Getting Started...
The day has finally arrived where I started to interview! Meet Linda and Juan. There's a bit more ground work than I thought there was going to be... paper work, paper work, paper work!
So paper work aside, it was a bit rocky at first and I was super nervous. What do I ask? What do I say? What's not offensive and what is offensive? Also how much do I share here and how much do I leave for the art work??? So many questions! Ahhhh!
For today I'll just tell you about the experience and share their stories when their artwork is more developed...
Meet Linda first. I had met Linda on a previous visit when I was touring the OCH. When I got there she remembered me, so that was a bit of a relief. She was enjoying the weather on the porch and she wanted to talk to me but I felt she was hesitant to share too much information with me. I asked her if there's was a specific place she wanted to start or if she just wanted me to ask her questions. It was a bit difficult to try and get a conversation going. Then I came across an issue I did not think of before... In listening to her story I realized there were some things in her story that were not true. I don't know why I didn't think about this before. I mean I know it sounds silly, but I forget that not everything someone says is true just because they say it is. I jotted down everything she said either way. So what's the importance of the "true" story and her story, the story she believes? I'll have to think about this more before I start with her art work...
While I was visiting with Linda, Juan was on the porch with us also enjoying the weather. El Paso hardly sees rain but it's nice when it does and there's that small breeze after. (before the muggy humidity comes, you know that moment I'm talking about, that porch moment) He looked so intrigued by me being there. After mine and Linda's conversation was over Juan and I were just talking small talk. He was very welcoming and even though I did not have an appointment with him, I introduced my project to him. I was overwhelmed with his enthusiasm to be a part of it and his willingness to share. I could not believe how happy he was that I was just talking to him. He even started coming up with ideas for what his artwork should look like, which I'm totally going to use by the way! He has lived an interesting life of trial and error. He did not sugar coat anything and I'm happy that he is now in a good spot at OCH.
There's so much to write, but for now, off to make some notes on the interviews!
So paper work aside, it was a bit rocky at first and I was super nervous. What do I ask? What do I say? What's not offensive and what is offensive? Also how much do I share here and how much do I leave for the art work??? So many questions! Ahhhh!
For today I'll just tell you about the experience and share their stories when their artwork is more developed...
Meet Linda first. I had met Linda on a previous visit when I was touring the OCH. When I got there she remembered me, so that was a bit of a relief. She was enjoying the weather on the porch and she wanted to talk to me but I felt she was hesitant to share too much information with me. I asked her if there's was a specific place she wanted to start or if she just wanted me to ask her questions. It was a bit difficult to try and get a conversation going. Then I came across an issue I did not think of before... In listening to her story I realized there were some things in her story that were not true. I don't know why I didn't think about this before. I mean I know it sounds silly, but I forget that not everything someone says is true just because they say it is. I jotted down everything she said either way. So what's the importance of the "true" story and her story, the story she believes? I'll have to think about this more before I start with her art work...
While I was visiting with Linda, Juan was on the porch with us also enjoying the weather. El Paso hardly sees rain but it's nice when it does and there's that small breeze after. (before the muggy humidity comes, you know that moment I'm talking about, that porch moment) He looked so intrigued by me being there. After mine and Linda's conversation was over Juan and I were just talking small talk. He was very welcoming and even though I did not have an appointment with him, I introduced my project to him. I was overwhelmed with his enthusiasm to be a part of it and his willingness to share. I could not believe how happy he was that I was just talking to him. He even started coming up with ideas for what his artwork should look like, which I'm totally going to use by the way! He has lived an interesting life of trial and error. He did not sugar coat anything and I'm happy that he is now in a good spot at OCH.
There's so much to write, but for now, off to make some notes on the interviews!