listening

I'm listening more inward lately then outward. I haven't wanted to download all the photos I've been taking to get them on to my blog. I've been reading more, resting more, and allowing myself more time "off". It's been very necessary lately to give myself that time. I'm still working on a few photo projects, but allowing myself to stop the race and take my time.

This photo was taken in Arizona when I was there visiting a friend of mine.
I sat there - holding the pinhole camera and felt myself breathing and my breath gently moved the camera as the trees swayed in the breeze of the wind. When I take photos like this I feel like all of "us" have merged for those moments during the exposure on the film.

***

Quote for the day:

" The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities."
-Richard Baker
From the introduction to Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryo Suzuki

*

" If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get."
- Frank A Clark.

***

Sunday Morning Gratitude

It's been a while since I've stopped by my own blog. I've been in a whirl wind - although you wouldn't know it by looking at my schedule. It's been mainly internal.
A lot of changes going on the past few weeks that have gotten me going inward a little bit more.

Today we are heading to visit some of our family. It's an annual event where each of us has a specific process we have to do in order to make an old family recipe together. One person peels potatoes, another mashes them, another sifts flour, etc. it's a line up of family members all working together. I love the tradition. At the end of it we all hang out in the backyard and pig out. It's a perfect day for it. It's sunny and just the right amount of heat. One of those perfect Southern California days that reminds me of why I don't live anywhere else. Luckily this weather happens often, so I can sit on the porch with glee most mornings.

A mini gratitude list:

My lovely husband Jerry
My beautiful Cat Pretty Girl
this gorgeous home we live in together.
the amazingly delicious grapefruit I ate this morning.
cable ( ok i know that is so sad but true )
Bright sunshine streaming into our house.
Our front porch, plants growing out front, and shade from the tree.
That TREE!
my parents
the dishwasher my grandmother bought us so that "I am not his slave"
Creation and Creating
naps
no schedule
air conditioning
hammock
all my cameras
this laptop
my friends - far and wide -
friends who are on a similar path
choice
the right and freedom to vote
sugar free chocolate from trader joes.
Braggs
breathing
expressing love

ok - I'm getting off track and need to go get ready for the big family event.
Have a glorious day noticing all there is to be grateful for.

Teotihuacan, Mexico Sept 4th-9th Update!

This year - we are lucky to be able to Partner with the Dreaming House. A place that was created by my friend and Toltec Teacher Lee McCormick.

So we've moved our accommodations to the Dreaming House which also means the price of the trip goes DOWN and it includes MORE!

Now the price is

$995.00 !!

It includes:
All meals !
Double occupancy accommodations at the Dreaming House
Transportation from and to the Mexico City Airport
All entrance fees

I'm excited that the trip has shifted to include Lee's Dreaming House, as the energy there is really wonderful.

For more information you can go to this link

Space is limited! Sign up soon to reserve your spot.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in "Teo".

****

Quote for the day:

Finally, If you are aware that no one else can make you happy, and that happiness is a result of love coming out of you, this becomes the greatest mastery of the Toltecs, the Mastery of Love.
- don Miguel Ruiz, The Mastery of Love Page 71.

It's June 18th

yep - it's time to take a photo of the tree outside my house. And here it is. I literally just stepped outside about 15 minutes ago, looked up, and clicked. Just one image. Usually I take a few but this one just felt right so I am trusting it.

2 more months and this series will be complete. Strange to be coming around to the other side of this project I started Last August.

It's amazing to see the tree and how it has tranformed over the year - and how my life has totally bloomed in the last 10 months. And how my relationship with that tree and how I see it has changed over time as well. Ok that sounds weird but I didn't really notice the tree before and now I feel much more in tune with all the little changes it is going through all year long.

***
Quote for the day:

I did not come to my fundamental understanding of the universe through my rational mind. - Albert Einstein

Aline Smithson

©Aline Smithson

Last Night was our Last Day of Class. I've been taking "the Next Step" with Aline Smithson.
It was a fantastic class. I cannot say enough about Aline. She has a gentle and supportive way about her that is pretty incredible in the photography world. Most people want to clutch what they know closely to them and not share information. Not Aline! It's the opposite! So much information was given we will need weeks to get through it all!!

