"Once"

Watched a movie that was recommended to me by the all knowing and powerful, Netflix. If you haven't stopped wasting your money on cable tv and just signed up for Netflix, I'd recommend it now. That in combination with FREE books and DVD and CD rentals from the library are more information than anyone could ever hope to take in. Plus reading a couple of choice Blogs or two. ;)

So this movie was about an Irish street musician who meets a girl and they make beautiful music together. What I loved most was that in real life the actors actually were musicians/actors and the won an Academy Award for the music that they wrote specifically for this movie. Listen to this song and you will know why:


As they wandered around the city I was reminded of the series "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset" starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke who were each actors/musicians who ad libbed 90% of the movies. Both worth checking out.

Blessed.

All things inspired have a tendency to come to me in the morning, before I've let the weight of the days tasks inside my head. Before I step to the computer to see how everyone else seems to be so far ahead of me. I tend to find my inspiration through quite moments of writing while drinking a cup of tea. I had the most perfect spot in my old apartment where I would read and write and drink my tea while feeling the sun filter through the shades. This self-portrait was born of those moments.



I remember reading somewhere a person who was saying that when they were young they felt the pressure to "have it all." Meaning the great apartment, the amazing relationship/family, a great career..all of the typical wants that people think will make them happy. Then she realized at a certain point that you can have it all, maybe just not at the same time. So then it becomes so important to truly value that which is before you. Count your blessings! I do believe I shouldn't free-write on the computer. In the years that I've been free-writing I take approximately 20 minutes (or longer) to write everything that appears in my thoughts. A to-do list, memories of dreams, things I want and things that sometimes just flow out of the pen beyond what I could've ever conjured up by allowing my thoughts to get involved. This is an amazing exercise to just move energy. For some reason I'm on the computer typing away today and I realized the reason I shouldn't do this on the computer is that:

#1 I can't see my handwriting.
#2 I never read back through my free-writing because if there's emotional things there's a tendency to get drawn back into them once you read it. Writing is a form of letting go
#3 I can't tell when I've reached my three pages!

So for all of these reasons I think I need to stick to the page for this exercise. But one of my to-do list items is to update my blog. I have a hard time thinking people actually want to read about my "stuff." Maybe there will be a day when I'm able to structure this more. Right now I just jumping from yoga to photography to free-writing ;) When all else fails, post some photos ;)

Enjoy your day!
May you realize the quality of your blessings...

"Love Music" Maternity Session

I couldn't be happier with how the images turned out in my latest triple maternity session! These girls are all affiliated with John Ralston's Invisible Music which is why I wanted to do a music themed image. The lucky babies have already been exposed to some of the greatest music in South Florida ;) Just watch this Invisible Music clip as an example:



Do you agree?

p.s. The clip was filmed by Robert Rutherford, aka "Gingerman" Please check out more of his clips as he's got great dedication to filming what music is what here in S. Florida. He's also a nice guy.

Inspirations Part I: Ernst Haas, Photographer

I first learned of phtographer Ernst Haas in one of my earliest classes while attending the Art Institute of Ft Lauderdale. I remember my instructor, Diane Blazy talking about how Haas was a photo-journalist for Life Magazine who was never really given assignments but was allowed to travel and send back his work for publication. If you see his images, you'll immediately know why. For example, the "Snow Lovers" image below was one of the first to capture my attention:

I feel the beauty is in the art of seeing the image in the frst place. Take a look at this image as well, another one of my favorites for it's abstract perfection, a black and white image entitled, "New Mexico":

There are so many more if you'd like to explore his work further at this website.

What is most intriguing is that along with Haas's photos, it seems to me that his philosophies are of great depth as well. His quotes have been especially inspirational as well which leads me to believe that much more in his artistic vision. Here are just a few of the quotes I have used in my journey as an artist;

"Photography is a bridge between science and art. It brings to science what it needs most,the artistic sence, and to art the proof that nothing can be imagined which cannot be matched in the counterpoints of nature."

"The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."

"There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are."

Fresh Art: Monica McGivern

When Collen Doughner of City Link Magazine called, I was a little concerned about the two cups of coffee I had just drank on an empty stomach. I am happy to share that she expertly sifted through my ramblings to create this piece about me as an artist:

Fresh Art: Monica McGivern

Did Andy Warhol predict this? I'd like to hope the "15 minutes of fame" allows me to showcase all of those people who have inspired me along the way!

