Interview with the Artist: Katana Barnett

Chris Guillebeau is in the process of visiting every country of the world, while blogging about it and writing to help other people reach goals, achieve their dreams, and does it all on frequent flyer miles. I’m happy to call him a friend of mine! He just wrote an article about how to have a conversation with yourself, and I’m always interviewing creative people in Katanaville, so now it’s MY turn!!

Dear self, you are 23 years old. What do you have to show for it? Are you living the dream?

Yes, I am! I’m so proud of the home I’ve made at Katanaville, the cigarettes that I don’t smoke, the art shows I’ve had, and am having and how much I’ve learned in the last year. I’m glad that the decisions I’ve made so far have gotten me here- even, and especially, the bankruptcy last year. I never would have imagined myself loosing the ‘introvert’ or ‘goth’ labels I liked, but I’m happy they’ve been replaced by people saying, “Katana is a great speaker” or  “I want to meet Katana Barnett” – how fulfilling! Seriously, I never expected to hear that about myself, but now it happens!  How cool is that!!

As you look back on your life, what are you most proud of, what do you regret, and how do you feel about each of those things? Here are a few follow-ups:

I like that I have a plan to accomplish my goals, and I like having an audience. I like having a voice and the power to help bring other people up. I’m proud of my snowboarding skills, regretting how little I go up to the mountain. I get a little caught up in formatting my blog theme and could stand to do a little more painting, I’m a perfectionist who would rather procrastinate than get something done imperfectly- and that needs to change. I like getting told friends were going to watch a movie and saw an advertisement for an art show I’m in on the big screen!

I’m also delighted to have found enlightenment. The thing I regret is how ridiculous that sounds. Also, it’s not a trophy I have. I found it, sometimes I don’t have that inner stillness, sometimes I still have moments of intense anxiety- too much focus on time will do that.

* What’s next, self?

More! I want to more effectively help people, and package the value I have to offer in ways that are more accessible.

* Why do you do the things you do?

I think they’re important- taking a more native spin on my art is important- there’s a reason many of the artists I admire are native artists. I want to make more apparent the truths that I know.

I also want to eliminate the things that I do that aren’t contributing to my ‘why’- there’s too much clutter in my home and life, and I want to eliminate the unnecessary things- create space to expand.

* What do you really believe in? (What do you know to be true?)

I believe we all have truth inside us that recognizes other truth. Everyone feels the still small voice is different from the incessantly talking negativity television set. I believe creativity is in the space inside of us, and when we allow the creative energy to flow through us, we can accomplish great and beautiful things. Many of the things I believe to be true are the kinds of things Marianne Williamson and Eckhart Tolle speak about.

* If you had one year left to live, how would you spend it?

If I only had one year left, I’d quit school. School is a long term plan for me- the knowledge I’m gaining here is going to serve me long term. However, if I had one year I’d focus on experiences- surfing snowboarding, art, and friendships.

If you’d like to interview yourself, the article can be found at Chris Guillebeau.com