We finished up the class by looking at everyone's portfolios. It was inspiring to say the least!

We are meeting up again in October for the "Next Step II " and I am looking forward to it.

Being in this class got my creative juices flowing to the extreme! I'm working closely on 5-6 different photography project right now and have about 12 of them I am working on in total! The others need to wait for me to give them some attention - And more ideas keep coming to me! The flood gates have opened!

Aline is a gem - if you can take her class - you will gain much, not the least of which is making a new friend.

***
Quote for the day!

You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, be quiet still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you unmasked. It has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.
- Franz Kafka

*

If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?
- Dogen Zenji

Happy Father's Day

This image is of Lake Hodges. I took this with a pinhole camera and type 54 Polaroid.
The image is a long exposure - I am holding the camera in my hands while it's exposing so that the natural rhythm of my breathing is effecting the way the film captures the landscape. So in essence it's a self portrait with the landscape.
I grew up near Lake Hodges. We could see the lake from our backyard. My parents still live in that house, and we are visiting them today for Father's day.

I'm looking forward to it. I feel lucky to have such a warm, nice, loving and funny (!) father.
My dad taught me that work is exhausting, but funny movies help. He can quote you any movie that is a bit off center. Like Animal House, Pretty Woman, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, etc.

My father is a Haematologist and an Oncologist and is known as a warm, caring man who is very well liked by his patients and the medical community. I don't know how he does it and I admire him for what he has chosen to do with his life.

on days off he enjoys going to the beach, reading, laying in the sun and napping, watching funny movies, and spending time with his wife ( my mom ) and their dog Simon , who is also my mom's hearing dog. His favorite snack is a sugar free fudgsicle

Want to see some CUTE photos of me and my dad when I was a baby?
Click HERE

P.S. Want to read about the Lake Hodges Monster?
Click HERE.
***

Quote for the day:
Saying yes, opening up, and loving:
these are the keys that will unlock the prison door.

-Arnaud Desjardins from the beautiful book of quotes and photos called Offerings

Go Team !

This has been a very productive week. All because of the some key players in my life that make a huge impact.
1. Jerry Seiner, my beautiful Husband
2. Aline Smithson
3. Julia Dean
4. Valerie Landsburg
5. Reva Kassmaul
6. John Matkowsky
7. Andrea Scher
8. Rafe

There are many many more but this is the beginning of a very long list of amazing inspiring people. I am grateful. Thank you!

***
Quote of the day:

" Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue to exist, a wonderful living side by side can grow up, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky."
- Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters

***

Today is the 8 month anniversary of our marriage. My parents read this quote above as part of their speech at our wedding. It was so wonderful to hear them speak these words. Our wedding was so wonderful - and our marriage is magical!

YAY FOR US! GO TEAM !! GO TEAM!!

newlywed bed

new project.
taking a photo of the bed every morning when I wake up, just the way it is.
this is an ongoing project for the rest of the year at least.

( our friend Nicole fed our cats when we were on our honeymoon, and when we returned we found the bride and groom pillowcases on our pillows. We've grown attached to them! Thank you Nicole! )

Today I am starting my day with a pinched nerve in my shoulder, so I will distract myself by writing a gratitude list!:

1. that advil works and we had some!
2. the birds are chirping with glee outside
3. the weather is GORGEOUS already!
4. it's quiet on our street
5. we live in a very beautiful, comfortable home
6. I am lucky to have found my husband ( he is wonderful! )
7. can you believe my cat is 15 years old? I adore her.
8. I have food, shelter, clothing
9. I have electricity ( I did live without it for 6 months once on purpose! )
10. I am much more serene today then I was a few years ago
11. I am healthy
12. We have tivo ( isn't that a sad thing to be grateful for! )
13. I love our front porch, the tree out front, the yard, the plants, the backyard.
14. I have wonderful friends.
15. I don't have any credit card debt.
16. My life is focused on the things I love instead of those other things!
17. I have fabulous, caring, fun parents.
18. I live in a beautiful part of the country.
19. I live near trader joes and whole foods.
20. Some one smart invented the Larabar.
21. I am free of joint pain today. ( accept that pinched nerve that I've almost forgotten about ! )
22. I don't use an alarm clock anymore.
23. I get to wear jeans to work, or pajamas, since I mostly work from home.
24. I love my camera gear! My pinhole, panoramic, nikons, twinlens, holga, etc! YES!
25. I love the bounty of healthy food I get to eat.
26. I love how gratitude lists help remind me of how amazing my life really is
27. I love simplicity
28. I love that I get to start over at any point in my day if I am suffering.
29. I love that we have a bath tub.
30. I love my life.
31. I love getting inspired by other amazing artists, creatives and healers.
32. I love learning.
33. I love taking photographs, making images, creating art.
ok ok ok ok ok
aren't you ready to make your own gratitude lists now?
I'd love to hear yours!!

