I have returned. Yes. I will keep you in suspense no longer, my talk went wonderfully! In fact I would say it was one of the best talks I have done, certainly the one in which I felt most comfortable. I'm not sure what happened, it was like somebody else took over my body, no nervousness or fears at all. I began by taking off my shoes (and inviting others to do the same). I've learned that it is helpful to try and shift the context of a place if possible. In this case the "ballroom" I spoke in was much too formal and stuffy, so barefeet were helpful. I shared the story about my first year art school teacher who asked the class to get under one large table. We sat there for a few minutes and she came back in and started pounding on the table top. In an instant that classroom became a very different place. You never knew when you walked in what would occur. Just a little shift is all it takes sometimes. I felt a little more ownership of this fancy hotel walking around the marble floors in bare feet.
I'm not sure what happened with this talk, but I really felt something shift in me. I think it had to do with the fact that for the first time I gave myself permission to be terrified (with the help of a few loving friends). So when those scared feelings came in I felt like, "oh hey, I know you." In the past I might have tried anything possible to banish them from my body. I think the other thing that happened is that I do feel deep down that I have something that needs to be said, (different than what we were taught in art school). It seems that the art schools are becoming more and more business-like, more strict in their approach. I want to tell people that there are no rules in this game, you really can try anything, try something you've never done before. do the opposite.
I did incidentally feel a bit like an imposter at times. My room had an actual boardroom table in it. I had my breakfast delivered to my room in the morning, sitting at the end of the long table I would call a meeting to order. giggling. For some strange reason the hotel had a bizarre "urn" theme. There were urns everywhere. In every hallway, in my room. I felt like I was surrounded by dead people. I was on a quest for some tape so I could subtly adhere little notes to them that said, "Uncle Ernie, 1932-1987, rip".
So for those of you artists and designers out there who could not attend, I am posting one of the handouts here. From what I could gather it seemed that my talk was quite a different focus than many of the others, (read:anti business/corporate, non-traditional, slightly controversial). This to me is the highest of compliments, I wonder if How Magazine knew who they were hiring.
1. Document what you are responding to regularly. *journal/sketchbook, blog, listmaking, photo journal, bulletin board collage, internet bookmarks, Allow yourself to go deeper into an idea. Find influence outside of your field. Consider that you are ALWAYS working for yourself.
2. Start to challenge yourself on a regular basis to try new things, (not just for work. *i.e. new foods, colors, processes, classes, travel, become a guerilla artist, etc. Your hobbies are your greatest source of play.)
3. Go back to your childhood, (the formative years). What were your favourite things to do? In this lies some clues as to where you want to focus your energy as an adult. What makes you burst with energy?
4. Do something that is not for money. For your own enjoyment. (Your greatest work will come from here!)
*examples…
-newsletter
-zine
-website
-x-mas card
-product concept
-toys
-gifts for friends.
Design for yourself. *See handout on guerilla art.
5. Use sources that are based on your daily life. Your life IS your art. What are the things that are most important in your current life?
6. Become a collector. Collecting allows us to look at one thing in a contemplative & mindful way. Giving you new insights and perceptions. Examples: Maria Kalman -purse contents, Steven Guarnaccia -shoe sole
rubbings, Ian Phillips & Grant Heaps -Lost & Found pet posters, Mark Ulriksen (former art director) -misspellings of his name, Charles & Rae Eames -toys from other countries
7. "Pay no attention to the man behind that curtain." Ignore what other people are doing. It has no bearing on your existence or vision of the world. The times we feel the most discouraged are usually due to the fact we are comparing ourselves to others. Most times reading awards annuals, and industry mags only serves to make us feel inadequate. Try cutting it out entirely. Designer Bruce Mau recommends not entering awards competitions. His reasoning, “Just don’t do it, it’s not good for you.”
8. Don't promote to target your audience. By all means send things out into the world, but don't think in terms of "promoting to get work". Send stuff out because -you're proud of it, -you want to share something with the world, -it's fun to get mail, -to have good karma, -you want to spread your germs, -you like licking stamps. Try sending a postcard of something you made for fun, (i.e. directions on how to make a finger puppet). When thinking of subject matter for promotions look to your current life. If you deal with topics that are important to you a piece will have much more life to it.
9. Take a lighthearted approach (Don't take yourself too seriously). If you feel stuck, you can always reinvent yourself, (re: try something else).
10. Study other artists or creators who followed their own vision. Research.
Posted by kerismith at May 31, 2004 09:37 AMKeri, I am getting seriously addicted to your blog! Thank you for sharing such wonderful content with the world. Your fan, Ann
Posted by: Ann on June 29, 2004 03:00 PMyou are completely whole and wonderful! i am so so so thankful for the universe for bringing you to me. *hug*
Posted by: lucia on June 7, 2004 03:20 AMhey, that's pretty interesting. i just might try it.. haha
Posted by: -cj- on June 4, 2004 06:42 AMI just printed the list out and put an entry to my blog about it. Such good list! THANK YOU, Keri.
