So wonderful to listening to your inquiries. Yes why are we always labelling everything? I think maybe it’s to find out our own status and worth in this difficult world we’re living in. But why should we? Isn’t enough to be a decent and loving human being who cares about others and self as well? Loved how you relate with the haiku, “how it does not explain or justify, but just observes. It captures fleeting moments and then just waits for the import of those moments to sink in.” Best wishes from Iceland, Rannsy
Hello Rannsy, how is your summer? It’s good to reread Shital’s words in your comment, and yes, they definitely resonate. Perhaps there is something in our psyche that labels answer, and if one is attached we can move on to the next thing. And sometimes perhaps we hesitate as in this difficult world we doubt if others will understand the value of creativity when there are so many other needs and wants we could be in service to.
Having got one of the busiest sheep days of the year out of the way yesterday, it was lovely and sit down to listen and read this slightly unexpected post. Only unexpected due to its subject, I’m not sure I follow anybody on any social media who I would be more likely to describe as an artist than you. Whilst I believe it’s entirely possible to be an artist who is ‘just’ a photographer, you are so much more than that. Your mind seems to meander down creative snickets just to see what might be there all the while aware that it may well be nothing and it’s a wander I so enjoy taking with you. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Dave, that made me smile. I’ve wandered down a few snickets and ginnels in my time, often to the frustration of (non-photographic) companions! I hope you are getting your breath back now; I shall read your latest to see how it all went.
"Suffice to say that whatever the tool, whatever material, it is the message, the evocation, rather than the medium that in my view nudges one way or the other."
“Suffice to say that whatever the tool, whatever material, it is the message, the evocation, rather than the medium that in my view nudges one way or the other.” Perfectly put.
It feels like there’s a lot more nuance to the answer than just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
I also am a little allergic to labels - in part I think it is a sort of imposter syndrome, and in part it is not wanting to have to fit inside a box. So I completely understand this hesitation and the pondering it led to (but also, in my mind, you are an artist, a creator, a wonderer, a bringer of beauty!)
Thank you Rebecca. Pigeonholes are best avoided! Circumstances make a difference too. And out of context and place it’s harder to answer yes when you carry the knowledge of hunger and suffering and uncertainty that is a part of too many people’s lives. Creativity isn’t a luxury, but it can feel like a guilty pleasure sometimes.
You’re a creative, Michaela. It manifests in different ways. Art, photography, words. I’m not sure how much the actual labels matter. Both your photos and words are beautiful.
I am just about to head off on a 100 km walk which leads on to three workshops and tours. I’ll be away from home for seven weeks. I will reach out when I have some time as I’d love too.
Oh Michela, of course you are an artist, a creator, a noticer, a sharer of beauty through words, and art, and photography. You are exceptional at that, sharing the glory of the natural world. Say it out loud, say it often, say it with pride, wear the badge and love every minute of it! I see you, dear artist friend!
Thank you Sarah ☺️ I appreciate your encouragement and kindness. I was puzzled by my hesitation. I shall keep noticing—I doubt I could do otherwise—and see what it prompts.
I have the same with "are you a writer?". For some reason I find it easy to identify others as writers but have trouble claiming the label for myself, as if something needs to happen before I'm worthy of claiming that label.
It’s strange isn’t it Sophie? Out of curiosity I looked it up:
“We use the suffix -er to change the meaning of a word. The suffix -er changes a verb into a noun. The noun is a person who does the action. For example, the word teach becomes teacher. A teacher is someone who teaches.”
So if you write, you are a writer, and I am a photographer. Yet something somewhere sometime has left a trace memory that our actions need validation or recognition. Education perhaps, or even upbringing: don’t be boastful or show off, be modest, wait to be noticed…
Love this inquiry! I am musing about the word "labels," because I kinda see words in general as labels -- yet neither we, nor, I think, the trees, are troubled by being labeled "tree" or "oak" or "shade" or "deciduous"... So I wonder if our struggle with labels is their stickiness, and what we think the other person sees/expects/understands in the label they are offering to pat onto our lapel!
Thanks Lainey. The discussions that this has prompted has made me think about human propensity to name and categorise: an analytical approach, a historical anachronism even, that doesn’t necessarily reflect or add to understanding. And perhaps if we lean towards art more than math or science, we push back at the idea of being another specimen in the display cabinet!
