Pretty Things

Pretty Things 2013/2010

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Toy Story 2011/2008

Toy Story 2011/2008

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39 Weeks

39 Weeks 

Digital Photography Series

2014

I photographed this series called '39 Weeks' one week away from my pregnancy due date. There was no makeup, no retouching (as usual, I like to get what I want in-camera as opposed to post production) utilizing natural morning light. My pregnancy was a beautiful and wild surprise, and was quite the journey. I was diagnosed with "hyperemisis gravidarim" at about 9 weeks. Which means I experienced what felt like that worst hangover of my life, every day for 4 months then continuous nausea for the remaining 5 months. Two trips to the emergency room in which I had to have IV fluids right away to rehydrate my body, as I couldn't even hold water down. I thought I was dying several times, and was totally shocked each time the doctors and nurses said that the baby and I were totally healthy. I've never felt such Joy and complete anguish, at the same time. I swore to myself that I would take self portraits at least once, during my pregnancy, however I endured so many physical challenges it almost never happened. There I was, 39 weeks, and one sunny summer morning where the light was angelic. I had gained a lot of weight since I discovered carbs were my only remedy. I typically practiced (and practice) a whole food vegetarian natural health diet, however, quickly went for the scones, muffins, and mango nectar to survive. All my romantic, spiritual, natural pregnancy dreams pre-baby belly were reconciled with quite abruptly. Thank Goddess for my Spirituality, as I vow that Prayers, Affirmations, Aromatherapy, and Crystal therapy were what kept me alive. One sunny morning, I felt pretty good, and the light was exquisite, so I waddled to get my tri-pod, camera, and remote release and seized the moment. I focused on all the Love in my Heart and started photographing. I seriously had the thought I might not survive the birth, so I better take these photos now. All along both baby and I kept getting great health reports and a natural pregnancy was predicted. However, many days felt like my last. I successfully naturally birthed my daughter Aspen 4 days after her due date, 11hours labor and 20 minutes pushing! When the nurses said push, I was seriously ready. Aspen is now 4 years old and a healthy miracle in every way. She's bright, strong and full of Love. We nursed for 18 months and co-slept for 3 years, naturally graduating each developmental step. Motherhood is the wildest experience I've ever had, and I've had quite a few!! I Give Thanks each and every day for her gifting me with Motherhood and this totally transformative experience. The most important lesson I've learned is the Infinite Healing Power of Unconditional Love. Through each and every up and down that Motherhood presents, Unconditional Love is always the Answer. Each one of us has an opportunity to experience and choose Unconditional Love, whether it's through Motherhood or another human experience, the choice is always presented to us. As Love is truly our center, our essence, our beginning and our end. Love Is All There Is. 

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Reclaiming Thanksgiving

For North American Indigenous People,

Thanksgiving is traditionally our everyday Prayer and 

Celebration of Gratitude for All Our Relations ( for 'every-thing' ).

We Give Thanks continually for All that Is, because it is our Way.

Gratitude is Giving Thanks; it is the Honoring of Reciprocity and

Celebration of Unconditional Love and Forgiveness.

Walking the Way in Gratitude and Love every day,

is Walking the Beauty Path. We can Reclaim Thanksgiving 

and Celebrate in a new way; the Beauty Way. We can celebrate

that We Are Still Here and We Rise Together. We can choose to be 

the living embodiments of Love here on Earth, by simply Being Love and 

Being Loving to each other every day, in all ways, always.

The most radical and political act we can possibly be and do is to 

simply Love.

Being Love and Loving, does not mean we forget the Indigenous

Genocide we have experienced as Indigenous people of North America

AND the World. Being Love and Loving honors All Our Relations, All Our 

Ancestors. Let's Reclaim Thanksgiving by simply Being Love and Loving.

We can choose to celebrate or not, on this American Holiday. We can 

choose a new Way of celebrating or an old one. 

As a woman of Native American descent I choose to celebrate in a 

new Way; by Being Love and Loving, by Praying the traditional 

Thanksgiving Prayer, and by Giving Thanks for All Our Relations.

To All My People, To All Our Relations, I Love You and Pray for you All 

each and every day. I walk the Beauty Way in honor of my ancestors

of this Earth and Beyond the Stars, Moon and Sun.

May We Rise Together in Radical Love, continually reminding 

each other to Love and be Loving.

Love is the Way.

Many Blessings Always, In All Ways

Shannondoah

Native Self

Native Self 2009

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Lipstick Mirror Self

Lipstick Mirror Self 2009

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Punk Self

Punk Self 2009

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