Ok, so I couldn't keep up, but...

...you can continue to follow my self-portraits here. I haven't given up! :)

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Self Portrait :: {15} feeling strangely present in my body while walking up and down the aisles of Target

standing in the rug section of the home department.
i am neither running ahead of my myself
or trying to drag myself to catch up.
while looking at welcome mats, i realized that
i was actually standing in the center of my being

noticing what it feels like to be here now.

365 Days of Self Portraits :: A Challenge

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Self Portrait :: {14} an attempt at off-setting frustration with a long walk in blue muck-boots

'nuf said.

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Self Portrait :: {13} anything is possible...

...when you choose your life's direction.

just about to turn out the lights after an especially good day. sweet dreaming....with the knowing that it will all come true.

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Self Portrait :: {12} saying bon voyage to "Big Love"

"Big Love" has hereby been SOLD! Today I sold one of my most very favorite paintings I've ever done. It has now been delivered to its new home--and such a perfect home, it is! Even so, a proper goodbye was in order. I'm not sad, because I know that there are many more where this one came from...but it felt necessary to soak in as much of its color, love and inspiration as possible.

"Big Love" taught me how important it is to trust my instincts and to make sure that I allow time to occasionally paint just for myself. That is, after all, where the best paintings come from!

36" x 48" :: Oil on Canvas

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Self Portrait :: {11} words will find my way

taking the leap

into unknown territory

broken down ballrooms

walking in the rain

hope

sisters

a little bird told me

words will find my way.

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Self Portrait :: {10} wild horse heart

don't know where it will lead, but following it anyway.

today i agreed to an opportunity for a 5 day photo shoot with horses outside of jackson hole, wyoming. i think i've just given myself over to the other side...and it feels good.

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Self Portrait :: {9} finding my inner calm

...because I know that everything I do or need or want can be more easily attained from a place of relaxation.

And a quote by Rumi, just because...
"If you could get rid of yourself just once, the secret of secrets would open to you. The face of the unknown, hidden beyond the universe would appear on the mirror of your perception."~ Rumi

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Self Portrait :: {8} happiness depends on ourselves

Spent the day in the studio working on a vision board and writing in my journal. 13 pages later and I'm realizing that I've only just barely scratched the surface. I'm entering a new phase in my life and it's nothing less than scarey as hell--but I've had a lot of practice in the bravery department and so I'll tuck Aristotle's words in my back pocket and, know that if my life turns out anything like my vision board, it will be filled to the brim with vibrancy, freedom, adventure and wild blooms.

I'm scared. But happiness depends on myself.

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Self Portrait :: {7} animalistic joy

my wolfie girl, anu, and i shared a joy-filled moment in the studio together after playing in the snow. my dogs bring unexpected amounts of happiness into my life and today was no exception. welcome to a moment in my love-filled life. love fills all of our lives--the trick is simply in noticing it.

xo

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Self Portrait :: {6} well hello, little visitor

my little cat, viscosa, came to say hello while i sat answering emails.

sweet girl...so nice to see you. :) what's that you're saying? oh, yes, hmmm...i see. xo

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Self Portrait :: {5} late night nurture huddle

nurture huddle: support of the best kind. a group of friends that i've shared a bi-weekly conference call with for the past two years. we are four, and our locations span all of north america. we're a group of creatively inspired women who wanted a safe and supportive space to help hold ourself accountable for our visions and dreams. since beginning, we've evolved into something so much more.

through good times and bad, we've been there for each other--to support, laugh, cry, whine, babble, bitch and celebrate. successes and challenges--huge and small. i made tonight's call from a grocery story parking lot.

the best thing about the nurture huddle? being able to show up as ourselves, wherever we're at--nothing more, nothing less.

365 Days of Self Portraits :: A Challenge

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Self Portrait :: {4} happiness hotel

Starting the day out right.

and other important choices before 10am.

365 Days of Self Portraits :: A Challenge

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Self Portrait :: {3} :: self realization in two parts

Part I:
Attempting to run away from myself (my thoughts, a heavy heart, the pain that accompanies change). Escapism is a wonderful concept--in theory. I breathe deep or not at all and run towards the closest thing to nothing that I can find...

which leads to...

Part II:
The Self Return. Or rather, a return to Self. Let's face it: there is no running away. I am pulled back to myself as if by a chord on the back of an old toy and, in the process, find myself experiencing unexpected, cellular level JOY. It snuck up on me.

In the foreground, camera ticking and dogs barking. A flock of geese above. These are parts you cannot see.

This life--it is a process. Today I decided that it's OK to experience joy, especially in the tiny, unexpected moments. After all, this is what allows happiness to sneak back in.

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Self Portrait :: {2} :: night studio with johnny cash

Sometimes I feel my soul turn inside out.

365 Days of Self Portraits :: A Challenge

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Self Portrait :: {1} :: start where you are

"Shine and Follow."

365 Days of Self Portraits :: A Challenge

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