New conceptual work - using textures from our #deathofanoven

This last weekend we got our oooooold oven/stove/microwave replaced.  As we yanked it out and started tearing it down I noticed JUST how insanely dirty it was.  When the appliance is inside its comfy nook, you cannot see the GREASE DRIPS down the side!  I always knew - since we moved in there HAD to be grease somewhere there....because of our cabinets having some of it.

What i didn't know was just how fun these textures would be in my conceptual work!  
I took a variety of images to gather for future art....
the future...was TODAY!

Here is the back story.

As you can see - a vastly different age and color change here! :) 

I loved that old stove...I really did!  But we had pretty much used it til death.  

As we were dismantling the whole thing - the door was taken off...the microwave detached and all the pieces just lay in our driveway until moved to the front for pickup.  Here are some of the textures I grabbed!

It looks like a COMPLETE mess!!!!  I'm not sure who owned or rented the house before us - but there was soooo much grease. :)  We didn't even see how crazy it was in there until we moved it out! :) 

That all being said though, we really enjoyed this stove that was there in our home when we moved in.  We didn't even have to go buy one.  :)  It was a bonus being newly married and having one appliance already there.  

Here are two art pieces I made today using some of these textures!  
I look forward to creating more with you! 

What was YOUR last fun texture to work with?  Please share!

Jen


Pink Light Images
www.pinklightimages.com

The guts to walk away?

some folks won't have the guts to walk away from something...
just because of the excitement/flow/popularity....

but when you need to find something for just YOU....you kinda have to walk away from the hype...and listen within.

Punches of Pink episode 10 : Virginia

Presenting: “Punches of Pink” episode 10!

I met the LOVELY Virginia at a photography convention in North
Carolina.  I found from the get-go she was a wealth of life, knowledge and experience unlike
any other person I had ever met!  I was SO happy to connect with her in California
while I was in the area for a business academy.  I think her message is timely to not only myself but to so many of us artists who may daily struggle with who we are and HOW we are created.   

I’m so happy to present “Punches of Pink” episode 10!   
Please share with friends that need this inspiration!  

Subscribe to the playlist:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWGjtKIVDRgugchsRp9slMPRf4EDmm5Do

Pink Light Images

www.pinklightimages.com
Weddings– Portraits – Conceptual Artwork

A "light" series by Pink Light Images

Model: Erin Pribyl

Model: Ashley Petry

Introducing "Punches of Pink" my new inspirational web series!!!!

I cannot believe I forgot to BLOG about this!  Maybe it is because I've been so engrossed in meeting people in real life...that I've forgotten to take a few minutes to talk about what is happening in the NOW for 2016.  

For a lot of years in getting to know myself - I found that deep inside all along I've been an encourager.  When someone is sad or low...I want to help them up out of it...
When something is a battle...I will find ways to inspire myself or others to "punch" through and keep going and NEVER GIVE UP!  

I've waited a long time to figure out where my voice fits in an over-saturated world with too many noises.  After much thought and consideration...I felt it best to do a video "blog" web-series to showcase what I'm all about and what I would like to accomplish! 

Punches of Pink was a thought back when I would have many wisdom meetings with girlfriends.  I would always tend to share my life experiences or any wisdom I may have picked up along my life path.  Originally it was going to be a book, but last year I realized... I hardly READ books so why would I be in a hurry to WRITE one?  Not saying a book won't happen....but in reality...a video is much more "me!".  

THE BEGINNINGS

My good friend Angie sat with me at dinner one night.  We were doing our usual catch-up and wisdom passing of knowledge when she blurted out... "your book should be called Punches of Pink because these really quick pieces of wisdom are like a little PUNCH".  We also envisioned a pair of boxing gloves as the lead graphic.  At the time..i said "yea!"...and then filed it away as something for "ONE DAY". 

Now, what you don't know is...YEARS LATER...I would be introduced to boxing classes.  At the time I was meeting with Angie, I didn't know anything about classes like that nor had I sought them out.  But, my amazing friend Karla introduced me to it.  She felt it was probably my "soulmate" workout!  Boy, was she right!  I don't know what it is - but it is SO empowering to take charge of that bag for an hour of time.  Dripping sweat...so focused...so intense...knowing that you are fighting for your well-being in that time frame.  

In 2015 I had this DEEP DESIRE to want to be an inspirational (and creative) speaker.  I started sending out applications to events that  I would complement the lineup.  I never heard a yes or a no, but I sent them.  I put together at least THREE solid classes but didn't have an avenue to share them yet.  In October, during the attendance of the Promoting Passion convention in Boone NC...I started to see something forming in my mind.  It was like years upon years of dots were starting to connect.  Combined with inspirational speakers that I look up to like Brooke and MeRa Koh...I started seeing flashes of where I need to go next.   A podcast was too vocal.  A book was too "plain" and visual for me.  BUT a web-series... Yes, I think I found my outlet!  A visual representation of me, the passion and the PEOPLE I love connecting with.   