Valerie Landsburg

©Valerie Landsburg

Yesterday I took a Business Plan Workshop with Valerie Landsburg. It was Incredible. I highly recommend it to anyone who is on the planet. Even if you don't know what exactly you want to be doing, or you already have a business plan, This is more like a vision retreat mixed in with specific tools to get specific about your life, your work, and your intention. Looks like Mine will be covering several different areas within photography - and this tool will help me to get it down on paper - in detail - without it being too painful! Valerie was a wonderful instructor and guide along the way.


This is how she explains a business plan:
Business Plans are not just that paper you give to perspective investors. They are powerful outlines that enable you to bring any idea from inception to fruition.

A Business Plan:
1. Lets people know you have thought a lot about what you are doing.
2. Lets you explore the unlimited expanse of any idea.
3. Lets you know where you need more information.
4. Lets others participate in cultivation of your ideas and more


If you are interested in finding out more you can e-mail her directly at
valerie@wholeacting.com

Quote for the Day:
Never lower your vision to suit your reality. Always raise your reality to suit your vision.
-Robert Fritz

Amanda Keller-Konya

©Amanda Keller-Konya

Last night at the Next Step Class with Aline Smithson, we had the opportunity to meet with Amanda Keller-Konya and hear her speak about her work and see her images. It was so incredible to hear her talk about the work. The way she articulates the different components of the images just blew my mind. She is so smart and talented. Very compelling, important work. I'm really glad I had the chance to meet her. And the class is so good. All of us are so inspired! If you have a chance to take her class I HIGHLY recommend it.

Quote for the day:

" The camera is my tool. Through it I give a reason to everything around me."
- Andre Kertesz

Amtrak Train Photo Day Trip to San Juan Capistrano!

Saturday July 19th


We'll be starting the adventure at Union Station

we will visit the The Mission San Juan Capistrano

Take a lunch break at Ramos House

Then head to Los Rios Historic District

and End our visit with a fun stop at Zoomars Petting Zoo

We'll watch the sunset along the coastline as we head back to LA.

The workshop fee is $150
and includes round trip train ticket, and admission to the mission and the petting zoo.

Space is limited to 12 people.

Grab your camera and join in the fun!

It's a great way to meet other photographers, create a new body of images, and work on your photography skills. All levels are welcome.

You will be given a few photo exercises along the way to help you push your own creativity, and explore new ways of seeing.

If you have any questions or want to sign up - feel free to e-mail me

cj@catherinejust.com


Quote for the day:

"Just Do It!"
- Nike

another quote:

" Just Love yourself and Do it! "
- Luis Canalas - Pro Triathlete ( and my triathlon coach! )

Building Community

I found this great banner on Liz Kuball's Blog.

Photography tends to be a very competitive world. We get secretive about our business, our work, we don't want others to know how we did this or that. All of that comes from a place of fear, and of feeling threatened.

I've definitely gone through phases of it myself. What I find is that the outcome is isolating, lonely, and stressful. I'd rather enjoy my life, my friends, and remember that there is enough for everyone. It takes practice to really know this. But it is worth the trouble to be more open, more friendly, more helpful.

I find when I am helpful, I receive so much more then I thought possible.

***

Quote for the day:

Being Generous: Give away some form of supply ( money, food, clothing, time, etc. )to someone, remembering money or supply doesn't go anywhere and releasing-receiving are ONE and the same.

