Comments on: Lessons from an Artist: On speaking with authority about what you do.

By: Rachelle

Rachelle — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:41:59 +0000

It’s so nice to come back to this post, a year later, and see how many of your stories have come to fruition.

I. See. You.

Love,

Your Magpie Girl

By: Shawna

Shawna — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:50:17 +0000

You know what’s funny? I say “I am a photographer.” but I think ‘I am a “photographer”.’ and it’s not really the same thing. Still, baby steps and having the new website up helps, even if it’s just a page that links to other things.

By: Beyond Just Mom » speak for yourself

Beyond Just Mom » speak for yourself — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:51:10 +0000

[...] check out Magpie Girl’s inspiring article on this same subject: Speaking with Authority, and find other helpful “works for me” tips at We Are THAT [...]

By: passions & soapboxes

passions & soapboxes — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:20:16 +0000

Lovely photo. I especially like the angle. You seem so young to be a minister.

By: The Other Laura

The Other Laura — Sat, 02 May 2009 14:15:39 +0000

I m a writer.

By: cora

cora — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:36:56 +0000

Thanks for this. It’s amazing, when I start to speak out who I am into the universe, how the universe also responds.

By: katie

katie — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:00:06 +0000

what a great read. and its funny because i was just looking at my facebook profile last night where it asks you to describe yourself and i’d written, “i’m a mother. and i am a photographer.” and i felt so proud that i finally had enough confidence to call myself a photographer.

i am a photographer who specializes in capturing the heart of my subjects. i’m not commercial or cookie cutter. i photograph how you feel and who you are, not what you’re wearing.

By: The Merch Girl

The Merch Girl — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:56:50 +0000

I am a creative performer and stage assistant. I an training in burlesque, improv, and circus, and I help make productions run smoothly by taking care of all the finer details.

By: sonja

sonja — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:14:11 +0000

I am …

- a writer exploring the intersection of faith, life, mission and how women and men can better work together there.

- a fibre artist; watch me create love from fabric.

- a teacher because learning happens all around me.

Thank you for releasing this to all of us.

By: Susan Young

Susan Young — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 06:11:33 +0000

I am a massage therapist, moving around kinks and knots like nobody’s business.

Rachelle, reminds me of the end of massage school when we talked about getting ready to charge people money after months and months of working on people for free. We were encouraged to practice saying how much we charge for our work. It was such a shift that first month – suddenly someone was paying me to do what I had been doing (gradually better and better) for free. Love you!

By: Josh H

Josh H — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:36:07 +0000

“the authority to name yourself lies within yourself” This is pure wisdom. Well said!

By: Deborah VanDetta

Deborah VanDetta — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:36:09 +0000

Very timely post for me, so thank you. I have named myself. I am an artist, specializing in mixed media and jewelry, and I am a teacher. But I haven’t taken the next steps of NOT downplaying what I am, my follow up is … but I haven’t made any money, and I only volunteer. That is the hard part for me, constantly working hard and needing the $$ to justify staying out of the 9 to 5.

Writing out “Be who you are becoming” for my inspiration board. Thanks.

By: Condo Blues

Condo Blues — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:29:53 +0000

I am a writer. I am an arty girl because I love art, performance, and artistic things and that’s the best description that I’ve heard others give of me. I’m OK with that.

By: Carol at WallDressedUp

Carol at WallDressedUp — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:22:48 +0000

“Let’s stop doing a soft shoe around who we are and what we call ourselves. Let’s learn to take both critiques and compliments. Let’s put our name on the door. Be who you are becoming. Start now.”

I just wanted to say I love these words. They are inspiring! Thanks :-)

I am an artist and entrepreneur with a creative online mural business!

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:26:55 +0000

I’m an artist, activist and lover. I draw, write, dance, sing and sometimes paint, and I don’t get paid for any of it. I live my life consciously bettering the people, animals, earth (and even insects) around me. I love and love and love. Sometimes I think it’s too much, but I’ve realized, how is that possible when I am love?

I have a similar story – I went to Andy Warhol’s exhibit here in San Francisco over the weekend without knowing much about his work or life. I had such an inspirational, emotional time. It was a great experience.

Thank you, Rachelle. You’re amazing.

By: pam at beyondjustmom

pam at beyondjustmom — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:09:00 +0000

I am working on this. I am a woman, and a mother, and a communication consultant, and a tutor, and it’s very hard to say I’m a writer but I am.
So there.
Thanks for the push! I need to keep editing and practicing the authority part.

By: Favorite Things Friday « Just A Titch

Favorite Things Friday « Just A Titch — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:58:26 +0000

[...] lesson on speaking with authority about who you are here, from the always wise Magpie [...]

By: Seven days, seven lessons

Seven days, seven lessons — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:53:56 +0000

[...] And Magpie Girl has me all of a spin as she talks about how difficult women seem to find it to ‘name’ ourselves with authority. To say “I am a writer” or “I am a painter” or whatever. You can read what she says here. [...]

By: Kathleen Krucoff

Kathleen Krucoff — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:16:45 +0000

My work is inspired by nature, realized in glass. I am a glass artist.

Thank you for your inspirational words!

By: Tess

Tess — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:30:53 +0000

Oh shit, I’m panicking here. I have some kind of dual thing going on: don’t feel confident enough to define myself AND don’t want to limit myself by definition.

Actually, I may feel a related blog post stirring, but for now I will (try to) be bold and say:

I am a writer, working mostly online; my topics include spirituality, community and living simply. I am a teacher, working with people keen to deepen their self-knowledge. I am an artist, exploring various forms of mixed-media and digital creativity.