When There is No Plan B

Even as an Art major in college I knew I would never make it as a fine artist. It was never the Plan. I always knew in my true little artist heart that I would do something creative in my career but I also knew that creating fine art and trying to get it into galleries or even more, sell it was not that something for me. Plan A was graphics. But when I found out the graphic department was impacted and highly competitive, I bowed out of even trying to get in. I didn’t have a Plan B so I just went with the knowing that I would do something creative in my career part and decide that was enough as I set out to get a BA in Art, of course.

I guess from there the steps aren’t really important because now I am doing a million creative things in my career(s) and my experience has been better than I could have ever planned. The best part to having a no real Plan is that you can wander anywhere your path leads you without fear of not following the Plan. It’s pretty great and can really work to your advantage (she’s says speaking from experience).

As far as not wanting to get my work into galleries, I’ll admit, I have had my moments of giving that a whirl with hit and miss results. For the few times I have been accepted into a show (and they have been tiny shows mind you) what grand experiences they were! There is nothing like having something you created on display in a sacred space along with work from fellow creatives, wine in hand, celebrating each other and sharing something magical. I’m just relieved that I didn’t have that kind of thing in my Plan because now, these kinds of events have been moments to savor, like a extra icing on the cake of my creative life.

How about you? Have you ever put yourself out there and tried to submit something to an exhibition? It can be unnerving I know, but as inspired women looking to share our unique perspectives from behind our lenses, we have nothing to lose but an entry fee. And if you did enter a show and a photograph that you shot was chosen to hang on a gallery wall, wouldn’t that just be the sweetest thing? If you are nodding your head yes, then I challenge you, on this leap day to take your own leap and waiver from your Plan; even if it’s only long enough to enter one of your beloved works of photographic art into The Art of Photography Show. You only have until Monday so leap to it. Thanks jpg mag for the head up on this one.

So, I’ll see you at the opening! That’s called positive thinking. *wink*

The photo above is what I would probably consider my very first successful photo projects (a polaroid transfer of one of my sculptures)—my signature is even in my maiden name. It hung in a gallery for six weeks a long time ago and today it hangs in my entry way.

Comments

[Lisa]

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4029/993/1600/sisters.jpg
i worked up the nerve to enter this photo in our county fair two years ago. it got 2nd place in it's category! i have been entering photos ever since, even though none other has placed. i'll keep trying though!

[Shelli]

I'm not a photographer, so I haven't tried to enter any photographs into exhibitions, but I have submitted dozens and dozens of short stories to literary magazines! It's a frustrating task, but I shall not give up.

I love going to art shows, so I wish everyone here the best of luck!

No photograph today since this doesn't really apply to me.

[Jen]

I am going to try this. What do I have to lose? Thanks for the link!

[corey (giggletwig)]

I submitted photos to the local county fair last year for the first time, and won second place in the Abstract (Color) category with this one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/giggletwig/2227051523/

And honorable mention in the Abstract (B&W) category with this one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/giggletwig/2299521425/

I was so nervous entering photos into the contest...and it was only a small county fair. But it was great to be selected for a ribbon. I will probably enter again this year, but I haven't had the confidence to enter a "big" competition yet. Maybe I'll give this one a try.

And I identify with having no plan. I studied movie production in college (with no expectation of making it in the movie industry), and ended up working as a graphic designer. It's still a creative field, so I'm happy. Thanks for this post!

[camerashymomma]

thanks for this tracey, i was thinking of what to do with this leap day, and also contemplating a certain photo of mine on JPG to enter into this contest. sadly, it was the $25 fee that kept me away (and why? is leaping not worth a measly $25? my own stubbornness against my own self? my own creation not worthy of $25? i've spent more on shoes with which to walk on mud!) so, this is it, i'm taking that leap! it's also good to hear of other wanderers with no set plan. sometimes it is slightly breathtaking, but i'd have it no other way.

[nikkipolani]

Oh, how I loved polaroid transfer projects when I was in school! I, too, started as an art major and chickened out. In fact, I switched to teaching and chickened out again. I had settled in to doing mundane work to pay the bills and, amazingly, little creative projects would come my way. They still do.

[leslie]

OK, Tracey, your on :)
I took the leap and entered this one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesophiephoto/532037605
Now which did you enter...?
See you at the opening *wink*!

[holli]

I've never tried to enter anything, I guess I just don't feel like my photography is at that level yet. I still remember meeting you at BlogHer and I didn't even know you could set your DSLR to take pictures without a flash at that point!!

Maybe someday.

xo

[jessica new]

I've haven't won any photo contests YET... Nor has my work been featured at an exhibit YET... But one of my photos was PUBLISHED in Men's Journal Magazine... That was a feeling of honor & I was very grateful for that opportunity...
Funny thing this photo was taken with a $250 dollar camera, before I had an expensive Nikon Camera & a fancy lens.
Here is the photo they featured about secret beaches in Hawaii (Hanalei Bay in Kawaii)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessicanew/223221187/in/set-72157594290688758/

[nickythomas]

I submitted three photos to a competition in London last year and they were accepted. I was SO suprised as i didnt think i stood a chance. It was a real boost to my self confidence. I didnt sell any of the photos but that really didnt matter. It was something to put in my 'portfolio'.
Here are the three photos that they used.
This was my first attempt with black and white film
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/624815588/

This was a photo i took during my photography night school course
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/1323459318/

and this one was a lucky shot on a day out in London with the kids
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/1323465866/

I think you have to try these things sometimes, even if you start of with the little competitions, you have to be in it to win it!

go for it ladies and good luck.

nicky x

[Kristin]

I just recently submitted to two local competitions because hey, you can't say you never win anything if you don't ever play. I am not expecting to win but there really is nothing to lose by just entering. ArtAwake responded already saying they were interested and asked to see more work, so I'm waiting to hear back and the RIT competition I won't hear until April.

Here's the competition info:
http://kphotodesign.typepad.com/k/2008/02/photo-a-day-art.html

Here's the photos I submitted:
http://flickr.com/photos/22621057@N04/2244384577/
http://flickr.com/photos/22621057@N04/2244384587/
http://flickr.com/photos/22621057@N04/2194925263/

Because they are local competitions, I submitted locations in our area. Don't know if that will help or hurt.

[design for mankind]

your blog is so so lovely!

[jen downer]

this could have been me writing this entry. i am so right there with you! thank you.

[Kate]

This is just so, so pretty Tracey. I'm late to comment but just wanted to say... lovely.

[Lawyer Mama]

I once had a photo in a small juried photography exhibit in Norfolk, Virginia. I've never tried to enter anything else. Maybe I will....

[chris]

I have been thinking about this since you posted it. I still have the site to submit photos still open in another window. The day they tell people if their photo was selected is my birthday. My 40th.

I have been having all kinds of feelings about that day approaching. This certainly isn't where I planned to be. I don't have a plan B. I fear being rejected, and certainly could use the $25 as an excuse. But I think I am getting the fact that not trying is what makes you a loser - not not winning.

So let's meet up at the opening. :)