TO SHARE - OR NOT TO SHARE?

As an artist, I've struggled with the idea of sharing my political thoughts with people who visit my website, Facebook business page, and through emails.

When I was doing art shows, my booth was always "apolitical". It was free of any political statements, banners, etc.

For my Facebook business page, I have - though not often - shared a few songs from years ago. Performers such as John Denver, Peter, Paul and Mary, Pete Seeger and others. Songs, with social meanings, relevant still today though recorded back in the 70's. The songs have not seen my website.

WHY HAVE AN ARTIST PAGE

When people visit my website - just as they did my art fair booth - I want them to see my photography, and to "get to know me".

Why? We all like to interact and work with people we feel comfortable with, who have similar beliefs, ideas, enjoyment of living.

Doesn't mean we all agree on everything going on, but we want to work with those who are relatable - and authentic.

The very reason to have an Artist's Story page - to let you know who I am, and why I do what I do.

JOHN DENVER QUOTES

On my Powder Hill Photography website, I use a few John Denver and John Muir quotes sprinkled throughout the site to accent my own beliefs.

A few of the quotes include:

"I don't want to just entertain people, I want to touch them" (John Denver)

"If you do what you can do, and I do what I can do, together we can make a difference " (John Denver)

"Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops, sail o'er the canyons an dup to the stars, and reach for the heavens and hope for the future, and all that we can be and not what we are" (John Denver)

"In every walk with nature, one receiver far more than they seek" (John Muir)

"The power of imagination makes us infinite" (John Muir)

HOW MUCH TO SHARE - AI RESPONSE

Which drives a larger question - How much should an artist, such as myself, share about their political and social beliefs?

I ran this question past Microsoft Co-Pilot (AI) this morning. Part of the response is listed below:

"The deeper truth: people project politics onto artists even when none exists

This is the part most artists don’t talk about.

Audiences often project political meaning onto artists based on:

• tone

• values

• quotes

• themes

• emotional style

But projection is not your responsibility.

Your responsibility is to be authentic to your artistic voice."

AUTHENTIC WITHOUT FILTER

Although I'm not one to always go with AI, I did find this response most interesting.

As it states, my responsibility is to be authentic to my artistic voice, to share how i see and photograph the world in which we live.

Looking out into the future, I will share how i see and photograph the world in which we live, along with the senses and feelings that live within me at the time, including the songs that I often hear while photographing nature.

If there is a political filter attached, it will only be done so by the reader.