Wrapping my Mind around Things

Good morning! I listed (and relisted) some photos in my Etsy shop yesterday, including this spinning wheel photo! Also, please check out my SALE!!!

I had a really nice weekend with an old friend. We had a great time. We took him to see Multnomah Falls, The Portland Saturday Market, and Powell's. Sunday we went shooting, and throughout the weekend we played lots of wii. I had to wrap my mind around the visit so many times. We had each grown, so much... and we were so not the same. This was my first love, my boyfriend for years, my confidante... and yes, I'm still trying to grasp the changes. None bad, per se... but we have grown so differently.

Anyway, I hope we can all make this the best Monday that we can!

Busy Busy Busy

I have an extremely busy weekend ahead of me. Packing up and mailing orders, hopefully making more journals. But most importantly, cleaning the house to get ready for an old friend to visit the following week. Oh, and grocery shopping. And a birthday party for a two year old. And target practice. I'm tired already!

I slept so well last night. Finally! Haven't slept well in a week. All I need to do now is get through today and tomorrow at work. Work has been pure hell this week. But I can do it.

I took the picture above while visiting my Dad in Utah. It's one of my favorite photos. I went out with my sister in law and we found this amazing tree... I must say, I really love trees. Soon I should take my camera out again...

Plans

I had a very busy long weekend. I finalized my online class and have been testing out a couple of different sites to host it on. It will basically be an artist empowerment course, helping you deal with fear, roadblocks, etc. So you can have all the tools you need to forge onward despite people and circumstances around you! I was hoping to begin in the middle of June, but I want to make sure to iron all the bugs out prior, so I will keep you posted on that! My class will be 6 weeks long and the only thing you'll need is a journal. Any journal, to write down your ideas, answer questions, work through things, etc.

I've kept my photography going, hanging my work in local places... but it really isn't my focus these days. I haven't sold a photo in forever, and the photography market on etsy is pretty saturated. I also have the issue with trying to sell locally that everyone has photos of the same stuff. The waterfalls, the same beaches, etc. That fact reminds me of my dream to be a travel photographer.

I hope to have a book out in the next year or so... perhaps I can do my travel photography while on my book tour :-). I have dreams. I have plans. And I have goals.

What would you like to share today?

My Goals

Amazing things began happening when I began saying yes. I have said yes to things I had never dreamed possible. Things I would have never dared ask for. I'm now the journal making for Connie's Art Journal Love Letters, I am working on an online class, and i am NOTICING the amazing things as they come to me.

I have some goals, and these may change as life happens (like if something amazing like the journal making comes along again), but I'd like to share them with you. I have 4 main goals:

1. To seek out more wholesale orders for my journals.
2. To have my online class launched in about a month.
3. To approach Bed and Breakfasts about displaying my photography.
4. To go down to 4 days a week at work.

I've stated them now. Those are my goals. I think I've come a little bit closer to attaining them just by stating them here. Want to join me by stating your goals?

The Right Balance

I had an amazing, refreshing weekend. It was the perfect balance of family, friends, and productivity. Quite amazing, really.

Today is the big unveil for the "new" products amongst my group of friends on Etsy. I enjoyed making mine yesterday. I will be posting my 5 new items throughout the day, so be sure to check out www.robynsart.etsy.com . One hint. My new products are not necessarily a new-to-me product. But... I will say less cookie cutter.

I took a lot of photos on Saturday. The mail goal was a sunset photo, but I took pics all day. If you'll remember, I've been struggling with not feeling the desire to take photos since Dad died. But I packed up my cameras and I did it. As I was setting up my tripod for the sunset pic, a friend pointed out a rainbow right behind me. I felt like that was Dad, blessing what I was doing.

I hope you all have an amazing week... try to find that balance.

New Day, New Opportunities

Yesterday I hung my photography at The White Rabbit Bakery in Aurora, Oregon. My work will be on display for the month of April, and if you're in the area, the pastries are more than worth the drive!

I have been amazingly productive this week. I set about 3 tasks to do each evening and I've been getting them done! By this week, I mean from Sunday on... yes, I do realize it's only Wednesday :-).

This weekend will bring amazing opportunities for me. I will tell you all about it really soon! Let's say *fingers crossed* that I may be VERY busy soon! And I will fill you in on it in a couple of days.

You know the no wounded birds rule? Well I've noticed a trend. When people I care about are whining, not taking responsibility, being less than they can be, etc... I don't sugar coat things, I don't hold it in. I just put it out there. If I see a duck, I call it a duck. It's making a difference in how people are reacting to me. I don't take on their issues and make all ok. It's going well.

I hope you do all you can to make today amazing!

Let the Healing Begin

The funerals are over, and all of the 'estate' stuff is starting to be dealt with. It's time for the healing. Yesterday I listed 2 new prints and am moving forward with orders and will resume journal making soon.

