Escape velocity

Walked down a long hall at work yesterday and passed this room. Put my bag in its locker and readied for my shift. But something nagged at me. Grabbed my camera and went back down the hall and made this picture. Single table and chair in harshly lit, windowless room. I felt an enormous sense of relief knowing that I had but one week left before leaving my part-time role to focus on building my photography and self-publishing practice into something more sustainable and robust.

I simply do not have the temperament required to work for someone else. I never last long in such situations. Expending my energy making a corporate entity richer, or boosting the profile of a line manager by hitting metrics targets, is rather difficult to live with when you are of an artistic sensibility. Certainly later in life, as I am, and finally having a solid understanding as to what I'm all about. No more grieving the time and energy lost to labour that could have gone into building a life in art.

There are many of us like this, who live to create, not labour. It is very difficult to make your art and have shelter and food but it can be done. Art can be your job. But it’s fierce difficult. I know this. I’ve failed. Often. Made all the mistakes. Lacked the confidence. But I will keep trying. I must. We all must. 

Thanks for your time.