mirrors / windows: volume 2, issue 1

MIRRORS / WINDOWS

volume 2, issue 1

Hello friends, and a huge Happy New Year!

We made it, y’all! Gonna be honest, it seemed a little touch and go there at the end.

New Years is always a weird thing for me. I’m not really a big New Years Eve party kinda gal. I don’t like crowds, even when it’s safe to be in them, and I don’t really drink much. I prefer a more quiet and reflective New Years.

The thing is I’ve never been particularly sad to see the prior year go (especially the last few), and while I always feel hopeful for what the new year will bring I’m not so naive to think that life cares one bit about what the calendar says. But I do love the idea of a blank slate.

When I was younger and would get a new notebook I would go through the same ritual; I’d sit down and open it up, with my favorite pen or pencil in hand. I’d fold back the cover and smooth out that top page. And then I would just stare at those crisp, perfect, empty pages. If it was a notebook that didn’t yet have a purpose I would sometimes do this a few times without ever being able to bring myself to write in it. There was just something sort of magical about all of the possibility it held. That’s sort of how a new year feels to me.

These days I have my own little New Years ritual: I spend New Years Eve and New Years Day setting my intentions for the year. I think about all of things I want to leave behind, and all of the things I want to carry forward and cultivate. I spend the days doing the things I want to fill my year with. Usually it involves spending time with my people, and connecting with those I care about most; spending some time in the woods; and doing a bit of cleaning, clearing out, and organizing. (Sexy, right?) It’s not exactly glamorous, but it makes me feel like I’m starting the new year off right.

However you spent your New Years holiday I hope it was your own version of starting it off right, whatever that looks like for you. And I’m wishing each of you all the peace and joy that a year can hold.

As always you know how much I love hearing from you, so write me back!

And p.s. if any of you have any good nonfiction book recommendations, I’m all ears! I have a fairly long list of “up next” books, but I find myself not in the mood for any of them. So if you’ve read something good recently, let me know!

DARKROOM / STUDIO UPDATE

Well, I had hoped that I’d be starting the new year out with the darkroom / studio all complete, but of course life rarely goes to plan. (And would it even be interesting if it did?) As disappointing as the delays are I’ve managed to make the best of it. Having the empty space to myself has given me time to play and plan, and to notice the way the light falls beautifully around the room throughout the day. I may not be spending my New Years day in the darkroom, but the photos I’ve been able to take as it comes together, like the one at the top of this newsletter, aren’t a bad consolation prize. Keep your eyes out for more to come in the blog this month!

RECENT POSTS

DREAMS & MEMORIES

Y’all know how much I love playing with different mediums. I took three small cameras, including the Polaroid, into the woods earlier this month, with the sole purpose of finishing up some film. Unplanned, I came home with at least two images each from three different spots, and seeing them all together made me appreciate each medium that much more.

FUN ON FILM

I had noticed the two girls earlier in the week. They were probably around twelve or thirteen; that in-between age when you don’t really identify as a child anymore, but you’re nowhere near adulthood either. They spent most of their time trying very hard to look grown-up, but I was lucky enough to be in just the right place and catch one truly carefree moment of childhood.

UNTITLED

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if the storm is coming or going. I don’t think it’s any secret that it’s been a tough (couple of) year(s) for many of us. Here I write about my own struggles, and what makes it more bearable to stand in the rain and face the storm, even if you aren’t sure which way it’s headed.

PHOTO NOT TAKEN

Last year I came across a collection of essays written by photographers about the images that, for one reason or another, they didn’t make. For some it was as simple as forgetting the film, for others it was something deeper. It got me thinking about my own missed and foregone images. I know I’ve had many, but only one that stands out.

THE YEAR AHEAD

After all of the heaviness of the last two years it can feel like joyful moments are hard to come by, particularly with strangers. But sometimes they pop up when you least expect it. Here’s hoping for more of them in the year ahead!

You can jump straight to my blog page here

SNEAK PEEK

Remember all that film from last month’s newsletter? The seven rolls I sent off to be developed? Well I got them back and it has been SO much fun going through the images. A couple of the rolls were so old that I had forgotten what all was on them, so there were a few really pleasant surprises to discover. (What better gift for a photographer at the holidays?!) I’ve shared a few film images on my blog already this last month, but I still have many more to come.

DEAR FRIEND - LAST CALL!

I’m incredibly lucky to have such a wonderfully supportive bunch of folks around me. I was overwhelmed by the response to this project, and am so grateful for every kind word and purchase.

If you were still thinking about owning a copy I have just a few sets left. Visit the project webpage to check out the details and order.

5 THINGS THAT MADE ME SMILE IN 2021

We could all use a few more smiles these days, amiright? Here are five things that made me smile in 2021. Perhaps they’ll bring a smile to your face as well.

If you haven’t already seen The Mitchells vs. The Machines yet, you need to. Yeah I know, it’s a kids movie. But trust me, I don’t care how old you are it is physically impossible to watch this movie and not laugh. Or maybe cry. But mostly laugh. Hysterically.
I’ve written before about how much I enjoy Austin, TX based author Austin Kleon; his blog and books are a well-spring of inspiration for creativity. But I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t Coconut the Owl that keeps me checking in even more frequently.
Leon Bridges (also an Austin, TX native, because apparently all the best stuff comes from Austin) released his third studio album Gold-Diggers Sound this year. It’s a fantastic album, but listening to it just made me want to keep his entire catalog on repeat. So I often did. And it always kept a smile on my face.
Back in October my friend and fellow artist Pete Morelewicz, the brilliant mind behind Print Jazz, started a newsletter. Y’all, it’s SO good. Pete’s art is bright and fun and you just can’t look at it without feeling 1000% better (check out his Instagram if you need proof.) Plus he’s wicked funny (say that in your head the way Ben Affleck would.) You can sign up for the newsletter on his website.
You wouldn’t know if from my newsletter or blog, but deep down I believe that sometimes the best way, nay, the only way, to say something is with profanity. If you spent as much of the last year wanting to tell certain people, politicians, and viruses to F off, then these irreverent birds are definitely for you.
(And just for funsies two bonus smiles: speaking of birds I can’t get over what these kids are doing; and if you’re into it too you should watch Don’t Look Up.)

Did you enjoy this newsletter? I’d love for you to pass it along to someone else you think might enjoy it too!

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