001: the series

Oh the artist life, what a journey! I have tried many ways to keep art in my life, some better than others. Going to art school, thinking that being surrounded by others similar to me would help my process. Come to find out, I really found identity in being “the art kid” which was deflated once I got there. Then I tried a couple of times to work the untraditional job while making art. While I learned valuable information, I was left unsatisfied. The job took more out of me than I had anticipated, resulting in unfulfillment. With that, I turned to freelance as a main focus. Its where I am now. While it helps me mentally, the lack of progress lets the doubt set in. The doubt of if this is really for me or will I “make it”. 

So, why tell you all this? To introduce you to who I am and where I hope this series goes. Being goghfurther, one can assume I love Vincent Van Gogh. His work was shown recently at the MFA Boston. As a result, they have had classes related to the show. The classes chronicle different subjects, including his letters. While his letters are well known to his story, I was unaware of the range within them. He didn’t just write to his brother Theo, he made them come alive. He would include sketches of current pieces, things he was interested in, and his range of emotions. This is what I want to capture in my own practice. 

My version reflects who I am from the beginning. The phrase “Dia Duit” (dia- gwitch) means hello in Irish. Like many Americans, my heritage is exclusively Irish. However, in the last year or so, I have really dove into the Irish culture. This includes starting to learn the language. This phrase also has a literal translation of “God with you”. This is another thing I share with a lot of Americans, I am a believer of Christ. This is something that also has grown in the last year. I want to be more bold in my faith. Not with megaphones on the street corners, but discussing who God is in His fullness. Lastly, the name Dairinn has a similar path. It is the Irish form of Dorothy which means “glory to God”. Furthermore, Dorothy is the female version of the name Theodore, or Theo. So in my own way, I want to follow Vincent’s footsteps by writing about my experience in order to encourage others. 

I hope this series encourages those who feel their own path is at a dead end. Even if you’re not an artist, the weight of doubt and hopelessness is excruciating. The only thing I ask you to do is to follow along. While I hope you interact and find community, my only goal is to be a friend that you can come to. If all you can do is read, may the reading provide you comfort. 

Is ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine — we all live in each other’s shelters

Katie