The Promoting Passion Convention Part 2 - Bathroom Art

Promoting Passion Convention Day 2

I don't know.  There is a trend happening in my creative life for a couple of years now!  I end up making some very fun and very amazing images in various bathrooms. :)  Be it in stalls, walls or whatever!  Here we enter day 2 of the convention where the classes had a range of topics and things.

I remember showing up for the photo adventure I think, but don't have any evidence that I was there. :)  I think I was there mostly to watch and soak everything in.  I'm ok with just soaking.  Not everything had to be documented for me to enjoy myself.  I think I documented more the FIRST day than the second day.

The notes I took from day 2 go like this:

From Jennifer Thoreson:
Apple - people get the story right away.
Onion - there are layers, people stare longer and try to understand.

(rough notes)

Mitch and Shalem's "Love is Love:
I was soaking in the consults with the couples...because it was good to have a detailed question and answer open for discussion moment!  "Be true to the purpose".

Ok, so now back to the bathroom!!!!
After most of the classes and lectured ended - I grabbed Marsha and ended up in the bathroom where everyone was earlier in the convention photographing.

I looked at what Marsha had brought and decided on the white gown first.  It felt a bit modern with the lighting going on in the back wall area!

 

 As if Marsha wasn't already gorgeous enough - her hair was just addictively AWESOME!  And the dress itself was gloriously angelic almost. :)

 

Course, Marsha knows me a bit by now ...so she brought weird goggly things for me to play with!  I thought it was so neato with a super mod feeling.  I loved the blue lips, the crazy hair and the bug eyes.

It was quite a few moments here...where we had some visitors....

and finally...ending that part of our session with a little running around!

 

 While i took a break and waited for the panel session or somewhere in between... I convinced Amani to become Sia-like behind the fabric on the stage.  Just another weird flash vision that came to me during the convention!

 And as things came to a close...Marsha and I re-convened with some more ideas...and some I still haven't put together as of yet!  But I just have flow that happens.  Not everything has a story for me right away.  I just play with images and ideas until something finally HITS me! :)
Here are some of our weird things including other attendees of the convention!

 

But then, I forgot to mention that by this time..MeRa had made it to the mountain!  I was able to grab her for a few minutes before the final evening adventures.  Below here Brooke is setting up to capture her in some way of which I have no idea what the story was - I just knew it involved water, hair and a pane of glass. :)  

 

What a joy to see both Brooke and MeRa all in one place.  I adore those two women.  Both have been people I've looked at for examples of communication, story-telling and BIG HEARTS!!!! <3

 I ended my night with a creepy mask and working with Sally and her daughter Marsha.  We had a great time and just played.

 

Let's catch up shall we?

I do have a lot of things to share and write about....but I will get to Promoting Passion another time.  ...I do have much to share on that topic as well as some images I enjoyed making.

Today's blog....

Will the mountains speak just as much as the ocean? 

I find complete peace in the sounds of the ocean.  I cannot explain it...I just know it.  Every chance I get to STARE into the ocean...I will do it.  My last stare-session was in Maine this summer....with at least several different types of beaches I got to visit.  It was a huge personal accomplishment for me as my adventure is to always go see a few new places and maybe meet some new people.  Well, I did it!   Enjoyed many version of the waters.

Enter the MOUNTAIN of the Promoting Passion Convention....

When I was at the Promoting Passion convention we were completely covered in fog/rain for 4 solid days with the 5th day being an open sky with clouds moving fast out of our way.  It is called "Heavenly Mountain".  Now I felt a different connection there.  After being shielded from view for days...I was able to stare out and see just why they called them "blue ridge".  Just amazing really.

 Here is a time lapse I did of our stay there...in key points of our viewpoints on the sunniest day of the trip.  I stayed a whole extra day to enjoy the area....and boy.... did I!

I hope to report back these next 2 weeks about the mountains I'll be experiencing and the ART we will make from them.  I still remember the first time I flew to Seattle and sound the GRAND mountain staring back at me.  I said hello.  It smiled back.

