Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Just.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I had a fast and furious addiction to crystal meth when I was in high school. I checked myself into drug treatment when I was 18 years old. (I’ve been sober ever since, coming up on 34 years). After I completed my stay in rehab, I went to Art school and studied conceptual photography, film and video. It changed my life in that it gave me a way to take something I couldn’t articulate verbally and express it visually. I was so uncomfortable in my own skin and could barely look people the eyes. I didn’t really know how to deal with all of my emotions so I poured it into my art. Creative expression became a way for me to investigate what was underneath the surface of my life. Alongside my art practice, I apprenticed with Miguel Ruiz, author of the Four Agreements and his Toltec wisdom influenced my artwork and still does to this day.
Today I try to pass along what I’ve learned to those who may still be suffering from addiction or who may be in recovery (I believe we are all recovering from something). I teach online courses, Art as Medicine, and lead art retreats to France. My fine art is shown and sold globally.
I’m currently working on several projects. One is about my son Max who happens to have Down syndrome. Another is a project called “The unexpected gifts of sobriety”. Another is called “Capturing Breath on Film”.
I love using mainly a 4×5 large format camera and New 55 film.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I give myself permission to change my mind anytime I notice that the road I’m on doesn’t feel aligned anymore. So I’m shifting, pivoting and re-inventing a lot which tends to involve a lot of tearing things down and building things back up. Inside of that comes the possibility of financial instability. However, again and again I have chosen to be true to myself over just making money for the sake of making money. I just cannot go against myself in the work I do in the world. I don’t feel like I’m doing anyone a service by showing up doing work that doesn’t light me up all the way.
There are people who would suggest picking one thing and sticking with it. I’m interested in many things. Some call this being a multi-passionate entrepreneur. That feels absolutely right. I cannot see myself just making art. I can’t see myself just teaching art. I can’t see myself only writing and publishing books. Something is always missing and the ache to express in all the ways that tug at me – I follow. This means I need more support systems in place to keep the momentum going in several areas all at once. I don’t always (ok, I rarely) have that. And when it’s just me, it’s a comedy. Wearing all hats is not really doing anyone any favors. I believe that we all need people inside of our business that bring their zones of genius so that we can focus on our zones of genius. This can provide the best service to the world and to ourselves as creatives. When that’s happening in my work and in my business it’s more like being in flow. That’s the goal.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a conceptual artist, writer, mentor, activist. Most people know me as a photographer. I love using large format cameras, I prefer film over digital but use both in my work. I love alternative processes, most recently I’ve been creating a lot of cyanotypes on alternative materials like tracing paper and gold leaf gilding on photographs printed on vellum. People know me for this and for my long exposure images that seem to be a thread in a lot of my work. I teach classes called Self Portraiture as Medicine, Art as Medicine, Begin Deepening. And lead Artist Retreats in France. I’m most proud of my Capturing Breath on Film project and on the ongoing project I’m working on called “His name is Max” which is about my son Max who happens to have Down syndrome and how we as a culture don’t really see human beings we see Down syndrome first. This project is to illuminate this stereotype and the Ableism that’s prevalent in our society and to offer a deeper look into how we determine worth and value. What sets me apart? Well, I don’t really know – I think each artist has a unique point of view. Maybe it’s that I’ve been sober for 33 years from a crystal meth addiction and since then, I’ve been interested in psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, Toltec practice that all inform my art as well as a real desire to support others who still struggle with addiction or a feeling of being separate. I believe that creative expression is a portal to deep connection to self and to our personal version of spirituality and to the collective whole of humanity.
What matters most to you?
I believe that we are all valuable and worthy to take up space and express ourselves creatively.
We all have unique stories to tell that help the collective heal.
Art can help us heal the planet.
Art is one of the main ingredients that saved my own life from addiction and deep depression. I know it works. It worked for me. I think it’s important to make the work and put it out there so others can find themselves inside the art. It can inspire more of the same. Imagine if we all made the art that’s tugging at our hearts to make.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.catherinejust.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cjust http://www.instagram.com/cjust_fineart http://www.instagram.com/capturingbreathonfilm http://www.instagram.com/themaxharrisonfoundation
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/catherinejustphotography
