Art Slam

I am so excited to share a new blog I started called the Picture’s Story. It is a writing inspired photo blog that explores the story behind the picture.

I have always been fascinated with hearing people’s stories. More so now that I shoot quite a bit of photography. I often want to know what the motivation was behind someone capturing an image or what the story is behind the emotion displayed in the shot.

I am still populating the blog with information and inspiration, and I encourage you to visit and look around. There is a links section where you will find writing and photo prompts, as well as inspiration and other photo related blogs. I also intend to feature some of the best Story Weavers to share some of their favorite images and stories with you. Storytelling is all about community and it is my hope to build just as strong a community of Story Weavers as I have of Art Slammers. I am so happy to offer two places for you to come and be inspired.

A few years ago, I was commissioned to create two art journals with over 50 unique layouts. The college class that would use my work would journal on the pages later. This was an interesting experience for me, as I am used to journaling on my work while I am creating it. Not being able to hide hidden words under layers of paint was a stretch for me, but it was a good stretch. I learned to not get caught up in the words, to work with collaboration in mind and to create lots of pages in a short amount of time.

This particular page was one of my favorites. Mainly because of the phrase on the page. It is such a simple question, yet one I can confidently answer, No. Nothing is perfect and I am fine with that. A phrase I have been using for years is Perfectly Imperfect. It is something I embrace with my art, my words and my photography. I no longer feel a need to have perfection in my life. It would be so boring if it was that way. Instead, I have chosen to enjoy the process of striving for a perfectly imperfect life. There is much learning and adventure when you allow yourself to be in that space. And, it is a good space to be in.

I was visiting some of my favorite blogs this morning when I happened upon Stephanie Roberts’ latest. The image in her post immediately took me back to my childhood and how I don’t see what was in her image anymore.

Clotheslines. I have vivid memories of helping my momma hang up clothes in our backyards (we moved alot, military family) and running through the sheets. I also remember how the clothes smelled when you brought them in from outside. Back then, all of my neighbors had clotheslines. Now, my neighbors have weeds, very few gardens, a few pools and that is it. Our yards are so freakin’ boring. When my family and I first moved into our house, it thrilled me like you would not believe to see a weeping willow in our backyard. Hands down, the weeping willow is my favorite tree. A few years later, to my horror, the electric company had come by and butchered half of the tree because it was too close to the power lines. Bastards. Then, a year later, we had to have it cut down because it was dying and had been from the inside out. To say I was crushed is an understatement. I don’t much go in my backyard now because it has no character. No trees, lots of grass and I can not seem to get motivated to love it. If it was up to me, and really, nothing is stopping me, I would fill it would flowering shrubs and a new weeping willow. And, maybe even a clothesline.

Related posts:

• What Are You Waiting For?
• Feeling Rather Poetic
• Follow Your Heart

I am fascinated by hearing and reading people’s stories. I prefer to hear them in person over reading them. I am an empathetic person, so hearing someone tell me about themselves is a moving experience. Lately, a friend has been revealing his story to me and for all I thought I knew about him, I am discovering there are quite a few things I did not know. It has been like a  treasure hunt. It is like discovering a deeper part of someone’s essence and being completely fascinated by what you find. I love that.  What their story reveals reminds me of why I love having them in my life and what a  privilege it is when someone shares their story with you.

When was the last time you sat down to listen to someone’s story? When was the last time you actually asked someone to tell you about themselves? If it has been a while, do it now. Life is too short to think you will have a chance to do it again, so do it today while it is fresh in your mind. Be an attentive listener and listen with an open mind and heart. When someone opens up to you, it is a privilege to be in that space. This is something I do not take for granted.

Interesting Posts:

• Earth Art
• Follow Your Heart
• An Art Journal in 3 Steps

When you look at this picture, what do you see?

Do you see the story behind my eyes?

Do you see how I have grown?

My confidence and my strength, do you see them?

Do you see the sadness I cause, while not intentional, it is there?

Do you see the source of my inspiration?

Do you see how I have leaped in faith?

Do you see that I am open?

Do you see what I see?

I am a little under the weather today, but my heart is truly full. Here are a few things that are making me smile:

• Sugar Jones wrote a wonderful post about how our friendship started and how special it is even now. I love her to pieces.
• My interview on Sisterhood, the Blog Radio with Ananda Leeke. She is a true kindred spirit I am so glad to have met at BlogHer this year.
• Susannah Conway’s Unravelling e-Course. I have been enjoying this course and loving the wonderful women who are a part of this. I am learning so many new ways of seeing myself.
• Satya Jewelry. I have finally decided on the necklace I want to purchase. It is all so pretty.
• Lucy Activewear. I love all of it. I could live in yoga clothes. Seriously. This is my clothing goal for 2010.

