The Value of Beauty
July 30, 2023
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And a poet said, Speak to us of Beauty. And he answered: Where shall you seek beauty, and how shall you find her unless she herself be your way and your guide? (Expert from “On Beauty” by Kahlil Gibran
All summer I’ve been pondering the things we often cherish and appreciate versus the things our society places value on with money. We cherish our children and want the best for them but we pay teachers - people they spend an enormous amount of time with - poorly. We cherish the people who help us care for our health - the doctors, nurses, therapists, and so many more - but they are some of the lowest-paid members of our healthcare and self-care industries even as in the US we spend more on healthcare than any other western nation. We spend enormous sums of money on cheap trinkets to express our devotion to movies and television yet a vast majority of the people who create those programs are not paid enough to afford basics like housing, healthcare, and healthy food.
This is not an indictment of anyone individually - far from it. The people that most want to support artists, nurses, teachers, etc. are often those without the means to do it - many times other artists, nurses, and teachers! We are largely blind to how much of what we spend goes to the actual makers and point-of-care providers. The same is true even of our basics like clothing, food, and the materials that go into everything we buy.
Artists, writers, and makers of all kinds are among the lowest-paid professionals yet I can’t imagine a world without them. There are dozens of writers I would like to financially support and so much art from current artists I would like to buy - the total far exceeds the budget I have to actually do it. I wait for the 50% off sales at CanvasPop to print my own photographs for my home and do it very sparingly though I don’t even have to pay the artist!
I would love to make my living bringing everyday beauty to the world through words and images. I would love for this pursuit to even pay for the equipment and software required to do it or replace the income I give up to make it happen. I would love to have the funds to turn around and support more artists! I dream of leaving my day job and spending more time at the pace of nature. These are not (currently) the circumstances of my life. I am fortunate to have the time I have and to find so much beauty freely accessible where I live - so many people do not have that gift!
We’ve been sold the myth that one just needs to go all in, quit your day job, work really hard, and somehow the money will follow - usually by someone who thinks this is what happened to them or perhaps by a platform with a vested interest. This does happen of course - but there is always a little more to it. (I did this once - and ended up broke and had to go back to my day job. It’s harder to do it a second time at an older age!) The universe always has a hand in it.
Sometimes there’s a connection or maybe you started out with more resources. Sometimes there are financial means, either to pay expenses or to cut costs. Sometimes it’s a spark of magic. A fortuitous share by someone with a million followers. Being in the right place at the right time. Finding a wealthy benefactor (did that only happen in the old days?) or a connection you couldn’t have seen coming. These things happen, they can happen to anyone, but I’m skeptical of being able to “make” them happen despite what many “influencers” would like you to believe. I love it when I see this happen to an artist whose work I admire and I hope to see it more often!
Sometimes it doesn’t happen at all. As best I can tell it’s not about talent or quality or even how hard you work. Maybe the energy you put into it plays a hand, but I’m not convinced we have that much control. Maybe it’s a bit like cards and you just need to play the hand you’re dealt - and keep playing so you have the chance for new cards in the future. Sometimes the cards are good, sometimes they are not. Accepting where you are and what your options are right now seems to always be the best place to start. As Arthur Ashe said, “Start where you are. Do what you can. Use what you have.”
Looking at the cards in my hand right now and thinking about the quote at the top, what I feel is an urge to send more beauty out into the world in a broader way. It makes me happy when more people see the little beauties of the world and remember that there is life outside the man-made constructs of our world. The conversations we have about nature and life are my kind of fun.
I’ve been thinking about how I might restructure my subscriptions and posting philosophy to achieve this goal. To this end, I’ve decided at least until the fall equinox, I am going to send out all three posts each week to all subscribers. I am also discounting the annual subscription fee 50% through that time to provide a low-cost way to support me if you are so inclined. If you sign up at that rate, that will be your subscription rate for as long as you are a subscriber. There is also the option to be a “Patron/Super Supporter” for any amount greater than $36 so if you have the means and have been meaning to sign up, that option still exists!
In addition, I know I have a fair number of subscribers who are fellow writers and I know that writers sometimes need images to support their work. If you see an image that particularly speaks to you and what you’re writing about, please email me about using it! (Please do tell me which newsletter it was in though - trying to find a photo from a description in my archive is a lot like finding a needle in a haystack.)
More than a decade ago I thought I’d take up painting. I was standing in the aisle of the art store trying to figure out what paintbrushes to buy. I was completely overwhelmed and daunted by the selection and had no idea what to do. Anastasia Drake (Stroke of Red Studio) noticed my struggle and kindly stopped to offer her expertise. I then took a painting class with her and got to see her amazing textured paintings in person and hear the story of how working with visually impaired kids inspired her to create art they could also enjoy. Last week I finally had the opportunity to buy one of her textured paintings and it is now hanging in my office (which is also my dining room/living room/the one big space that isn’t my bedroom).
Anastasia offered me what she had then. I hope I can do the same for another. Maybe if I focus on what I can offer I will have more opportunities to do so. Maybe I won’t. Either way, offering what I can feels to me like allowing beauty to be my guide. When I’m out with my camera, Beauty is always my guide. I learned long ago I don’t make things happen out there but I can show up with my eyes open. I’m trying to apply that lesson in more of my life.
Note: If you want to support me but $18 is too much, keep in mind you can subscribe for just one month for only $5. Just be sure to cancel it before the month is up! Also, if you’re hesitant to subscribe because Substack sends you other emails, you can turn off all those extra emails in your settings. Please ask if you have questions!
Well, Karen, you, your writing and your photos ae consistently amazing. You and your work are so appreciated. I wish that I had the resources to be your benefactor. Yet, it is sometimes out of our poverty that the greatest beauty arises. You are loved.
Well said! Do you offer larger prints of your photos? I love the black dragonfly photo against the green in this post and wondered if that is something you do.