Page 96 The Abounding River by Matthew and Terces Engelhart

Teotihuacan, Mexico

We've moved the dates of the
Power Journey To Teotihuacan, Mexico.
New dates are: September 4th - 9th 2008

Teotihuacan is called the "Place where man becomes God"

Come join us on this photography adventure.

We will use our time to get even more focused on our creativity, vision, and the connection between ourselves and what we see through the viewfinder. We will use the sacred sites of Teotihuacan to merge more closely with our own unique point of view and creative expression. Through photo exercises, journaling, discussion and more we will have the opportunity to work on a new body of images, meet other like minded people, and get away from our routine schedules to allow ourselves the freedom to pay attention to what we see.

For more information and to sign up click here

(The dates might not yet be changes on that link, but they will be soon!)

Hope you can make it. It's going to be a powerful experience.
(photo courtesy of sacredsights.com)

Vote for My Image!

Go to this link and vote for my image.

JPG Magazine will publish images that get enough votes!

the whole point

"White 1" ©Maria Luisa Morando

quote for the day:
"The making of art has nothing at all to do with Knowledge, education, technique, style, concept, process, the judgment of others, your age or your background. The single most important attribute to art, all art literature, music, cinema, photography is to make people feel""

-Mario Giacomelli



I heard this on Monday by a very talented photographer who shared her work with us.
her name is Maria Luisa Morando.

She is a very thoughtful photographer and her work is really elegant and soothing.
I'm so glad I got the chance to meet her.

dreaming

Another view of the tree.

clarity

Happy Monday to you.
Here is one of the photos I took yesterday of the tree. The tree project "the 20th year" has really evolved for me. I can't believe that it will be over in 3 months.
Well, at that point it will be time to start printing which will be an entirely new project to dive into. Still considering encaustic wax for these babies. but we will see how things play out. One thing that happened while working on this project - is a series within the series. There is a new body of work of the tree - taken with my pinhole camera - with black and white polaroid- that has a completely different feel than these do. And equally important to the series.

I'm thinking again about the importance of living with clarity rather then vagueness.
When I am vague it is a little like being drunk. I don't really know what it will take to create the project I have in mind, I am just acting on emotions and doing things because I feel I have to.

When I am living in clarity, I know exactly what it is going to take, I have a plan and I take one step at a time and don't worry about getting to the finish line in a certain period of time. It isn't a race.

quote for the day:

" Resistance outwits the amateur with the oldest trick in the book: It uses his own enthusiasm against him. Resistance gets us to plunge into a project with an overambitious and unrealistic timetable for its completion. It knows we can't sustain that level of intensity. We will hit a wall. We will crash.
The Professional, on the other hand, understands delayed gratification. He is the ant, not the grasshopper; the tortoise, not the hare."....

..." The professional arms himself with patience, not only to give the stars time to align in his career, but to keep himself from flaming out in each individual work. he knows that any job, whether it's a novel or a kitchen remodel, takes twice as long as he thinks and costs twice as much. He accepts that. He recognizes it as reality. "
-Steven Pressman, The War of Art page 75

The heART project

Photo by Mark Mauer - artwork by Man One

last night I had the privilege to attend the 16th annual heART project art auction.

"The heArt Project creatively links overlooked teenagers in alternative high schools with professional artists, cultural centers, and communities to imagine, produce and present new work."

The photo above is of Man One. A graffiti Artist who gives his time and energy to teach the youth. He was one of the people being honored last night and he was very inspiring to me. I loved hearing his story and how the arts really helped him to express what was not getting expressed when he was in school. I could really relate.

I was so impressed with the event, the mission of the heART project, and the high school students who spoke and shared their stories of transformation.

There was so much amazing artwork in the auction. A few pieces from new friends of mine that I met in that class I took. When I heard about the opportunity to help out, I jumped at it and donated a photograph to the cause. If you are interested - get in touch with them to find out when the next auction is so you can donate your work too!

If you are looking to give back - this is a great place to consider!
It really touched me to be there last night and to witness the community of people who give of their time and energy to help the youth that usually go unnoticed.


