How Did I Get Here?

This is the first photo in a self portrait personal photography project I just started.

Before it was completed I shared it with my (almost 7 year old) son and began discussing it. Yes, we discuss photography often. In fact we love having ChromeCast scroll through images and we talk about them. He has been able to identify images created with a slow shutter speed and say how he can tell for a couple of years!

Back to the point though, as I talked about how I created the sky and water scene then I continued saying “I placed the rock there…” and he said “So you wonder – How did they get there?” (Gasp!) This amazing little guy understands me and my thought processes completely!

The inspiration to try something like this came from the wildly enchanting, surreal and magical images of Josh Adamski.  You can see his work on Facebook , Instagram or on his website here. Also, I am beginning to work on an “Inspiring People” series where I am sure he will be featured. Although (I think) I figured out the premise behind his methods, my attempt at the technique fell far short of the beauty he creates. This experience has once again “shown me how I can soak up their [other artists’] work, digest it and let it flow back out of my mind and hands in altered way that makes it mine.” Find out more about the book that brought me to that realization here.

I attempted this image to complete a photography challenge using a “Creative” technique. Before I added the white drawings it seemed to lack something. The path to adding the drawings started because my entry was to be shown projected on a black background and I thought it would be interesting if the edges weren’t just straight. So I began creating some elements in Adobe Illustrator. As I worked, the vector graphics grew and dominated the image. For me it changed the message of this image. My original title (without the white graphics) was “Future” where it seemed that we were looking at that person in an open vastness looking forward to a future of opportunity. Now the title is “Dream Your World” and I feel it makes that little person much less passive and gives her the power and control to create the world where she wants to live.

So, how did I get here? I have always enjoyed making, creating and sharing ideas. In college I studied Marketing and Advertising and began my career copywriting. Working with Graphic Designers lured me to try my hand at that side of the creative marketing process. Later, as a stay at home mom I began to explore my interest in photography. Now that my youngest child is almost old enough to be in school for a full day I am searching for a way to be able to financially contribute to supporting my family while still being home on sick days, snow days, school vacations and during the summer. I am working to create my own work-from-home, “sharing creativity” dream world. I truly appreciate your interest and support here at TypicalCheryl.com.

Please take a moment to leave a comment below and sign up for my email list here. I look forward to sharing creativity with you!

What Next?

Myakka TrailHere I am. Talking to myself!

Again.

This blog has been a plan for longer than I care to admit. Now I am here. Thinking… What should I say?

This photo was taken in 2007 while I explored Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, Florida. As I walked (I remember) not knowing what I would find next – and I was eager to find out. Now I realize my photography and mindset while shooting has changed a lot since this was taken. I still like this photo and the way I post-processed it to accentuate details, saturate the colors and give it a soft, dreamy feeling back then. It seems appropriately symbolic now.

So I sit here trying to figure out what to say, “What is next?” because I have ideas and projects I want to share. I am inspired everyday by so many other interesting and generous people who share their ideas, work, thoughts, projects and processes. They demystify things that are unknown to me so I can learn, grow and enrich my own world. My hope is that I can do that for you too.

And yes, as I write this is only a message to me, myself and I. Surely this  journey will be all those things to me. However, my hope is this path will lead me to many other wonderful, interesting people so we can connect. Will it be you?

If you would like to see “What’s next?” please connect with me and subscribe here.