Saturday, March 31, 2007

Look what I found...


I mentioned that it would be quiet at the blog this month. These four weeks have been so difficult yet cathartic at the same time. You see, I hold the belief that we earn our happiness - not the surface/momentary kind that is more easily achievable but the deep and abiding kind. I also believe that the most gratifying and authentic path is rarely the easiest one. The reasons for this most recent soul journey are many. Some too private to share, some too exciting not to.

I will skip past the private pain part and straight to the exciting bits. I have been toying with the idea of getting more serious about my photography for some time. I am at a turning point in my current (unsatisfying) career and feel that the last year of my thirties is as good as any to pursue a path that brings me joy. I have gained more and more encouragement from those around me. These individuals happen to be in positions to help me achieve my goals and believed in me - before even I did.

This month the most fortuitous things happened...
  • One of my photos won a prize in the World TtV Day competition with a second taking an honorable mention.
  • A different one of my photos was included in this project and will eventually be published in a book.
  • I have been approached to shoot stills for a group of fine art pieces (a paid job!).
  • And these cards were printed (to be fair, this did happen in December)
Individually, these things are small nods and compliments but the accumulative effect combined with the timing has been astounding to me. It helped me to actually see myself as an artist. The vision is perfectly clear for the first time. The difference between the do-ers and the non-do-ers boils down to conviction and courage. Throw in a smidge of talent and why not just do it? Why not indeed. So, although I feel there is more plan formulating to be done before I take the big leap, I have decided to throw myself wholeheartedly at a new life. I am scared but I am so damn relieved at the same time. Relieved to have found the me I am meant to be and to have found the courage to be it.


__________________________
4/4 - edited to add: used this tool to alter the image.

13 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hurrah! Yippee! FANTASTIC! For so many reasons... It has been a busy, tubulent, beautiful, magnificent month. The photos this month are magic. And I'm glad that you are finally able to see what has been so plainly obvious to anyone who takes the time to look. You ARE an artist. BW

8:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this is absolutely wonderful!!! I can't tell you how much this post encourages me. I'm so happy that the world is giving you evidences and signs that you are a true artist.

great, great post.

12:57 AM  
Blogger angela said...

a mega beam smile :)
you are an amazing artist, and a great inspiration!

6:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ditto Irene. You have every reason to believe you're an artist. Keep making things happen! You're on a great path and I wholeheartedly back up every step and follow you along the way.

1:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You go, sista!

9:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm SO happy you're following your dreams. I love your photos LeS and I know this endeavor will broaden your dreams and heart. You are an artist extraordinaire and I'm thrilled to see you succeed.

We're going to Musee Mecanique today and I found another b/w booth at Wasteland on Haight Street - it's in the back right hand of the store. xo

9:26 AM  
Blogger Vanessa/NessieNoodle said...

les, this is all very exciting and encouraging. Your photography inspires and has a magical intrige (sp?).
thank you for continuing to share the world through your eyes, words or not I still come back for more and more....

11:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow Wow Wow!!!

You go girl! And how inspiring you are to me as I too contemplate a similar move!

I go to the Ganges next week, and will sail a candle down the river in honor of your new path!

muah!
e

3:35 AM  
Blogger LeS said...

Oh, dear.
Thank you, thank you...

BW: Thank you love, I couldn't have done this all without you.

irene: hooray for those signs :) they are all around you, too!

ang: you are lovely - boy do I owe you (it'll get there, I promise!!)

steph: NO, NEXT to me! Not following me, silly :)

anon: you have everything to do with me believing in myself :) what more is there to say?

kiki: yay! thank you SO and how was your trip?

ness: 'intriguing' is one of the best compliments you could give me :) thank you for your unwavering support.

lun: REALLY? I actually cried when I got this message from you. I can't imagine anything more beautiful...thank you does not get near to expressing my gratitude.

9:02 AM  
Blogger Allison said...

just catching up on blogs, so I missed this post. yay! i am so excited for you! it is so refreshing to hear someone say that they have a dream and have decided to follow their intuition down that path. with your talent, i am sure this is going to be great!

4:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Darling - an artist is an understatement - you have always been that, through and through. I selfishly want you to move right along so you will let go of those "baby paintings in a box" and I can adorn my walls with them. You are so incredibly talented! Keep on, loving you from Houston!zdeonqgi

3:58 PM  
Blogger andrea said...

oh leslie. I am so excited for you, so happy for you... and totally inspired! a thousand times over, congratulations! and I think you have made a most brave and exciting decision! I am behind you all the way, love!

p.s. I had a lookie at the ttv robot shots and I LOOOOOOVE them. brilliant, absolutely.

12:11 PM  
Blogger Alicia P. said...

Fantabulously awesomely well done you.

7:37 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home