***
Quote for the day

"Do not fear mistakes-there are none." - Miles Davis

"What's a Lady to Do"

This is a blog post by photographer Cara Phillips. Please take the time to read it. It's very powerful. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

***
Quote for the day:

"I am a reflection photographing other reflections within reflections. It is melancholy truth that I must always fail. To photograph reality is to photograph nothing." -Duane Michals, A Failed Attempt to Photograph Reality (1976)

One on One Photography Coaching

I just updated my website. Go check it out. catherinejust.com. I'm available for one on one photography coaching sessions. This is a way for you to have individual attention around areas of photography that you are still wanting to learn and grow.
We can cover anything from f/stops and depth of field
to
Pinhole cameras
learning digital or film
self portraits
lighting
editing a series of work for an upcoming gallery show
how to download your images to your computer
or you just want some photo exercises to get your creativity flowing


I can custom design our coaching sessions to fit your needs.

This way you don't have to sit in the back of a photography workshop and feel afraid to ask questions in front of the class. It's just me and you and we work on anything that limits you from your fullest potential with your photography work.

e-mail me for more information!!


***

Quote for the day:

"Concerning all acts of initiative ( and creation ) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would not otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man would have dreamed would come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: " Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now."
-W.H. Murray, The Scottish Himalayan Expedition

Melanie Pullen

The image here is ©Melanie Pullen.
I just went to Julia Dean to listen to Photographer Melanie Pullen talk about her work and show us new work of hers. She is best known for her series called " High Fashion Crime Scenes ".
You MUST go to her website to find out more about her. She is really amazing and I love the idea behind these images. Basically she is researching actual crime scenes and then re-creating them based on that information, and the photos from the scenes.
There is MUCH more to it then that. It is very layered and smart. I remember seeing her work at PhotoLA a few years ago and it stuck with me more then most of the work I saw that day. It is haunting.

I'm so glad Aline Smithson is hosting these photography talks. And that a few friends of mine were kind enough to pass on her name to me.

I'm working on a new series. It started last night, but the image didn't turn out. Another one is going to be taken tonight. Wish me luck. Jerry is being a good sport and is ok with what I am up to. It's similar to the "Sacrament" series that I have on my website - Pinhole images, long exposures, Polaroid, and we are both in the images.
Now that the images have been taken of the honeymoon we are moving into married land.
More to be revealed as I work on this series.
Melanie talked a little bit tonight about series within the series, and this new body of work is along the same idea. It fits in with the "Sacrament" series and is I think another paragraph along the same lines.
I actually am so inspired lately that ideas are coming out of my pores. I had to write out a list of them all this afternoon because they are coming to me at lightening speed and I know that if I don't write them down I will forget them. It is like a song is coming to me in bits and pieces and I have to capture the floating melodies as fast as I can - in the moment - or the song will slip through the cracks....
ok it's late.....

Sacred Sight

Here is the info on my upcoming workshop. Take a look. Pass it on to anyone who you might think would benefit from a weekend of creativity and community.

We will meet Friday May 16th from 7-9pm
Saturday from 9-5
Sunday from 10-3

Any photographic experience is welcome, although we are not focusing much on the technical stuff. A good working understanding of how your camera works is helpful so you can just jump in and create. But I am always available to answer any of those questions as well.

Breathe new life into your photography!

***

Quotes for the day:

" We propose that ego and scarcity are synonymous. Both are birthed by the illusion of separation."
- The Abounding River by Matthew & Terces Engelhart pg.10

" Whenever you are angered about someone else beating you out, remember this: the footrace mentality is always the ego's demand to be not just good but also first and best. It is the ego's demand that our work be original - as if such a thing were possible. All work is influenced by other work. All people are influenced by other people. No man is an island and no piece of art is a continent unto itself."
-The Artists Way by Julia Cameron pg 174

The Next Step

Last night I started a new class at Julia Dean called the Next Step. Aline Smithson is the instructor. I am a huge fan of hers and excited about the class. I already feel inspired to make new work, update my website, get back into the darkroom ( yes the darkroom ) and make prints of the "Sacrament" series. I can tell this class is going to be good!

On another note, I just started teaching one on one photography instruction and it has been really rewarding for me. On Thursday I had the privilege to go out to Rancho Mirage and meet with someone who wanted to understand f/stops. I could see her struggling to get depth of field and then at one point the "light bulb" went off and she got it. Both of us got goose bumps. It was thrilling. I am looking forward to teaching her shutter speeds next.

