A journey

Here is a bit of a read for you!  If you can sit through it I will greatly appreciate it and even give you a hug if I see you in person. :)

Well, I have been trying to define my art and my passion after a three year attempt at running a lifestyle photography business.  I love creating memories for people and so when I am asked to photograph a wedding, a newborn, a family, a high school senior, etc, I get excited and am happy to do it.  I will continue to do a select few of these happy sessions but I will be focusing on progressing my style and art.  

Since I have another job and two beautiful, young children my time is limited and I would rather put my extra time toward my dream.  I think dreams are so important. A favorite quote of mine come from George Lucas, "Dreams are extremely important.  You can't do it unless you imagine it." This is my art dream and I am ready to take the long road to attain it. 

I have always loved art and photography.  I knew I needed to go to college but did not know what I wanted to study.  I received a post card in the mail from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  On the cover of that card was a beautifully eerie photograph.  I stared at that image and something inside of me stirred.  My heart quickened and I knew this was the path I was supposed to follow.  I still have that post card!

I believe in God and I believe He has given each of us talents and gifts.  I know He gave me the talent for art.  I know He wants me to develop this talent.  I feel it in everything I do.  I pray about it and wonder about it.  I can't do anything in my life without thinking of art too.  This is not just a hobby, this is something I have to do, need to do.  I do not know everything the Lord has in store for me and I often ask what am I supposed to do with this talent?  Why is this so important?  I have not received answers to those prayers but I feel a push to pursue more.  I feel that some day it will be revealed to me why I am doing this but for now I work really hard to be better.  Every shoot I do I try new things.  I try because I need to learn more.  

Creating art fills me with joy.  Sometimes I cry and want to quit because it is difficult and friends and family do not understand it nor do they support it.  I lose facebook fans all the time, I get depressed but then it occurred to me, that it is okay.  Who cares? I want to find supporters that love me, that love that I create. Maybe they do not understand why I created that but they support my need to create.  Not everyone enjoys seeing my art.  That is okay too.  I know I will find those that do. 

Okay, what is my dream, you might ask?  Well, let me tell you. My dream is to be a world famous artist showing work in galleries across the globe.  You may scoff and say, "Fat chance." You may think this is a lofty goal and you would be right.  But why hold myself back just because a dream may seem too far to reach?  I do not expect this to happen overnight, but I know that it can and will happen through my hard work and diligence.  

Why am I sharing this?  I want everyone to know my plans because I could really use the support and encouragement. Will I do this even though I have no support?  Absolutely.  I do not need to prove to anyone, but myself that I can do this.  It would just be nice to have some cheerleaders along the way.  I would really like to share this journey with you, my family, my friends, my fans, my supporters.  Support groups are important to each and every one of us because we all need someone to talk to, confide in, ask for advice, and ultimately when things get difficult, and they will, you have someone to smack your bottom and say "Good game!  You can do it!" I know I will need all of these! ;)

So, the plan... Ahh!  I am so excited!  

2013: I said goodbye to bridal shows and lifestyle photography and started practicing my lighting and retouching.  I dabbled in beauty and fashion but my style keeps coming back to portraiture. I have been trying to expand my knowledge and skills to become better than I was.  I took sewing classes and eventually made a dress for a photo shoot, I was so proud!  I have done a lot of research and studying and finally made a plan.  I found my passion, I am still working on perfecting my craft but that is a lifetime progress. I am ready to take the plunge!  So here is my future...

2014: I will be working toward one fine art piece each month. By the end of the year I should have, well, 12 pieces that will be gallery worthy. It will be a series that will flow together, I hope! 

Once I have all 12 pieces finished I will be presenting them to the galleries that I will have already researched and contacted.  Then comes the crossing of fingers! 2015 will hopefully be my first gallery showing. 

Oh my goodness, I am so nervous!  This may not sound like a lot, 12 pieces in 12 months but each piece has hundreds of details that have to go into it.  The gathering process and assembly process and the finding models, clothes, etc. Did I mention I have $0 budget for this?  That's right, I do not have any money to put towards these images so everything will have to be donated, borrowed, traded, and handmade. 

If anyone wants to help with modeling, assembling, etc please, please, please do! All pieces will have a list of my supporters, models, hair stylists, makeup artists, clothing donators, etc. 

I think I will wait to announce my 12 part series title until I show you my first image.   :)  All of January I will be working hard to complete 1 of 12.  Check in with me to see how I am doing!  I will post some progress photos along the way.  If you check back here every Monday, starting in January, you will get to see my progress!

Thank you all for your support!  Wish me luck!   :D   :D

Here is a practice image that I did earlier this year.  It was the first image I did that was not my normal lifestyle based work. My first step toward my goal!