Very interesting question, once we get past the words of it, which are quite "simple", after all. Trying to answer it through intellectual reasoning made it hard to answer, but looking at it from what I do perhaps most importantly why, it wasn't so hard.
I consider myself to be an artist simply because in the long run I end up being unhappy and depressed if I can't pursue and refine my creativity. It's only been photography for 15 years but before that it was other things.
I'd say that if almost "everything" you do tends to go through a creative process, you're probably an artist and I actually think that this is "the artist's curse" as many things are made more complicated, requiring more energy than they need to be.
With that said, my answer to the question, in that situation, would very likely be the same as yours, that I'm a photographer, if nothing else but because that is a less private answer to a fairly private question, coming from a stranger.
By the way, everything I've seen about and from you, Michela – your photography, your writing, your thoughts, tells me that you definitely seem to be an artist (at least by my own definition of the word). In the end it's up to you to decide what makes or doesn't make you an artist and I'm not sure that it matters much as we are what we are… 🙂
Thank you Stephane. Yes, I can relate to what you say, from the drive to create in some form, to the emotional balance it offers, and the tendency to overthink every permutation. I’m not too worried about categorisation, as my drivers are mostly intrinsic, but I was genuinely puzzled by the way that the question threw me off-balance. It may simply have been down to context, and I certainly haven’t been losing sleep over it.
Maybe sometimes certain questions become unnecessary, and they catch us off guard. For example, questions like "Tell me, who you are" or "Are you an artist?." What truly matters is how you feel — and your photos tell me that being in your skin feels just fine. :) Thank you for mentioning my article.
Thank you Davor; sharing your link is a pleasure. There’s a chapter title in one of Richard Mabey’s books ‘Feeling through the eyes’ that I’ve always thought summed up my relationship with the camera.
Yes! As I read this, I could feel the body edges of having to label oneself. At the same time, this sentence feels like the perfect, non-boxy definition of an artist: "And for the last few years I've been happy just to explore creativity, see where it takes me, and once again, let my work evolve." So whether you feel more like a photographer, painter, sketcher, or writer on any given day, keep exploring creativity.
A thought provoking piece Michela - I'm not a great supporter of labels...but then is it a label or is it part of our identity? Photography has been part of my life since childhood and I feel it's part of my identity, yet it took a long time for me to feel enough self belief to call myself a photographer...I love gardening and cooking as well both creative pursuits and so I could use the all encompassing term of being a creative. Ahh so much to think on here!
I think labels are subjective and potentially limiting. A camera has been an important part of my life since my teens too, so photography is part of who I am. Perhaps it’s a reminder to revisit that one liner for ‘what do you do?’ as I’m not sure any of these do much other than potentially close off a conversation as they don’t really say much. Thank you Lin.
Labels are best left in pigeonholes, which are just as problematic! Maybe this highlights a mismatch between art / craft and science (the urge to catalogue). It’s always good to share what resonates.
I find your work to be artistic, and thus I think you are an artist. I think back to a question someone asked me several months ago. They asked if I am a professional. And I thought about it and I remembered an answer I had seen once before, perhaps on here, that if you are paid for your work, you are indeed a professional. And I do sometimes get paid for my work. I still have problem calling myself a professional photographer.
Ah yes, I know that one too Bob, and tread carefully there. Amateur says it so well—for the love of it—and yet somehow implies a lower bar, so again what to say? Thanks for your kind words.
Are you an artist? With your creativity, imagination, and skill, absolutely! You interpret what you see and experience in a fresh, unique way. I watch out for your posts every Thursday pm. Your sketching, photography, and writing are all amazing. You are an artist to me!
Thanks very much Linda. And in turn I greatly enjoy your photographs and writing appearing in my Notes feed; I am fascinated and educated in equal measure, and alway impressed by the information that you impart.
So wonderful to listening to your inquiries. Yes why are we always labelling everything? I think maybe it’s to find out our own status and worth in this difficult world we’re living in. But why should we? Isn’t enough to be a decent and loving human being who cares about others and self as well? Loved how you relate with the haiku, “how it does not explain or justify, but just observes. It captures fleeting moments and then just waits for the import of those moments to sink in.” Best wishes from Iceland, Rannsy
Hello Rannsy, how is your summer? It’s good to reread Shital’s words in your comment, and yes, they definitely resonate. Perhaps there is something in our psyche that labels answer, and if one is attached we can move on to the next thing. And sometimes perhaps we hesitate as in this difficult world we doubt if others will understand the value of creativity when there are so many other needs and wants we could be in service to.
