We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful George Strasburger. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with George below.
George, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I felt imposter syndrome before I was aware that it was “a thing”. I was in the process of submitting my work to art centers for solo exhibits. I considered it a long shot proposal. One curator wanted a zoom interview to discuss my work. My zoom skill were rudimentary, but I also realized that my interview skills also left something to be desired. In the interview I opted for modesty and downplayed my efforts citing my skills and vision as being limited and naive. I could hear my responses sounding too humble and almost apologetic as I gave them. The curator was and should have been unimpressed and I did not get the opportunity that I was applying for. I realized then that I needed a stronger belief in myself, and this belief came to me through my continued focused work. The more that I accomplished the more accomplished I felt and I took to heart and actually started to believe the praise that I received from my audiences. Eventually I had little time or inclination to downplay my efforts but instead realized that this may be my highest level of success and skill and that I should exude that realization of success.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a artist with a developed set of skills and process but my journey has been arduous. Despite a strong desire to be an artist my lack of confidence kept me from showing it off. I turned it around in my middle age. I had a misguided feeling that promotion of my work would somehow cheapen it. It’s an artist thing I guess, that we are “above” the “system”. I decided to increase my exposure and fed off of the positive responses that I received., prompting me to work harder and better, learning more about my potential. I learned that this effort exposed me more to kind and generous support than the judgement that I feared. Failures and setback became gifts that spurred me to try harder.
Aside from my techniques, I consider my work to be my diary, or my journal that expresses my deep thoughts about my life and the world that I live in. This is very different that creating work that is intended to please or satisfy anyone else. This focus makes me unique. My job is divided between the actual labor of drawing and painting and the task of putting my work “our there” or “spreading the good news” as I like to characterize it, by having exhibits and interviews and using my social media posts to gain a following.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. I am very observant. I focus well on the physical characteristics of the images I trying to represent.
2. I think deeply. This is a trait that has been ascribed to me by others, although I don’t see it myself personally. I spend a
large amount of time alone in thought. I often do this outdoors in a comfortable seat in the very comfortable Arizona
climate where I reflect on my life and my cultural surroundings and how to communicate those reflections.
3. I’ve developed technical skills in drawing and painting that serve my vision well. My formal education is minimal but I’ve
developed a high degree of motivation for learning.
I believe that everyone has their own journey to travel and others may have a different journey than me. I might advise folks in their efforts to pursue their own path, and to be comfortable and confident in their solitude and to not look to others for approval or validation.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I am happy to think about my parents contribution to my successes. In particular I value their open minds and acceptance of other people opinions and lifestyles. I was fortunate to own their faith in me, where my every effort was lauded, every childhood drawing was considered a masterpiece. Despite their blue collar lives and values, they trusted their children to make choices that they felt were best for them.
The most impactful thing that my parents did for me was the example they set in being for kind and generous.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.georgestrasburger.com
- Instagram: #georgestrasburger
- Facebook: #georgestrasburger