My Sacred Sight workshop is coming up May 16th-18th here in Los Angeles. There are still spaces open. Come join us! We are coming together to get more focused on our authentic point of view, rather then on the technical stuff, so if you want to give yourself the gift of a weekend to explore the world with your camera - we would love to have you along!

You can find out more about it on my website

***
Quote for the day:

" The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel."
- Piet Mondrian


" the kabbalah describes angels as bundles of light, meaning intelligence, consciousness. Kabbalists believe that above every blade of grass is an angel crying " Grow! Grow!" I'll go even further. I believe that above the entire human race is one super-angel, crying "Evolve! Evolve!"
- Steven Pressfield - The War of Art page 123.
( ps. get this book! )

Starship and Seiner Photo

This past weekend My Lovely husband Jerry was in a photo show "The Art of Photography"in San Diego.

His image, titled "Starship" was a glorious sight among the other works. The opening was PACKED with people. I've never seen such a busy reception.
Some of our family made the trek to the opening. It was great to have them there with us.

The Big news of the night was that his photograph SOLD!

YAY JERRY!!!

He has a new website up that you should really check out. His work takes my breath away. He is so talented. I am lucky to know him, let alone be married to him!
ok,ok, I'm gushing,
here is the link:

seinerphoto.com

enjoy!



***

Quotes for the day:

" As resistance works to keep us from becoming who we were born to be, equal and opposite powers are counter-poised against it. These are our allies and angels."
- Steven Pressfield. The War of Art

" Take a small step in the direction of a dream and watch the synchronous doors flying open. Seeing, after all, is believing."
- Julia Cameron. The Artist's Way page 66

seduced by words

feeling full with projects this week!
Jerry and I flew to Utah this week to do some PR photographs for the GM GUY. Yes - the GM Guy is Jerry's dad. It was fun to run around his dealerships with our cameras, and to spend time with family.
Now that we are back we are getting ready for Jerry's opening which is TOMORROW!!!
don't you want to join us?
The Art of Photography Show
I'm also getting ready to teach an upcoming photography workshop May 16th-18th in LA. There will be more posted on this after Jerry's show.
***
Quote of the day

"The Yogic sages say that all the pain of a human life is caused by words, as is all the joy. We create words to define our experience and those words bring attendant emotions that jerk us around like dogs on a leash. We get seduced by our own mantras ( I'm a failure...I'm lonely...I'm a failure...I'm lonely...) and we become monuments to them. To stop talking for a while, then, is an attempt to strip away the power of words, to stop choking ourselves with words, to liberate ourselves from our suffocating mantras."
- Elizabeth Gilbert from the book " Eat Pray Love" Page 325

go in the direction you are drawn to

I took this photo at the shambhala centerwhich is literally one mile away from where I live. It's surrounded in these luscious trees. I pass by them every day on my way to or from somewhere else. I finally noticed them one day and was startled by how much peacefulness they exuded at the corner of a busy intersection. I had to investigate! The day I took my cameras over to meet them - it was a cold overcast day. My cameras were hard to hold in my hands because my fingertips were a bit numb. But I was pretty intrigued by the trees and needed to just deal with it. This was the first photo I took, and I like it the best out of all of them. It feels the way that day felt for me. peaceful, but a lot going on.

Today is the 18th. The day I photograph the tree outside my house. I'm so excited. Today is bright, sunny, clear, warm, birds chirping with glee, and it feels very calm here in the house and on my street. I love days like this. No structure really accept to follow my heart and do what I feel called to do in each moment. So far it's included Ginger tea, looking at the rununculas on the table, listening to the birds, and going slow. that is my favorite speed.

Last night I read something on Keri Smith's website that completely floored me. It floored me because it sounded JUST LIKE ME! I loved how understood I felt in regards to this specific topic. I have heard of others having similar experiences - but this was literally word for word how I felt in high school and what I learned about myself much later in life and am still learning. Go click on this link and read the article. It is really amazing.

