When I first thought of writing this blog it appeared to me chronologically. As if I’ll first write a post introducing myself, and then work my way through describing where I came from, my thoughts, my previous work places and so on. A sort of a resume, working my way to construct a personal history together with the readers. Slowly I came to realize that it doesn’t work that way, not in blogs, not online.
There simply isn’t an audience for histories, for resumes, for the past. There isn’t a point where it makes sense to write that I used to do this and that, that I worked in that place, that I studied in that school. There’s only a place for the present. In some strange and twisted way, it’s the convergence of reality shows with meditation of the here and now – the present.
People are interested in the present, in what’s happening right now. “What happening?” Is the twitter question. In the big brother live cameras showing people in real time (at least the cameras are supposed to be live). No time to process, no time to prepare the presentation – just show the moment as it is, “put yourself out there”.
I can’t say that “putting myself out there” is really my strong side. I’m more of an introvert with self-imposed exposure complex. I never filled up my personal details in online forms. I didn’t enlist to any service that wanted to know about me. I held another email address just to hide. But here I am, writing all my thoughts on a blog, trying to “put myself out there”. It doesn’t come natural, it’s real exposure, it has a price… I hope it’s worth it.
Illustration: I’m using Lulu my clay and fabric sculpted character with a new expression. The expressions (faces) are fitted into one original head support. Camera image bought from stock photo site. Photoshop finishing.
I don’t know about that Emy. I do like to read about the personal stories and backgrounds of the people whose work I admire. I read all the time the Roadside project by illustrator Jayme McGowan and I feel that I know her as if we were friends. I was listening to the podcast No illustrator is an island and they were talking about the importance of creating a narrative for your brand as an illustrator. I think personal stories are all about that.
I would like to know how did you start working with clay. What are the challenges of that medium. Do you like to sketch a lot before starting? What other illustrators do you admire?
I think that a way to help you with that fear of being expose is to think that someone else is interviewing you and to try to answer one question at a time with each post. That’s my plan for my own blog. Good luck with your promotional efforts! Your pieces are gorgeous!