So much is in the air for family in Utah. My siblings whose lives were completely intertwined with Dad and my Stepmom. My heart breaks for them. They will get there though, where there lives can go on. Now is my time. Time for me to allow the healing to begin.

I had one request yesterday when they were having the family meeting. I wanted Dad's old Yashica camera. The one I've shown him using in a picture. The one he got before I was born and used for over 20 years. My stepsister says it doesn't work, but that was my request. It will be on it's way to me soon. It has no value, besides what it means to me.

But it means the world to me. Photography, and a love for it, was my connection with Dad. It's the one major thing that we shared. I will have it repaired if it doesn't work. I will learn how to use it. And I will see life through my Father's eyes.

This week will be busy, in preparation for spring break. Life is looking up!

Easing out

I'm going to list an edited version of this photo today. One where I made it look softer, older, more muted. I was just sitting here thinking about photography, and I have not been very friendly with my cameras lately. Hopefully Saturday I can change that. If not, then next week.

I get my keys to the new apartment on Sunday! And we will start moving stuff in. I am thrilled at starting this new part of my life. I do wish Dad was here to talk to about it. But I'll continue to write in my Dad journal. Last night was one of those nights. A night where exhaustion hit me, and I had reached for the phone to call Dad a little earlier in the evening. And I allowed the tears to come. It was ok.

I entered that travel photography contest. The grand prize is a trip for 2 to Hawaii for 5 days. The other prizes are pretty high dollar gift certificates to local camera shops. We watched "couples retreat" last night and it was filmed in Bora Bora. It is worth it to watch for the scenery alone. And though I've never had any desire to go to Hawaii, or Bora Bora, or such places, now I yearn to have that type of beauty around me.

We will see what the future holds. I am noticing a definite shift already, as I get closer to moving out of the home where guilt and manipulation are served for dinner.

Seeking Balance

I noticed yesterday that I'm an all-in kinda girl. Lately my thoughts have been on freelance writing, and writing my Round Table Discussions. I haven't taken a photo in at least a week, or even edited one.

When I took the above photo, we were at Multnomah Falls. I have photos from the same area from over a year ago. I've been struggling lately with seeing the same sights all the time. They are breathtaking and majestic. But I have captured them in the past. I think that's why I'm drawn to be a travel photographer and writer. I ache for the new. I plan on many new trips this summer, and hopefully it will be the start of something.

I don't want to stop doing photography. Yet I've shoved it to the back. I have had many people contact me about doing Round Table Discussions, but nothing concrete has been set up yet. Still, no photos.

I tried editing some photos last night, and probably would have been more successful, but other things came up and took precedence (mainly a lot of cleaning since we were just told our annual apartment inspection is today). This weekend I hope to find more time for editing and listing photos.

And more time to dream of places to photo. I am moving next month, it's only one town over, but there are new sites. Lots of discovery will occur, and I will take my camera.

Balance will not always elude me. I will find a way to make all of my dreams fit.

A Collaborative Blog Post

I've been writing a lot lately about the time I spend online, meeting fascinating people. I have been touched by many. I recently met a fellow photographer named Evan Ashenhurst on twitter. Through our conversations, we discovered some similarities... a similar sense of humour, similar interests (photography, obviously), and similar things that drive us nuts! Evan's blog can be found at www.blog.wam-art.com and he can be found on twitter here.

Evan and I recently collaborated on a blog post. It started with a conversation about the things people say to us at a craft show. It evolved into the following post: (Evan's answer's are in italic)

PLEASE NOTE: This is when we are talking to people that clearly have no idea what they are talking about when it s to photography. If you came up to me and said "I have a (insert camera type here) and i just got an awesome shot of (insert subject here) using my (insert techy lingo camera gear name here). Then we speak camera language to them

1. Did you take all of these photographs?

Nope, I downloaded them off the internet, aren't they GREAT??

Honestly i dont mind this one too much...normally I'm at a show and Melissa is there too and we both shoot. But when you're in my studio/gallery and i say "this wall is all my work and that wall is all Melissa's and you say "so you took that" i kinda feel like your either dumb or deaf

2. So you must have a really expensive camera huh?

Expensive is a relative term, how much did you buy that necklace for that you're wearing?

You idiot its not the camera its the photographer! The camera only helps a little bit. do you think you could just walk out and get `that` shot with my camera! there is more to it than that! there is practice there is time there is effort and there is waiting at the right place waiting for the right time to come along!

3. do you know Mr. X He's a photographer from the "area"?

by area they normaly mean 100 miles in any direction from where the show I'm at is...(i travel upto 4 hours for some shows meaning its like six hours from where i do business...and half the time i only get to the show because of GPS/Maps/Mapquest.

This is a *huge* area... that would be like being able to identify one kernel of corn in a bag of popcorn!