Having got one of the busiest sheep days of the year out of the way yesterday, it was lovely and sit down to listen and read this slightly unexpected post. Only unexpected due to its subject, I’m not sure I follow anybody on any social media who I would be more likely to describe as an artist than you. Whilst I believe it’s entirely possible to be an artist who is ‘just’ a photographer, you are so much more than that. Your mind seems to meander down creative snickets just to see what might be there all the while aware that it may well be nothing and it’s a wander I so enjoy taking with you. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Dave, that made me smile. I’ve wandered down a few snickets and ginnels in my time, often to the frustration of (non-photographic) companions! I hope you are getting your breath back now; I shall read your latest to see how it all went.
I believe that this is true:
"Suffice to say that whatever the tool, whatever material, it is the message, the evocation, rather than the medium that in my view nudges one way or the other."
Thanks for sharing your world with us!
Thank you Manuela! I’m glad to be able to do so.
“Suffice to say that whatever the tool, whatever material, it is the message, the evocation, rather than the medium that in my view nudges one way or the other.” Perfectly put.
It feels like there’s a lot more nuance to the answer than just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Thanks Jo. Perhaps ‘It all depends’ would have been a good reply!
I also am a little allergic to labels - in part I think it is a sort of imposter syndrome, and in part it is not wanting to have to fit inside a box. So I completely understand this hesitation and the pondering it led to (but also, in my mind, you are an artist, a creator, a wonderer, a bringer of beauty!)
Thank you Rebecca. Pigeonholes are best avoided! Circumstances make a difference too. And out of context and place it’s harder to answer yes when you carry the knowledge of hunger and suffering and uncertainty that is a part of too many people’s lives. Creativity isn’t a luxury, but it can feel like a guilty pleasure sometimes.
You’re a creative, Michaela. It manifests in different ways. Art, photography, words. I’m not sure how much the actual labels matter. Both your photos and words are beautiful.
I don’t think the labels do Debbie, at least not to me. I was puzzled by by hesitation though. Thank you.
Artist… I am in bed this morning, listening to the wind, the cold of winter is invigorating…. I have this urge to talk to you…
Hello Len, it’s good to hear from you. Happy to catch up sometime. I know from your newsletters that you have been busy.
I am just about to head off on a 100 km walk which leads on to three workshops and tours. I’ll be away from home for seven weeks. I will reach out when I have some time as I’d love too.
Oh Michela, of course you are an artist, a creator, a noticer, a sharer of beauty through words, and art, and photography. You are exceptional at that, sharing the glory of the natural world. Say it out loud, say it often, say it with pride, wear the badge and love every minute of it! I see you, dear artist friend!
Thank you Sarah ☺️ I appreciate your encouragement and kindness. I was puzzled by my hesitation. I shall keep noticing—I doubt I could do otherwise—and see what it prompts.
I have the same with "are you a writer?". For some reason I find it easy to identify others as writers but have trouble claiming the label for myself, as if something needs to happen before I'm worthy of claiming that label.
It’s strange isn’t it Sophie? Out of curiosity I looked it up:
“We use the suffix -er to change the meaning of a word. The suffix -er changes a verb into a noun. The noun is a person who does the action. For example, the word teach becomes teacher. A teacher is someone who teaches.”
So if you write, you are a writer, and I am a photographer. Yet something somewhere sometime has left a trace memory that our actions need validation or recognition. Education perhaps, or even upbringing: don’t be boastful or show off, be modest, wait to be noticed…
Definitely all of those things. A little built-in imposter syndrome
Love this inquiry! I am musing about the word "labels," because I kinda see words in general as labels -- yet neither we, nor, I think, the trees, are troubled by being labeled "tree" or "oak" or "shade" or "deciduous"... So I wonder if our struggle with labels is their stickiness, and what we think the other person sees/expects/understands in the label they are offering to pat onto our lapel!
