Why Self Portraits?

This week I had two different conversations with friends about self portraits. The questions were both the same: "why do I take pictures of myself?" I get the feeling that most people who aren't into photography think it's some sort of vanity project when in reality it actually has nothing to do with vanity or being vain. I thought I would blog a post about what I see as the benefits of self portraiture and why I choose to express myself this way.

Besides the obvious reasons of expressing myself as an artist and documenting a moment in my life, taking self portraits is a lesson in self-love and self-acceptance. We are bombarded with images of what society deems to be perfection but there is no such thing. Especially true for women, we are made to feel "less than" by commercial and print ads telling us that we will never be beautiful enough, tall enough or thin enough to walk the runway at a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. We look in the mirror and see our flaws. My hips carry too much fat, my age spots are getting darker, a new wrinkle has shown up below my lip. 

Taking self portraits is a fun and silly thing. Running back and forth to the camera, trying to get the focus where you want it, working different poses, smiles, funny faces. You notice your boob hanging out or your underwear showing. You giggle at yourself. For a few minutes, your inner child comes out to play as you pose like your favorite movie star or model. Then, when you look back at your self portraits, you see the little adventure you took yourself on in order to achieve the image. Your not looking at your crooked smile or lazy eye. You don't notice the laugh lines or those extra holiday pounds. You see YOU. The unique, beautiful, fun, silly YOU. And you realize I am enough. 

You can take your image into a free program like Picnik or even Photoshop and make art out of your self portrait. Change the tones, make it high key, low key, turn it to black and white. Blur out your wonky bits and if that wrinkle really bugs you, then go ahead and erase it. It's not about the end result, but about the journey you took to get there. And Photoshop is healthier and cheaper than plastic surgery. ;)

I encourage all of you who read this post to take a self portrait. If you've never taken one before, the first one is a little scary but once you post it, you will discover that others don't see the flaws that you see and that you are most likely too hard on yourself. As you begin to lose the fears, the walls come down and you become open to self acceptance, to self love. And that is a precious gift to yourself. 

*my little journey for these self portraits included taking about 20 shots with the word JOY backwards before I realized it and nearly bringing the tree down as I tripped over the light cord. That's what I see when I look at these...my silly, clumsy self...but, I love her anyways. :)

'Tis the Season!

I had a wonderful weekend Christmas shopping with my friend Loraine and tree shopping with my hubby!

While visiting the first Christmas tree lot, my bullshit meter was going off the charts as the sales guy tried to rope us into a bigger tree by telling us the tree we picked out originally was actually spray painted with toxic chemicals that would kill my cats if they ate it. Say what?? Dude, I may be blonde but I ain't stupid! So onward we went to the next lot and found a most beautiful tree, smelling so freshly of forest pine.

The tree is now up, scenting the whole house with the smell of winter and Christmas; a few gifts have been wrapped, and some cute Christmas costume accessories were purchased. I'm sure they will show up in a couple of self portraits between now and Christmas Eve! Until then, I hope you all are enjoying the season, getting into the spirit and spreading that Christmas magic to all those around you! I took all these images this weekend while out shopping. I've decided to go BIG on my blog...I like the look! What do you all think? Now, I just need to design a new blog header for 2011. :)

Christmas Magic...yes, please!

Christmas Ornament Champagne. Try it, it's delicious. :)

Lunch at Brio Tuscan Grill

Reflections of Sephora...we got yelled at for taking this picture. Whatever! Scrooges! I hope the sales clerk gets coal in her stocking from Santa!

Santa Super Sleigh Bokeh

Baby, it's cold outside!

Supreme Pizza Soup and Whole Wheat Cheesy Garlic Bread

Baby, it's cold outside! Perfect time for some warm-your-body, good-for-your soul soup! This is a healthier option to Pizza, with the same great flavors but less calories, especially if you use Turkey sausage. Cook some up tonight. :)

Supreme pizza soup:

1/2 lb. Italian Sausage (I use Jenny-O turkey sausage which will save you about 90 calories)

3oz diced pepperoni (I used the pre-sliced and just dice them up into smaller pieces)

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 C sliced button mushrooms

1 C diced red onion

1/2 C diced red bell pepper

1/2 C diced green bell pepper

1 Tbsp. minced garlic 

1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

Salt and black pepper to taste

3 cans no-salt added diced tomatoes in juice (14.5oz each)

1 C Swanson's Organic reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/4 C black olive slices

In a large pot over medium-high heat brown sausage and pepperoni in oil for 5 minutes.

Drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Pour off all but 1Tbsp drippings and return to burner.

Add mushrooms and sauté until juices are released, about 3 minutes. Add onion, bell peppers, garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper flakes; cook for 5 minutes until veggies are soft. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomatoes, broth, olives and the reserved meat mixture. Simmer soup until heated through about 10-12 minutes.

Total time: 35 minutes

Makes 8 cups

Per cup: 181 Calories (less if you use Turkey sausage)

Whole Wheat Cheesy Garlic Bread

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1 premade 12" pizza crust (I use Boboli's whole wheat for a healthier option)

5oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

3 Fresh Basil leaves, thinly sliced

2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley or 1/4 tsp. dried parsley

Preheat over to 450°.