Punches of Pink was officially launched January 7th of 2016.  

In order to keep things simple for myself as a full-time photographer AND artist I wanted something that would be under 5 minutes long, give a "PUNCH" of wisdom and also bring in my community of friends to share theirs as well.    I also decided that releasing videos 3 times a month would give me enough diversity of content and challenge me as well on my personal artistry.  The reason I didn't pick a day of the week to do WEEKLY videos is because I felt that it wasn't me.  I'm random, I'm not scheduled, I'm not a robot or a routine...but I chose instead to focus on a number that inspired me.  "7".  So every video is released on the 7th, 17th, and 27th.  EASY.  Easy to remember and easy to diversify! 

These videos had an underlying purpose even from when I started my business in 2006.  
To Inspire.  
To Encourage.  
To Aspire.

I took a year long business course that helped me stir up ground for my business and WHY I wanted to start my business.  Those three key words were the depths of my heart and soul.  Photography was my tool!  So now, I'm adding speaking as another tool - I believe that when we use our voice - we change the atmosphere.  So, I'm going to do just that!  

Please subscribe to the Youtube channel if you want to keep up with the episodes.
Or on my Pink Light Images facebook page. 

I would love to hear what inspires you, encourages you and helps you to aspire to BE all you can be!  We all have a voice ....and we all have "punches" of wisdom to share!  

All the best to you,

Jen with Pink Light Images




Newest released episode :  Episode 3!
Becky with Irish Coffee Studio takes a few moments to share about her art & life.

The Promoting Passion Convention 2015: where WEIRD happens - part 1

Actually, WEIRD isn't too bad of a term if you know me.  I'd like to think I'm pretty out there and weird.  No matter where I am....THERE I am.  I try to immerse myself completely into something to learn, grow and be challenged.  When the Promoting Passion Convention came online...I guarantee you i was among the first to register.  I adore Brooke's spirit.  I adore being around like-minded people.  I knew that when she did a convention it would bring more people that I would meet and understand...and vice versa.

I for the life of me didn't remember if I had EVER been to North Carolina, but I figured why not now?  I was eager to reach out as soon as I could for room-mates and car-mates to drive from the aiport to the mountain.  I cannot say enough great things about both sets of ladies that I got to meet!  I'm so glad to have car-mated with Kyla, Rachael and Kristin!  And my roomies: Samantha P and Ani.  I feel that each person I got to be in close contact with were SO SPECIAL because we were all so like-hearted and like-minded.  That was so so so GREAT!  Ladies, you are awesome. 

We arrived to the mountain WAY after the sun went down...and I was so eager to get there knowing there were pre-convention convention things going on!  We made it JUST in time for dinner and ran over to the main hall to see a circle forming.  After I checked in and started eating like a mad woman...I had this URGE to go...."duck....duck.......... GOOSE!"

 As the arrivals began, our circle just got bigger and bigger and bigger.  We were starting to say things that were "surprising" about us...but I never got to say anything.  So, I just immersed myself into watching everyone else squirm and then we broke for the movie! :) 

I have to say it is always REFRESHING to see faces that you have seen ENDLESSLY online....but to see them in person?  Do you know JOY?  Well JOY is what I felt.  So excited to see all these faces together.  To see Brooke smiling and knowing she was working and playing at the same time. LOL!!!! 

I was fully excited for the INTIMATE setting we had created and just open to have fun and learn more about myself and others.  Creativity comes in so many forms...and I appreciate how different we all are in that.  But, we also have this commonality you know?  Was I really HERE for the next few days?  What would happen...what would it become?  What might I create? :) 

DAY ONE:  

I think the BEST opening statement I could have ever caught was being my unique WEIRD self. :)  Even among weird people I FEEL WEIRD!  WEIRDER!  I try not to let that dictate how I communicate - so this time I just let it all go.  I put down every expectation - every fear - every worry.....so I could be my VERY true and authentic self.  And I also determined at every meal - I would rotate tables and sit with different people EACH TIME.  Did anyone else do that?  I did.  I wanted to make sure I allowed myself to listen AND be heard all in one swoop.  :)

The fog and rain were a bit much for me at first...I simply forgot to pack ANYTHING remotely warm.  As the time went on and I realized how far we had to walk and how many STAIRS we had to climb...I changed my outfits every day to reflect that. lol!!  That last day though - I had my finished outfit already picked out. 
I was excited to hear from Mitch/Shalem about their creativity and how they approach ideas/photography!

