It will take a while: fight your way through, be fierce, be a warrior

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It will take a while: fight your way through, be fierce, be a warrior

Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me.

All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it's just not that good. It's trying to be good, it has potential, but it's not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit.

Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know that it’s normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work.

Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you finish one piece. It’s only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions.

I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take a while. It’s normal to take awhile. You just gotta fight your way through.

An abridged version from a transcript from an interview with American public radio personality, host, and producer of the radio and television show The American Life, Ira Glass

Catherine White is an urban candid, Photographer that captures life at it's rawest edges throughout her travels either side of Sydney or New York

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Tags » Catherine White Connects and Creates Worth Through Powerful Story Telling New York Institute of Photography catherine white photography ira glass the american life

7 June 2011
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12 months ago Robin Dickinson (Facebook) responded:

This is sage advice, Catherine.

As an emerging artist like you, I find myself in a similar space. My passion has been unleashed as a creative force, but this sky rocket can quickly crash and burn up in the atmosphere without some kind of volume-inducing structure to push through into the outer inspired spaces.

For the past few months, I have installed a daily habit of art production tethered to weekly posting deadlines. This has not only built my confidence to press forward as an artist, but also improved my craft significantly.

To your point, my art does not yet match my visions and feelings, but I can now see the path unfolding - and the gap closing.

Best, Robin :)

12 months ago Leanne Berry liked this post.

12 months ago Leanne Berry responded:

Hi Catherine

Sound advice which I believe is also true in business - starting out with a passion for what you know but realising that there is still so much learn and understand to creat a successful venture

Leanne xxx

12 months ago Catherine White Photography responded:

So kind of you to stop by Robin, as despite our collaborations, it's unspoken that there is no obligation to leave comments on each others posts. I measure your feedback against my own work, and that which we work on together.

It was last week when I first came across this transcript, which inspired me to acquaint myself with Ira Glass work. He uses examples of his own work, not as a novice, but an experienced broadcaster, to deconstruct that which is good, or unacceptable. Most of us are too insecure to hold up our less than best efforts, as a case in point.

To be honest, for the past month I've wanted to pull up all my work, and start again. Only because I now view it as crap, it's less than good. In my view it's mediocre at best.

However, as a recorder of life, I understand the documentation of the journey, is in fact the art. The struggle to find our voice, is that which will be referenced, when our work really hits it's stride.

This transcript has kept me afloat for the last week, and inspires me to continue the journey with an increased pace.

My best wishes in all your artistic endeavors Robin, I'm enjoying your reveal, the emergence and transformation of your voice.

Cheers C.

12 months ago DesoliePage (Twitter) responded:

Hi Catherine

Thanks for sharing these thoughts - I don't think any of truly recognise just how hard we'll need to work to achieve our goals, be they creative, life or family.

So while it can be easy to be down on ourselves because we don't reach what we're aiming for, I'm finding I need to accept the positive, encouraging responses from others.

I love your work - it inspires me, and makes me think.

Thank you

12 months ago Catherine White Photography responded:

Hi Leanne, you are so right about business.

An elitist attitude is, I believe, one of the biggest stumbling blocks to mastering our craft. After all, don't creatives desire to see their image on a t shirt, or sculptures in a pedestrian walk way like Pitt Street mall.

Andy Warhol said, his greatest artistic achievement would be economic success. In fact, he also said he didn't know what all the fuss about art, was all about, as it was only work.

Thank you for your contribution. Warm regards C.

12 months ago Suellen Hughes responded:

Great post Catherine. As Leanne said, equally true in business.

I like your suggestion to put yourself on a deadline. That's definitely what I do in business and with my running - enter a race.

Great advice.

You ARE a talent and I love your photography.

12 months ago Sally Foley-Lewis responded:

I understand the 10,000hrs-'tipping point'-Malcolm Gladwell-ness in this! Close the gap by doing volume. So pragmatic when presented in text.... oh so challenging to do in reality.... damn that attitude, hungry stomach, self-doubt, family, power bills, taxes...that all get in the way.

It's because of people like you who present the reality of the struggle in terms of how it really is that inspires me to fight my way through!

Thank you, Catherine!

12 months ago Catherine White Photography responded:

Hi Desolie

It's good to hear you receive positive affirmation, while pursuing your goals. It's true, it's easier to be down on ourselves, indeed as an editor you appreciate how important detail really is to the overall effect.

I see this in your posts, your writing is so polished, your creative formatting sets you apart from most writers.

Thank you for your encouragement Desolie.

Cheers
C

12 months ago Bea Pierce (Facebook) responded:

Lol! Some of us never get past that point... I think I've been an 'emerging artist' for about 10 years now. It's a constant fight, even when you're a 'professional'. Sad really. I like this little quote as well: "It would be nice if the artisan was important even though he made no money but carved a bit of wood beautifully... but that's not today's world." I tore this out of a mag at the Dr's office one day, so unfortunately I have no idea who said it. And although this is often derided by the art world, sometimes I like being an amateur rather than a professional: "amateur" comes from the Latin "amare" - to love. Passion is sometimes forsaken in the pursuit of 'professionalism'.

12 months ago Linda Fairbairn responded:

Dreams, goals, hopes and aspirations... they all remain on the shelf without the most magical of words - ACTION !

I nonetheless think we have to be careful not to judge and categorize our efforts too quickly letting logic dismiss our creations as unworthy of seeing the light of day.

