What do you do? How many times I have been asked that and just stood dumb founded. I feel caught off guard an unable to express myself. I also feel that others can’t really understand what I do, so what’s the use and I don’t believe that they would even want to take the time to hear what I have to say. It’s about time I take a different approach.
So, today when I have been asked to respond to the question from a workshop I am taking, by Alyson B. Stanfield, “What do you do?” and limit it to a ten second reply as well, that makes it even more difficult. “I have a son with Down syndrome”, I reply and “I stay home to take care of him”. As, I said time to reply differently. My son is now 25 and it’s about time I let people know that I am not just a mother, housewife, or caretaker and that I am an Artist.
“I am an Artist that interprets your thoughts, visions and dreams into Technicolor.” What does this mean? I love to do commissions. I love to take your vision for your home or office, take your lifestyle, your tastes, colors, surroundings, environment, location of piece, create the size for the scale in your room or rooms and co-create with you a unique piece of art. My art is always vivid and colorful and will be a dramatic piece and focal point in your room, thus the word Technicolor. I’m a colorist and whatever I paint must have rich, luscious color. My goal is for you to see the intensity and brilliance that I see in color. It doesn’t matter what I paint, but it does matter if I paint with color. My neutrals are pearlescent and are a springboard for color. Color is my passion.
It’s important to be able to tell people what you do and if you can say it in 10 seconds that is even better. This is a great marketing tool. If you are prepared with an answer, it will allow further conversation to develop. You can offer more detail and perhaps develop a future customer. It might not be a bad idea to hand out a business card, as well. Even though, this is one aspect of who you are and not to be attached to the identification, it still is nice to validate and acknowledge. Be confident, be open, let them know just enough to be interested to ask you questions, but be proud of what you do.
I love this post!
Great post Janet, thought provoking. I have no clue how I would answer that question at this stage of my life. Thanks for sharing this post and now you’ve got me thinking.
Yes, it’s kind of hard, but I think well worth it. Saying it aloud is also important. Good luck and let me know your 10 second response 🙂
Hey Janet, this is a good one! I’ve been in so many business consulting groups where it was mandatory to be able to answer this question effortlessly and naturally 🙂
But sometimes I still get choked up, especially since I have so much going on and have to think about what context I should inform the questioner 😉
The best part is that you can be creative to spark continued conversation as you mentioned!
~Kesha
That’s so true, thank you for the nice reply.
…I am still in the thick of motherhood with an 11 and 13 year old..and I think I look busy most of the time..so I don’t get this question very often. But I do feel the question on the inside..and can relate your very insightful post 🙂 …I sort of wish they would ask more..so I could talk about art 🙂
But 10 seconds?…I’ll have to work on that 🙂
Yes, the trick is to get it down to 10 seconds, that is definitely quite a feat. Thank you for commenting, really appreciate it.
Love this post, Janet. It sounds like this is a good time in your life in that you now can align/realign yourself with who you are outside of the parent role. At least that is how it’s been for me in these past several years. I’m still in the process of fine-tuning my identity.
Yes, I probably will always have to have the parent roll with Blake, but at the same time I can have some balance now and focus on my art more. It is a good time in my life, thank you Adriene, always love your comments.
Hum…………….Always thought provoking. What do you Do….. rather than Who you ARE? I know you are a talented artist as seem by the continued display of your HEART and PASSION with a paint brush in hand. Your continued submission to the popping of color, and blending of brush strokes brings the complexity of composition playing in your mind. First of all, you are a special person and what you do is relevant, but who you are in the journey those moments represent does not preceed this. Thank you for bringing us joy like a sunny day and introspection by the complexities of your artwork. They represent your character and heart, and this is why you are gifted and enjoyed by others.
Hum…….you are pretty special.
Nancy, that is probably the nicest thing anyone as said to me. Thank you my friend, I really appreciate your comment.