One thing about their class - is it was over way too fast! haahaha! We didn't get to do another look because we simply ran out of time - but I had a blast getting to know their passions. :)

I don't recall what the rest of the day held....but I'm pretty sure it was awesome....especially towards the night-time when I met up with Mika.  Mika shared a fear with Brooke apparently and then shared a fear with me.  While watching Brooke work outside in pitch black and rain - I went back inside to talk to Mika again about facing the fear.  We walked out after finding an ice light to LIGHT her (because by now it was pitch black outside) and assisted by Krystal helped Mika with her very own photo shoot near the woods.  To the naked eye, you dont' see what is really happening.  You don't see the tears or the shaking...you see a woman FLYING in/around the woods facing the very real fear.   She will have to tell you the FEAR that faced.  I just know I was lucky to talk her into coming outside NEAR the woods, much less INTO the woods!!! :)  
(she saved that for post-convention)

As she kept leaping in the shot...she seemed to get less and less nervous about THAT area.  I loved that.  For me, I was watching someone face their fear using baby steps.  Just getting OUT THERE and facing it.  Thanks to Mika for trusting me to capture that moment...even if it was cold, rainy and dark! :)  Oh, and she borrowed Brooke's dress for it. :)  TEE HEE HEE!
Thus ended the evening for me....

My next blog will be part 2 :) 

Passionates, have you written about your experience yet? :)

Love Jen

The making of my "high fashion" styled pyramid head.

Hi everyone! Welcome to my little cosplay blog today!

I wanted to run through something VERY FUN I did for this year's comicon in addition to my Destiny Guardian!  In the matter of an afternoon - I decided to make the "travel size" version of Pyramid Head and his helmet.  The reason I made it travel size is because I was traveling to After Dark in Madison WI and I had some AMAZING ideas to turn this into a fashion style shoot!  Boy...did it ever meet my expectations!!!  Here is how I started the journey....

Inspiration:

I never played the video game, but I did see the movies BASED on the video games!  I was completely horrified by this character!  And what I do now, is start reading back stories on who they are, their purpose and whatnot.   I found this character to be horrific, as well as a guardian of sorts.  There was a dimension that he ruled and walked in.  I found inspiration in that!  I also found LOTS of tutorials on making helmets out of cardboard and masking tape.  So when I had made my Guardian Apotheosis Veil - I took that inspiration and started making the pyramid helmet.

Here I start with a basic paper template and lots of cardboard leftovers!!!!

By day two - I had pulled out my copper spray paint and started painting everything in sight!  Based upon the pictures I looked all over my house for scrap materials and things I would have to add as details!  It just so happened that popsicle sticks, beads and cabinet liners were the perfect mish mash to create the look!

You will also notice though - I screwed up on the bottom part of the helmet.  I didn't pay attention to the "lip" of the helmet on the bottom...and so I had to re-cut and re-tape the bottom part.  Oh well, we always learn by mistakes!!!!

Spray painted everything copper!!! Found a great metallic paint!!!

Cabinet liner

Starting to hot glue and add details - except the front is really messed up here :\

Found water bottle caps, popsicle sticks and beads to make the piping.

I also found some old grommets I had laying around.

This is my first fitting - I still don't have a way to wear it yet.

It is looking pretty awesome by now!!!  Just have to fix the bottom and attach to my head!

After the most of the majority of assembly - I flattened it back out and SHOVED it into my suitcase!  I traveled on the plane with the underpiece and then modeled it on my friend Jane Love the next evening for our photo shoot.  Here are our test shots to see the whole outfit together!

Model: Jane Love
Fashion Designer: RFD by Rachel Frank
Photography: Pink Light Images

And here was my FINAL art piece that I was ENTHUSIASTIC about!!!!!

 AMAZINGGGGGGGGG :) 

However, I was not complete - I had to complete another look I desired the next morning.  I took Chelsea over to the Capitol building and continued with the lighter high fashion version.  I was sooooo happy with how this turned out too! It was awesome! Check it out: 

Model: Chelsea Goers - dress provided by Jen Sulak

 Was deliriously happy with this travel size "suitcase" version!!! It was a great challenge and I loved working on it!!!!  

I then wore it myself to Comicon May 2015. :)  Enjoy!

Creativity never stops!

So here recently I watch a model's page and she sells cool stuff.

I nabbed this AMAZING orange wig that I look forward to working with....

I decided to work with it today in between some typical housework stuff.  I've been going through a massive organization streak and getting rid of stuff.  The purchases I've made are things that inspire me...no thinking...just GUT!!!!  I cannot wait to play with this.  I think I wish I could have long hair...but it is just too much to maintain... :) So i'm super super short...and play with wigs.

This could go so many ways...and I've been thinking about making a cosplay character inspired by this piece.  What do you think?  What characters have inspired you?  Did you create an outfit? Did you style makeup?  Let's talk!

Stay tuned later this week as I create some new things with new props I've never used.  I'm wanting to challenge myself on colors, smoky textures and new stories to tell.  I will aim to share with you soon about all this!  Thank you!

Love Jen