Artists Among Us
Before another entry from a fresh interview, let’s circle back, as promised, to the artists among us. In the project Who Is My Neighbor, conversations are shaped by two prompts:Tell me the story of moving into your house.Tell me the story of life in your house in 2020.Many of my neighbors add backstory and depth to their narratives with unexpected details from the delightful to the heart-wrenching. As examples of the delightful: Jess and Julio. Both of them surprised me when each self-identified as an artist. “I'm the only person in my family who actually makes art,” Jess told me. Julio, who was my neighbor, has more room in his new place to make art. He texts me from time to time, and in a recent exchange he shared sketches for a logo he’s working on for his original clothing designs which you can see on Instagram HERE.Jess told me, “I feel because I’m an artsy person, my family probably thinks I'm weird. I feel like I'm very misunderstood by them, but they still support me because I'm an artist who rarely shares my art.”
Trust & Listening
I don't take trust for granted. Jess telling me she rarely shares her art and then texting me images of her work is a sign of trust I find humbling. Her trust affirms my work and my listening practice. There are so many ways that we can show up for each other, there are also many ways to listen. As I continue finding answers to the question, Who Is My Neighbor, I realize that what I often minimize or dismiss as common—really listening—is a most valuable skill for my practice and for my life.
What Changes Us
Interacting with others always changes us. One change I’m undergoing as I do this work is a shift in how I see myself and the work I do. I have a growing appreciation for what comes naturally to me: Listening. Framing a question or sharing a prompt matters, but settling in for the reply—that's where the magic happens. However, this quiet choice has not seemed particularly original or challenging. An ingrained message that I’ve carried my whole life goes like this: If I can do something easily, if it comes naturally to me, it is ordinary and of little value. Interacting with Jess, and Julio, and Mike and Susan does a lot to dismantle that insidious message.For my neighbors, and perhaps for yours, being listened to is neither ordinary nor of little value. Again and again the act of being present with each other is unmasked for the small miracle that it is—a sacred space where trust can grow.
As an Introvert
As someone who revels in long solitary walks, hours alone in my studio, and the quiet of reading and writing, it takes courage to initiate meaningful conversation with people I hardly know. Instead of the sweet familiar of solo work, the WIMN process moves me to meet my neighbors face to face. Curiosity in tow, I sit—outside and distanced—ask, and listen. Over and over this simple sequence turns into splendid conversation and discovery.I confess that I can, with frightening mental efficiency and minimal emotional investment, summarize and shelf people from a friendly smiling distance. But efficiency is for fast food, dating apps, and vacuums. I’m here to be human and present. This also means I’m here to make emotional investments.My most human(e) experiences unfold in slow, algorithm-less, and potentially awkward in-real-life encounters. To risk stating the obvious: The process of the WIMN project thwarts efficiency and thrifty emotions. Instead, it creates a space of exchange where people become vibrant, embodied, three-dimensional stories.
My Artist Neighbors
Back to my artist neighbors Jess and Julio and a glimpse of work they have agreed to share. [gallery type="slideshow" size="medium" columns="1" link="file" ids="8639,8640,8641,8564"]From Jess’s story of life in her house in 2020 HERE, it's possible to read her sensitivity to the political climate and social upheaval of that year expressed in her drawings. Julio’s work reflects a mix of his interest in street culture, faith traditions, and a desire to offer original work that fills a fashion niche.[gallery type="slideshow" columns="1" size="medium" link="file" ids="8644,8643,8642,8645"] I never would have known about any of this, never viewed the work, except for this project. Now invisible connections run between me and these members of the artist tribe. Seeing the work of Jess and Julio, consider anew the quote above attributed to Queen Victoria. I’ll paraphrase it: Beware of artists! They mix with all classes of society and all classes of ideas and perspectives. You have been warned :)
As ever, you are invited to dip into any aspect of this project and become a socially engaged artist yourself. When we really listen to each other, life takes on new depth and dimension. Ahead, a conversation with my neighbors Joe and Esther and before or after that a farewell to my neighbors Jim and Marlene. Thank you for being my online neighbor,