Mountains? See you soon!

How to scare your friends and prove a point!!!

Ah, After Dark!  You’ve heard me mention this many times.  It inspires you!  You meet new people and your start getting into the groove about how far you can be yourself with these new people you have found.  

I was having a great conversation with my roomie at the time the LOVELY Rachel Frank  before all the classes started.  I had mentioned in passing that if I did not have pink hair I would go completely invisible.  I would be completely (and I mean completely) INCOGNITO!  She wasn’t so sure about that though…she seemed to think if someone really knew me, they would recognize me.  I decided it was time to prove that point and get inspired to do something wacky!!!!

I asked this lovely designer if I could have her style me up in her designs really quick like…and even do a touch of makeup so that I would be undetectable but also living my secret desire to be a “character”.  For some odd reason in my mind, I think After Dark was the perfect place to pull this off.  After all – I was only putting into action everything I had been taught. 

I grabbed a black wig I had brought and the rest was all designs & makeup by Rachel Frank. 

My commitment to character:

-completely covered my pink hair

-no glasses at all, I was blind – I mean blind!

-rachel and I wear the same size shoe, I even borrowed her shoes!

-took off my wedding ring and replaced it with her bunny rabbit ring

-borrowed rachel’s black bag and inserted by super color purse into it. 

I basically did everything to shed EVERY object in my personal wardrobe to make this happen. 

I began to get really really really excited to start scaring people.  At first though, I had to walk around like I fit in and was supposed to be there.  Now, mind you – I thought Brooke Shaden would be the funnest to scare, but I wasn’t sure where her class was.  Being blind and all, I was kinda hoping they were in the vicinity with a sign so I would find her class faster.  Would you believe…that as I came down the stairs I heard her voice and saw a blurry figure with long hair?  Her entire class was sitting at the bottom of the stairs learning about the $10 wardrobe.  TEE HEE HEE! 

I couldn’t see if anyone was staring at me because I was blind and I liked it that way.  I had to remind myself to maybe not even smile for a while just in case!  I found my way to the back of the class and plopped down to listen to what Brooke was teaching.  I was half-listening and half-thinking to myself as to WHEN to pop this on her.  I have this thing about NOT wanting to be disruptive so I had to carefully find that perfect moment to appear and “re-appear”.   I remember she took a picture and brought it around…and I leaned in as if I could see the image (I could not) and I giggled in the back asking a question of the girl beside me who DID recognize me when I spoke.  Then I waited some more…oh the JOY of what will happen….what will she do? What will she say? LOL

Brooke took another picture demonstrating the lighting and model and subject.  She asked everyone to come up and take a look at the camera on the tripod.  I slowly made my way up there as she commented “Come on all you slow people in the back!”…

I approached the camera and got in really really really close so I could actually REALLY see the image and then I looked at her with my eyes and said “I’m not slow!”.  The reaction on her face was priceless.  First, confusion for a second…then…a “wait what?’  At this point I can’t help laughing because the look on her face was true surprise.  Then the moment was over! She saw who I was! HAHAAH!!!!!  I told her “I’m just commiting to character, which you totally get right?”  Here is a picture of what I feel parts of her reactions were…they were truly priceless….

Then she was like, you totally have to leave my class!!!  I actually DID want to step out of the way now that I had proved my point and had a laugh.  She continued with the class and I continued on my way giggling that I’ve had so much fun just putting this together and proving a point to myself and teaching myself about character.  It was truly priceless.  I won’t ever forget that.  (yes, she DID forgive me later out of character---hahah She thought it was BRILLIANT.)

I began to move forward in a few of the other areas at Union Station and scared a few more people.  Brian Demint walked past and gave me a friendly hello til I pushed him further to recognize me.  Then he exclaimed “you look norrrmalll!!!! There is hope for you!!!”.  Haahahah!!!  That too, was priceless.   I definitely got a few more giggles in as I moved forward with my quest.  While I was finishing my scare with Dan Frievalt…Brooke Shaden walked past again and completely gave me that look of “you are totally freaking me out I’m SO not talking to you!!!”  Bahahah!!!  Ah, life is good!