My husband, for example...

of Montreal Polaroids

I'll be updating this with time. Wait isn't that the definition of a blog? What I mean is that I know I have a lot of fun of Montreal pictures that I'll be posting so be sure to check back in the future if you're interested. Thank you.

Keep Going Keep Going Keep Going....

I've been very fortunate these past couple of weeks to have had some attention from some very crafty writers. A lot of this attention has been garnered from the Lake Worth Photo Project series.

Article by Colleen Dougher of "City Link Magazine"

Article by Monica Uszerowicz of Broward/Palm Beach's New Times "County Grind"

Here's a photo I took of New Times' Courtney Hambright's article about the Lake Worth-It Music Festival.

This article also appeared online. Isn't that a great photo of John Ralston? (That was a trick because if you said yes I can now say:) I took it! After John's photo was done for the Lake Worth Photo Project, John asked me to do an impromptu photo session in Honeycomb.com creator, Steev Rullman's backyard. I don't want to get anyone's (MY) hopes up, but John said a photo from that session may go in his new cd.....

ANOTHER great write up from Courtney detailing the Lake Worth-It Music Fest can be found on her website, moodvane.com
The day after te festival was the first time I "officially" met Courtney, as I knew her name from various New Times reviews. This was the night I sang with fire Zuave as we and Sweet Bronco opened for of Montreal frontman, Kevin Barnes. This is what Courtney had to say about her night (again found on her blog):

"I went up early for the sound check, which put me in the path of Monica McGivern, with whom I spoke for about an hour. She’s the photographer/artist who did the black and white photos of Palm Beach musicians. I was slow to admit that I missed her exhibit at the festival. I was very happy to learn that she put the photos up on her website foodshelterart.She got up on stage to sing with Fire Zuave, and harmonized with frontman Chuck Andrews beautifully. Wow, how can one person have so many different talents? Spending a bit of one on one with Monica was one of my favorite experiences of the weekend."

Soo nice! I especially love what she said next as she referred to myself and New Times photographer, Ian Witlen, as rockstars who don't need guitars.

I've met so many interesting people through a shared love of music.......

Polaroids

I've been making a few digital "polaroids."
While preparing for a drive down to Miami to see bands "The Jameses" and "Guy Harvey", my friend Anita and I listen to "Rat People" by The Jameses. We really enjoy local bands. We also really enjoy local bands that are putting out LP's. Thanks guys. It was a very lively show! I personally find Miami a bit intimidating but am always intrigued each time I go...this show was worth the drive!

I found a free font online. I'm hoping it's not laced with viruses because I really enjoy being able to use my laptop. I have been known to spend hours at Barnes and Noble oogling fonts and graphic design color scheme books. I look forward to using this font to etch beautiful pixels across colorful images again and again....stay tuned!

Lake Worth Photo Project-Part IV of IV

Morgan Long
Nathan Jezek
Thomas Beals
Tiffany Jezek
Steev Rullman
Simone Puleo
Susan Snow
Terrence McBride
Paul J. McBride
Zachary Dewar

Lake Worth Photo Project-Part III

Jesse Dalton
John Ralston
Mitchell Myers
Jordy Asher Cruz
Jordan Pettingill
Julie Blumel
Kenzie Cooke
Michael Kaminski
Kevin Williams
Jon Glassman

Lake Worth Photo Project-Part II

Chuck Andrews
Dan Bonebrake
Evan Mui
David Barnard
Gene Pandolfi
Greg Lovell
Hannah Thorslund
Jeff Rose
Jeff Snow
Jeph Thorslund

Lake Worth Photo Project Part I

My latest project was exhibited last Saturday. I photographed 40 musicians from the Lake Worth area to begin a documentation project that I plan to continue. Next year around this time I'd like to put out a book. For now though, here are the 40 musicians together on a poster, plus the first ten individual images in the series:




Adam Sheetz
Anthony Dewar
Andrew Locke
Armand Ignelzi
Andrew McAusland
Brea Burney
Brian Davis
Carmen Kinze
Cecil Lunsford
Chris Cartrett and "Fannie"