Related Posts:

• The BlogHer Edition
• One of the Best Things About Warmer Weather
• Cornflake Love

One of the things I had to do before leaving Chicago a few weeks ago was visit the Navy Pier. I went for multiple reasons:

1. I had to get out of the hotel for a while. It is great meeting people, but being inside for days is not my thing.
2. I had to pick up some Garrett Popcorn and the Pier was the closest place for me to pick up some.
3. I had to see the huge ferris wheel up close and personal that beckoned me from my hotel window.

When Igot to the Pier, it was hot as heck, the lines were long for all the rides, so I stood in some shade and watched the people. I love people watching. Looking at this photograph of the big swing in full motion, I just now realized most of the people do not have on shoes. Ha! I never paid attention until now.

Watching the swing spin was rather hypnotic. Almost soothing. The people seemed as if they did not have a care in the world for the few moments they were on the ride. It reminded me of how I have been practicing being present, yet, in my being present and watching this ride, I did not notice the people’s bare feet. Instead, I noticed their laughing and smiling and it filled me with joy. Because at that moment, I knew what it was like to be selectively aware. I did not notice the shoeless riders, but I noticed how amazing the sky looked, the clouds fluffier than I am used to seeing in Cincinnati. I noticed a newlywed couple and their wedding party sashaying down the Pier. I noticed babies in strollers. I noticed a woman noticing me and my camera equipment as I changed my lenses. I noticed the Clydesdale horses being watered on a break. I noticed the water fountain and the kids playing in it. I noticed the seagulls. I noticed a lot and there were also things I did not notice. But, one thing I was vividly aware of was how much I liked Chicago and the energy of the people there. Honestly, a weekend was no where near enough time for me to fully experience everything, but the things I did experience will stay with me for a long time.

Related Posts:

• In the Middle of Unknown
• Do Your Things Accurately Reflect Who You Are?
• Live More

I could have stayed in the Shutter Sisters’ Shutter Suite the entire time I was at BlogHer. It was like being in a pool of inspiration surrounded by kindred spirits. When I first walked into the room, I saw Karen who was talking to this woman with amazing curly hair. I thought I recognized her, but I was not 100% sure until Karen said, “Jen, you have to meet Lu.” Before she could finish the introduction, I exclaimed, “Jen Lee! I know who you are.” She then said, “Then we must be friends.” And, we hugged as if we had always known each other. Of all the connections I made that weekend, the meeting with Jen was one of the most intense. You know how you meet someone and you instantly have a connection? I believe that means your spirits have already known of each other’s existence.

I also met the amazing Jen Gray, whose photography I have admired since finding her through Andrea’s blog. She had this wonderful vintage Girl Scout camera that made me want to start my own collection of old cameras. Then there was Tracey Clark who got me all excited about finding myself a Canon 5D, as I told her I was looking to upgrade my current camera. She said once I shoot with that camera, it will seem as if I have a whole new set of lenses.

I had no particular expectations when I went to BlogHer this year, but I walked away with new friendships, inspiration and a renewed sense of creativity. I have been pushing the idea of hosting my first online class to the back burner for a while now, as I was not sure what I wanted to focus on and I refuse to produce garbage for the sake of just having a class. Now, I have a better idea of what that is and I am revisiting a few concepts I developed earlier in the year and making this class a reality. That just thrills me (if you have not noticed, thrill seems to be my word as of late).

1 & 2. Lensbaby and Shutter Suite

After coming back from BlogHer, I have been revisiting all the things I enjoy doing with renewed interest and an openness to learning something new. I won a gift certificate from LensBaby as part of the Shutter Sisters‘ ShutterSuite and I decided to order the Optics Kit. I am in love with the Plastic Optic. It gives my pictures a moody, dreamy look, yet everything is in focus. It works well for portraits and still life shots.

3 & 4. Bill Me Later and Zappos Household CEO Confessional Booth

I have been writing like journals are going out of style. Moleskine’s are my favorites because of the quality of the paper and the variety of journals you can choose from. I have to thank Bill Me Later for allowing me to test out their shopping experience and purchase a supply of Moleskine journals. They are awesome and make it so easy to purchase online. I had an opportunity to participate in Bill Me Later and Zappos Household CEO Shopping Spree contest. I went into the confessional booth and revealed what it takes to fill my shoes. You can see my video here and I would love it if you would vote for me.

5. Kodak Zi6

I could not have been any more thrilled to find in one of my swag bags a Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera. This little camera is awesome. I am always concerned about sound and picture quality from pocket cameras and Kodak did not disappoint with this one.  I have to thank them for the camera and Nancy Martira from Ketchum for explaining all of the great features.

Related Posts

• Fitness Edition
• 4th of July Edition
• 1st Ever 5 Fab Faves