Twenty One Pilots and some Art

Oh hey there!

I'm so excited because Twenty One Pilots released their new album Trench and it's so incredible and amazing!  I have been counting down for it and have had my headphones in the entire day so far.  Twenty One Pilots is quite popular which is out of the norm for me to listen to... I don't really enjoy most mainstream music... and I hate to say it but they are kinda mainstream. 

Tyler, the lead singer, is an incredible writer and his lyrics just hit me (and so many people).  He has some amazing things to say in his music and it's just so refreshing.  The music is so different too- there has not been a band that I have listened to like this.  Honestly, I put in any of their albums and I can listen to every. single. song. on it and I love each one of them (except the overplayed radio songs- they are a little old now).  If you know me, you know that music plays a huge part in my life and always has.  My dad loved music and raised me on so many good musicians.  I feel very lucky that I have the appreciation for it that I do. 
If you decide to listen to it- Chlorine and Pet Cheetah are my favorites so far!
So. Yeah. Totally excited!! :) :) :)


I also bit the bullet and bought myself an iPad and the Apple Pencil.  I downloaded procreate promptly and started playing around.  I decided to recreate a painting I did a little while ago and was really happy with how it turned out.   I can't wait to keep practicing with it. 

I actually feel very inspired by the new music I have been consistently streaming into my ears all day so I am excited to get to drawing some more.  

Relax

Hello!
If you read my blog you know by now that I have started a project, probably one too big for me right now, but hey, like I always say, "If my plate isn't too full, I'm not happy." Which is a lie. I hate when it's too full but I honestly just can't help it.  
Here is a quick refresher if you have no idea what I'm talking about. I am doing a project with my dog, my best friend - Chance! I've wanted to do a photos series with him for years now and when I bought an oracle deck (kinda like tarot just not as advanced) I was inspired to create my own and saw the opportunity to do this with him.  
So, here we are- third photo of the series! I would like to speed this project up but finding time to shoot and edit is hard- I actually shot this back in August :) I would like to have anywhere between 35-50 photos in the end depending on how I am feeling.  I do not, in anyway, want this to be a task or for it to make me frustrated or unhappy.  I truly believe you should do things that make you happy and that are fun ...cause what's the point if otherwise?  
SIDE NOTE: if you are a book reader, please pick up BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I linked it right there.  If you are searching for a creative life this is the book for you.  I can't begin to tell you just how magical and inspiring and helpful it really is! 

Back on track, sorry. Anyways, I took this at our cottage up north in Conneaut Lake, PA.  I lugged out our old kitchen chair took some photos on the old alley that runs between street and then ran back for chance in hopes that the wind would not knock over my camera.  He was not having it though- he wanted to sniff everything.  Even treats could not convince him to sit still for a photo.  Out of 50 photos, I really only had two to work with of him.  But - it all came together! YAY!


All of the photos in this project are full shots of Chance and I and I am getting a little bored with that (even thought that's how I had the card deck/project in my head). I'm not sure exactly where this is going and I may have to adjust some things when the end of the project comes but I am ready to embark on this project, full steam ahead!  I hope you all enjoy the photos and if you are reading this, thank you! I will have more coming soon!

 Before's and After

 And now...featuring... Mr. I can't sit still:

 Just kidding, I love that we do this together.  He is just excited! :) 

 Chomping on treats!

Focus

Hello! Hope you all had a lovely weekend! 

I decided to pick up my camera and start shooting some photos with Chance.  I've been wanting to do this project for a while with him.  I have always wanted a collection of photos of us in surreal situations.  Since I'm usually the one behind the camera, I don't have a lot of photos of Chance and I besides selfies I make him take with me.  

I was really inspired when I recently purchased Terri Foss's Oracle Deck: HERE.  I suddenly got the strong urge to create my own deck through my medium of Photography.  I have been wanting to do photos so badly again but I hate the task of putting makeup on and getting my hair done and blah blah blah.  I decided to show little of my face in these photos and make sure that chance would be in each one.  I think this would make it easier for people to relate to as well.  

If you scroll down to the photo with the word Focus written on it you will see that this would be the complete oracle card that would go in the deck.  Wait let me back up... you make be asking:  "what the hell is an oracle card/deck Shannon?"  Well here's a quick explanation: "Oracle cards, also known as wisdom cards and tarot cards, are cards used for divination, fortune-telling, astrology and spiritual guidance."

I started to read Tarot cards recently and decided it would be fun to try out oracle cards too:) 

I hope you enjoy the first photo of the set- I will make small posts of before and afters as I go through the project- I don't know how many I will decide to be in my deck yet but I don't need to just yet :) Enjoy!

Oh and here are some fun outtakes :)  

 

This is me. Trying to get Chance to look up!

I got a few good shots of him looking up but I ended up liking this one and went with it :) 

Goodnight all and here's to another work week :( Boooo!

