Musings for a New Year
Thursday, January 28th 2010 @ 11:58 AM
In an email to an artist friend who was feeling fearful about the future, I said:
"If our dreams were dumped upon us all in one heap, we would lose them, because we couldn't take them all in. But we receive them as we open ourselves, so our real job is to work on expanding our souls, because the dreams are right there, just waiting to edge in. We don't have to grasp at them, we have to prepare ourselves."
Later that day, I received an email back from her. Along with my email, she also received one from an inspirational site. It said:
"The trick is learning to maintain an unwavering focus upon your desired end result, you completed dream, your 'finish line', without insisting upon, or even contemplating, its means of attainment, no matter how logical, obvious or tempting it may seem."
Words of wisdom for everyone who chases their dreams, but especially for those of us with artistic pursuits. We have to expand ourselves as much as we expand our technical knowledge & our photographic skill set. We have to pursue this dream call ART without any expectation of attainment. Because as we open ourselves without expecting, our artistic dreams can - and will - sneak in.
I think it's harder to sit than to act, don't you? 
It sure is for me - but then, Cherie is a perpetual two-year-old! I've collected a series of articles on how to stimulate creativity and expand our awareness, because it is an ongoing exercise for me! If you're interested, they are listed here.
Camera 101 - hands on for local students
Thursday, January 21st 2010 @ 8:09 PM
As many of you know, this month I started graduate studies. I am in an MFA in Creative Writing program, and I just returned from a 10-day residency at Seaside. The fire in my belly for writing has been rekindled with a vengeance.
Interestingly, during this residency, I also realized that I NEED to do portrait photography. I didn’t realize just how passionate I was about capturing a person’s heart & soul through photographic art, but after a week away at grad school, I was pining to photograph someone. Thankfully, a couple of fellow students kindly offered to be models. Their images are included in this article – a shout-out to my new friends for rescuing me from the photographic doldrums!
What an eye-opening experience. Because I discovered that not only am I passionate about writing AND photography, I also realized just how much I love to teach. I have returned with a renewed determination to nurture beginning photographers, so that they can express THEIR passions through photography. I am so excited to continue the adventure of MyPhotoMentor.com, and I am also starting local photography classes.
Camera 101 begins Saturday, February 20, from 1-3:30 pm. This monthly series will begin at the very beginning and grow with my students. The first topic is See the Light. We’ll start in my studio, talking about light and how to ‘see’ it. Then we’ll continue on to Deepwood Park, where we’ll practice nature and portrait photography. It’s going to be fun!
What are your goals, dreams, and passions for this new year? I hope you’re off to as exciting a start as I am!
