When I asked you, kind readers, last week what you do to mix things up when in a creative slump, I got some really excellent feedback. Thank you so much. It's given me much to think about and the idea that sometimes thinking is not what I should be doing.
On the same day I took the bird photos in the last post, I has wandered around the house taking random shots. This one of our fireplace mantel reminded me of pleasant vacations in the Pacific Northwest with my friend, Cyndemouse. When I took this photo of her on the Dungeness Spit on the Olympic Peninsula, at the time I was documenting the rocks we were prohibited from collecting as souveniers. Since then, I've loved the image for the slanting late afternoon light and her outstretched hand which always offers me new delights of friendship and comraderie. Those stones are time worn and smoothed just like our many years of friendship. The photo behind that one, is an all time favorite of mine. I was flattered when Getty Images invited me to start marketing some of the photos I've posted on Flickr. This is one of the photos they chose. I haven't decided if I want to license Getty to sell my images as stock. But the offer seemed like the creative validation I needed to get me over the hump.
That small photo of me as a child amongst my mother's rose bushes was taken by my father. I think it is so interesting that although I did not spend many of my years in his company, I somehow inherited his love for photography.
I'm going up to Providence, RI this weekend to tour the Johnson & Wales campus. I'm going to bring a camera with me. Which one, is not yet decided. Your comments in the last week (especially the other Magpie's) helped me realize the gear is not the main attraction. Thanks for that!
I've been taking naps lately, drinking genmacha tea, burning incense, cooking for a friend, walking the boardwalk, making fresh carrot/ginger/apple/celery/parsley, baking up a storm, storyboarding an idea for an Indian themed catered event and peering every day into the garden for signs of life.
What's new with you?
oh! have fun in providence and take lots of photos for me!
Posted by: m. heart | Friday, March 13, 2009 at 08:41 AM
That's great that Getty wants to market your images, Rachel! That a good boost to the spirit. :)
What's new with me...I just wrote a little piece for a magazine on "the rituals before creating", or how to get back into the creative spirit. Oddly enough, it was a good kick in the butt for me TO start creating again. The first step is always the hardest for me but as long as I have a coffee, music and take that first step, I'll be okay.
Posted by: susanna | Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 10:09 PM