3.26.12 – The Lonely Work

Now that the fanfare has died, the transformation from the noise and chatter of technology is slowly morphing into introspection and solitude. I knew it would be a big change, but living it is something different entirely. I found that the expectations of myself, and what I perceive in others, has changed overnight- and what used to be, “Awesome, that girl can paint, even though she works at a “real” 9-5 place like Google” has become, “What? She left her job for THIS?” All of a sudden, what was great isn’t good enough.

I received an email from an insightful friend recently (let’s call her Maria Rokas, haha) who has witnessed my work firsthand for the past year or so. She is an incredibly talented writer and playwright, who often jokes that Tina Fey “has her career.” Knowing her, I believe it, and I recognize that a lot of success in a creative’s life has more to do with luck than talent. In any case, here’s what she said to me (I’m paraphrasing a bit)… and it stuck:

“This is lonely work… you need to sit still and overcome the blackness of loneliness and uncertainty.”

Although I’ve always known this, and have been fearful of it…no one has ever said that to me. I’ve also always known that I am a deeply social person, with tons of incredible friends and I feel immense gratitude for it, but some things you can only do for yourself. Scary things like being honest with yourself, admitting that 1. yes, its OK to think you’re talented, 2. things come easily to you, and 3. its time to tune out the noise and listen to your own, critical self.

It’s been easy to avoid myself. I’ve been my own worst critic, and I’m also critical of others who dwell on their own emotions with no regard to others. Maybe it’s the Buddhist upbringing, my grandma has always instilled a virtue in others while discouraging the self “Ego.” But what is an artist but an EGO? I mean this not in a superficial, “Oh, Artists are selfish, emotional loonies” but an objective truth that Artists perhaps spend the most time reflecting upon themselves and expressing their own voice to the world around them.  Unless you’re just an artist who is happy with painting pretty still life fruits and flowers. Even then, you’re imposing your own subjective view onto your work. But, I digress.

Today, I posted another painting on Facebook. Check it out here: http://cindyshih.posterous.com/32612-reflection I do this consistently, maybe due to a misguided, narcissist notion that people care what I’m doing, but mainly because I want to understand what people like, and I want to overcome my fear of showing my work to others. It’s an interesting thing- wanting approval from others, and an affirmation of talent. Sometimes it’s like a crutch, when I’m feeling especially vulnerable and dubious of my own talent, and other times- I feel like it’s my way of getting my work out to the world instead of letting the progress I’m making get buried under my futon mattress of obscurity. 🙂

Today, however, I hesitated for a long time before posting this painting on Facebook. I felt like this one was important. I had so much to say about this piece, so much to convey, and I wanted to share it- but was afraid of being seen as a 30-year old, Emo, teenage angsty, wannabe artist who posts flighty, self-proclaiming profoundness. (see the self criticism? Toxic!) It’s easy to roll your eyes and be critical, but have you ever tried to convey your own emotions? It’s not easy. Actually, it’s really fucking hard. And maybe Facebook isn’t the best venue for it. In any case, it’s my message of choice at the moment, so deal with it.

Anyway, I’m both ashamed and proud of the work I’m doing, and I promise I have a long way to go. I’m nowhere NEAR where I want to be as an artist. But, I feel like I’ve proven to myself and people around me that I do, in fact, have talent. But that’s like congratulating yourself for being tall, and having eyes on your head. What I do with it, and if I have lasting power is what time will tell. Stay tuned for that.

Suddenly, Technology is Paying Attention to Art.

Art = The Future of Technology?

Maybe I’ve been more attune to it these days, but recently, there has been a lot more talk about the similarities between Artists and Hackers, and how Creativity will be the only thing of value in the future. I wholeheartedly agree, but I still wish people would stand in line for hours to pay $300 for a newest Painting 3.0.

Om Malik, a highly regarded tech writer and blogger quotes John Maeda, who believes that given the accessibility of factual information in the future, “Creativity will be the new currency of work, the world over.” http://om.co/2012/03/17/the-only-value-is-creativity/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailyom+%28Just+Om%29

-Also-

Paul Graham, Co-Founder of the VC incubator YCombinator, wrote back in 2003 in http://www.paulgraham.com/hp.html that Hackers and Painters have more in common that you’d think. Namely, a desire to solve problems using the tools of their trade and create elegant solutions.

Eh, I’ll believe it when I see Silicon Valley VC firms commission paintings. Just Sayin’.

Today, I Quit My Job at Google to Pursue Art.

March 9th, 2012 

Subject: Final Thoughts from a Proud Googler.

Title: If you’re seeing this email, you’ve inspired me. 

Yes, you. You, because you are incredibly capable, fabulously intelligent, generous, and amazing.  I truly, honestly mean that.  Without you, I wouldn’t have been here for 2,257 days.  Without you, I wouldn’t have survived the perfs, the OKRs, the approval bin, DART, the all-hands, the endless corporate buzzwords, and all the crazy acronyms. 

Without you, there would be no HR disaster lunches, no laughing hysterically over bad puns, no punch and pies, and no fun times at happy hours and at off-sites. You were the reason for it all. You are the reason I will leave here knowing that I will never feel this way about a job again. With that said, is there anywhere to go but “Up and to the Right?” I know that now that I have had the honor of working with the absolute best, it’s my time to get better.

Tomorrow, March 9th, I will be moving on from Google and finally working toward something I’ve been meaning to do for as long as I can remember: I will be focusing on my Art. It’s a different path, and an uncertain one- but your inspiration, support, and friendship has allowed me to find my own passion and work toward something I hope to be even more proud of. I’ve promised to push and challenge myself with the same intensity, passion, brilliance, and energy that I’ve had the honor of being a part of here. 

That said, I hope this isn’t Goodbye- I’m really bad at those. It’ll just be a migration to the other side of your computer screen. Email me or add on Facebook so we can continue to celebrate and be crazy together. You’ll have lots of celebrate- I guarantee it, and I hope I will still be a part of it. 

Thanks for everything, my friends. You’ve all made an indelible impression on me. 

All My Love and Respect,

Cindy