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
I was quite overjoyed to work with kateryna as a bride this time instead of a model! They brought me up from Texas to capture the entire wedding day full of Russian influences! The entire ceremony was all in Russian as well as the reception with LOTS of yummy foods! Here are some teasers!!!!
I revisited a folder from 11/11 - when I visited my friend Dale and worked with Jane Love again. That experience was so unique and fast. I was able to see things I hadn't seen before and create some images that really gave me a great memory to come home with. I'm the kind of person who plans very little (but has ideas)...and I love shooting in locations/outfits for HOURS. I sometimes have to STOP myself from the free-flow of creativity....
I felt this image here felt a little like a dust storm. My life right now is a semi-strong dust storm...where I can't see much in front of me but I'm still moving and standing on the rock which is a solid foundation. In these moments - I have much to be thankful for and MEMORIES that can NEVER be taken away.
"The Dust Maiden"
Model: Jane Love
Designer: RFD by Rachel Frank
MUA/Hair: Jane Love
Assisted by Dale Ralph
Denver CO
11/11/2016
(LtoR: Jane Love, Me, Chelsea Goers, Mary Poll and Dale Ralph)
When was the last time you tried something new?
In life I've found most comparisons we hear on podcasts, teachings,
preaching, video blogs, live feeds and more....we hear life is like a
mountain range. We have peaks and valleys. Have you ever considered
that in between those two points and ON those two points you may have to try something new?
There are a lot of emotions and challenges that come with pursuing our
passions. In that time of trying, questioning, doing and doubting we
may find simply that we need to TRY something new. The word try to me
doesn't say "succeed or fail", it simply says TRY. The action word.
REAL LIFE
In this behind-the-scenes main image (above) I was starting to have a
miscarriage. I didn't let it stop my creativity while I was in the
moment with my awesome creative cohorts. I tried something very bizarre
and new in the space and time I had been given as a photographer with a
model. I took the time to TRY something that seemed like it would lead
to nowhere. In the end, it led to LAUGHTER and many new weird ideas
forming. You can tell we are ALL engaged in the moment and trying to figure it all out together.
What is a new thing for you?
Is it a new class to learn something? A new area around your city to
explore? A new recipe to cook? Maybe a new fitness style class?
BURN OUT
I find myself burned out as a photographer only when it comes to
education in my industry. I value the instructors and their time and
talent, but I get so burned out easily when it is something that doesn't
inspire me to grow or be challenged. I step away and find something
ELSE creative to learn that enchances my OVERALL skill-set and I find a
happy place. That happy place my friends is trying something new.
Recently I just completed one of my favorite "Punches of Pink" episode 15.
It has one of my favorite people on the planet in it. Because of her,
I've learned more about storytelling than photography. There is just
something about passions at the core and what we try to communicate as
artists. I tried something new taking her courses on just that.
In that token as well, starting the new webseries "Punches of Pink" has been the most enlightening and rewarding experiences of my life. Mostly because its not all about ME.
I like bringing in the community of people I'm surrounded by to hear
and share their stories of inspiration or encouragement. This is
something I jumped out and TRIED this year, 2016.
Have you tried something new that has NOTHING to do with yourself?
What strengths do you possess that you have not ACCESSED because you haven't tried something new?
NEW THINGS = NEW COMMUNITY
I found a new avenue of creativity and community when I stopped thinking
of only myself and what I know. We should ALL be sharing things we
know with each other! We can all be celebrated in this moment that our
life story should be shared with each other. Our hurts, our deepest
desires, fears, joys, strengths and weaknesses. The moment we start to
worship someone that seems so perfect and has their life together - is
the moment we forget we have our own life to live and make GREAT. :)
Today, get out there and try something NEW.
It can be anything that has been hounding your heart/mind...
I'm betting you know exactly what it is!
Get out there, and find your greatness!
Love Jen
NEWS:
You can now listen to my podcast with NERD OUT LOUD episode 127 to hear how being a Blue Man Fan for the past 20 years has been a part of my story & art.
in case you missed this yesterday...i'm sorry it was SO LATE!!!!
"Punches of Pink" episode 14 - Angie - real talk about writing and comfort zones!
This is a dear long-time friend of mine whom I just adore! She is sharing a tad about some writing exercises she walked through as well assome insight on staying in your comfort zone. Hope you enjoy! I just love her giggles and smile!
In these moments leading up to what the calendar says is
Mother’s day I felt it only fitting to share where we are now and the journey
of healing since our 2nd miscarriage.
I find it hard to be in any sort of spotlight about this
personal experience…but I also know that so many people have dealt with, are
dealing with or WILL deal with this type of thing.Not everyone can say they were in the same
city, same time of year and around some of the same people when they had their
miscarriage.For whatever reason, I
was.
Both times I was surrounded by many creatives and we all had
various purposes for being there but one unified theme… to CONNECT.
Now that I’ve come through the worst part which was so
physically hard…I have come to the
emotional stage of healing.I started
the process at the last
video I shared online.We already
had received the news and begun grieving the day of the news.It hadn’t meant I gave up, it simply meant
emotions came POURING out of me.I
updated you on the actual week of the miscarriage and now I’m going to talk
about where I am now.