Posted by: hovey on June 4, 2004 12:50 AMYour list was the kick in the butt I needed to stop feeling cranky and insecure. Thanks for making me realize how foolish it is to allow awards and the opinions of a few cliquey people to determine my self-worth. I always enjoy reading your blog!
Posted by: frog on June 2, 2004 10:41 PMAh, I am so glad I read this post today. Thank you so much for sharing this! It's just what I needed.
Posted by: teresa on June 2, 2004 12:55 PMfor those of you who are inquiring, the handout on Guerilla Art was previously posted here:
http://www.kerismith.com/blog/archives/000079.html
k.
Posted by: Keri Smith on June 2, 2004 12:54 PMOn a complete whim, I started my HOW conference week by attending your session, and everything about the way I look at who I am and what I do has been different since.
Thank you so much for sharing so much of yourself with us, and inspiring each of us to to just listen to the noise that is our true creative heart.
Posted by: erin on June 2, 2004 09:00 AMYou are a beautiful person who helps other people to live life to the full. I'm so glad that the world is full of you and others who do the same :)
Posted by: charlie and her aardvark on June 2, 2004 07:31 AMThanks so much for this post ! A lot of great suggestions :)
Posted by: Ria on June 2, 2004 05:09 AMOH WOW. Just chanced upon your website and your writing today, and it thrills me to my very bones. Thank you :D I am glad you're humming in your universe. Lovely lovely list.
Posted by: violaaa on June 2, 2004 02:22 AMA friend sent this page to me. We are both struggling with our identities as artists and spend a good amount of time bucking eachother up. Your list is really great and went a long way to help drag me out of my artist doldrums (I need that at least once a week)
:)
Number 7 was the best piece of advice I will come away with. Ain't that part the truth?? Yet another pitfall I step into, but I will be more mindful of it from now on. And I'm also glad I am not the only one!
I'm so happy for you that your talk went well! I wish I could have been there.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful list with the rest of us. I love number six -- it reminds me of Amelie, in which all sorts of strange things are collected and enjoyed.
Posted by: Steph on June 1, 2004 07:46 PM
yes! thanks for the list....i am printing it out as well. it will hang next to andrea's superhero guide to a creative business and your how to make a living doing what you love writing. as always much love.....
Posted by: delphina on June 1, 2004 05:44 PMCongratulations on your talk! Thanks for the encouragement and reminders.
Posted by: karin on June 1, 2004 03:25 PMWow! Congratulations on your successful talk! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful list with us. It came at the perfect time for me....i felt judged by my family and number 7 was a perfect reminder that i need not worry what other people think! I often do what you have posted but it is so refreshing to get a reminder in a way that only YOU can impart. Thanks for sharing your sunshine with the world!
Violette
keri, i am so glad that you are back and were successful at your talk :) thank you for sharing your genius with us as always.
Posted by: stef on June 1, 2004 01:46 PMOh, I forgot one thing; I can't help myself to keep on hoping to find the handout on guerilla art posted on your site as well, you made me curious by mentioning it...!!!!
Thank you Keri, for the Ten Ways To...
Very very helpful.
To have a little fun please go to:
www.e-flux.com/projects/pruitt/
It made me think of you immediately, even before I red the chalk part.
Thanks so much. Today was the start of my work-week and to have that lovely list of inspiration was such a treat. Glad the trip was good for you. Welcome back!
~Chris
I'm so bummed I missed the conference but I am grateful for your posting. I've been in a rut and this has really inspired me!
Posted by: Kristin on June 1, 2004 01:06 PMOh Keri you are such a generous soul. When I first began reading this post my thought was, 'I would have taken off my shoes and how I wished I could have heard your talk' and then to my great surprise you SHARED your loving list with us all!!!!
THANK YOU.
I believe what you (meaning all of us) put out into the world comes back to you three-fold (whether its meanness or kindness etc) and you, my dear, are going to be basking and rolling in the abundance of creativity and love since you pour it out like sunshine.
Posted by: bluepoppy on June 1, 2004 11:24 AMThis is perfect. The essence of what other people take years to turn into books!
It's incredibly kind of giving this out to those who could not come and see/hear you.
I think that confronting a somewhat "stiffened-up" audience [designers, in this case, the biz-infused sector, as you say] with the insights you had to offer brought a fresh breeze, and maybe even relief to those who have been thinking alike, yet had not found a sign of validation. Even the best designer needs validation, a sign of confirmation that the chosen way is good and okay. I believe there are far more out there who are incredibly insecure over doing "the right thing" than you'd think.
