crayons? Keep it up. It's really great!!!

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  35. AND you need to add writing to the list of your talents to include with your photography and art. Your words touch my soul....always!

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  36. beth -
    I understand in every way (except for being in a book). I too was more artistic and have now become more of a photographer.

    I have been having a bad day and you made me smile - thanks!

    (just cross yoru fingers that I don't get into trouble tomorrow)

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  37. i have always know you are an artist & a photographer, and a damn good one, too!
    i love that you have found the layers and are adding them to your gorgeous photos... (albeit they are time consuming) and i love that you are having so much fun exploring what you can do... it's endless, isn't it?


    you are so cool to include me in this post, muah!
    keep on rockin' girl! xoxoox

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  38. You have put into words the exact feeling I have when people call me a photographer.

    And this . . . this is beautiful.

    I love the colors in it. And I love how you write.

    I think you're going to have to face the fact that you really are an artist. And a photographer.

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  39. Ohh... I like it. I really like it when you artist and your photographer play together. Really, really like it. I'd be willing to bet your clients will, too.

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  40. When you look up 'artist' in Webster's, it says, "People who are like Beth"...and there's a little arrow pointing to your tiny head!

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  41. I love your new box of crayons - so pretty and creative!

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**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth