Ebb and Flow. Trusting Your Intution and self expression. Update.

It has been a while since I have sat down and written a blog post. The summer has come and gone and the air and scenery is changing as all things do. I was in need of a breather this summer, needed to inhale, take in nature and feel with all my senses, which is why the blog sort of took a back seat. My friend Jean (of the amazing Drossintogold) told me recently life is full of ebb and flow, and I couldn't agree more. The only constant in life is change. I think sometimes I'm happy with my presence being more outward, through social media and blogposts and other times I need to renew inward and take a break form the internet. I think I took a little longer than I needed because I missed it and missed all of you!

What have I been up to? Lots of reading, researching/taking in knowledge, enjoying time with family and friends, the outdoors, a little bit of traveling and of course work. I did a few weddings/sessions, some I can't share because the families requested privacy and others I would love to share on the blog eventually. Hope you all enjoyed your summer and are ready to jump into fall or whatever season you are transitioning into.

One of the books I really enjoyed reading was one called Divine Intuition by Lynn Robinson.  It talks a lot about listening and trusting your intuition. Trusting the voice of love inside, trusting yourself. It infuses a lot of the follow your dream mentality, follow what you enjoy doing, follow your excitement. What is sort of divine is I picked this book up at the thrift store. It was exactly what I needed at that time.

The reading follows a workbook format where there is content and little blurbs or pages allowing you to pause and answer questions based on your life experience. One of the exercises had you imagine yourself enjoying something. What does that image look like? What are you wearing (loved that one)? What are you doing?

I pictured myself decked out in this unique ensemble. I was at an exhibit, my exhibit! Proud of work that I had put so much of myself into. Then I realized that is what I love to do. Create art, and be art both inwardly and outwardly. Self expression is like breathing to me. There's no other way for me to describe it. I notice how I feel when I'm not doing it, the build up of this uneasy feeling that I have to release. Which is what I'm feeling right now. My sister (of Dream It Up Cookies) who also has the artist bug says artists are gifted and cursed at the same time. I have to agree, it can be both a blessing and a source of anxiety. I find myself constantly trying to find a balance between that ebb and flow.

Do any of you get this overwhelming emotion to express yourself? How do you work through it? Would love to hear your stories.

I've been feeling a divine push lately and I'm ready to jump in. I have three projects I'm so excited to be working on in the next few months. I'm collaborating with Papaya! on something that is very special to me. If you haven't read my feature on artist Anahata Katkin's blog go check it out. It is one of the most beautiful things I've read about my work and I have to admit it was a revelation to me! It was really the boost of assurance I needed as I continue on this interesting path I have taken. I'm also working on an editorial with a great team of artists that will be exhibited this winter (Inshallah), and my personal ongoing project Red, White and Blue.

Hope you are all following and trusting your intuition. Go for it. Don't let the past or your negative thoughts hold you back. You are a unique expression of life. Don't let society dictate that expression. It can't be put into a box. Be aware of it, explore it, hone your craft and let it out!

Much love,
Feda

P.S. The images are double exposure using two images. Portraits of myself and images of flowers I took in the spring. I love how they turned out.