GRIT

People often ask me how I achieved my successes and how my artwork has become known. I'm sure they think this has happened overnight in a few months or maybe a year. They always lean in, as if they are going to hear some nugget of inspiration that will suddenly catapult them and their work front and center someplace - quickly. They always seem a bit disappointed when I tell them they have to have passion and to never give up and to give a hand to others - that no one can do it alone. Then they walk away (literally or off into cyber land).

STANDING IN URBAN OUTFITTERS IN COLUMBUS OHIO HAPPILY HOLDING SOME OF MY ARTWORK FOR SALE IN THEIR STORES AND ONLINE.

I've always been an artist, although I did not call myself that until recently. It has always been a passion - a light that burned strong and hot inside my soul. It is how I walk through life. My photography is how I experience this thing called life and this planet we walk on. It was in many ways a necessity that I sell my art. But that is a whole other blog post!

Most people believe that things happen instantly. the mindset of magical thinking. But the things that truly matter and are worth having or being take time and and lots of work. This morning while having my coffee, I was listening to a morning news show and my ears perked up when Angela Duckworth began talking about GRIT. She said that talent alone does not guarantee success (as so many hope). She said in the age of talent shows, talent is really not enough to instantly become a success or star. Her research discovered that something she came to call grit was needed to achieve great things. She described grit as a combination of passion and perseverance for a singularly important goal, and that grit was a hallmark of achievers.

I looked up the definition of grit in the dictionary. GRIT: firmness of character; indomitable spirit; plunk. Synonyms: fortitude, courage

It's been a while since I heard the word plunk (or grit), but I'm really liking them. So next time someone asks me for words of wisdom on how to achieve success, I'll tell them when they lean in.... You need to be a gritty person. You need to have a bit of plunk and indomitable spirit.....

I'm so delighted to have my work and journey featured on the Love Ohio Crafters and Artisan blog today!! Thanks so much Vicki for the fabulous job you did!

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Oh Joy…Or Should it be Ode to Joy?

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Vicki

 

My last featured artist for 2013 is photographer, Joy St. Claire.  Joy and I met initially when we were both vendors at Daniel Colvin’s Hit’n'Run events at CS Gallery a couple of years ago and then ran into each other at a couple of other art/crafts shows.  I fell in love with her muted tones and her adorable dog pictures immediately!  Since that time, we have ‘talked’ on Facebook, I’ve interviewed her for another blog and met once last winter to walk our doggies on the chipmunk trail in Westerville.

I’m so happy for the many successes she has had with her photography and am pleased to be featuring her here on my blog.

Her business aptly describes her photographic style: Oh Joy! Photography.  Every picture that I have seen of hers conveys joy and happiness.  From the nature photos to still life and portraiture to pictures of Mags, her photography celebrates the good in life and the beauty of all that surrounds us on a daily basis.

Although her dream was to go into photojournalism or landscape architecture when she was younger, she was discouraged because: “Don’t do what you love or you won’t love it anymore.”  As she sees it now this was very bad advice as she is doing what she was meant to do all along and is thoroughly enjoying every minute of it!  To that end, she always encourages young people to do what they love – to be tenacious and creative enough to follow their passion.

She received her degree from Kent State University with a BS in Criminal Justice and minors in Urban Planning and Sociology. After graduating from college, she worked for a police department doing intelligence work but eventually found that was not where she was happiest, choosing to turn to more artistic endeavors and leave the old advice behind.  Hence, O Joy Photography was born!

one of her fav subjects and best buddy, Maggie, aka Mags

Joy describes her art as modern vintage style/ fine art/ home decor photography featuring nature, flowers and landscapes.

Her inspiration comes from what she calls a bit of an interactional process.  As she states:

It is a connection to what I am photographing, a connection to something larger than myself and a connection to something deep inside. They all combine to what you see in my art! I love soft morning light, fog, primal woods and trying to come up with a new way/view to photograph something I have photographed many times before or a common object (fruit for example). I try to catch myself when I say “oh, I’ve photographed that before so I won’t do it again” and instead try to say “How can I present it differently?”

Workshops or books about creative process also help to keep her fresh and open for new techniques and ideas.