I scared both Dena and Brian Demint - and this was a still from a small video capture by Muja Rupam

This next one I couldn’t stop laughing – even when I re-tell the story.  My friend Kelly told me I should follow Presley around and see if she would recognize me.  I took it a step further.  I obnoxiously tail-gated her while walking behind her.  I remember she walked into the room but then had to run back out for her phone charger!  I stayed literally on her until I bent over laughing at the stairs outside because she turned around and was like “excuse me!”  Then I said “heeeey”.  Hahaah!! I was like telling her I was purposely following her soooo close to the point of “personal space” being invaded that it was just too funny to bear.  She recognized me and forgave me, I think ? Did you Presley? LOL haahahaha  

Ok so after all the shenanigans – I realized I needed a decent picture of myself to capture this moment.  Thankfully the lovely Tonja was going to her next class and I asked her for a few minutes of her time and she obliged!  I finished out my character with a quick photo shoot and the results were so amazing! THANK YOU TONJA!!!!  

Image by Jason & Tonja - Designs/Styling/MUA: Rachel Frank, RFD

Thanks to everyone that made that last After Dark special.  I know I can be a handful, but doggonit I had a blast!!!! WOW!!!!!  Thanks to everyone that made this happen.

Credits:

Clothing/Makeup: RFD by Rachel Frank

Photography: Images by Jason and Tonja

Location: After Dark Education, Union Station Hotel St Louis MO

p.s. thanks to EVERYONE i scared - it was a blast. :) And to those that recognized me? THANKS! 

Full body shot by Jane Love (on her phone) 

And for the words in a more ANIMATED version, less texty............
herez a quick video comment!!!

New ART piece!!!!

I decided to make some time this evening for some art works that I've been needing to re-visit.  I try to live a life of balance and diversity....so I have to sometimes remind myself..." Hey Jen, get back to your ART too!!!"  ....

So here I am tonite...revisiting my images from the Underwater class at After Dark Education Union Station 2014.  The lovely Brooke Shaden took us through simple tips and tricks she learned over time, trial and error.  When it was MY turn....I envisioned something "geometrical" with her hands....nothing too floaty and nothing too whimsy.  I had 2 opportunities to shoot...and I had to just be ok with playing around and directing those 2 images. :)

So, this was my "first" image....she took a breath...and went down with her hands positioned. 
I snapped a few images...the lighting was setup great (overhead sunlight through skylight)...and a black backdrop was already in the water.

As I stared at the art - I wanted to bring my style into this image...but giving her 4 hands instead of 2.  I just liked some of my "test" images with her reflection at chin level too.  So i had a few images to play with here. 

I also had made a trip to the Missouri Botanical Garden and snapped some textures and objects to maybe use in future.  Little did I know....one of these snappy pictures would become her hat.  What do you think her hat is? :)

Enjoy this new piece. 

Following through with things you DON'T WANT TO DO.........

In January 2014 I was in St Louis attending the After Dark Intensive which was alllll about business and devoting LOTS of time to your business needs and wants. 

Now, of course, most of you know I took a lot of Brooke Shaden's classes this year.  Mostly because not only is she a great teacher....but she speaks a language I can understand.  In this world of overly-technical and overly-complicated messages - she comes through loud and clear about doing what you love.

BUT.

What about doing what you DON'T love?  Part of our brief exercise in one of her classes was writing down keywords and things that aren't AS inspiring or strong, but yet you write them down anyways.  Like for her?  If she was to shoot hot pink - it is not something she would choose. lol!!!!  For me?  darkness and darker monochrome things are harder for me to gravitate to.  So in class, I had jotted down some key words like "patent black"....which to be honest was just my PURSE I was staring at. LOL 

Out of the 2 columns I had a vision clearly in my head of something super fun...and unique and totally "me"...and then i had the other column.  The words that weren't my favorite, the visuals that weren't the most appealing...and then she challenged us to work on BOTH.

