Curiosity + Courage = Path to a lightbulb moment

Have you ever Googled your name, to see who else had the same first and last name as you?  I did – out of curiosity.  I came across another woman named Mari Omori, who lives in Texas.  She is an artist and an art professor at the Lone Star College in Houston.  After discovering her, I would go back to see what new art she had on her website.  It wasn't until several years later, I got the courage to email her.  I admit it was the most difficult email to write – emailing someone with the same name as myself felt strange, and I wasn’t sure how she would react to it. I emailed her to say that I enjoy looking at her art work, and that I have the same name as her.

She responded back the next day.  And you know what?  She knew about me too!  She searched for her name on the internet once, and came across my photography.  In fact, the night before I emailed her, she was telling a friend about me.  “We must have been under the star of coincidence.” said Texas Mari.  Knowing that I’m a photographer, she mentioned about Fotofest, a photography event that happens in Houston.  She invited me to come to Texas, and even offered her place for me to stay.

I hesitated at the invite at first, because I’m quite shy, and didn’t want to be a burden on her.  But then I thought: “I should just do it.”  I emailed Texas Mari, and told her I’m going to visit her.  I immediately booked my flight to Texas.  Then I sat there and thought, “Did I just do that?”  I felt excited to meet a woman with the same name as myself and get to know her more in person.

When the plane landed in Houston, I rushed down to the baggage claim area where we agreed to meet. Because we saw each other's photo on our respective websites, it didn't take long to find each other. As soon as we met, we talked non-stop about art, creativity, and finding inspiration in things.  When we got to her house, we decided to make tea to continue with our conversation.  When Texas Mari opened the cupboards, I looked at the cups, each beautifully painted, and I asked "Are those handmade?"  

"Yes - by my friends." Texas Mari pulled out each cup, naming the artist who made it.  "I think about my friends everytime I see these cups." 

Her house too, was decorated with other artist's work.  I found out that those same artists also had one of Texas Mari's art works. Imagine being surrounded by your friends' art everyday (and exchanging art too!).  It must be a wonderful reminder of the friendships you have with artists.

During my stay in Houston, Texas Mari and I went to art gallery openings.  At every opening, she introduced me to many artists and gallery owners she knew.  

After introducing me to a group of artists, I said to her : "You have so many friends!"   

"An artist needs a lot of friends." she said with a smile.

That one line really stuck with me. Even when I returned to Vancouver I kept thinking about it. It made sense.  By surrounding yourself with other like-minded people, you gain support and encouragement, and even inspiration by just being with those who are just as enthusiastic about art as you.

Gee, I could really use that kind of support system. I thought. This feeling brewed in my gut for several months. I've been solo on my creative path all my life, and wondering what it would be like to work with other artists and how that support would feel like. Then it happened. A filmmaker who knew about my conservation photography work contacted me for a photography project on a BC rainforest. It's just thrilling because I love photographing rainforests, and I will be working with other photographers as well.  Then an artistic friend proposed an idea to myself and other creative individuals which then became this blog.

So Curiosity and Courage took me on a path to a lightbulb moment, allowing me to see opportunities to work and connect with other creative artists. Life is unpredictable, yet fun, isn't it?

- The "Vancouver" Mari