Your own art, 

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     You go through different phases with your own art. Whether it be the style, your inspo, or the colours, your vision changes quite frequently. Sometimes you think you know yourself; how you work and your "vision" of being done when you're working on a piece. But you don't really know yourself until you've pushed farther than you could imagine. Farther than your "I've tried my best". Only then, do you realize the extents that you, your body, and mind, even soul can go to. 

 

     I used to not push myself all the way, until I did, 

 

     I used to always feel like my photos came alive and had "my" touch once I finished editing them and that was it. But then I started printing them more and more and realized that once they were printed, a wave of excitement came to me because that was when my photo came alive, but not just yet. When you've chosen your wall, measured it at eye level, perfected the spacing, dealt with the confusing measurements of horizontals and verticals together, question your work because it was considered to be "strange" and never done before, but finally built confidence, pinned up your photographs, set up lights and walked away, watched strangers take in your photography for a few seconds, realized their reactions and what emotions it brought them, THAT'S when YOUR work truly comes alive and speaks to each individual in any way they portray the photograph. It's at that moment, where tears of accomplishment are at the verge of appearing. I'm finally, and truly proud. 

 

Nothing is easy but it's all worth it, 

 

                                                                                                 Erika Violo