Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Claire Ibarra. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Claire, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever had any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
Often times you hear professional writers talk about good habits, like writing consistently every day, even when they are not inspired. They approach writing like a job, and to be a successful writer, it is a job. They may set daily goals, like a certain word count or number of hours at the keyboard. I can’t say that’s how I always approach my writing, or other artistic endeavors, but the idea of working at my art, even when I’m not particularly inspired, has helped me stay productive.
I don’t write or make art every day. I wish I were that disciplined. My ideal work hours are in the afternoon. I love the light at dusk, or rather just before dusk when the light is golden. I work while looking out the window in my office at the hilly open space. The creek just beyond my window is lined with oak trees. The sky is forever changing; the clouds, fog, and shades of blue dance together. I often see a family of deer, or a lone red fox, or a murder of crows out in the field. They remind me to go outside and take a walk from time to time. Having the time and freedom to work at my art is a privilege that I’m grateful for everyday.
When I hit a dry spell, which could be for a variety of reasons–such as travels, other work obligations, time needed for family or friends, or simply the need to rest–I prefer to look at it as a beneficial fallow period rather than a block. There is a natural ebb and flow to the creative process. I believe that the fallow periods are actually the most important part of the process. This is when our subconscious has time to sort out, dig and excavate, and dream-up our ideas. With time, we even work out problems, such as the progression of a plot or how to add to a collage to make it complete. We can’t rush that process. Ideas come and also untangle themselves while we sleep, take a walk, or even while we stand in the shower. We can benefit by slowing down and taking our time.
There’s some trust involved with this, and of course, endless patience. When I’m not producing or creating, I have to trust that I will know how to do it again. Will I forget how to write a story? Will I forget how to create my art? That fear is forever lurking. But somehow I always know, and it’s always there when I’m ready.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My first love is writing fiction. I began my artistic career writing short stories, then gradually moved toward poetry while in graduate school. My poetry chapbook, “Vortex of Our Affections,” was published by Finishing Line Press. Later, my novel “Fragile Saints” was published in 2021. It’s a story set in Peru and follows the life and family stories of a woman named Elsa. It is written in the style of magical realism and explores family relationships and lineage. The book has been recently translated into Spanish, which I’m very excited about! I’m currently working to get my next novel published.
While working on my MFA, I was the art director for our program’s literary magazine. That’s when I learned to see visual art as a narrative form, and I was hooked! For me, photography is a poetic means of expression, by distilling narratives to their bare and essential qualities. My photography has organically blossomed.
I use composite photography to create, what I call, poetic images. I’m especially drawn to strange and stark landscapes, which I often discover while traveling. I have a series of archways from my travels in Morocco that I’ve incorporated into landscapes. Currently, I’m preparing for my first solo exhibition at D’art Gallery in the Santa Fe Art District in Denver, Colorado. This newest series focuses on the many ways that we search to define and manifest the authentic self. Some of the images reveal how struggles with mental health, societal expectations and norms, and isolation can manifest outwardly. Along with photography, I’m exploring mixed media with collage for this exhibition.
Between writing and my visual art, I stay quite busy!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Any amount of success, in any field but definitely in the arts, requires a tremendous amount of perseverance and patience. It helps to have a thick-skin, which develops over time. As artists, we are always students and teachers. By this I mean, we are forever learning and growing, and in turn, offering support and knowledge to our community. There is a cyclical nature of learning and teaching inherent to the artistic life.
I think it is important to be connected and part of a community. This can be through classes, critique groups, joining organizations and groups. Finding like-minded people who can offer support, guidance, and even friendship is a great way to stay motivated and engaged. Community, perseverance, and patience have all been important qualities to me.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I grew up in a family of artists. My dad played flamenco and classical guitar, and both these forms are highly technical. My dad practiced every day to hone his skill and ability. My mom is a painter and writer, and an overall creative. Many in my extended family are artists, as well. My grandfather was a skilled woodworker. My uncle is a master woodworker, craftsmen, and painter. He has Parkinson’s but doesn’t let his disability slow him down one bit! I have uncles, aunts, and cousins who are photographers, collage artists, painters, and writers. My great-great grandmother started painting in her eighties and became quite renowned for her work. All of this is to say that I feel fortunate to come from this lineage of artists. I grew up watching my family’s passion and dedication to the arts. I learned that art is an activity you have to care deeply about and practice. Of course, some people are born gifted and with talent, but it doesn’t matter much if you’re not passionate and have a desire to create. I learned from my family how gratifying the work can be, and it certainly fills my soul.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.claireibarra.com AND www.poeticphotoprints.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairemibar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claire.ibarra.1