Over the last few weeks I’ve had plenty to keep me
busy!Being a full-time photographer and
artist I am always accessing this gift in any token at any given time.April was my busiest business month.I had
much to think about while preparing to serve my clients.The grief and doubts were overtaken by my
love of photography and servanthood to my couples.If I did have a moment?It was a private one in the comfort of my own
home or driving to the bridal show.I
broke down in tears when I was driving because I was jealous that God got to
meet my children and I didn’t.I don’t
even have a face of them…only their spirit.
At first, I couldn’t look at ANYONE’s pictures.The online world makes everything looks SO
perfect.I had to stop and shake myself
up a bit realizing again that my story is MINE and theirs is theirs.I’ve had to have MANY conversations with
others that want to lay things on me that aren’t mine.I have already had so many fears and doubts
about being a mom anyways – I don’t need any more heaped on me than I already
heaped onto myself.I’m doing better at
this – I can look at pictures with less triggering of deep emotional pains.
At this point, I could have gotten LOST in that negative
pattern of self-doubt and critical thinking.By lost I mean, LOST in thought…in emotion and completely de-railing myself
from my original purpose anyways.My
purpose will always be to submit to God’s will for my life and the journey I
will take as his friend and daughter.I
had to take a moment to realize that it is THIS journey that will speak volumes
to those hurting and lost in their own worlds of emotion, despair and
pain.Purpose is so much more than you
can ever put on paper.Purpose keeps me
alive and going.
How to not get LOST?
Shift your FOCUS:
I have found that walking through this has left me finding focus
into my many missions and purposes here.I don’t have just the “one”.I
didn’t dream of being a mom a gazillion years ago.We just decided it was time to walk that
path!I didn’t worship that desire nor
did I completely shut it down.I think
there is a healthy focus when you remember that you have purpose and get
focused on walking that purpose.Find
that great in between place where you don’t obsess about it but don’t
necessarily shelf it either.
Walk THROUGH it not around it.
My biggest revelations to my own self while walking this has
been to NOT avoid emotions and the feelings involved with this.(or avoid this blog & video) You have to
walk through the challenge and not around it.Strength comes as your work these “muscles” in spirit, emotion, body and
mind.Not once in this space will I say
“oh this is sooooo easy”.NO NO NO
NO.It is the hardest thing I’ve done so
far.Working through dealing with people
AND my own emotions have been soooo BRUTAL.
Give yourself time.
I’m the kind of person that really really does want to move
on.Whatever it takes?I like moving on and forward.I like sitting still sometimes and really
being IN that moment, but ultimately I want to move forward and not fall into a
pit of despair and stay there.I am just
at a month out from my actual physical miscarriage and I can say I feel like it
has been 3 months.My mind, body, spirit
have been steadily filled and growing as I move actively in my healing process.I even took myself to a movie to have a big
huge cry!Yep, I took myself to My Big
Fat Greek Wedding 2 and cried almost the whole movie.
Look for the LIGHT:
When I’m in creation mode I am consistently using light as a
focus point just as much as shadow.I
like diving into dark things, but I don’t want to live there.The light in my life has been God’s love
every step of the way.In that light, I
know I have the freedom to do all of the above and MORE.Healing is not a one-person job…it takes help
and it takes asking for help to heal.I’ve been so blessed to have amazing angels around me that help me sort
things out and LET me process the way I know I can.The artist in me knows that creating ART
through pain heals.I get out my best
emotions and ideas in places of strain, struggle and hopelessness.Find that light in your life…and shine bright
like the star you are! The light will
also help guide you through the dark forests and mountains.
Make LOTS of artwork:
Even if you are not an artist…using art as a medium to heal
is super powerful.I have dived into
paper mache, photography, writing and movie watching as many tools that help me
process things.Your inspiration and
story can come through various mediums so don’t limit yourself to just
ONE.Even a silly little jewelry making event
can be so liberating to your creative soul.Feed that creativity, don’t starve it.Do something using your hands!Create through the deepest fibers and watch how your heart soars.
Where are we now?
Healing.I am healing
in all the ways I can heal.I am
processing one thing at a time.I am
moving forward.I am talking to my
midwife/doctor.I am continuing to live
with purpose.I am making artwork and I
am RESTING.I got a tattoo for my 2nd
baby over a week ago.I am healing from
that too.
Take the time to reach out to someone today if you know they
are struggling with loss – tell them you care and are thinking of them.
On Mother’s day, think just a tad bigger than having the
physical children.Some of us “mother”
many other people in this world and that too, should be celebrated.
I love seeing couples in love! It has been so awesome to see Winston get married off! They BOTH did very well! What an AMAZING couple!!!! Here's some of the love! Congrats you guys!!!
I tell you - I love love LOVE the chance to meet couples that I connect with! They decided to get married at the aquarium...it is quirky....funky and something you dont see everyday! I wanted to share with you some of the images I made while working the day! I have a blast with my clients when we get to collaborate on ideas and of course...spend time in the shark tunnel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!
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!
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.
Yay! I can finally share the engagements! They were keeping it a secret until they told everyone! Yippee!!! I've known Kateryna since she was a young girl and now she is all grown up! Congrats you two!
I am back from San Diego this week!!!!
I wanted to share a couple of teasers with you...I'm so excited to share this amazing wedding with you in the next few weeks....
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