Thanks Lainey. The discussions that this has prompted has made me think about human propensity to name and categorise: an analytical approach, a historical anachronism even, that doesn’t necessarily reflect or add to understanding. And perhaps if we lean towards art more than math or science, we push back at the idea of being another specimen in the display cabinet!
Very interesting question, once we get past the words of it, which are quite "simple", after all. Trying to answer it through intellectual reasoning made it hard to answer, but looking at it from what I do perhaps most importantly why, it wasn't so hard.
I consider myself to be an artist simply because in the long run I end up being unhappy and depressed if I can't pursue and refine my creativity. It's only been photography for 15 years but before that it was other things.
I'd say that if almost "everything" you do tends to go through a creative process, you're probably an artist and I actually think that this is "the artist's curse" as many things are made more complicated, requiring more energy than they need to be.
With that said, my answer to the question, in that situation, would very likely be the same as yours, that I'm a photographer, if nothing else but because that is a less private answer to a fairly private question, coming from a stranger.
By the way, everything I've seen about and from you, Michela – your photography, your writing, your thoughts, tells me that you definitely seem to be an artist (at least by my own definition of the word). In the end it's up to you to decide what makes or doesn't make you an artist and I'm not sure that it matters much as we are what we are… 🙂
Thank you Stephane. Yes, I can relate to what you say, from the drive to create in some form, to the emotional balance it offers, and the tendency to overthink every permutation. I’m not too worried about categorisation, as my drivers are mostly intrinsic, but I was genuinely puzzled by the way that the question threw me off-balance. It may simply have been down to context, and I certainly haven’t been losing sleep over it.
I can certainly imagining with being just as puzzled by the question in such an unexpected situation.
Maybe sometimes certain questions become unnecessary, and they catch us off guard. For example, questions like "Tell me, who you are" or "Are you an artist?." What truly matters is how you feel — and your photos tell me that being in your skin feels just fine. :) Thank you for mentioning my article.
Thank you Davor; sharing your link is a pleasure. There’s a chapter title in one of Richard Mabey’s books ‘Feeling through the eyes’ that I’ve always thought summed up my relationship with the camera.
Yes! As I read this, I could feel the body edges of having to label oneself. At the same time, this sentence feels like the perfect, non-boxy definition of an artist: "And for the last few years I've been happy just to explore creativity, see where it takes me, and once again, let my work evolve." So whether you feel more like a photographer, painter, sketcher, or writer on any given day, keep exploring creativity.
Thank you Sarah. I’m grateful to be able to do so, and to choose.
A thought provoking piece Michela - I'm not a great supporter of labels...but then is it a label or is it part of our identity? Photography has been part of my life since childhood and I feel it's part of my identity, yet it took a long time for me to feel enough self belief to call myself a photographer...I love gardening and cooking as well both creative pursuits and so I could use the all encompassing term of being a creative. Ahh so much to think on here!
I think labels are subjective and potentially limiting. A camera has been an important part of my life since my teens too, so photography is part of who I am. Perhaps it’s a reminder to revisit that one liner for ‘what do you do?’ as I’m not sure any of these do much other than potentially close off a conversation as they don’t really say much. Thank you Lin.
I stay away from labels myself so I know what you mean. Your photographs have always been amazing. Thanks very much for the mention Michela.
Labels are best left in pigeonholes, which are just as problematic! Maybe this highlights a mismatch between art / craft and science (the urge to catalogue). It’s always good to share what resonates.
I find your work to be artistic, and thus I think you are an artist. I think back to a question someone asked me several months ago. They asked if I am a professional. And I thought about it and I remembered an answer I had seen once before, perhaps on here, that if you are paid for your work, you are indeed a professional. And I do sometimes get paid for my work. I still have problem calling myself a professional photographer.
Ah yes, I know that one too Bob, and tread carefully there. Amateur says it so well—for the love of it—and yet somehow implies a lower bar, so again what to say? Thanks for your kind words.
Are you an artist? With your creativity, imagination, and skill, absolutely! You interpret what you see and experience in a fresh, unique way. I watch out for your posts every Thursday pm. Your sketching, photography, and writing are all amazing. You are an artist to me!
Thanks very much Linda. And in turn I greatly enjoy your photographs and writing appearing in my Notes feed; I am fascinated and educated in equal measure, and alway impressed by the information that you impart.
Thank you!