***

Quote for the day

"...Oprah Winfrey used to be the chatty girl in school who spoke out in class and we all know what happened to her. The trick is to head in the direction you are drawn in. The many fears we hold, (about age, money, ability etc.) are usually imposed by our culture. On occasion your culture may not support or understand your path, people will question you, you will in turn question yourself, that is quite natural. Be honest with yourself along the way, keep doing what you are drawn to and you will succeed. " - Keri Smith

recap

Thank you to everyone who came out Saturday night to support me and my art opening! It was so fabulous to see all of you, and to spend time celebrating with you all. Words cannot express how meaningful it was for me to see all of you there. I am blessed!

The good news is that one of my photographs sold! And The work will be up for another 3 months so if you want to stop by and check it out - there is still time.

Madison 101
101 S Madison avenue
Pasadena, CA
91101
Today I spent the afternoon at Huntington Gardens with my friend Orchid. I brought my camera and took photos of the trees. If you haven't noticed, I am having a tree awakening! I love them. Learned a lot from Orchid who is an expert with Native plants. It was a gorgeous day filled with sun and nature. Can't ask for much more then that really. It was a perfect way to spend my day.
Tonight I am off to the class I am taking through Side Street projects called
GYST, or " Getting your Shit Together ". Yes you heard it right. That is the name of the class.
It helps artists update their resume, artists statement, portfolio, data base, etc etc, and at the end of it we gather with our polished portfolios and statements and do a speed dating type meeting with a handful of curators. It's a great class and I highly recommend it to everyone who is an artist. Even if you have all of these things it is a great way to take everything to the next level and meet people you wouldn't meet otherwise.
***
quote of the day

Seeing in the finest broadest sense, means using your senses, your intellect, and your emotions. It means encountering your subject matter with your whole being. It means looking beyond the labels of things and discovering the remarkable world around you.
- Freeman Patterson

chairs and mandarin oranges

Hi there - been away prepping for my upcoming photography show. I hope you can make it

Saturday April 12th 6-9pm
MADISON 101
101 S. Madison Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Voted runner up Top beauty Salon in the Pasadena Weekly. yep this place is classy!

I'm excited about the work and the show and grateful to Dionne - the owner of the Salon. She is a fabulous gal. I also get my hair done there by a gal named Erika - so if you are looking for a new hairstylist - she is a great find!

Here is a quote for today:

"You have the power to create. Your power is so strong that whatever you believe comes true. You are the way you are because that is what you believe about yourself."
- Miguel Ruiz

soul's evolution

" Rule of thumb: the more important a call or action is to our soul's evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it. " pg 12 the War of Art

" Fear is good. Like self doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we need to do. Remember our rule of thumb: The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it. " pg 40 the War of Art

***

I'm inspired by all the activities I'm involved with these days. Spring has Sprung. The trees are full of bright green leaves and the sky is bright blue with a hot hot sun! I'm wearing my flip flops again and have put the jackets away!

My schedule is jam packed with adventures!
I'd say more but I have to go take part in more of them right now!
Have a glorious day packed with creativity, friends, and whatever else tickles you.

Resistance is invisible

"Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard, or smelled. But it can be felt. We experience it as an energy field radiating from a work-in-potential. It's a repelling force. It's negative. It's aim is to shove us away, distract us, prevent us from doing our work. "
pg. 7 from " The War of Art " by Steven Pressfield

***

I'm working on so many projects right now that I decided today would be a day to take a deep breath, de-clutter my desk, my kitchen, my office, and get my space into working order.....all while thinking about my artwork and the themes that tie all the different bodies of work together. I'm writing a new artist's statement. I have 9 framed pieces ( one of them you see here ) that I am getting prepped for a solo show. I love these pieces. Fragments of my life. Minneapolis, Portland, Ashland, all represented through these photographic "maps" of where I was at the particular time in my life. I've been writing down phrases and words to describe the work. I'm obsessed and also feel invigorated by the energy of getting back in there and figuring it out.
reminds me of the frame of mind I was in during art school. I think I was dreaming all night about my new series of photographs, and I was trying to figure it out, what are they? Why are they? etc. I woke up and rushed over to my pad of paper and wrote out a few key words that really summed it up. Man did I miss this. the digging, searching, researching, pulling apart, discovering, looking, piecing together, and creating. I feel like a detective searching for clues. I'm in love with making my work. And I am in love with watching my husband make his work. It's a busy house these days. We are both working out solutions for our photographs for upcoming shows. and yes I do feel the resistance seeping in and out of my creative flow. Learning to work with it so I can keep moving forward.

resistance's greatest hits

ok - so I love this image of the tree - but would love to hear if you are more attracted to the black and white image or the color image. I like both for different reasons.