4. This *has* to be photoshopped, these colors are not natural.

Your Shirt had to be sewn with a sewing machine... thats just not a natural shape for fabric.

It was about my jellyfish photo. Completely unedited. Take that!

5. What kind of camera do you have?

I have three at home/with me.

A Kodak and an Olympus, what kind do you have?

6. What Camera Equipment do you have/use?

I have over thirty different pieces from tripods to cameras to lenses and other little pieces. (honestly if i say much more they get confused)

Cameras and tripods... then I see their 2-second attention waning.

7. This is a real photo (referring to their own photo), it hasn't been photoshopped.

So mine are fake because i have edited them slightly?/Ok explain to me how that photo is a fake.

Ditto.

8. Who does your printing?

Right im going to tell you who prints my photos so you can just look them up and see how much profit i make per piece right? Can i see your paystub please? Oh that's too personal? Well, so is my printer!

It's a trade secret. I had to find my own, if you'd like to be a photographer, do the work!

9. How has the show treated you? you make lots of cash yet?

So how's your job? How much do you make an hour? Oh, too much info? Take the hint!

ditto

10. How much money do you have sitting here between booth costs, inventory, travel costs and such?

How much did your nosejob cost? I realize that's a rude question, but once again, you're trying to figure out my profit margin. If you're doing the research to see if it's something you'd like to do, then go DO the research.

None of your business!/Enough/(only if there really nosey do they get what they will soon to believe the truth (" HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE" I guestimated the value if every piece of paper every photo/matte/frame right down to the last pen...(it was a dead show and after 20 minutes she wanted an answer...we came up with 2.2 million..and thats waaaaaay to much! but she wouldnt shutup...so i just had fun with it...it helped me do inventory anyway (she was counting sheets of paper and brochures and everything)

11. I have some photos that are just as good as these, maybe I should do a show.

Feel free to try it, but without the proper skill and research, you'll be throwing your money away!

Everyone can take a decent shot...but very few can take the perfect shot...I'm not saying mine are the perfect shot but unless you invested thousands of hours in those shots they probably won`t sell./

You cant just jump into it it takes careful planning to get all your ducks in a row...and i dont suggest putting all your eggs in one basket cuz if you suck..well..you're screwed!

12. How much did it cost you to be in this craft show?

None of your business!/Enough

ditto

13. How Much is your camer/gear worth?

None of your business!/Enough

ditto

14. Is this your final price?

Yes you cheap bastard! (My real response is something to the effect of "figure out everything you want and we will come to an agreement i dont mind making a deal If you are purchasing more then one piece" (better to make 20 bucks on three pieces then 30 on one right?))

Seriously?? This is not a flea market! I do not barter. My price is my price. But I will offer a deal if you purchase 3 or more prints.

15. How come you are always at the right place at the right time?

When you have 2 photographers standing infront of some tigers for 3 hours taking 750 pics each of the tigers you are bound to be there at the right time..eventually.(its always said about the below image thats blown up to 11X14 in a 16X20 matte/frame). To see what i ACTUALLY say go here! http://blog.wam-art.com/?p=56

One day of shooting yields thousands of shots, most are "off" for some reason. Most get trashed. But one or two usable shots in a day is good. I spend hours and days to make it look like I'm "always" in the right place at the right time!

Prep for a show

I dreamed last night about all the things I need to get done for the craft show. It's still a long list, but they are little things. So I'll list them out and start checking them off. Today I'm ordering the last of my photos. The 5X7's to mat, I'm having them printed locally. I am nervous about this show. My first show as a photographer. And my first show in the Portland area. I hope that it's the first of many.

I will be starting a newsletter up soon, and will have a signup at the show, amongst other places. It seems that so many of my actions these days are propelling me forward. My mindset is one that each action not only is for the moment I'm executing it, but also laying the groundwork for the future. In work, my personal life, and my photography business.

I need that. I need plans, and I need to be actively working towards moving forward. Without that plan, that movement, I lose will. Good thing I know that!

Through My Father's Eyes

These are just a few of Dad's photos that I have stored. He loves sunrises and sunsets. He is in the hospital again, I've been very worried about him and am not sleeping well. So instead of my words today, you get these beautiful images. Enjoy seeing the world through my Father's eyes.

Fasten Your Seatbelts!

As a general rule, there are two speeds in my life... crawling along and fasten your seatbelts! I'm embarking on one of those crazy times when I need to be buckled in. Today I'm signing up for a craft show Dec. 4th and 5th. It's local, it's with some good friends. And so far, I'll be the only photographer there.

I am thrilled beyond words... and majorly overwhelmed. But I know me. Today I will start making lists of all the preparations that need to be done, and I will start doing them. I started researching packaging yeserday, and have some sources bookmarked to order from. I also received some metallic prints in the mail that I will sell in the show.

