Hello and welcome to new subscribers, if this was real life I’d invite you round for a coffee in the kitchen to say thanks! To those of you who know me well, feel free to move on…
On Introductions
Some years ago when establishing a small business hosting creative workshops I attended some networking events. I found them absolutely excruciating, it’s not that I’m shy but I find introducing myself succinctly unbelievably difficult. I attended workshops on Elevator Pitches, I practised writing and speaking the words out loud but trying to define myself seemed impossible. The humiliation of having to wear a hastily ‘Sharpied’ name sticker was simply confirmation that these events were not for me!
I do perhaps understand myself a little better these days, but while I absolutely love connecting with people both online and in real life I don’t enjoy being the centre of attention. Still, if you’re new here I’m going to try and give you an idea of what you might expect - it might be a good reminder for me too, so here goes.
Vanessa
My adult life has seen me try many different roles in a wide variety of environments and while they all contribute to the sum of me they largely feel irrelevant now, ‘though I think my nurse training continues to influence the way I feel about and treat people, or perhaps that’s why I nursed in the first place?
I feel all sorts of shades of imposter syndrome by describing myself as a photographer, potter, writer and gardener yet these activities are in fact how I spend my days, and am occasionally even paid for.
I’ve been married for 25 years to a corporate workaholic terrified of retirement, ‘though I secretly think he’ll be excellent at it when he gets there, just as he is at everything else. We have two gorgeous daughters who are busy starting their adult lives, we dragged them around the world in pursuit of M’s career and they have flourished despite many challenges. I am owned by a lovely lurcher named Gertie who appears here pretty much weekly for she is always somewhere nearby, there are six fluffy bantums in the garden and Apollo, a very singular cat with a big personality, who currently resides here with daughter 1!
The Post House
How I have ended up living in my childhood home is a long and winding story, we did not buy the house from my parents and it wasn’t something I had ever dreamed of or aspired to, but here we are in this lovely house with far more garden than we really know what to do with and an orchard of cider apples I remember being planted.
The house is in a small north Somerset village where we are lucky enough to have friendly neighbours and friends if not any facilities. I long for a village shop or café where I could hang out while I write, somewhere to catch up with people on the days I don’t bump into anyone on a dog walk, but until that particular dream comes true I feel lucky to be surrounded by kind people, some of whom have known me my entire life.
Perhaps one day I’ll write fully about how it all came about.
The Chronicles
I write to please myself I think, I have no expectation of anyone paying me to do so, there is just something about the process of allowing my fingers to help me think and sharing the words they craft that is oddly fulfilling.
I’m not here to offer advice, I can’t teach anyone how to be successful on Substack (plenty of other accounts for that), but I am happy to share my life and creative pursuits and am only too glad if they resonate with others. If putting words to my feelings of self doubt, my difficulty in actuating my endless ideas and the hum drummery of daily life entertains or reassures you then it’s worth sharing.
There are always some photographs to share, though much of my ‘professional’ photography is voluntary and confidential. I like to reflect on what I’m learning as I explore the world of pottery (smoking some pots was my latest experiment). The garden here is a work in progress, it has masses of wonderful structure but lacks much in the way pretty ‘waftiness’ which I hope to add and will most certainly be sharing as it all comes together.
One day I’ll be brave enough to begin selling photos in the form of postcards (I’m a great believer in the joy of a postcard plopping onto the doormat) and pots, but for now I’m content to write about it all.
It took me approximately an hour to actually put my fingers to the keyboard today. My camera was sitting on my desk in the way of my keyboard, so I picked it up and then began fiddling. In light of a few new subscribers I wondered if perhaps I should include a photo of myself, it shouldn’t be that hard for a photographer to make a self portrait. I have an app on my phone which in theory seamlessly connects with my camera allowing me to shoot remotely, in reality this app has caused me endless hours of teeth gritting frustration and bad language. But, no matter that it won’t work today I thought, for I have a remote release gadget that attaches to the camera; I found it swiftly and even located new batteries in a jiffy (impressive no?) but could I get that to work? No! Returning to the app I discovered that the remote control option doesn’t require the same wifi connection, so while I couldn’t see what I was shooting I pressed the button a few times and for today this is as good as it’s getting.
With love for the week ahead,
I loved this Vanessa but I also love reading the comments that others have written about you/your writing/pottery/photography - your thoughts resonate with so many.... keep sharing them! xx
Thank you for this Vanessa, I really enjoyed reading it--and seeing you ever so tentatively embracing multiple words to describe what you do (photographer, potter, gardener, writer). Have a good weekend and hope the foot is healing well! x