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've long been getting requests to do some creative workshops here in the metroplex. This summer I wanted to bring you something focused on photography for all levels. I don't even mind if you bring your PHONE! Creativity is within us and comes through us. I hope to take you through a journey pieced together in creativity, learning community with each other and getting out of your own box. One of the top things that can hold us back is simply being BURNED OUT. We are overworked, stressed and running out of steam. I want to bring you back to a place where you seek out the passions that drive you and ignite your creativity to give yourself a fresh perspective on life, photography and business.
Invest in yourself, Invest in your passion. Join me August 7th for 2 different sessions at Art is Life Studio, Richardson TX. Session 1: 1pm-4pm Session 2: 5pm-8pm Add-on: One on One mentoring to be used 30 days after the workshop. You can do a half day or full day option. Both sessions will be different, but still helpful to you as you are building creativity & photography. Full information on the sessions are coming soon.
The one on one mentoring is your chance to hash out some questions, ideas and things that you have been either burned out on or stuck about. I can help you with creative solutions, ideas and help you get to another place in your creativity.
SESSION 1: (1-4pm) Purpose: exploring your why Business: Marketing health check Creativity: taking your idea to make it happen - (hands on shooting)
SESSION 2: (5-8pm) Burnout: getting stuck in the cycle and learning how to jump out Business: how is your brand? Creativity: building community through collaboration (hands on shooting)
(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 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.
My biggest challenge will always be to walk through the
vices of comparison.We know it
well.Our good friend *comparison* that tells us we are “less than” because we
didn’t get that THING whatever that THING might be.I am watching all of my baby buddies have no
issues and all the other new babies being born.AGAIN.Déjà vu?Didn’t I go through this last year????… YEA.
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 met the LOVELY Virginiaat a photography convention in North
Carolina.Ifound from the get-go she was a wealth of life, knowledge and experience unlike
any other person I had ever met!I wasSO 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 usartists 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 friendsthat need this inspiration!
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.
We can all experience burnout and enter survival mode. What takes us to the breaking point? Where do we blur the lines of doing too little or doing too much? How can we "rest" in all of our madness of daily life? A Creative Retreat is a time set aside for building up confidence, rest and peace in our lives! It is a SECURED and sound time of imparting into each other as creatives and building up our energy level.
Here are my top 5 reasons you should MAKE time to attend a Creative Retreat!
#1 – Finding
hidden dreams:When we are busy
with life we forget to dream.Maybe the
dreams are so deeply buried that we think we don’t have anything else to pull
out!A retreat helps you focus into your
dreams and dig them back out to shine!Your dreams are unique only to you and only YOU can access them!
#2 – Meeting fellow dreamers and creatives!:There is nothing like making new and inspired
friendships all over the world.When we
sit with each other and share our dreams you find connections with others you
may never have had before!Sometimes, in
those relationships we find more of who we are and are inspired to help and
encourage others!
#3 – Quiet time :There are a lot of artisans that think this
is a foreign language.With the
household chores, family and businesses…we don’t know what “quiet time” really
means.A retreat gives you that
opportunity to carve out time set aside for quiet and reflection.One of the most powerful things that fills us
up…is quiet time.Don’t run from it,
embrace it and you will find your heart singing and welcoming you into a deeper
peace and rest than you have ever experienced!
#4 – Stretching
your imagination!:A creative
retreat can introduce you to new techniques, new tools and innovative idea
makers that bring you into a new level of understanding your craft and
yourself.Even doing the SIMPLEST tasks
you can find inspiration and growth throughout!Sometimes the BIGGEST idea is in the smallest tasks.
#5 – Restoring a
sense of FUN:We sometimes get
so caught up in our personal rules, regulations and daily grind – we forget to
have FUN.A retreat can re-introduce
that child-like wonder and adventure that we all crave but don’t allow ourselves
to enjoy.When was the last time you did
something or went somewhere with just the point of making an adventure?A creative retreat gives you that opportunity
to create your OWN adventure as well as a group experience.
The making of a Destiny inspired outfit - with emphasis on the Apotheosis Veil :)
I have been SO EXCITED to see how this year is shaping out. I have spent a good portion of January offline and letting myself create, see and hear differently. I can see how my perspective almost immediately can change when I remove distractions (forcefully) from my life. I have a lot of things cooking that I'm really excited about as well as moving into some new ideas and directions for my life. I have this huge underlying passion to CONNECT and INSPIRE other people, but also remain who I am...and being real. I like the exploration of the dark side and the light side. I like knowing that I'm allowed to feel distress, but not let it take over my life. I like that I need to learn how to let love rule in my heart so I can also love others. On the non-deep, but fun side...I have been working really really hard on a project for comicon. I've never done anything THIS grand before in my costuming or outfits. Sometimes I don't create unless I have a MISSION to complete WITH that creation! Well, here we are...the weekend of the Fan Expo of the Dallas Comicon....and I have mostly completed by Destiny inspired outfit!!!!! I can' wait to share the FULL pictures with you...but for now...here is where I have come from....
pre-liminary ideas - found and borrowed items.
just to give you an idea....i really dig most of the looks in Destiny.....but found my inspiration to build from!
from a child's thor costume
this is me testing the metal framing.
my main inspiration was the mirrored mask part....the rest I'm trying to fill in as i go...to stay close to the main design...
decided to make the pleats...because the side picture showed ridges!
making the "ear" pieces...i sprayed them copper
the "framing" for the helmet - weather stripping & something cheap at craft store - a rope like thing.
realizing i cut them all wrong..i'm putting it together the best i can...
how i underglued felt so the fabric wouldn't melt...yes, i did that a LOT just making the pleats!
used a youtube for the cardboard/masking tape frame - the mask was my main inspiration
for the gauntlets - my interpretation of it anyways.
a more finished look for them!
my first BURN.
see how it all comes together??? WOW!
Now, i'm added the back piece to smooth out my mess.
Had a coupon for mechanic gloves...and these are the gauntlets
back end of my MESS :) dont' worry i fix it.
this turned out SO GOOD from the side!!!!
my solution for the AMAZING details on the front...it works!
during the last segment...i completely burned my middle finger so bad....you can see the blister. :)
Thank you for stopping by!!! This has been a BLAST!!!! I can't wait to update you all on the final FINAL outfit and product....but just making the helmet was AMAZING!!!!! Hard work & determination! WOW! haahahahhaah :) I have much much respect for fashion and costume designers. Always have!!!!
Normally I have not been inspired by bubble wrap....
People do things with it...u know, make DRESSES....make unconventional items...but itz really just used for packing items so they don't break or break themselves and all that.
Here lately I've been really inspired by these BUBBLE WRAPS coming in....I really was kinda impressed by some of these packaging designs and looks! I have started making some art of these things...and letting myself just create a look or feel BASED on this bubble wrap. I like seeing what lighting and textures can do just by using something I would not normally see.
And so far..................here is some ART I made............................
And last nite, I explored the GREEN bubble wrap with myself in self portraits.
These self portraits are actually in the simplistic stage. The only thing I did on the top picture was adjust coloring and "fill" the sides where the bubble wrap stopped. The black and white was was just cropped and used a preset in Lightroom to get a look that I wanted! I loved using this mirror in my bathroom to create some weirdness and yet *proppyness* of the wrap.
The only wrap I haven't explored yet is that last one there. The one that is a slightly compact, NON drape version of its cousins. :)
What item has inspired you this week?
What have you CREATED from it???
