Archive for January, 2007

Inspiration Comes In Many Forms

Sunday, January 7th, 2007 by Alyice

Throughout my life, I’ve been inspired by many people—people who’ve conquered all odds and survived to tell about it; people who’ve lived ordinary lives, yet stood out from the crowd; and people who’ve dared to step beyond their comfort zones to change lives—one reader, one viewer, one listener at a time.

It’s those people and those stories that I’ve wanted to capture in my writing and my photographs. But it’s those stories and those people that I continued to let slip away while I pursued things I knew would make money and pay the bills.

Then I met a woman, through a book I read this past week, who sounded very much like me. So much of what she said could be attributed to my own life and so many of her insights on living a more fulfilled life are how my husband and I try to model our own lives.

But what inspired me was the way Tasra Dawson, author of Real Women Scrap, kept nudging me—her reader—to get creative.

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Somewhere, some how, I lost my creativity and while I had longed to get it back, I simply continued to put it on the back burner.

“One day when things settle down a little more, I’ll get serious about my photography and storytelling ideas,” I’d assure myself. Or, “I just don’t think I have another ounce of energy left to devote to anything else. I already run a magazine, freelance write, and spend my time creatively marketing my business. If it isn’t producing some form of immediate result, I just can’t give it the time of day. If I’m going to spend my time away from kids and hubby, I must make it count,” I’d scold myself.

Then as I read her words, I suddenly realized that God was speaking directly to me through her.

“I felt an odd mixture of defeat and relief. The feeling of defeat was expected, too much to do, too little of me to go around. The feeling of relief was that my list confirmed I was indeed stretched too thin and wasn’t inventing my feelings of being overwhelmed and always tired,” thought Tasra as she looked at her completed “to do list”.

I can’t tell you how many times I ended the day feeling depleted. I knew something was missing in my life, but I just couldn’t pinpoint it. I had a great husband, two wonderful kids, a thriving business, and a relationship with God.

“What more could I possibly want? Why am I not satisfied?” I’d gripe.

I’d browse the Christian self-help aisles asking God to direct me to a specific book that would help me understand what was going on with me, but no book appeared. After a half hour, I’d head over to the photography section where I’d browse the pictures and marvel at the artwork. And for awhile I’d escape the stress of my life and dream of doing something spectacular with my time. Sometimes I’d walk out with a book or magazine about photography, scrapbooking, altered art, collage techniques and the like, but most often, I’d put the book down; thinking, “Who am I kidding? I don’t have the extrovert personality to pull that off.”

But the more I read Real Women Scrap, the more I realized that God hadn’t been directing me to a book. He’d been directing me towards a creative life.

What kept me from pursuing art and photography was the learning curve—there’d be so much learning to do and so much time to commit that I didn’t think I’d have anything extra to give. But through Tasra’s words, God reminded me that I don’t have to tackle art or photography as another thing on my “to do list”. I simply have to take the time to breathe life into an area he’s calling me to explore and enjoy the process. If a professional photographer or artist comes from the process, great. If not, I’ve wasted nothing but found a hobby that fills my days with joy.

What about you? Have you slowed down long enough to hear God’s gentle whispers? What’s He trying to tell you?

Let’s make an impact!

Posted in Artist's Life | 3 Comments »

Rediscovering A Passion

Thursday, January 4th, 2007 by Alyice

When I was 11 years old, my mother allowed me to watch a television show that probably wasn’t the best show for a small child to view, but I’m so glad she did! It was that show the fueled my desire to become more than I ever dreamed possible.

The imagery, the composition, the life that simply came alive with each snap of the camera made me believe anything was possible—if we just took the time to slow down, observe, and wait for the right moment.

I dreamt of becoming a great photographer who traveled the world taking breathtaking snapshots that would forever change the way man thought while being forever captured in time.

Wanting to help fuel my dream, my mother provided me with a 110 film camera. I excitedly went about snapping pictures and enthusiastically waited for the results of my hard work; unfortunately we never had the money to develop the film so rolls of undeveloped film sat in my mom’s dresser drawer. By the time I was able to afford to develop those rolls myself, many had been lost and those that were found were not developable.

Sadly, my dream died.

Then in high school, I took a photography class. I loved every minute of it; including the dark room! But once I graduated from high school, I never gave photography another thought. After all, being a professional photographer meant meeting new people and doing things that were extremely out of my comfort zone. So the wallflower in me settled on Business Administration instead.

Again, my dream died.

Life went about as it normally does and I found myself married and living in a rented house with a front office. Every day I’d daydream about turning that front office into a photography studio. I knew just what I’d buy, what I’d make, and how I’d pose my clients. But that’s all I ever did—dream.< ?p>

Then we moved, and my dream died.

I never really gave up photography. I took many pictures of my children, holidays, and special events. And sometimes, I’d take pictures of everyday, ordinary things—hoping to capture them in time, forever. I’d organize my photos, place them in photo albums, make Christmas ornaments out of them, and even began to make scrapbooks. But I never again pursued the idea of becoming a professional photographer.

That is, until we moved to Merrill, Wisconsin.

That’s where my friendship with a colleague—a writer like myself—uncovered a strong realization that my life will never be complete until I pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a professional photographer and storyteller.

So over the next few years, as I continued to build my writing business and publish my magazine, I began taking more and more pictures. We even went on a few day excursions with the sole purpose of finding something interesting to shoot. The more we talked, the more the spark grew and eventually she took the leap I had been so afraid to take. She quit writing and became a full-time photographer. Watching her develop her business only fueled my desire to uncover the issues that prevented me from taking my own leap.

Then we moved.

I thought without a photo buddy spurring me on, my dream would once again die, but it didn’t, I continued to use my camera on a weekly basis, all the while wondering how to combine art, storytelling, and photographs so that I could develop museum worthy pieces that belonged in the home.

Then I got a surprise!

An early Christmas present from my husband—a Nikon D-80 camera! In case you don’t know why that’s exciting, it’s a camera made for beginning professionals.

“It’s time you got out the house more, meet new people, stretch your comfort zone, and do something with that dream of yours,” my husband announced.

Truthfully, I had been living my dream—but only part of my dream.

I’d become a storyteller through writing articles and publishing great works from other writers. I’d become a photographer—even if it was only for family and friends. And, the biggest dream of my life came true sixteen years ago when I married my husband and started a family of my own—and we’ve since been blessed with vibrant children who brighten our days in ways no business, no career, no hobby ever could!

Whether or not I become a professional photographer with a studio of her own, or merely a more experienced hobby photographer, I feel blessed to have such a supportive husband. And can’t wait to start taking more pictures!

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