What Makes Us Human - Overwhelmed

o·ver·whelm

ˌōvərˈ(h)welm/

verb

past tense: overwhelmed; past participle: overwhelmed

1. bury or drown beneath a huge mass.

   "the water flowed through to overwhelm the whole dam and the village beneath"

   synonyms:

   swamp, submerge, engulf, bury, deluge, flood, inundate "advancing sand dunes could overwhelm the village"

   • defeat completely.

     "his teams overwhelmed their opponents"

     synonyms:

     defeat (utterly/heavily), trounce, rout, beat (hollow), conquer, vanquish,be victorious over, triumph over, worst, overcome, overthrow, crush;More

   • give too much of a thing to (someone); inundate.

     "they were overwhelmed by farewell messages"

     Hello There. New Photo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I seriously forced myself to do this. LIFE HAS BEEN INSANE. I WANT to take photos but .... it's been the last on my list for some time.  I hate it.  Things have been insanely busy... or ...maybe I am distracting myself from other things in my life.  My job offered me an advancement and then they took it away (due to the law and hearing aid dispensing licensing) but DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST! It was awful.  I knew how much I COULD be making and how I'd have my own office.... It's been bad. I think I may drown myself in other things so that I can have some sort of control where other aspects of my life are whirling out of control.... 

     Anyways- this photo is suppose to represent the feeling of being overwhelmed.  I loved the colors of our tree outside and made Brian help me with the camera AND smoke bombs on Sunday.  We both smelled so awful afterwards and I immediately remembered why I hate working with smoke bombs SO MUCH! Plus, we live on a hill and we get wind like crazy so the smoke bomb would be going in the direction we needed, then all of a sudden it would go away from the camera.  It was a challenge, I had a small tantrum and I honestly thought I wasted a bunch of time gluing leaves to my face and hiding from the neighbors as they drove by.  I did force myself to edit it and try my best and I am really happy with the outcome! I HAVE TO STOP BEING SO HARD ON MYSELF.  

     I have not done a happy "what makes us human" photo yet but I will get there when I can truly feel the emotion I'm trying to convey.  This one I really was feeling at the time.  I hope you guys enjoy.  I think some friends and I are going to do another art show in a little over a year... I hope.  I will be doing the "What Makes Us Human" theme and I hope to use some other models in them as well.  I'd love to put together a book ... hmmm - Ideas rolling.

Life can be overwhelming a lot of the time I'm learning, but you just have to slow down. Force yourself to.  Force yourself to do something you love instead of sitting on it because of "other things going on." Trust me- if you make time, slow down and keep doing the things you love- life won't seem so overwhelming ;) 

<3 

Anywho- I hope you like this. 
Here are some outtakes and behing the scenes for your viewing laughter- I mean, pleasure. 

( I actually almost used the one above as the final photo- I just really liked it)

Yeah- DON'T HOLD SMOKE BOMBS IN YOUR HANDS- NOT SMART - Yes, I'm saying it's dangerous.

Thanks for reading <3

What Makes Us Human - Vulnerable

vul·ner·a·ble

ˈvəln(ə)rəb(ə)l/

adjective

1. susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.

   "we were in a vulnerable position"

   synonyms:

   helpless, defenseless, powerless, impotent, weak, susceptible "he was scared and vulnerable"

   • (of a person) in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, or risk of abuse or neglect.

     "employees must be better trained in how to deal with vulnerable young people"

   
   

     

      So- I really wanted the next photo in the series to be a happier one but it is the end of 

my "staycation" and we did a ton of work around the house and I have been feeling so 

happy about it...until today.  After realizing I had to go back to work tomorrow, I felt very sad, depressed and, well, vulnerable.  These are the things that make us human- these feelings- and sometimes it makes me realize there are some major things I need to change in my life.  Have any of you ever felt that you couldn't move on from something? How did you? If you are reading this, feel free to leave a comment below.  

     I feel overwhelmed with work, wedding planning, new house things, my to do lists and then spending time on hobbies, friend and family (the fun stuff).  I don't feel a balance and it makes me feel vulnerable and sometimes it's a little much.  I really hope you enjoy the new photo- It was fun to do on my last day off for a while. 

The paper airplanes signify all of those things in life headed for me or away from me.  The things I have to let go and the things that I have to let in.  If you are feeling at all this way -  It's totally okay! This is life and it's important to understand that EVERYTHING will not always be in a perfect balance.  Let it in and let it go!

Some other of my favorites from today:

Some behind the scenes photos:

1. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
          (below: before I worked with hues and saturation etc.)
   
   
   
   
   

1. 
   

