Art Slam

I have completed the journals for the university students. This has been one hell of a creative journey. I remember the day the blank journals came and I had no idea what I was going to do with them. I think I did ten interior pages before I made the covers.

The process was a good one. Full of lots of experimenting and finding I actually do not hate acrylic paint.

As I was putting the finishing touches on the journals, I had a brief moment of sadness. I have not created this much art only to let it go. Although, I do not feel a sense of loss. I did not become attached to my work, because I knew it was not complete. It will not be until the students finish the pages with their journaling. Right now, it is just a book of beginnings. When they are done, it will be an art journal.            

I am not big on New Year’s resolutions. The past few years, I have been creating books of intentions. So far, I have been able to accomplish the majority of what I set out to do each year. This year, I created a book of goals for 2008. I kept it simple and achievable. What I did differently this year is I started working on my goals in December instead of waiting for January to roll around.

I started working out again on a consistent basis and I have found after four weeks of training I crave it. I wake up early without an alarm clock and I do strength training. Sista girl is not getting any younger, so I realize the importance of building up my strength again. I used to be hard core years ago before I started working jobs that sucked the life out of me. What has been interesting about this journey is your body does not forget what it used to do. That yoga pose above is one of my fitness goals. I will be able to do that shit by this time next year! When I do, I will take a picture of that.

Speaking of shooting, I am devoting more time to being a better photographer. I am big on putting your hopes and dreams out to the universe and God is providing me with those opportunities. He has moved people into my life to mentor me and motivate me to be a better shooter. After winning my first photography contest, I am looking for new ones to enter and win. I am starting the new year off by taking two photography classes and refining my skills with lighting and artistic vision. My goal for next year is to build an incredible portfolio and define my style.

I am going to define my style by displaying more of my photography around my home. I have thousands of digital images on freakin’ disks. What the hell is the point of telling people what you can do if they can’t see it? That is another goal. Put my stuff up and toot my own damn horn.

The biggest goal for me to work towards is singing my praises. I told someone recently that you can’t wait for other people to have your best interests at heart. You either accept the position of CEO of You, Inc. or you continue to sit in wings waiting for good crap to happen to you and people to tell you you are good enough. That is such bullshit. I wait for no one to recognize and acknowledge my achievements anymore. If I can not do it, then why should I expect anyone else to do it?

These are things I am continuing to work on and they are achievable for me. I am looking forward to working towards them and seeing what the future holds.

Looking at these, I bet you would never guess they were taken during a Cincinnati snow storm. Then again, if you live in Cincinnati, you know we experience all four seasons in one week frequently. The one day out of the month of December and we have the biggest mess going on outside. I refused to cancel the shoot, because I believe in making lemonade out of lemons. The light coming into the house from the snow was amazing and only added to the images looking better than I expected.

Newborns…what can I say. They smell sweet, have the purest expressions.

This little woman was so serious during most of her session. Usually toddlers have me running all over the place, but today, she was just as sweet as she could be. She melts my heart.

Hard to believe a point and shoot camera could capture this. And, at night! I was on Fountain Square with the family Christmas Eve and it was remarkably peaceful and calm when we got there. I have to give the city credit for trying to make it more attractive to the people who work downtown and come to shop. Now, if they would just get some more shops down here I would be truly happy.

Downtown is not like it used to be. There used to be all kinds of interesting little shops and cafes. McDonald’s or Burger King are gone and so are some of the artsy little shops. It is interesting watching the town you live in evolve. As much as I long for change, I miss some of the old things that made this place special. Not to say it is not special now. Many of the changes the city is going through are exciting. I am looking forward mostly to new places to chill during lunch time and people watch. That is the best part about working downtown…the people watching.

I enjoyed reading your answers to my simple question. Some of the things you all said you would do are similar things I would have done. I find that I see the good in people before I see the bad. I am always looking for a win-win situation. Thing is, they are not necessarily looking for that. I don’t take too kindly to the whole dictator relationship and I find myself in one of those right now. I see this person intimidating people because they can. What gets me is no one has called them on it. They sit back and take it.

So, I ask, why do we take it? Where is our self-worth? I am not going to take it. I dismissed their crap behavior and prayed for them. That is what I do now when that situation comes up; I pray for the other person. It brings a calm over me that I don’t have to resort to dirty politics to get my point across. I have all the backing I need from the Lord. And, in situations like this, I rely heavily on his council and leading me where I need to be. Thing is, I don’t know if where I am is where I am suppose to be. That makes me sad, but hopeful that there will be resolution soon.

What do you do when someone blatantly disrespects you in front of other people?

Simple question. Don’t try to read more into it. Just tell me what you would do if this was happening to you on a regular basis and others are starting to notice.

What
Would
You
Do?

I started my birthday off with a good workout. Then, I started doing some of my running around. Holiday shoppers are absolutely insane, and there is nothing worse than an insane holiday shopper in a vehicle. They drive like bats out of hell and are so freakin’ rude. Me, being me, I am not afraid to tell someone how rude they are, then I wish them a Merry Freakin’ Christmas! With a smile, of course!

Joseph-Beth had another book signing this past Thursday for the Capture Cincinnati book. All of the chapter winners showed up again along with some of the other photographers featured in the book. It was nice seeing everyone again and we are all looking forward to next year’s contest.

This month has flown by. Actually, the whole year. While it won’t be easy to do, one of my many goals for 2008 is to slow down. People around me can rush their life away, I won’t be one of them.

Creativity at 102% this morning. Had good workouts the past few days. I can feel a difference in stamina and endurance. I even sleep better. You gotta be committed. Fitness is the one thing you can do just for you. It is a lifestyle change and one I find worth it.

I did not quite make my 4:30 workout time. I woke up without an alarm at 4:30, looked at the clock, turned over and thought about all the reasons I should just wait until five to get up…I ended up hitting the weights at 4:45. I knew it would be a challenge getting up this morning, but I did it. Now I am energized and ready to start the day. Creativity meter is at 125%. Let’s see how long that last! LOL