She has also ventured into a new realm with her iPhone and the photographic apps that are available.  It has allowed her  to have a camera with her constantly, so she can always try to see the world in a new light…different from when she had to carry around her camera and be a bit less spontaneous.  She says that is has recharged her creative process and inspired her to shoot in new ways with my Nikon. Some of her favorite apps are Snapseed, Pictapgo, Lo-Mob and Distressed Fx.

sky project 346.365

You can find Joy’s work  at Society6, Turning Art, Caseable, Modern Mural, The Kase, Fine Art America, Redbubble along with some pieces at Getty Images as well as in her Etsy.com shop.  Just recently, her work was featured on Zulily, and PI Creative in Canada. Her photography was also featured at the Golden Globes 2 years ago, both in their gift shop and in the swag bags given to celebs.

Something tells me that her creative journey has just begun and I am so happy that she ignored the naysayers and followed her “joy”!

 Contact info for readers:

joy@ohjoyphotography.com

614-446-6569

www.ohjoyphotography.com

www.etsy.com/shop/joystclaire

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ohjoyphotography1

Instagram: http://instagram.com/joystclaire1

Happiness

Well it was a whirlwind end to 2012 and a fast paced beginning to 2013, and I needed a bit of a break! But it is nice to get back here again and into a routine once more. I'm feeling good things in store for 2013 and a renewed creative energy. I'm really enjoying pairing my images with words, quotes and affirmations and I hope you like this new venture. Find Happiness Surrounds Me HERE.

Charlane Killough Griffith - RIP Sweet Soul

I am sitting here with a broken heart after hearing of the passing of my sweet friend Charlane. Charlane was not only loved by those who called her family & friend in "real life", but also by those in the online world of bloggers, FB & Flickr. Many hadn't met Char in person, but we knew her well - & she left her mark in may lives. Char had such a gift of weaving words into a beautiful story & added her photographs for a compelling view of life through her eyes. She loved life! She loved being an auntie, Nick Drake, ball jars & flowers... Char was such an inspiration in so many ways to so many people. She left a heartfelt legacy.

I was out of town when Char passed and then became busy with catching up & life - not checking in on FB or blogs. And just like that, she was gone. I had always wanted to buy one of her prints. So, today say "I love" you to those you love, -say it all day until the sun sets. Give hugs liberally. If someone has been an influence in your life or made a difference - make sure you tell them... & not just once. I read all the words/posts left on Char's FB page - so many sentiments of love - & realized we need to be saying those things & showing how we feel right now - today.... because we - or someone we love - might not have tomorrow.

Sorry for the rambling as I'm sitting here with tears. I have "known" Char for years & have enjoyed her friendship, support & inspiration. She will be missed.

I am including some of her photographs below in this post. And I found one of her last blog posts especially poignant.......

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in my other life....


i would live in a house shaped like a triangle on the beach...somewhere warm and happy. where children laugh and adults giggle and the air smells like warm cinnamon cookies baking in the oven. 

 and you would come over for simple lunches. and we would chat for hours while watching the sea and the waves dancing. the salt would make our hair wild and wooly and we would laugh belly laughs that made our sides ache.



then after sunset, we would go to the carnival and ride the merry-go-round until we were dizzy.  we would sup on wonderful foods and eat with our fingers - never spilling a drop or worrying about being messy.  carnivals are know for that kind of thing you know.
 
after the carnival we take a walk on the beach. there we could stare at the stars, wish on shooting stars and solve the world's problems. there would be peace and understanding - and somehow we would figure out how to feed the starving children and make mosquitoes turn into butterflies. because the world definitely needs more butterflies.



then, when we are tired, we would slip into cotton sheets and sleep sweet dreams of happy places and wonderful things.


the life of simple joys, no worries, and plenty of love is for me - the rest is gravy on my potatoes.
 
~charlane killough griffith
 
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And beautiful sweet soul - now you are there.
RIP Char. xxx
 
To see more of Char's photography, words and wonderful view on living & life, STOP BY HERE.
 
 

 
 
 

Things i Love Thursday ~ Randomness

I participate in Things I Love Thursdays on Flickr & will start posting them here as well. This week, it was just random things I find beautiful & inspiring by some wonderful photographers!

Morning Ride by Clare Photography

The Point by the very talented doggie photographer Hot Boxer

Blue Baubles for Ewa by Poketypatch

A Little Polaroid Sx-Love by Kristybee

Resting Lightly by Sleepy Jeanne

To Live a Pure Unselfish Life... by simple effulgence

Enjoy!