Autumn Walk

This was seriously a spur of the moment, I NNEEEEDDD to shoot something creative photo- I really don't think I LOVE how it turned out, but I liked it. It was shot after work, in a bad mood and in a rush since I have a wedding I should be editing. I'm done with weddings. It sucks the life out of me. If I had six months to edit it- fine, but I can't do four weeks while working a full time job. I drive myself nuts. I think I'll just stick to the small stuff for now. Couples shoots, kids shoots and pet shoots. Anyways, I feel my creative juices bubbling up. Halloween is around the bend and I still don't have a costume ready- this is a BIG deal for me, I'm getting a new tattoo on the 18th from my friend that I haven't seen in way too long and am pretty excited about that, I am down officially 27lbs since I started my life change and we are looking for a house after we just got back from Aruba (I'll try to blog about Aruba at some point - next year lol)! My plate is too freaking full...I have a to do list that has been put aside for months and months and a doll I have been working on painting for almost a year now- yes, I said a doll. Everything I LOVE to do is always shoved to the side. This post will be positive- I'm going to vow that after I finish this wedding, I am making myself, FORCING myself to have "me" time for my creative juices. I'm just so full of confusion and I feel lost. I have STILL not found my place in life yet- it's frustrating. I can't wait to get a damn house. I can't wait to get organized and I can't wait to figure me out. Well my tattoo will be of the icelandic compass. It's pretty neat actually-maybe that will help me find my way!

So - back to this post about my photo- I'm starting to blog about life under my photography tab and that's not right ;) hahahaha Here is the before:

and the after:

Seriously ran outside to shoot in five minutes and was back inside- good news though- Chance took a big poop! TMI I know I know- thought it was funny though.

I hope you enjoy it! I may fiddle with it more when I have some time but I just needed to do something creative. With my buddy. My best friend

United by Art

North Hills Art Center

January 11th, 2014

UNITED BY ART

     

I had/have the best support system through my entire ride since I got asked to be a part of this gallery. It seems like such a small dream, but it was a dream and I DID IT! I however, could not have done it without my Mom, Dad and boyfriend! I cried, screamed, gave up a few times but got through it.  I forced the best out of myself which may have not been the best for me or my art but it happened!

     My mom- baked cookies, helped with food, packaged up so many things that I would have forgotten to take and helped with so much! She listened to me cry and even bitch about how I want to quit.  She supported me and told me to keep going and that it will all work out and it did- I should know by now that my mom is always right!!

      My Dad - picking up food from the store, finding me frames and mats and helping me type up what I needed for displays and even helped with my photos when I had no ideas.  He helped me with the gallery wire and showed me how to frame photos the proper way!  I know that he will always give me his honest opinion and it's just one more thing I love about him!

My parents KNEW how important this was to me!

     I also need to thank my boyfriend Brian for putting up with the mood swings and for helping me load everything into the car and unloading it and for standing out in the cold while I had him hold everything while I stood in the snow to take photos.

     I don't know what I'd do without these people!

      The artists that were in the show were all so talented and everyone's are was so different and unique, I felt honored to be a part of it! Plus, I made some new friends out of it and got to talk to people who like what I like!  I am so happy they invited me to be a part of the day!

      EVERYONE ELSE WHO CAME TO SUPPORT ME! I love you all- you are the best best best! To take the time out to support my passion is all anyone could ever ask for and I thank you a million times over! Plus I got to see some faces I haven't seen in some time which made my day! Thanks to you guys- our turn out was awesome! <3

     To everyone that couldn't make it but still supports me- THANK YOU! Without you guys, I would be lost- even the support you give me online does so much! <3

and to all of you that think my work sucks- ^#&$ YOU! Justtttt kidding. not really. ;)


     I love the feeling of prints and people actually enjoying my work - I wanted to hang a sign that I am not a narcissist. I think people got the point after I explained that I can't hire models and pay them and my free time after working all day for a Drs. Office is slim to none for photos, so I shoot when I can and usually I only have me, the doggie or my boyfriend at all times that I would need them! <3

     Anyways - another accomplishment in life but only thanks to everyone who supports me. Without you guys- I would not have come this far and would have given up a long time ago. THANK YOU for helping make my dreams come true! So- what new adventure awaits me next?! Whose with me?!

So- Time for photos of the gallery!

Art By: Ryan Shilley

Art By: Kate Cullen

Art By: Melissa Sines

Art By: Jenny Sines

Art By: Amy McKee

 I'm a dork...

 My Little Corner that I love! <3

 Our Food!  - we had wine too!

Our comment book!

 Ryan, Amy, Kate, Shannon, Melissa and Jenny!

 SO MUCH FUN! <3

I found this upstairs in the gallery and fell in LOVE! I think I can say yes to all 10! I gotta work on that!<3

And our turn out was great

Above Three Photos from Melissa Sines

I CAN'T THANK YOU ALL ENOUGH. I really truly can't. I love you all! 

If you couldn't make it to the opening- our art is there for TWO WEEKS! You can go down to view it!