A Tribe Called Women...

This blog post began on July the 20th of 2014. I was inspired by Brooke Shield's old movies Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon that would be my point of origin but the shoot fell flat. It was cloudy, rainy and I felt it had no dimension. Or maybe I had no dimension at the moment. At times I wonder if I am solar powered. My Pretty Baby was more like a scene of Rosemary's Baby and my Blue Lagoon was more like the Black Lagoon...

Unconciously... I deleted the files only keeping 3 images and I begged Amy to reshoot. 

I gave her the excuse that most give... It's not you... It's me.

She asked "Are you breaking up with me?!"

To which I quickly reply  "No, I just need a break".

And a break I took...

:::Enter Deedee:::

There are people that come into your life and without any explanation they enhace your life and reality bring happiness and laughter as if breathing life into you. There are beings that come into our lives and turn a dull day into nothing but beauty... That's Deedee. A tribal dance teacher and my make up artist for many of my shoots. A single mom finishing her Masters degree... she is perfect.

:::Thank You:::

Amy thank you for whispering the words primtive and Niema and for the many lessons.

Niema thank you for your vulnerability and spirit. I am honored.

I, now proudly present to you the production and creation of a small tribe of women...

The Tribe...

Models : Amy H., Niema R.

MUAH & Styling : Deedee C.

Photography: Adriana Iris

Location: Our Village aka Savvy, GA

“It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman...

Phenomenally.”   

Maya Angelou

Tribe

Walk The Line...

There has been weddings, concerts, a haircut, dinners, parties and many cocktails...

There has been artists, dancers, singers and many poets...

It has been a while since I wrote and allow my thought process to be poured on these pages and I have missed it. These pages represent to me silence and stillness. I stay up all night but I can't seem to quiet my mind... I blame it on the moon and the stars. I have return to self and with a dance of my fingertips I let my spirit be free and open if only for a moment.

About my latest conceptual photos... 

1. Not all have been published for I will somehow be showing many images that have yet to be seen at my imaginary gallery show that one day will happen.

2. I know I am supposed to allow you to think and find a meaning to whatever I create but...The series of images that will follow are nothing but a whispered scream. The following images to me represent femininity, satire and strength. I was inspired by Kay and for the things she never got to say and because deep within I know she had a great sense of humor. I was inspired by so many survivors and women across the world. I was inspired by the many women that settle because they feel they are not enough. 

3. The following images are a whispered protest for the many times...

I walked next to a pig instead of loving myself.

Walk The Line...

Model: Wendy P.  
MUA & Dress: Deedee C.

Pig:  Amos

Photography: Adriana Iris

“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.”

Thanks Wendy P. and of course Amos which by the way... 
He is way sweeter than most pigs I've come across...

Stay Sweet...

Be Mine...

Fact is, the day when we celebrate love may have darker origins. Ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia on Feb. 13-15. The feast involved animal sacrifices and whipping women, thought to make them more fertile. During the times before Christianity and where most of our celebrations come from which are Pagan traditions their ways were far more complex.

Today many of us are jaded and cynical towards the holiday. We have allowed material possessions to be  the reflection of ourselves and the defining factor of our success. When in reality none of us get what we need from anyone unless we provide it for ourselves. 

My favorite thing about this Valentine's Day specifically is the cover for a local and free newspaper. I shot the image in the company of my longtime friend Cathy. The model was Janay a local writer and journalist which one day will pen the next great American novel. The art director for the day was Heather and I have a feeling I've made a friend for life. I even found the way to include Nicole Edge, a local dress designer that if you knew her many talents you would think she is Super girl. An all female cast for the production of a cover.  How's that for fertility?!?!

.

Today, some crave chocolates and roses. 

Today, I crave love...self love and empowerment.

Today, I celebrate...

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Weekend.

What It Feels Like For A Girl...

When I showed up to do a photo shoot with Caitlyn and Ashley the concept was still hazy in my head. That's the thing about photography. You think you have a clear concept but that would be just one sided. For me to create an image that is unique the soul of the model has to shine through. When I saw Caitlyn bend her gender and reality it was clear Madonna would be the vibe, the point of contact and my visual connection to the outcome of the shoot. One of my favorite Madonna songs would be What it feels like for a girl...

The opening lyrics goes something like this...

Girls can wear jeans

And cut their hair short

Wear shirts and boots

'Cause it's OK to be a boy

But for a boy to look like a girl is degrading

'Cause you think that being a girl is degrading

But secretly you'd love to know what it's like

Wouldn't you

What it feels like for a girl...

What it feels like...

Models: Ashley & Caitlyn

Wardrobe: Private Collection

Photography: Moi.

Strong inside but you don't know it

Good little girls they never show it

When you open up your mouth to speak

Could you be a little weak

Hysteria...

Each time I feel compressed and stressed I find a place to go. I could stay in bed but my mind says go. You might not know that I am a trained Yogi and I could have told my head to stay but my body said go. I went on a hike while my stomach was empty on a hot July. A tribe of five embarked on this 4 mile hike. A walk which would separate the fit and the strongest. The unwilling and the weak. I knew it would be an adventure. My kids ages are : 21, 13 and 3. 

Instead of learning about them I learned about myself.

I am in chaos and self-doubts. I feel too strongly and I am changing rapidly. I am sad and I am happy. I am in a hurry and I am relaxed.
I used to be full like the Supermoon. I no longer move along with the cycles of the moon.  
My uterus must be wandering and this is what they used to call... Hysteria.

Doe

In nine days, I turn forty one. Noticed I decided to spell it out... no shortcuts. I've begun to feel this urgency within every pore of my being. Every cell that makes up this body of mine feels the need to create and go places I have never been. Some might say I have began to feel mortality. You are right. But I began to feel it three winters ago. This? This is a quiet sense of knowing that I can't turn back time. I now feel as if all my previous experiences have integrated within. Swinging my body and dancing along the spiraling cycles of the earth. Stillness. A calm and very steady power. 

I will be heading to the mountains where I have decided to shout into all four directions. Hopefully the mountains will echo sounds that will heal my soul. Because truth is I have received the opportunity to become free of society’s untruths about woman and aging. I knew my rebellious spirit would help along the way. I now will walk more attuned with nature and with myself and have begun a new gestation period. I have lost the sense of outer connection and now it has been contained within. My inner fire burns brighter than ever and I am ready to create and transform.

Instagram freak...

I have a friend to celebrate this weekend and more adventures until then...

 Stay Sweet.