The best thing is that your approach is adaptable for so many other situations in life!
Thank you!!!
Posted by: mademoiselle a. on June 1, 2004 09:32 AMThanks for the list.It's really been inspiring me so so much!
Posted by: angi*e on June 1, 2004 09:00 AMGreat! I will try atleast one!
Posted by: unnikrishna menon damodaran on June 1, 2004 08:51 AMI let your list sink in for a day before commenting. I think I am quite different from the rest of your audience. Just thinking about your list items depresses me, and I don't have the first or slightest problem with my work. I think I am just too much of a natural nr. 9 personality. I hate psychologizing what I do.
Posted by: eliane on June 1, 2004 07:18 AMey! your list is so inspiring. As an art student the "real" world is constantly pressuring us to be more business like than ever, and this list will forever be my reminder not to take myself too seriously, and to retain my childlike mind. Will always check back on this site. :D
Posted by: meg on June 1, 2004 01:59 AMYou are so fucking wonderful that I had to use an expletive to describe your radical radiance.
A big bravo to you for being brave enough to show others how to be themselves, think outside the box and transcend the dogma of "art school".
Isn't the term "art school" kind of an oxymoron?
Your list is pure GeNiUs!
Inspiration like a yogic breath of fire with a hot fudge sundae chaser.
I am going to follow Andrea's lead, and post it under my eyelids so I can dream it every time I take a nap. It should be required reading for all carbon based life forms.
Glad your trip went smashingly, and that you danced with your fear in the ballroom.
Welcome back dear one, welcome back!
Posted by: Donavan Freberg on May 31, 2004 10:13 PMA wish jar classic! Welcome back, Keri.
Posted by: Lynda on May 31, 2004 08:26 PMHi Keri!
Welcome back. Congratulations on your talk! And thank you for this list. A perfect way to start a week.
-p-lope
Posted by: penelope on May 31, 2004 06:48 PMCongratulations on your wonderful success and thank you thank you thank you so much for this incredible list!!!
Posted by: Allison on May 31, 2004 02:26 PMGreat pearls of wisdom.
Posted by: patricia on May 31, 2004 01:41 PMBeautiful!
I know a little of what you mean about allowing yourself to be terrified. I have had the same feelings about singing in front of people. At some point in my growth, I finally allowed that and it was exhilerating! And now I can do it joyfully and with confidence. It's about allowing yourself to have the experience. I get it!
Posted by: Dianne on May 31, 2004 01:38 PMyou are such a burst of sunshine in my life!!! You are so adorable and natural and amazing and.... ahhh, i can't even tell you! this post touched my heart in ways that it has been begging for me to touch it lately. thank you!!!!
XOXOXO
eMiLy
Welcome back...you were missed. Thanks, this was just what I needed to hear on a crazy Monday morning.
Posted by: Joy on May 31, 2004 11:34 AMMaybe you hear this often, but you are wonderfully eloquent and insightful. Reading number 7 hit the nail on the head for me, and maybe not in the way you`d expect. I was brought up with the "what will other people think?!" attitude and reading number 7, now that I`m trying to create a freelance career in a more creative field, brought home that this attitude still operates in my mind, like I`ve been brainwashed. I probably have! It`s taking forever to undo it especially since every conversation with my mother still usually spirals into some such variation on that subject (her in favour, me getting frustrated/mad). She`s coming to visit me today and I plan to give her a card with your number 7 in it. Maybe she`ll finally get your point:-) I sure did!
Posted by: ajd on May 31, 2004 10:52 AMOnce again you've reminded me why I do what I do -- because it's who I am. And remembering that always makes it more fun. Thanks!
Posted by: Robot Johnny on May 31, 2004 10:40 AMKERI! Perfect timing! I was sipping coffee on the porch this morning and had an AH-HA moment on how to somehow connect my women artist friends to each other. They are spread out-busy but I see the glimmer or creativity in there eyes. I have passed on your site to them. I LOVE this list and am waiting for you book to arrive. Do I sound too enthusiastic? Sorry, maybe it's the caffine. ohhh, think I may need to revamp my web site and add some journal pages of my own to pass on finding gems like you, hooray!
Posted by: monica lee on May 31, 2004 10:35 AMmmm great list! Glad to hear your talk went so well.
Take Care.
Posted by: lauren on May 31, 2004 10:29 AMKeri,
congratulations!
and thank you for this list:: I plan to print it out and
paste it behind my eyelids so I can see it always.
xo
a
espcially the part about not taking things or myself too seriously!
Posted by: andrea on May 31, 2004 10:25 AMThis advice could change our country in a way that getting yet another new "prime" minister never will. But more importantly, it could just make today better.
thrive!,
O