I’ve admired your work for a while now. The Auschwitz project was particularly innovative and intriguing. Whatever your are doing you should keep on doing. This includes your adherence to the philosophy of individualism promoted by Ayn Rand through the character of Howard Roark!

I must admit, however, that I find Ayn Rand’s philosophy to be a bit extreme and self-indulgent. Personally, I find that the work of others, including yourself, has much to offer, as I proceed with my journey, without any particular destination in mind, along the road of personal development as a fine art photographer.

I get to Ft. Collins many times each year. Perhaps we could discuss this some time over the excellent apple pie at the f/stop cafe?

Michael Flicek

Great post Cole. It got me thinking about my own creative journey and how much the opinions of others mattered to me.

As much as I would have people believe that I am immune to others’ approval, I would be less than honest if I said it didn’t matter. What I can say with absolute certainty is that it matters less in my life at this moment, particularly because my confidence as an artist is at a higher level.

I think it’s pretty much established by therapists worldwide that if our motives to express ourselves are only to appease others, then success will always be elusive. That is to say that if I am creating photographs because I’m catering to what I know people like, then I will churn out material that is mediocre at best. While it may be great art to some, I know from experience that I cannot reach my full potential as an artist unless I am at one with my own vision and to hell with what anyone else thinks.

I’m not suggesting that we become egotistical fools wearing arrogance on our sleeves but I am saying that you must express your vision from within, not without. It took me 45 years to find myself and when I did, I began to produce my best work.

For a long time people would say that I needed to find a style because I didn’t seem to have one. Most of this was a necessary process of experimentation and discovery to find out what it is that inspires me.

I spent too long trying to find that style and what I learned was that a style cannot be found. You grow into it. Your style becomes you. If you give yourself over completely to your art and let it emanate from your soul, you will reach your full potential.

As arrogant as Howard Roark appeared in the Fountainhead, in my mind he had actually attained creative enlightenment by refusing to be encumbered by outside influences and simply expressing himself in the purest sense possible.

So that’s what I thought about when I stumbled upon your blog this morning. I am gearing up for a trip to Ireland to see my family for Christmas and today I will go to the bookstore and by a copy of the Fountainhead. It will be good to revisit this story with new eyes and a great way to kill 16 hours to boot!

However, I think you make a great point, Cole, and one that more of us could do with taking on board. Creativity is really about the process and not the end result – if people enjoy the end result that’s a bonus, but if you’ve experienced joy and fulfillment in the creation of it, that’s even better and all that really matters in the end.

Thanks.