We were lucky to catch up with Dora Somosi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dora , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I’m a lens-based artist, now in my second career. Before diving into art full-time, I spent extensive years as a Director of Photography in magazines with creatives. I’ve dealt with the ins and outs of rejection – both giving and receiving. My two-decade stint in a career I loved, guiding others in crafting tangible creations, has given me valuable insights. Balancing family life with two teenage daughters and various responsibilities provides me with significant perspective. My art practice serves as a therapeutic outlet, feeling like a sanctuary where my thoughts find healing. Managing external responses and the fleeting appeal of likes can be challenging. I consciously shift focus to the inherent value of the creative process. It’s not just about reaching a destination; the transformative journey itself, at times, becomes the art.
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’m a visual wanderer capturing everyday scenes like crashing waves, thick fog, and tree canopies. My process involves reshaping images to highlight the quiet magnificence of nature, that often go unnoticed. When outdoors, I escape the world’s weight, finding solace and gratitude in nature and the landscape. My photography practice grew out of hikes with my daughter amid health challenges, and now reflects a journey of appreciation and positivity. It’s become a platform for learning, research, and advocating for the conservation of our natural world. I aim to convey the awe and joy nature brings, focusing on what may be lost in the ever-shifting landscape. I currently exhibit my work with Klompching Gallery and Carrie Haddad Gallery in New York. I consistently look to build a community of artist- friends and aim to continue finding more ways to showcase the importance of art in our lives, creating spaces for art appreciation.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, three impactful qualities include authentic communication, vulnerability, and openness to constructive feedback. Being an artist involves a delicate balance – authentically expressing oneself while facing the potential judgment of others. Encouragement is uplifting, but being overlooked or criticized can be discouraging. I’ve learned that sharing ideas prematurely can lead to abandoning a potentially great idea, while the right collaborative input can significantly enhance a project.
For those starting their journey, my advice is to look for what gives you inner satisfaction and communicate that enthusiastically, but consider the timing of sharing works. Some ideas may need private time to develop. Surround yourself with a supportive community, seek meaningful advice, and be open to positive critique. Developing thick skin helps navigate the challenges of discerning valuable advice from rejection. Compartmentalizing rejection and finding joy in the journey are essential for positive growth. Be the person you want to see in the world and create the art, practice and community you want to see flourish.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
A book that has really changed my perspective and one I reread often is Rebecca Solnit’s ‘A Field Guide to Getting Lost’ . It’s a deep dive into the beauty of uncertainty and the art of embracing the unknown. Solnit explores the richness of getting lost – both metaphorically and literally. It’s about the transformative power of wandering, unpredictability, and the deeper meanings in moments of losing oneself. My big takeaway from the book was about navigating life’s complexities with curiosity, and that losing ourselves can lead to unexpected discoveries and profound self-awareness. It’s like a guidebook for embracing uncertainty, sharing stories about wandering and the thrill of not knowing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dorasomosi.com/
- Instagram: Dorasomosiphotography
- Linkedin: Dora Somosi
