Sometimes, the scariest part of creating art isn’t making it. It’s letting the world see it.
Well, y’all… I’ve gone and done something that has me feeling equal parts excited, nervous, and wondering what in the world I was thinking! 😂
I’ve entered this photo into the Tampa Bay Coffee & Art Festival’s college art contest, and this Saturday is the big day!
Now, if you’ve followed my photography journey for any length of time, you probably know that I love creating things that tell stories. Whether it’s through my camera lens, a carefully arranged collection of meaningful objects, or something a little outside my usual creative comfort zone, I’m always looking for ways to turn thoughts and emotions into something people can actually see.
And this contest? Well, it’s another opportunity to do exactly that.
But here’s the thing about being an artist that nobody really prepares you for…
Creating something is one thing. Putting it out there for other people to judge is a whole different ballgame!
When you’re creating, it’s just you, your imagination, and whatever crazy idea you’ve decided to bring to life that day. There’s freedom in that. You can experiment, make mistakes, change your mind seventeen times, and nobody has to know.
But when you enter a contest, suddenly that little piece of yourself you’ve poured into your work is out there for the world to see.
And that’s both terrifying and pretty darn exciting.
Do I want to win? Well, DUH! I’m not even going to pretend otherwise! 😂
But even if I don’t come home with a check, I’m proud that I took the chance. I’m proud that I created something and believed in it enough to enter it into a competition.
Because sometimes the biggest accomplishment isn’t winning.
It’s having the courage to show up.
And honestly, that’s something I’m learning more and more throughout this creative journey of mine.
Not every photograph will be perfect. Not every idea will work. Not everyone will connect with every piece of art I create.
And that’s okay.
Art isn’t supposed to make everyone feel the same thing. It’s supposed to make us feel something.
So, this Saturday, I’ll be heading into the festival with my fingers crossed, my hopes high, and probably a few butterflies doing cartwheels in my stomach.
And that’s where YOU come in!
I’m officially accepting all the good juju, positive vibes, crossed fingers, happy thoughts, and whatever else you’ve got to send my way! 😂❤️
Maybe I’ll have some exciting news to share afterward. Maybe I’ll just have another experience to tuck into my creative journey.
Either way, I’m glad I took the chance.
And if there’s one thing I hope you’ll take away from this little adventure of mine, it’s this:
Enter the contest. Share the photograph. Try the new thing. Put yourself out there.
You never know what might happen when you give yourself permission to try.
Now, y’all wish me luck!
With love, a little nervous excitement, and a whole lot of creativity,
Sina
P.S. If I win something, y’all KNOW you’re going to hear about it! And if I don’t… well, I’m still going to tell you all about it. That’s just how I roll! 😂