That in itself was a funny bit of synchronicity. I never order prints until they are ordered. Then (depending on specifics of the order) I order them locally and mail them, or have them shipped directly from my lab. But the other day, I ordered 11 8X10 prints, to see how they look. 5 regular, 6 metallic. So I feel like I am a little ahead of the game.

More research today. And if you have any suggestions for items I need to have there, please do mention it! Or... for photos I must include...

Pay attention... listen to the signs of the universe. When you are ready, it will start throwing stuff your way.

Monday, Monday...

These are some of my recent photos. I got in some camera time over the weekend... not as much as I would have liked, but some. Most of these were just for fun. I hope you all have a great week!

Hooray for the weekend!

This has been a really long week. Tomorrow, rain or shine, I am going out with my cameras and getting some good shots. I just know that... remember my earlier post about 'showing up at the page'? If I go, I will get them. With the fall colors, the falling leaves, and the amazing barns and trees in my area, I'm all set. Or perhaps I'll go out by the wineries... the possibilities are endless.

I am also going to do some extra work on The Artist's Way, and possibly plan something special for the girls who are doing it with me... they are working so hard! It's the first time I've facilitated this, and it's really an amazing experience for me. It's leading me... new directions are around the bend. Lots of thoughts about what I want to be when I grow up.

I honestly feel like I'm kinda doing some groundwork now.... getting things in place. Like the pre-packing you do before you move. And the odd thing is... this time, as I'm doing the groundwork, I recognize it as such and I feel how important it is. I know I must do it mindfully and carefully, so I have a good base.

Thoughts are heavy today. Have a safe weekend... try to focus on being present.

Changes

I had a bit of fun yesterday editing photos. This version didn't quite make the cut to go into my shop, but I still like it.

I was feeling quite under the weather yesterday, but I still managed to talk to some wonderful friends online, edit photos, and list 3 of them. Oh yeah, caught up on my Artist's Way homework too!

Saturday, we went to Washougal to watch the boys race motocross. They had a tough time, because it was very muddy, but the day went well, no major injuries! Then we all went out to dinner, and I made kladkaka. They were oh so happy as they ended their day with video games.

I feel some new creative directions pulling me their way. Many things will be changing in my shop over the next few months. For instance, journals as I currently have listed may cease to be listed... maybe. That's the thought at this point in time... we will see where I am led.

Where are you being led creatively? Are you following or fighting it?

TGIF

I am so pleased that Friday is here. It's going to be a very busy weekend, but at least it won't include going to work. Don't get me wrong... I am not a work hater. I am a perfect fit for the job I have, and I do it well. I'm just always happy to have a couple days off, aren't we all?

I hope to have a lot of photography time in this weekend, though it may not be for my shop. Going to watch my boys' cousins play football on Saturday, and going to watch my boys race motocross on Sunday. So lots of photos of them.

I will, however, as always, get some creative shots in... I just can't help myself. I will also be completing week one of the artist's way. I'm already being led in some new directions on this journey... I can't wait to see where it takes me!

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend... do something fun!

Wordless Wednesday

New Photos

I added these photos to my shop over the weekend. Well, all except the wood duck, he will be added today. I went and took pictures yesterday, wandering through the woods at a local park. I had forgotten how exhilerating it is to go out, take photos, come home, upload them and get immediate feedback.

I have a friend with whom I can toss ideas around with and the things he comes up with are quite amazing. A true meeting-of-the-minds experience. Pretty breathtaking when that happens.

I'm bouncing all around today... I started The Artist's Way with 2 girlfriends yesterday. I have done the 12 week program 3 times in the past, and I am thrilled to be facilitating their journey this time!

This week will hopefully bring about some amazing creativity! Encourage one another!

Climbing Higher

This is the most recent print available in my shop... I took an old favorite of mine and added some editing... and there it is. Like I said, it's one of my favorites. I took it during a camping trip last year. Up above the stairs was a very small parking area, then you walk down the stairs, follow a trail, and go to your camp site. It was so enclosed... I loved it!

To me this photo shows one part of the journey we are all on. Trust me, those stairs started looking daunting as we were packing all our gear out of our site! But life is not best lived while strolling along a flat, straight road. Life is best when climbing those stairs or hiking up that mountain! And I love the brightness at the top of the stairs... no idea what it is from below, but we are led towards it. More often than not, we are rewarded.

I'm basically an optomistic person and choose to think there's a light at the end of the tunnel even when I can't see one. I know from past personal experience two things: that things will always get better when they are bad, and that I *need* to know there's a light at the end of the tunnel, so even if there wasn't one there before, there is now!

I am beginning The Artist's Way with some friends. I see a mountain before me, but I see a huge light at the top, and perhaps a nourishing tree as well... I wish you all well on the journeys you are on.