So they were happy to have me there to do it because they liked what I had done previously. But this year, so far, following the rules, I've done three or four shows, the most recent of which was Monday night. And Monday night was a big deal for me because one, it's the first bigger name artist that I've done in this way, he's the lead singer for a musical act that I love, which is very successful
From Silence
@FromSilenceĀ Ā·Ā 4:43
And if it is my photo, someone who I respect, someone who I admire, who I enjoy his singing, I enjoy his writing, I enjoy the points that he tries to make through it all. Someone like that or his managers, because his managers are going to know what he wants. Thought that an image I took was worthwhile like that. And that's a gift that I can't explain. I'm a nobody. Nobody
Renee Slay
@Renee_SlayĀ Ā·Ā 0:46
But yes, you are an artist 100%, because you may take a theme from someone, but it's your words that you're displaying, and it's your photography, which is amazing, apparently. So congratulations. And embrace it and enjoy it. It's yours
Ahead. So I just want to say I enjoy the joy that you're feeling. I love that. I love your excitement about it. And you sound very much like an artist and creative to me. We are our biggest self judges on everything that we do. We're always judging our work and thinking that it won't be good enough. I've learned that that just like a trait and you've got it
From Silence
@FromSilenceĀ Ā·Ā 4:34
Because, again, I'm not exactly unique in perspective. Yes, I said that I didn't think anyone else would try and take this photo, but again, I could be wrong. And it's not necessarily humility on my part. There's, in my mind, a standard to be met, to consider myself, anything like that. Because an artist is a special thing to be in any format, whether it be writing, whether it be singing
From Silence
@FromSilenceĀ Ā·Ā 4:36
So I have a fairly decent camera that can do a lot of things. I very rarely have to say it's technical difficulties, it's user error if I mess it up. Usually it's me not knowing things as well as I can and I can say that I've taken enough shots now that I should have the knowledge and the experience
Renee Slay
@Renee_SlayĀ Ā·Ā 3:58
Okay, so we differ in this. You do not have to be top dog or published or in photo galleries around the world to be a creative or an artist or a poet. You simply have to have the ability to you write something moving or take a picture that is beautiful and appreciate it and want to do more and find things that you can do more of
From Silence
@FromSilenceĀ Ā·Ā 4:45
And that was not my intent at all. Because the fact that you and a couple other people have said kind, meaningful things about my work means a lot to me. Honestly, the way that Poetry Month has gone so far, I've kind of felt like all of my efforts outside of here have fallen on deaf ears and have been very tempted at times to just give up, because at this point I was worried I wouldn't have enough poetry
From Silence
@FromSilenceĀ Ā·Ā 4:50
And the man lived 15 minutes from where the unidentified person was found. And so I started pursuing it. I reached out to the institution where the unclaimed person had lived, and I started talking to their public relations people and trying to say, hey, does anyone know about this person who is a patient there? Can you look into this at all? Because I might have found who that person is
Swell Team
@SwellĀ Ā·Ā 0:15
Renee Slay
@Renee_SlayĀ Ā·Ā 4:28
I didn't take it as a minimization. It was of us or people here showing appreciation for your work that should, should help you to believe more in yourself. But I didn't even read into that too much. I just wanted to make a point that you do affect people with your words and that's what matters. So I just believe not only are you a poet, you're a photographer. So embrace it. And I think you're too hard on yourself. I just really do
From Silence
@FromSilenceĀ Ā·Ā 0:42
Good morning. Thank you again for all the kind words. If you feel the need to continue to try and argue with my own mental processes, you're welcome to do so. It's really not a big deal. I really don't think so little of myself. It's just how I approach what I do, and maybe I consider it a form of incentive to push myself for something greater