Friday, March 07, 2008

Oh, hello.

I almost half forgot that you were there.

So many things have happened in the past... while... lol. Right now you're just going to get a random stream of thought because my brain isn't coherent enough to give you anything else.

Attention: In the blog entry below, I mention many times the phrase "starting my life." This phrase is not suggesting that I haven't already had a life for the 18 years I have experienced on this earth, but that I will be almost completely independent. I will be taking my life into my own hands and will be solely responsible for everything that I do. That is what I mean by "starting my life."

I find it interesting that lately my priorities have definitely been showing their true colors lately. A lot about where I am right now drives me crazy and brings little enjoyment (I said a lot, not everything). I feel so ready to start my life and make mistakes without someone breathing down my neck just waiting for me to tell them that they were right and I was wrong (not intentionally, but that's what it feels like). One thing about being able to really start my life is that I've kind of been "pruning" a lot of the things that seem unnecessary. Strangely, so far that has mostly been people and the events associated with them. I really don't have any desire to go to prom. Yeah, it'd be cool to get dressed up and go out, but... why not dinner and a trip to an art gallery or something? What ever happened to pj's and funny movies while performing food experiments? I'm finding that I have very little patience for extravagance and impractical frivolity.

On another note, I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I know it will have something to do with art, though. Art is just too amazing to give up. I really am the happiest when I'm able to create something, when I have that complete focus on one particular thing which is impossible to stray from until it is done. My brother and sister-in-law are especially encouraging me to do art full time (which I think would be the most amazing thing in the world), but trying to think practically, I haven't quite allowed myself to hope for such a fantastic thing. I am hoping to do some research on the subject, though. There's this thing called Final Friday where participating galleries allow anyone and everyone in for free on the last Friday of every month. I'm hoping to be able to visit some of the local artists and see how they are able to make a living from their artwork. We shall definitely see though.

Today, I went to an art competition at Friends University. It was fun. I made my first wire sculpture ever (below), and also competed in the tallest clay competition. I didn't win anything for either, but I did break a personal record for tallest clay. Also, I got honorable mention for my casserole (also below). That was exciting. With this whole experience of preparing for and going to this event, I feel very intense yet very collected and confident about working in clay (especially throwing on the wheel). Today, especially in that account, has been absolutely fantastic.


For this, I am aiming to add a colored wire to make some kind of tulip-esque flower rather than the... conglomeration that is currently there.

3 comments:

Katie B said...

Talieh! I was just thinking today that I hadn't checked your blog in a while, so I was very happy to find you had posted today! Although I know living in a period of indecision without knowing a direct goal to work towards can be very scary and frustrating, I am so excited for you because you have so many possibilities open to you and it seems as though you are being very deliberate and conscientious about how you go about finding and pursuing your calling. Hurray!

I just wanted to clarify something on behalf of myself and Nathan. We did not mean to encourage or pressure or persuade you in any way to do art full time. We just know that you are an artist, and we wanted to encourage you to start to recognize yourself as such, especially now, as you are making such important life decisions. And whether you do pottery full time or not is entirely up to you, we just wanted to let you know that we believe you have the talent and capacity to make a living off of your art, should you so choose and we didn't want you to write it off as an impossibility out of fear or anything else. How's that for a long sentence? Does that make sense, though? We just want you to be able to recognize in yourself the artist that we see in you, and we hope you can develop the confidence and courage to pursue your art in whatever way you choose.

Much, much love as you continue to make such exciting discoveries and decisions!

Anonymous said...

I love this!!! I think that you need to explore your art or you will do yourself a disservice.
Aunt Barb

Sonja said...

Hey! Believe me when I say I know how you feel! I'm reaching the point where I have to make some major life decisions about where to live and what jobs to apply for. It's pretty nerve racking but it'll be cool and exciting. I'm about 99% sure that I'll be moving to Kansas City, MO, so that'll be really sweet. I never thought I would live there but it just goes to show, you never know where life is gonna take you! Haha!