random this + that goodness

Yesterday morning I was reading Robyn's blog and came across this poem right here by Mary Oliver

“It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.”-Praying (from her book Thirst)
and it really grabbed me in a visceral way. you know how when a poem or a story just wraps itself around the very heart and essence of you...and you succumb to it's magic and mystery...ever so grateful to have come across it??? Well...that's what happened to me. You see...I am not a religious person at all. I was born a Hindu but then completely rejected it somewhere in my mid-teens. It's where I started questioning everything and really trying to construct my identity. So...it got tossed aside. In my twenties..I started going down the path of Buddhism, Rastafarianism and gypsy/nomad/free spirit stuff. But at the heart of it all...I would say that I feel most at one with the Universe when I am in nature. Just give me a piece of black earth, a tree, sunshine and rain...a red poppy...a blue bird...and I am touching the sacred. So this poem just had me soaring into the horizons of my deepest SELF.

 

loving this post right here where Vivienne talks about the role of vanity in self portraiture. Loving the honesty and insight about the role of beauty, photography as a healing tool and...even as a radical (political) act!  Such a great article because so many of us misinterpret self portraiture. After spending most of my early teen years where I hated having my photo taken to my late twenties when I took too many pics that were not based in self love and self care...to right now where I am using the camera as a tool. Evidence. Of who I am. right now. my life. saying...here I am. Laying claim ...to mySELF. Pretty powerful stuff. 

 Enjoying these early spring days over here...slowing planting flowers and seeds. Reading this book right now which has me deliriously in love...laughing + crying and in awe. I am seriously loving it and can't put it down!! Her honesty, vulnerability and insight has me gasping for breath. Also reading this book ...a section a day. So many insights into my behavior...loving it!!! More self care and self love spills out into my family, my relationships, my art...the whole of my life. Great stuff! I have a whole stack of books piled up in my studio that I really want to read over the summer.

Also. Tara and I made popsicles yesterday that were easy, healthy and super delish!!! Here's the recipe if you would like to try it out!
1 can unsweetened coconut milk (I use a low fat one)
1/4 cup of brown sugar (or preferred sweetener)
1 cup frozen berries (we used blackberries)
dash of vanilla essence
blend, freeze in popsicle mold and...enjoy! Preferably outside, in the sunshine...with music and laughter:)
*have a great weekend friends!

filling up my well

It's the last day of my Be Your Own Beloved class with Vivienne McMaster...and I can't believe how much I've grown (creatively and otherwise), how sad I am that it's over and how much I recommend this photography class to anyone looking to expand their hearts. I had some trepidation about taking the class...and I don't know why because I blog, FB, Tweet etc ...but I am ever so grateful I did!!! I feel a new confidence and ...am completely inspired. I even started taking photo self care walks (you can read about them on Vivienne's blog) and...she's absolutely right!!!! It's an adventure in the making and I feel so invigorated and refreshed afterwards!!! Try it out!!

We just had a long weekend over here (Memorial Day) and...since it's always a very difficult time for Tim due to all the many friends and comrades he's lost...we decided to take it very easy. Full of slowing down, breathing, appreciating our many blessings and giving thanks; self care. 

Tara had her very first horseback ride and took to it like a pro!!! Not only did she love it...she started giving the horse orders:) I think we're going to be doing quite a lot more of this:)

And of course...spending family time. My girl is all smiles and mischief...can you tell???I heart her so.

Happy + refreshed and practicing self care. Lots of reading, tea drinking, breathing, cloud watching and talking to trees. I feel like a whole new person!!! More soon!

things around here

I am thoroughly enjoying Vivienne McMaster's Be Your Own Beloved class! Some of the exercises have been personally challenging for me...but those assignments are the very ones I need to do! I am realizing that our bodies hold onto our stories...all of them. This collage is a self portrait; I took the exact same pic and edited the right hand side pic and the left one is the raw image.I see how some days are such a struggle for me...to look at mySELF with loving kindness. It is  a practice...it is a practice:)

Last weekend I was thrilled to attend the Georgia O'Keeffe Exhibition at the Denver Museum of Art. It was a fantastic take on her deep and abiding love for New Mexico. the exhibition also talks about her love for American Indian and Hispanic art...so thrilled to experienced this!!! It was my artist date for the week:)

I am here...self portrait

Been enjoying some down time, quiet hours with a book and coffee. I found this wonderful little cafe that is secluded, cozy and has the best coffee!

 This magical pic happened earlier this week. I was trying to do a photo assignment when Tara came twirling right into the scene!! I edited it to the hilt...using layers and adding a smattering of stars. It was such a magical image, I wanted to go over the top. I use Pixlr-o-matic which is super user friendly to use. LOVE!!!

 

I haven't had much time in my studio this past little while-I just work on bits + pieces when I can. And of course...backgrounds are so much fun!!

A few days ago ...enjoying the most gorgeous sunny day. Today it's raining cats + dogs BTW...but aaaaah...so nice to bask in the sunshine:)

My photo assignment for today...I wanted to capture a sense of energy + movement rather than a purely visual story. So much fun:)
 I am so looking forward to this Mothers Day...simple and sweet:)
happy weekend everyone!

"be your own beloved"

It's been ages + ages since I last took an e-course...mostly because don't have the time right now. But also because I haven't come across one recently that has really pulled at me to commit wholeheartedly. Until I saw the Be Your Own Beloved e-class with the sassy + gracious Vivienne. I love her story, her truthtelling, her pics...and of course...her shoes!! I love the way she shares herSELF so openly + freely. And once I read the class content...I just knew in my heart that this is just the absolute right fit for me at this time. I am making time each day for the next month to really look at mySELF with loving kindness and a forgiving eye. I absolutely believe that self portraiture is a tool to heal, nurture, inspire + propel us in new directions...ones we never could have imagined for ourSELVES. If you think this is a class that might pull at your heart as well...it's not too late to sign up...starts tomorrow!!!