Melt butter with garlic in a small saucepan over low heat. Brush over pizza crust and top with mozzarella. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bake bread directly on over rack until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and parsley and slice into 8 wedges.

Total time: 40 minutes (includes preheating oven)

Makes: 8 wedges

Per wedge: 218 calories

Not So Wordless Wednesday: The Hills in the Highlands

The hills in the Highlands are bonnie, 

    With the light and the shadow at play; 

And the winds that make redder the heather 

    Far up on the cliff and the brae. 

The white clouds are floating above them, 

    Like snowdrifts that never can fall, 

The hills in the Highlands are bonnie, 

    The hills in the Highlands are braw!

~Alexander Anderson (translated by me!)

Ice Skating at Somerset House

Ice Skating at Somerset House
Originally uploaded by www.LKGPhoto.com

Feeling a bit of nostalgia for London at Christmastime, when she is dressed in her festive finery. I was there this time last year with my friend Jackie. It was a time for Gingerbread Lattes, Christmas Markets and a few hundred drunk Santa's roaming around.

I love this image of ice skating at Somerset House. Imagine skating 'round and 'round on a site that has played a role in history since the 16th century. There be ghosts amongst the skaters. :)

Blue

Blue

Exploration #13: Collecting Type

Exploration #13
Collecting Type
Document lettering you find out in the world. Take notes about where and when you found the samples.

I'm always taking pictures of signs, lettering and text. Sometimes it's just because the sign, words or colors are visually appealing to me or I might see a use for the text or lettering in digital art. Here are some "types of type" I have found, some old, some new. I tried to post a varied sample of different lettering styles. I've also posted where I found them.

Letters painted onto book covers and displayed in a bookstore window in Charleston, South Carolina

I love the type on this Art-o-mat machine. It reminds me of The Jetsons. If you've never had the experience of an Art-o-mat machine you must find one quick! Old cigarette machines are turned into art dispensers. For $5 you can pull out an original piece of art work from various artists around the world. It's so much fun to see what you get. Sometimes, the artists put little secret extras inside. It's almost like Cracker Jacks but without the calories! This one is located at The William Hasley Art Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Long Branch Saloon. I love the Western Type and I love the saloon. Whenever I take a trip back to my home town of Dodge City (yes, it's a real place and when I said I was going to "Get the hell out of Dodge" I actually meant it!) I come here to get a bottle of Sasparilla. And not the fake crap they sell at the grocery store. This is the real thing baby! and it's super delicious. I wish I had one right now.

Oh Boy! Schanpper's Hots!

A little roadside diner on Sanibel Island, Florida. They have delicious burgers and dogs but they don't have tables, chairs or booths. It's standing room only. I'm not a fan of standing around eating a dripping dog.

Well, now...I think the sign says it all. Cartoonish Type don't ya think?

Taken on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. No, I did not have one. I don't want a big ass!

Graffiti done with a typewriter type font which is one of my favorites. This was found on a wall in Charleston, South Carolina. Obviously, it's a good little city for this Exploration task!

I love this freely handwritten type. It was found on a pillow at The Paris Market in Savannah, Georgia.

I've used it to create visual art:

One good kiss can last a lifetime.

Drop shadow type which seems a bit whimsical for such a somber place!

Taken on Front Street, Dodge City, Kansas

Block Type which is paired with some cursive type, standard type and handwritten type. Whew.

With the colors added in my brain is on visual overload. I'll tell you a secret..shh..I like visual overload. :)

I love the type on this cafe sign. It's so Parisian even though it was taken in Conwy, Wales.

And, I must add...they serve best wild mushroom risotto ever. I'll be lucky enough to revisit here in the Springtime and you can bet I'll be ordering the risotto again!

I don't know what kind of Type this is but it reminds me of ancient Greece. Maybe because the "M" looks like the Parthenon? I actually took this for my friend Jackie because it's her last name and she's Scottish.

It was taken at  a centuries old pub in Aberdeen, Scotland. You know the kind...dark wood, big fireplaces, local characters with so many stories written on their faces...so haunted that patrons don't even bat an eye when a glass moves down the bar by itself. My mom and I were feeling the chills of souls gone by all during our meal. And, yes we enjoyed every minute of it!

Stenciled type taken with Lita during a Creative Saturday near Pompano Pier, Pompano Beach, Florida.

We'll have to take a trip back so I can stand on this parking block wearing a pair of cowboy boots. :)

Yay! It's Medieval type! And a great message..one I'm going to heed this holiday season!

Taken at the Florida Renaissance Festival, Coconut Creek, Florida.

Scallywag Type? I don't know what you call it so that's what I'm naming it. I love the curly cues on the end of some of the letters. Of course, everyone knows this is the sign above the entrance to Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean. One of my favorite rides ever. When I was a child and we would go to the one at Disneyland in California, there was this huge pile of treasure that you would ride by at the very beginning. I was mesmerized by all that shimmering gold. I think I may have actually drooled. Now that I'm thinking about it, I realize I must have been a pirate in another life. Yes, that's it. I'm sure of it. :)

A fitting way to end this blog post, don't ya think? Taken with Lita last Creative Friday in the parking lot of Champs Restaurant in Pompano Beach, Florida.

I hope this Exploration tasks helps you to look at type with new eyes. Now, grab your trusty camera and head out to take some pictures of signs! :)