One's desire to be original sabotages our playfulness as Tim Brown talked of in a great TED talk - we need to defer judgement and go for quantity to give ideas and creation the chance to develop.

Catherine ~
I'd love to see your creative journey unfold in one place - I seem to be picking up snippets and images of what you're producing off different sites - or is that an illusion? ;)
Do you have your own www where all your work is featured?

12 months ago Catherine White Photography responded:

Hi Sally and Suellen.

Knowing you as the enterprising women you are, I know your busy family lives of tummy grumbles, and unpaid power bills can drain the creative energy.

Some days, it's a case of energy slump = business slump.

Even so, your right about Malcolm Gladwell's tipping point. However much I like to dress it up, those 10,000 hours will mock me until that elusive goal is achieved.

Thanks for stopping by girls, it's a treat to hear from you.

Cheers
Catherine

12 months ago Catherine White Photography responded:

HI Linda

Self sabotage is the little brother of creativity, the envious sibling of productivity. I will look for the TED talk you refer to.

To your point about my work not located in one place, my website has been in hiatus a good part of this year.

My work is broadcast to key visual platforms automatically, which in turn retweets or updates on my twitter, friendfeed and linkedin.

Not everyone is on instagram, neither does everyone like Flickr, so I figured I would go to the audience, rather than expect them to come to me.

it's relatively easy now, one post can ping out to four different platforms at once. The only problematic platform is Facebook, nothing pings to your business page, it all goes straight to your personal page. An issue many complain about, which is why I don't invest a lot of time on FB anymore.

Instagram, flickr and tumblr, which will all be uploaded to my website when it's completed.

Thanks for raising that point

Cheers
Catherine

12 months ago Charley responded:

This is what I needed to hear today as an accidental and VERY amateur photogrpaher who still longs to own an SLR camera. I've enjoyed reading all the insights posted here. Lots of food for thought. Interesting what you say about facebook, I have been frustrated with this too but seem to keep plugging away at it. So much to learn, but all in good time whilst continuing to chip away and master the art of words and picture by simply keeping on trying :)

12 months ago Charley responded:

Thought provoking comments above got me thinking on the dog walk I just got back from. My blogging journey of the last 18 months has been like believing in Father Christmas again. You wake up each morning hoping that he's been. That someone engaged with your work, left some feedback or a comment. You're very disappointed when he hasn't visited and left you a sack full of pressies. Then you realise its because you haven't been good enough so you resolve to try again and hope he comes tomorrow. Keeping the belief is what makes you keep trying to be good!

12 months ago Catherine White Photography responded:

Hi Bea

Your point is a valid one indeed, as I believe professional work is influenced greatly by the expectations of third parties, such as the box office.

In my opinion, (humble or otherwise) when the artisans passion is subordinated by other forces, the final result is not as pure.

The passion is that which actually makes everything worth while.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and delighted with your input.

Warm regards
Catherine

12 months ago Glenda Carionette (Facebook) responded:

hiya divine miss

It's true, some times you look at your work and want to throw it out, I know what that feels like Cath. but not so easy to do when you're a tattooist and it's someone else's body. :-))

neat post

12 months ago Catherine White Photography responded:

Hiya Charley

Thank you for stopping by today, it's nice to meet you. I love your comment about waiting for Santa to show up with a sack of pressies. Very cool...

Can you leave your blog link, or if you have a FBook page, I will come across and say hi.

Stay at your blogging, it's a bumpy road, because the internet is like shifting sands, constantly moving, and unforgiving.

Look forward to hearing from you again.

Cheers
Catherine

12 months ago Cat Matson (Facebook) responded:

Hey Catherine,

What strikes me about this conversation is whether your 'creativity' is art, photography or even business, we are all our own worst critics ... and we *must* find a way to acnowledge ourselves as a work-in-progress, as well as our work.

The historical 'archive' that one collects in their life is also priceless ... my husband has a file in his cabinet called 'Dinasaur Relics', where he keeps every business card he has ever had and key pieces of 'evidence' of his 'work' over 40 years of professional practice. I do similar (though not as organised) and I'm often both suprised and horrified at sometimes how *great* my work was ... or how *mediocre* it was.

It does take a while ... even *overnight successes* have been working at their craft for years :-)

12 months ago Charley responded:

Hi Catherine,
I thought I'd left my link, so hopefully here it is. I certainly will stick at the blogging despite the shifting sands. I get lots of pleasure from it and it continues to motivate me to get outside with my children and take photos. Will definitely drop by again.
Charley

12 months ago Aaina Ra liked this post.

12 months ago Phillip responded:

G'day from Florida my dear friend, checking in to see what you friend from down under is up to.

I'm always a beginner Catherine
Phillip

11 months ago Phillip Ressler liked this post.

11 months ago Karen Prior responded:

Ira Glass was a pretty smart person to come up with that one, although I do find it to come from the same school of thought as 'Persistence' by Coolidge.

11 months ago Karen Prior responded:

You can tell I've got a short attention span tonight can't you!! All in all, with the balancing act of busy lives, one does have to take the sweet with the sour, people can not be consistently successful without a bit of misery in their lives.

Sure, we can all put on the smiles and be graceful when behind closed doors the shite is hitting the fan, no one is immune, and those who think they are immune; they're the one's in denial.

With the view that everything is an adventure, I'm always a beginner, it keeps my mind open to all possibilities which is half the fun.

God, I'm full of shite sometimes!!!!!!!

Cheers
K

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