Wow – I can’t believe my first post has gotten 4 comments, since I’ve done exactly zero to promote it so far. If you’re one of the people who posted, I’d love to know how you found out about it! It’s incredibly gratifying to see such immediate interest in what I’m trying to do here, and I will do my best to make this a valuable resource.
I’m already realizing I need to change the site’s design, so I can offer more useful directories of related resources and links… right now all the links are relegated to the sidebar, with no room for annotations. I’d like people to be able to know why I’m recommending a particular shop or cafe, and to be able to display feedback from readers about each entry. So stay tuned for some improvements in the coming weeks. But for now – I’m so gratified that people have responded so positively to what I’m trying to do, and I hope to live up to your expectations.
Thanks!
An artist in DC – imagine that!
Meanwhile, in case you missed it, yesterday’s Post magazine cover story is about a local DC artist named Big Al Carter. The cover asks, “What does the inexhaustible creativity of Big Al Carter say about fame, success and the meaning of art?” I haven’t read the article yet, but will later today – in the meantime, this quote caught my eye:
He is a particular type of Washington artist, someone who was understood by peers to have the promise to make it in New York, but who for one reason or another — temperament, taste, fear, arrogance or some combination — decided to stay here and fashion a different, quieter career and life.
I understand that DC is quieter than New York, but resent the way this suggests that DC artists necessarily aspire to “make it in New York.” First of all – art isn’t about “making it” in the sense of fame and fortune; it’s about the creative process; and second, New York doesn’t have a toe-hold on this process. As Julia Cameron argues in The Artist’s Way – a book that’s had a tremendous impact on my life – we are all creative. Creativity is part of being human. In fact, that’s a flaw in how I’m billing this blog; creative people aren’t a unique breed – but people who are creatively productive, are. Hopefully, this blog can help change that.
To be continued after I’ve actually read the article. :)
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Likely most of us found it because KOB linked to you on dcblogs. I recommend getting a sitemeter – that way you can check how many people are coming to the site and where they’re coming from (i.e. who’s linking to you). Good luck on your endeavor; I’m interested to see where you go with it.
Yep, like heather I found you on DC Blogs. KOB has a good eye and can always be relied upon to pick up new and interesting writing in the area.
Thanks! I’m thrilled DC Blogs linked to the site, and will definitely be adding a sitemeter.