After the hustle and bustle of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, I booked myself a quiet week at Trinidad Lake because I had some thinking to do about “big things in life” and how I’m doing 8 months after retiring and almost a year after becoming an RV full-timer. I was struggling to articulate my issues all week, until two conversations with two friends, followed by a long walk by the water.
The first breakthrough was in the form of a metaphor from the first friend and conversation. After I retired, I was still on the “working for a living” shore for some months, working through the effects of leaving work. Eventually, though I jumped into the water. I’ve been swimming for a while now, and sometimes it feels like I’m just treading water. But now that I look at it, I have been slowly swimming to another shore. I liked the idea that I’m am simply between shores, rather than wandering aimlessly in the desert of life.
The second conversation was with a friend who had stepped away from the workforce for several years, and who understood exactly where I am, having gone from full-on productivity for decades to “huh, what now?” status as a retired worker-bee. We talked about being too young to retire from life, and what might be next up for me. It was a good talk but I still didn’t have a clear direction.
Later that day, I walked around the lake, taking the photographs that are shown here, and it was there that I realized I have already landed on a shore, I just couldn’t see it until now. I am standing on that new shore as an artist. That’s who I am now.
I am an artist. I am a photographer. Wow, that’s kind of scary to put in writing. Or publish in a blog post. But there it is.
I create images because it’s the way I express myself, from the composition to the colors to the presentation. And yet it feels so audacious to say “I’m an artist” because I always thought artists were super-talented, the chosen ones who had galleries and agents and followings, and someone like me, a high-tech worker-bee, couldn’t ever be one of those people. But here I am.
I don’t know where this choice will lead, but I’m going to find out. And it’s way better than treading water in the cold ocean of uncertainty.
I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.
Vincent van Gogh
What Peg and the others, said, Annie. I’m a literature major/philosophy minor from the days when that sort of stuff was supposed to be your base. Well, it was. Held my own in technology-based defense arenas for thirty years, and ran (well, frequently–there are smart people out there) rings around the specialists, and had no problem whatsoever shifting to finance. Go forward, and celebrate the likes of Da Vinci….
I have always thought you were an artist. Just getting to know you I thought you have always taken good and artistic photos. I had the same thought as you about the definition of a artist. Mine is ….something that is deep inside of you that has to come out. When it does you feel complete. Being a artist is something inside of you. Sometimes it’s things I do for myself that other people like. Keep on my artist friend! Can’t wait to meet you this summer. Linda
I LOVE it! You are so talented…it will work!!
I’ve been thinking that putting WynnWorlds Photography on your photos was a pretty big hint about what you might like to do in the future. I’ve been reading books about developing an encore career, and many people like you go in a creative direction. I look forward to more writing and photos.
I have always thought your writing was art. Your photographs just complete the package when combined with your words. Glad you are comfortable in your artist skin and encourage you to keep exploring, the world and yourself in it. Always in your corner, no matter what you decide to do.
We were born to create. Your are creating …. art ….. a new life ……. a home whatever that means to you …… a better understanding of yourself. Create on my sistah!!!
It’s a beautiful realization.
And it is not at all surprising, as you have delighted us with your
visual perceptions for quite some time. What a joy to know that you will continue on this path.
Don’t laugh, but I since I got to know you I have always thought of you as an artist with a technology gig on the side. Not sure why, but there you go. 🙂
You’re also a pretty good writer.
I love it. That’s a cool way to come to an understanding with yourself.