Plunging into obscurity

Transcript from Radio Show, Plunging into Obscurity

Welcome to Plunging into Obscurity, where we interview unknown artists. I’m your host Leslie Day. And welcome . . . well, I guess there’s no real need for an introduction . . .

Right.

So, let’s just cut to the chase: You’ve worked hundreds of thousands of hours on your art, spanning decades, and yet . . . nobody knows who you are. What’s that like?

I try not to dwell on it.

How can you not?

Well . . . though I live in almost complete obscurity, I like to think there are those who appreciate my work.

Like who?

Well . . . Uh, I like to believe I have an audience . . . even if it’s a small one.

Where?

Uh, maybe in heaven.

In heaven? Like up there? In the sky?

I guess. It sounds silly hearing you say it, but in the privacy of my experience about it, it feels legitimate.

You mean like angels and ancestors, those sorts of ‘people’ up there, digging your creations?

Well . . . who’s to say it’s not so?

Do you have a theory for how they access your work? Like, is there some sort of amazon. com up there?

Through my heart. They access who I am through my heart.

Right. Well it’s great you found your target audience.

Thanks. You know, there are lots of artists in the natural world who don’t need the approval from the NY Times that they’ve somehow ‘made it’.

Right. Like squirrels and wind and such.

Yes.

Do you create for the animals as well? Are the animals also your target audience?

I’m sorry, but are you patronizing me?

Absolutely not. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just doing my job. Let’s move on. So, you have 500 Facebook friends. Do they like your work?

I would like to think so.

I’m not talking theoretically. I’m asking, when you post your work, do they like it? Do you get 500 thumbs-up or hearts?

No. Of course not.

Do you think that’s intentional, their not liking your art, or are they just busy with their own lives and not caring much about yours?

Well, I’m not expecting to be on the front page of people’s attention. But it does make a difference when they like my work.

Well, we actually interviewed some of your non-liking Facebook friends and here’s what one said, off the record:
“Well, I kind of don’t register her on my radar at all, but if I chose to create meaning out of why I haven’t liked her work, and I was honest about it, I’d kind of say that I don’t mind to not like her work, more than I don’t mind to like her work. Does that make sense?”

What? I don’t get that at all.

Right. Well, let’s move on to your Family or Origin. Do you feel known as an artist by those people?

A couple of them.

Well, we interviewed one who would like to remain anonymous. I will play the audio recording - and please understand, the person’s voice sounds like a diabolical robot only for the purpose of protecting their identity: “Yeah, she’s been at it for A. Long. Time. I don’t know why she bothers, really. The market’s totally saturated. If I were to give her any advice, I’d tell her to try something less Herculean with her life, like teaching preschool.”

She said that?

I’m sorry, I’m unable to provide information on whether it’s a he or a she.

Well, the market is saturated with a hell of a lot of babies and she keeps having them!

Did it make you feel good to say that?

Not really.

You sound hostile.

I’m not hostile.

Maybe I’m misinterpreting your tone. Is the sound I’m hearing the sound of someone preventing themselves from falling through the cracks entirely?

I suppose.

Well, I understand. So, you have several ‘friends’ who are wildly successful. And they have not returned your emails. Meaning, they have completely ignored your multiple attempts at reaching out.

How did you know that?

We accessed your emails. In the past 30 days, you have sent out 27 emails, asking very politely, albeit a little desperately, for guidance and maybe also some connections, and you’ve received only one response back, and this was an automated ‘we’ve closed this account’ email.
Are you still there?

Yes.

You sound choked up?

Well, it hurts when it seems like people wouldn’t want to help me. I would always want to help anyone who asked for it.

Well, we’ve interviewed those people to see why they never bothered to help you become more successful with their vast connections, even though they certainly could.

You did? What did they say?

They all said the same thing, that they were too busy with work and vacationing and being interviewed by other shows not like this one, and on their time off, they all said they were too busy with philanthropic endeavors, like helping the homeless. But they all said once you become homeless at some point in time, they would be glad to donate to your Go Fund Me campaign.

They said that? That’s really disturbing.

That’s what you say? How about being grateful?

I guess I could be grateful. But don’t you think it’s disturbing?

It’s only disturbing if you feel that you are someone worthy of their time and resources.

Right.

And are you?

I thought I might be.

Why would you think you might be? What is your art for, anyhow?

I don’t know.

You’ve been making art for decades and you don’t know what it’s for?? Is it for other people? Do you even like other people?

I am fond of other people, mostly. Especially when I’m not thinking about what I imagine their thoughts are about me.

But why create this art? Breaking your back day after day, year after year, for nothing??

I don’t think it’s for nothing. It’s how I blossom, I guess. Should I duct tape my blossoms closed simply because I’m not being featured in a more prominent garden?

Well, I’d love to ponder that idea, but our time’s up. Thank you so much for joining us on yet another episode of Plunging into Obscurity.

Thank you for having me.