Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katherine Carver. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Katherine with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I am not exactly certain of the origins of my work ethic. I do know that I have always been disciplined, and I have always worked very diligently, especially with respect to endeavors that were more challenging for me. I remember as a young child, always setting high standards for myself, while working hard to improve and do my best, which has been a common thread throughout my entire life. I believe it is just the way I am wired, part of my DNA—finding unique and challenging projects, and persevering, despite obstacles and challenges that arise during any endeavor.
My steadfast work ethic, discipline, faith, and trust in the process, were all tested while pursuing my most recent creative endeavor, my debut book entitled, Abandoned: Chronicling the Journeys of Once-Forsaken Dogs, a decade-long project, whereby I began documenting the fate of roughly 60 dogs of various breeds, who found themselves in shelters or rescues in the Mid- Atlantic region. I first photographed each dog prior to adoption, and I then photographed these same dogs, again, roughly a year later. Written narratives accompany the dogs’ photographs providing, to the extent possible, how, and why each dog was abandoned. I also explore the significant positive impact these dogs have had on their human companions’ lives, and vice versa.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, can you tell our readers more about where the idea for Abandoned came from?
The idea for Abandoned literally came to me on a summer day during 2012, roughly a year-and- a-half after we had adopted our first rescue dog in early 2011, named Biscuit, a Shetland Sheepdog. He forever changed my life in so many ways—he opened my heart in a way like no other; and he brought me back to my love of photography. My curiosity and experience with Biscuit ultimately made me aware of the dog overpopulation crisis in our country, and this set me on a path to learn more about what happens to these abandoned dogs, which is how Abandoned was born.
A Good Samaritan discovered Biscuit wandering along back roads, terrified and malnourished. Biscuit was taken to a rescue organization where he received veterinary treatment and care. When I first met him, he was hopelessly shy, wary of people, and untrusting. He cowered behind tables and chairs, avoiding interaction with humans and other dogs. Biscuit had several missing
teeth, and he was drastically underweight, his fur coat was heavily matted and virtually nonexistent, and his rear legs were permanently deformed—most likely because of spending countless hours cooped up in a small, wire crate. Within a few short months of living with us, I witnessed his transformation into a truly loyal companion whose impact on my life can only be described as extraordinary. He slowly emerged from his shell, and a trusting friendship began to form between us. Gone was the shy, apprehensive creature that hid while living at the rescue. In its place was a confident, friendly, and beautiful dog with a gorgeous fur coat, with a zest for life and a sparkle in his eye—a true companion, a best friend. Dog rescue provided Biscuit with a second chance at life, and he lived that life to the fullest. Through this exploration, I feel a tremendous sense of hope. In many cases, I witnessed abandoned dogs transform into integral family members, like Biscuit’s story. Dog rescue provided them with an entirely new life. This body of work speaks for these dogs and chronicles their journeys from abandoned dogs to rescued dogs. The rescued dogs went on to live wonderful lives, and their human companions’ lives were equally enriched.
In addition to my work ethic, I am proud of my ability to follow my curiosity, dream big, persevere, work ardently, and never give up. Abandoned is a testament to these themes. I hope through my dedication and efforts that Abandoned reaches and touches as many people as possible, as it is timely and casts a light on the current dog overpopulation crisis in our country.
In 2023, in the United States, 3.2 million dogs entered shelters/rescue organizations; 2.2 million of these dogs received homes; however, 1 million dogs did not. It is my great hope that Abandoned will help raise awareness of this crisis and encourages people to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue organization. Additionally, I also hope people witness through this project that it is possible to follow your dream and bring it to fruition. You can learn more about Abandoned at www.katherinecarver.com.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
While working on Abandoned, for over a decade, I believe the most impactful qualities to bring this work to fruition were having the courage to be: (1) disciplined in my work, (2) pursuing something I love, and (3) embracing a creative life. These qualities all allowed me to realize the dream of creating and shepherding Abandoned into the world.
According to Twyla Tharp, a dancer and choreographer, “Creativity is a habit; the best creativity is a result of good work habits.” I agree. Discipline was key in bringing Abandoned to fruition. Without doing the daily work, for many years, I would never have finished this project, let alone have the body of work published. Further, I love this quote from writer, Ann Patchett, “It turns out that the distance from head to hand, from wafting butterfly to entomological specimen, is achieved through regular practice. What begins as something like a dream will in fact stay a dream forever unless you have the tools and the discipline to bring it out.” Without constant discipline and practice, one can never take the steps towards his/her dreams. Even when it felt scary, having the fleeting feeling and thoughts that I would never finish the body of work, or that the concept may never coalesce together, I just kept going, pressing on, because I always felt finishing would feel so gratifying, which it did indeed. Additionally, I will never forget the indescribable feeling of the first time I held my finished book, it felt like magic, after so many years of hard work.
Sally Mann, photographer and writer said, “The things that are close to you are the things you can photograph the best. And unless you photograph what you love, you are not going to make good art.” I absolutely love this sentiment. Working with a subject matter or concept you love is critical, as you will be spending a lot of time theoretically working on a project bringing it forth into the world, so it is crucial you feel a great affinity for your subject matter. I felt very called to create the body of work for Abandoned, helping to give a voice to dogs in need, an important cause that changed my life forever, and I owe such a debt of gratitude to Biscuit, the inspiration for Abandoned. Without this tremendous calling to complete this body of work, I am not sure I would have been able to complete Abandoned.
According to Elizabeth Gilbert, writer, “A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner—continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you—is a fine art, in and of itself.” I absolutely agree. I have found these words to be very true. Working on Abandoned most definitely amplified and expanded my life in so many ways. It gave me an outlet to create something tangible, in the hopes of helping to give a voice to dogs in need. I also met many amazing people, along this journey, whom I would never have crossed paths with otherwise, and I also had many marvelous, unique experiences because of Abandoned. Most of all, I found, pursuing what you love, is a gift.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I think for anyone on their journey, it is extremely important to follow your curiosity. If I had not followed my curiosity and inspiration, Abandoned, would not exist. I also absolutely love this quote by writer, Elizabeth Gilbert, “If you consistently pursue curiosity, you will live a life that is a work of art.” I fully agree. A curious life is most definitely a more interesting and multi-faceted life, and your curiosity will certainly help to give you clues, always leading you in the right direction. I highly recommend following your curiosity and inspiration, as it can lead to magical realms.
During this past year, putting Abandoned out into the world was such a learning and growing experience on many levels for me, especially with respect to trusting the process, particularly after so many years of hard work, dedication, and effort. I learned an incredible amount about myself, a time of self-discovery—especially being true to myself, during this process of literally and figuratively releasing Abandoned into the world. “The artist’s world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.” —Paul Strand
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katherinecarver.com/
- Instagram: katherine_carver
- Other: http://bit.ly/3LwZ1o6
Image Credits
Katherine Carver all photographs from Abandoned; and bio photograph of Katherine and Victory by Douglas Fenneman
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