So, I give you the "darker" side of the words I chose.  This art piece was created from a petticoat I borrowed from Hallie Garcia, latex necklaces and a simple backdrop.   I had this vision of me walking through swirls of darkness and light and I'm doing my best to put that out there.  I added a small texture today that happened to be Brooke's footprints from our session at "Master your Craft".  To me, those have amazing texture and make GREAT ART. :)

So tell me - does this make sense?  I'm just a character in a story....and we are all reading one big book together..................

paving my own path....with swirls of dark and light.

the DREAM of Creative Live...part 4!! DAY TWO workshop!

Soooooooooooo we made it through day one.  We were inspired....kickstarted...excited...and can we say....feeling CREATIVE!!!???!!!!!

Our filming was going to be around the building that day....and one of the setups started inside one of the rooms of vines, branches and other goodies to build on.  She discussed a lot of sets, setups and more to build your picture (you gotta BUY THE CLASS) .  

I took some screen prints of the "scenes" we got to experience - but to really grasp what was going on - you have to just watch....every detail was IMPORTANT to creating the images that are in your mind!!!!

The following images are from the first segments....we are all very cold - but learning a TON via her great teaching style and imagination!!!!!  

Jane Love & Brooke

Setting a Scene

Interaction.

Behind the scenes

The seminary

The floor i was inspired by.

A view through the window.

Behind the scenes as we are moving into the first segment!

 Now BEFORE the segment came on - I decided to snag a picture with Brooke because I felt that out of all the outfits I've seen her in - this one had to be the top! lol  As I stood next to her she said the key words that I knew to be true.  "We are so US today".  I literally had to gleamingly say...YES...WE ARE!!!!!! 

"We are US today".

Behind the Scenes

At this point we are heading towards lunch break where I got to take THREE MINUTES with Jane the model....and think about a scene in this huge place to shoot her.  I had chosen a room that was literally across the hall from the studio setup.  So, I took a chance and got some ideas out.

This is my PRE-art to my final concept.  No major touchups - but I wanted to use this FLOOR soooo bad!!!! I was insanely in love with this "river" flowing on it.

After my 3 minutes was done......we had our next segments to go through.  We knew that this was the day where ONE would be outside...OH BOYYYYY :)  They gave us hand-warmers and I thought that was amazing.  I saved them for the very very coldest part of our day!  I had to remember to bundle up and get ready!!! OH YES.  IT was worth it.  Every bit!

Our segments outside - COLD!!!!!!!!!

A view of the seminary - SO MUCH to want to capture!!!

This place was quite awesome.

Both Aussie Jen and I were fascinated by this tower. We wished we could shoot up there.

It was so bright outside - NO CLOUDS. :)

The outdoor shooting went great OF COURSE!!!! I opted to just watch....I was kinda scared to jump in and help a bit. I guess I wanted to be sure everyone got their creativity in.  I just love watching how all of our diverse personalities worked together to help create a GREAT experience!!!  After the final sessions of the day - we met up for dinner at a Vegan restaurant to enjoy a big meal <3  It was actually really really good.

"chicken wings" - oh LORD that spicy sauce was good!!!

let's try it girls!!!!

We all got some great munchies!

And so our 2nd day ended with much laughter....GOOD FOOD and I didn't get to finish my 3rd "fish taco"....it got left in the fridge!!! AWWWWWWWWWW *cries* :) 

Jane and I ended our nite with a few silly and fun images of her magazine spreads!!!!  Both in Freque Magazine and Cloud Orchid!!! "I'm kind of a big deal in Wisconsin".....lots and LOTS of fun.

by day two....i was just getting blown away about how FAST this was all going!!!! super super super fast.  We got a good nite's sleep...to prep for DAY THREE.  Day Three was about to get really really fun. 

