[-essay, self-evolution, process-]

by Nancy Waldman

I make marks, therefore I am.

Durham Dr. & Center St. (Houston, TX)

Originally uploaded by Mr. Waldo.

Since the days men lived in caves, human beings have demonstrated the need to make their mark on this world.

From those cave paintings, to the tick marks on a prison wall, to Kilroy was here! during World War II, to graffiti through the ages and up to today, making marks is a way to say, Look at me! I was here! I am special! I exist!

Making these kinds of marks is pure self-promotion.

I picked this illustration of a lively painted Waldo by Mr. Waldo out of the Practically Creative flickr pool because it is a wonderful photograph (from a city I lived in and know well) that illustrates perfectly this rather strong desire that people have to make their mark.

In common language, we also talk about “making your mark” as meaning gaining success. Whether that means being famous, getting rich or being respected in one’s field, it is often referred to by this artistic metaphor. This metaphor not only works with the achievement of success but also with the process of seeking it.

Self-promotion is a necessary part of gaining any kind of success in the arts. It’s also something that many creative types do badly or not at all. We’re often uncomfortable putting our work, ourselves, out there. We all know people who are natural self-promoters. Sometimes these people over promote themselves. Everything they do self-generates a spin that makes that endeavor the best, the most, the tops. Whether it’s deserved self-congratulations or not, these super-promoters often grow tiresome. Because of this, the rest of us may come to think of self-promotion as the last thing we want to be associated with. But this is a mistake.

When the graffiti artist (please note the emphasis on artist) makes his mark on the storefront wall, he is putting his work out there. It’s a step way beyond doing art in his school notebook or in his room at home. He’s self-promoting just by the act of creating. When the artist takes his portfolio to art galleries or the photographic journalist to a newspaper or magazine, it is necessary self-promotion. When the writer sends and re-sends (and on and on) her short stories or novels out to agents, publishers, new markets, she is self-promoting.

Once we admit this to ourselves, we may also want to admit that other kinds of ‘marks’ may be admissible and helpful. Having a web presence is a perfect example. Those of us who were around long before there was an internet grew up believing that we needed permission from someone with power before we could call ourselves artists. Because of this, there can be sheepishness about claiming space on the internet. When you buy your first web address—yourownname.com—you may feel that it’s not quite proper for you to have a personal web-site because you haven’t published anything yet or you don’t have gallery representation or a record label.

Get over it! It’s a new age. The web is littered with self-promoters who’ve garnered well-deserved attention that would not have happened under the old system.

Make your mark whether it’s exhibiting in a local art show, entering a contest, getting a myspace account or making your own fabulous web-site.

And if your thing is public art, perhaps you can, as Mr. Waldo has done, make your mark all over the globe and become a legend just as Kilroy did.
Thanks Mr. Waldo for letting us use your photo.

Please click on Mr. Waldo’s image to see more of his work.

See these other posts on making your mark:
Graphic Reminder
Art Tutorial