Dream State - A Surreal Photo Project
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Everything around me was changing in 2015. My work was included in its first exhibit, and then into a second. I was a part of a "real" gallery, whose art director even accompanied me to the shows of other artists. She trusted my taste and invested in my work, hanging my work on her wall.
I found part-time work as a shop hand for a locally famous painter. I made connections in the art world that were far beyond my merit. I was earning straight A's in college, and fell in love with studio lighting and artistic portraiture. I felt like I was an artist.
It felt like a dream, an intimidating dream. These events were real, but so far beyond what I thought I had the capacity to achieve on my own, I wondered if it was all a farce. I felt like a wanderer. I felt like the grounds beneath my feet were constantly shifting sands. I felt uncertainty about whether I could keep it up. I didn't feel like an artist.
And in my urge for seeking resolution, I journeyed toward discovering my creative vision. And on this journey I realized there was more purpose for the Artist than simply making pictures.
Follow my creative journey on Instagram!
Best Regards,
John Dykstra
I appreciate you sharing your experiences with us.
Great post, John. Perfect length, beautiful photography, and very well written. I think that’s the big secret in the artist community — not feeing like an artist, or not feeling like your work is good enough. I don’t think those fears ever really go away...they haven’t for me anyways. lol Ultimately I think it’s up to the artist to decide the value of their own work.
Thank you, Tyson!! It's true, the value is up to the artist to decide on their own, and it's something that isn't too easy to grasp. And thank you for the feedback on the post, I need to remember to remain as concise as possible. I feel I have too much I want to say at times! It comes with experience. :)
This is great, unusual to see sand so close to the forest. It looks like the temperatures would be cold with the leaves on the earth!
In the fifties, Fahrenheit.