We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tara Kothari a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tara, 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.
” Fake it till you make it. ”
Whenever I showcase my work I always remind myself that I am represent my art. I make sure to talk about it believing I am the only one meant to do what I do; that I belong. I am my brand. I should portray myself in the best possible way. I do this until it becomes real.
On the same lines, imposter syndrome can stem from the way others perceive me.
I often tell myself, “Do not let others make you feel less about yourself.”
When I first leased space at my art facility, one of the first questions other artists asked was if I was represented by galleries. When I said I was represented by stores and craft galleries, some of the artists, other tenants, my colleagues simply turned around and walked out of my studio never to speak to me again in 4 years. I was automatically a nobody in their little art world.
Another time someone said to me, “I don’t know how anyone can make the same piece over and over. It’s so tedious- I’d rather die.”
I am also reminded how a colleague saw me clean my pottery studio and assumed I was a janitor, asking if I could do hers.
I have to constantly keep telling myself not to take this to heart. That I am an honest person who loves what I do; I am good at my art; I have more work than I can handle, with a good clientele who want to own my work.
I BELONG and that I should not let others opinion of me or my work bother me.
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?
I share joy through pottery. I create pieces with clay that are meaningful to me and seem to resonate with people. I hope to connect with people through my art bringing smiles in their lives while using my work.
I started out pressing real leaves and flowers in clay, creating keepsakes. As I have gotten more confident with my life in The United States, I’ve begun connecting to places in the United States through my whimsical illustrations on clay. I recently figured out how to get it into production, instead of painting each piece individually.
I can share my work with more people now and connect with more people.
These new illustrated pieces are what I am currently most excited about.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Consistent routine, resilience plus curiosity to learn and grow.
Advice – Start slow. Start small. Keep doing what you love. Everyday at the same time. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Share your work. Make mistakes. Learn! Learn! Learn!
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
I work way over 50 hours a week. All the time. There isn’t really a work, life balance.
Yet, I struggle to make a living wage.
I would like to find ways to make some income without being so physically exhausted from making so many pieces and mentally having my brain on all the time.
I would love to be able to contribute more to my household income.
#wishfulthinking
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tarakothari.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarakotharistudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaraKotharistudio/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Tarakothari
Image Credits
Tara Kothari
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