SHHHHHHHHHH don't tell anyone - but we stumbled into the setup for day Three's set! HAHAAHAHAHAHAHA  So we took a few moments to be goofy, take a few pictures...and play <3 

NEXT UP

DAY THREE of the workshop...................................

the dream of CREATIVE LIVE.........part 3!!!!! - DAY ONE WORKSHOP

Our day began....EARLY.

As most filming things I'm sure, you have to arrive to be sure you are setup for the filming of the show and we had breakfast available to us as we stood freezing in the building.  Amazingly enough - the main room we were in with the school desks was the warmest room in just about the whole building!

I remember being in awe of just being there.  The AWE of the drive from the Creative Live studio to the on-location filming for Brooke's classes.  There are soooo many more trees that I can dream of there in Seattle.  So TALL in fact...they just blow me away! I wished I had more time to really capture them!  Or take a walk in the forest.  I know now, I should have come in a day early. :) 

The first day is truly a bit of a blur.  I remember being really cold and I remember the greatness of the things I saw on the drive.  But would you believe - I didn't take one picture on the way! :)  Some of us got a tad car sick on the journey over so I know that I had to take a few minutes to warm up and "chill" at the same time to be ready.  Breakfast was pretty darn awesome...and soon it was time to be ready for filming.

day ONE - group picture! before it all began!

The crew was pretty awesome - they work really hard to get all the shots they want/need to capture the entire event.  Their challenge was just as great as ours:  working with the space they are given!  As photographers we are given that challenge often.  You have lighting to consider, posing and positioning of everything needed for the whole.  I appreciate that.  The additional challenge they have is the AUDIO.  So, if things were or were not broadcasting - they sure-fire did their best to fix it fast! God bless them!!!! :)

our lovely school chairs!!!!

Our introductions came way later into the show because we were needing to be on time.  So Brooke jumps in and just starts going.  I just love her presence and her ability to teach.  You can't help but not learn something - even if a small thing - from her as she talks about creativity, inspiration and life.  

For my clothing, I chose to wear layers that would hopefully keep me warm yet also reflect who I am inside.  I think I'm probably misunderstood in so many ways that maybe even I don't know.  I have this persona on the outside of "hey look at me" but in reality - I just like to be myself and not be noticed and "blend in".  It doesn't always work out that way though.  Now, thankfully Brooke sees me for who I am.  I love it when people "get" me a little quicker than trying to peel through the layers.  I have that gift too - I like seeing directly into someone's heart.  Given time, I'm sure I would have eventually gotten a better picture of a lot of people - but I'm kinda closed off sometimes! :) I just am.

Brooke picking one me - i had the scarf on ONE side because i didn't wannt cover my mic. SO COLD!

But in respect of opening up quickly - I gave everyone HEARTS with the sayings on them about love and hugs.  I had the idea to give something in thankfulness before the show even began - so I tried to hand out as much as I could before the show started.  I had forgotten how much it could mean for someone to hold an OBJECT in their hands and say THANK YOU...and AWWWWWW! :)   It was a great wake-up-call for me. :)

Brooke picked on me a bit for the show as we were given homework to complete BEFORE the filming. I was trying to pick 3 images that I loved the most and 3 images I liked the LEAST in my whole portfolio.  There was a moment where I didn't know WHAT she was going to ask - but I felt that I could communicate it so much better with just me and her asking and me telling.  It was like she was teacher and I was student and I was called on in class. lol!!!!!!  I can't thank her enough - she has a GIFT for helping me to open up about my passions.

Jane Love and I - i still can't believe we made it there together!!!!

 
Day 1 concluded and we drove back to the hotel.  I felt sooooo carsick though that I missed the trip to the vintage store and looking at props and goodies.  I stayed in for a bit at the hotel and just had a good time chilling and talking to the model Jane.  I have to say - day ONE was a great wrap. <3  There was soooo much more that went on - but you can buy the class on CREATIVE LIVE.  It is worth it.

Andrea having to describe a picture blindfolded - Jane modeling, Brooke picture-taking :)

stay tuned for part 4!!!!!!!!!!