We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arielle Gray a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Arielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

I just completed my first semester teaching at the college level. It feels like one of the worst mistakes in my life right now. Conversely, I needed it to happen. I needed to face the fear of teaching photography. To be the head of a photo classroom, to take what I myself have learned in the field, and spread that to others who may or may not be pursuing this professionally scared me. I was, overall, afraid of doing something I previously had no intention to do beyond grad school. I was afraid of really making mistakes. I made colossal mistakes in this experience but I learned a lot about myself throughout the last four months of teaching.

I feel I’ve learned a bit more about showing up. I have struggled with depression and anxiety all of my life. As a Black woman in America, it is hard enough simply being. Bringing mental illness into it just makes existence even more complicated. I was challenged by the daily task of simply moving through the world but showing up for myself…and thirty four others. It felt like a giant cross to bear was wrapped around my neck. I enjoyed my students, however, I did not enjoy the lack of support from my colleagues–another lesson learned: research your employers to the TEETH prior to accepting a job position. Even then, you will never be too sure of what all is to come out of it, but having a clearer picture of your work environment is always important to note. The history of the program, the work of your colleagues, or maybe even being more aware of their worldviews might help. For example, if you know your colleagues stays pretty quiet when it comes to a political issue, you might not want to broach politics with that person. You may not even need to talk to them at all.

Arielle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I came into photography through my mother. She photographed me and my twin sister constantly. It was just the three of us and her camera, living on a hill in Alabama. I have always been interested in the arts and have participated in making music as well. I thought I would be a musician, so I majored in music performance in undergrad. However, three hour rehearsals, sore lips, wrists, and scale repetition sucked the joy out of it all after all. With photography, I got a thrill simply by putting the lens on the camera body.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Toni Morrison’s novel Sula

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Making an image and knowing it is THE image.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.ariellegray.studio
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/arielleweenoniagray

Image Credits

all images are made by the artist, Arielle Weenonia Gray