***

Got a new book called the War of Art by Steven Pressfield.

It was recommended to me last night at a writing class I am taking with Al Watt. yes the same Al that I took a headshot of a few months back.

I am working on a book project and I've never written one before so I figured it was time for some outside assistance. So far I am blown away. BLOWN. This class is incredible. Life changing.

I'm inspired by it and want to pass on some things inside that book I just picked up so here goes:

from pages 5&6:

The following is a list, in no particular order, of those activities that most commonly elicit Resistance:

1. the pursuit of any calling in writing, painting, music, film, dance, or any creative art, however marginal or unconventional.

2. The launching of any entrepreneurial venture or enterprise, for profit or otherwise.

3. Any diet or health regimen.

4. Any program of spiritual advancement.

5. Any Activity whose aim is tighter abdominals.

6. Any course or program designed to overcome an unwholesome habit or addiction.

7. Education of every kind.

8. Any act of political, moral, ethical courage, including the decision to change for the better some unworthy pattern of thought or conduct in ourselves.

9. the undertaking of any enterprise or endeavor whose aim is to help others.

10. Any act that entails commitment of the heart. The decision to get married, to have a child, to weather a rocky patch in relationship.

11. The taking of any principled stand in the face of adversity.

In other words, any act that rejects immediate gratification in favor of long-term growth, health, or integrity. Or, Expressed another way, any act that derives from our higher nature instead of our lower. Any of these will elicit Resistance.

Now: what are the characteristics of Resistance?

***
Check in tomorrow for more....!

my husband is a total ROCK STAR!!!

My husband Jerry just found out this morning that this image of his called "starship" was accepted into one the the largest Juried photography shows in the country. Over 12,000 images from 46 countries were submitted and the juror was a woman from the Museum of Photographic Art in San Diego. 102 images were picked and Jerry's image was one of them.

YAY JERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For more information about the show you can click here.

The opening is Friday April 25th 6-9pm
At the Lyceum Theatre Gallery in San Diego.

For gallery info you can click here.

I hope you can come down to see the show in April.
Today I bought him a very large decadent slice of chocolate cake and I plan to sing to him some made up congratulations song - which should be very interesting.(!)
I am just so excited for him!
xox

remember...

"Remember - keep moving toward your dreams with purpose and persistance because they are out there waiting for you to say yes to them so they can come true for you."
- Reva K.

***

I was trying to take a photo of the buds on the tree yesterday and this branch from the tree next to it just blew right into my frame to say "HI!" " LOOK AT ME" !
It was a perfect moment and pretty funny.
So here is it's cameo.

evidence!

Look at those little leaves pushing their way out into the world, faces stretched out toward the sun! GO LEAVES GO! Spotted this on my tree out front and had to document it. It's so thrilling to watch a tree transform every single day.

"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home." ~Twyla Tharp

Hope you enjoy running away on some level today.

and here is the final point on Keri Smith's how to list

10 Let go...

Don't worry about your talent or capability... it is not yours to judge. It will grow and change over time. Do not ask "why am I doing this? Is it the right thing?" It is enough to know that you want to. Just do it because you want to. It will become something on it's own. Freaking out about what you "should" be doing does not move you forward, it only serves to stress you on what should be an enjoyable part of your journey. ENJOY THE PROCESS. Starting can be the most overwhelming part but it is also exciting and full of possibilities. Change can be intimidating, unfamiliar, terrifying, self-doubt inducing, down right uncomfortable. But our lives are too rich and we are too powerful to have anything less than what we truly deserve...to do what we love everyday, to become our most authentic powerful selves, to share our passion with the rest of the world, and to live up to the spirit that is in us, (and not squelch it!)...

You have nothing to lose... The universe is waiting...

xo