Monday, May 14, 2012

shy and proud

I've been beaming inside for quite some time because Uppercase Magazine asked me for the use of 5 of my photographs in an article about how Seattle weather effects Seattle art. 


When I got that email, I had to keep reading it over and over, thinking that maybe I was seeing what I wanted to see and not a reality. But real it was, and as I was waking my husband up to share the excitement that started to sink in heavily. I love and respect Uppercase Magazine very much. I'm so honored to appear on their pages. So so so proud. So so so giddy even now. 


The mag came out in early April, and while I thought I'd be sharing the news here the minute it arrived in the mail, I've waited till now. Hense, the shy part. 


I dunno what it is. Maybe it's that I was raised with the idea firmly planted in my brain, that bragging is wrong. While I know it's not bragging to share this milestone with you, that it is in fact sharing and celebrating with my fellow creatives, I felt / feel vulnerable in baring this news. It's so important to me that maybe I'm a little bit afraid it will all fade away if I share it, like an elaborate daydream I created. Silly, I know. But that's where my head goes. 


Perhaps that kind of angst come with the territory when what you create feels like such a part of who you are. Perhaps, it's a necessary part of art making that a bit of one's own very being is put on display... and that those very private, very sensitive, so very important parts of ourselves are what we want to share and protect at the same time. I know this is nothing new, this struggle, this push and pull. I'm just kind of endlessly fascinated by it when it erupts in my own skin.


The most important thing to say here is that I am so grateful, so honored, so proud of being included, being chosen, being part of the party at a level that awes me. Thank you Uppercase. There are no words!!

6 comments:

Jennifer Stotz Murphy said...

That's awesome! Congratulations! I think the hardest thing about creating art is putting it out there for others to see. It takes courage, especially for those of us on the introverted end of the spectrum.

gis said...

Congratulations! Don't be shy about your achievements, there's a lot of work behind those photos, so be proud because you can do well and will keep doing better. Thanks for sharing.

Rachel said...

Thank you both so much. I totally agree Jen! Thank you for your support gis. It's amazing how the pride builds with sharing and the shy difts ever more away.

beth conklin said...

I am new to your blog and I very much love your work and style. I too am "shy and proud" on a regular basis so it's refreshing and reassuring to read about your experience with being recognized. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

Oh, Rachel - congratulations! How wonderful to read of your success! You contain immense talent. Your photographs are truly unique - rejoice, dear!

Katarina said...

You should be very proud, your work is beautiful. You deserve it!