I will get this done! And I need your help!

What is this all about?

The world is ever changing but why is that here in the middle of the Bible belt we seem to take so much longer? Why is it that in a world that is so open to different ideas, different religions, and different races – we are still judged by what is on the outside?

My simple idea is this – capture the beauty and uniqueness of people that are not afraid to step outside of the box. Photograph the creative, expressive and diverse people that are labeled alternative. The emos, the scene kids, the gothic youth.





What does this have to do with me?

Everything! You know you have done it; you know that you have judged someone just by the way they look. You have been somewhere and have seen people that don't fit into the "normal" box and you have judged them. You have automatically assumed that they are strange ( or on drugs?!).




OR
You are the person that everyone stares at and whispers about when they walk past you.




So where I am going with this?

Are you the person that everyone stares at? If you are then you need to contact me. I am putting together images for a personal art project titled "Appearance is everything".





Requirements!

1) For this project you need to be at least 16 and no older then 30.



2) If under 18 you will need to have a parent attend any meeting with me and sign a model release form.



3) Each person that is interested in this project will need to write a one page essay on the following statement:

"Appearance is everything?"

It should be well thought out and should give both a negative and positive side to being different.



4) You will have to be willing to write your essay in your own handwriting.



5) Essay's along with a photo of yourself need to be emailed to me at the email below.



6) You will have a 15 min photo session with me and you will need to wear an outfit that shows the real you.




So ….. think you are alternative? Get writing on that essay!

Shae Cardenas – send emails to dcardenas2@cox.net with the subject being "2009 Art Project" ..

First, I am looking for a standard size iron bed, vintage or antique.


Second, I am looking for land owners or people that have access to open land that is close to the city. I am looking for land that has a dirt road or lots of trees that are spread out. Or has a wheat field.


If you know of someone, please, please call me... I am looking for these things for upcoming photo sessions!

Is life really too short? We hear this all the time. "Don't waste your time, life is too short" - "Don't live life unhappy, life is too short"

Does this cause us to run out and make choices that we should really carefully think before we do them? Or does it push us to make those choices faster so we can have more enjoyable times in our lives?

I'm not really sure on the answer. What I do know it this.... in my life I have settled for things that I'm not happy about. I have lost myself in the process. I'm always putting other people first and have forgotten about who I am.

I have let everyday life and the stress of being a women in this day and age take its toll on my heart, my dreams, my passion for life and my soul.

So... is life too short? To spend it unhappy yes it is.... if you are lucky enough to find happiness then.... life can be a long enjoyable journey. Yes there is time,  thank you for reminding me.......

Here it is 11:00pm and the house is quiet. The kids are sleeping and I sit alone in my room working. The events of the day are now only a memory.

It has been a long day for me. An emotional roller coaster that has now slowed down long enough for me to enjoy the silence of my dim bedroom.

As I sit in my room and reflect on the days events a list of things I'm thankful for scrolls down like a marquee.......

My kids.... what would I do without them? My family... sisters, mom, dad ..... we have had our moments... but I know that I am loved.... my friends....some much closer then others..... they know who they are......

When you have days like today, you can only hope that you have learned from the lessons that are being shown to you. That you can open your mind and your heart and truely hear the message.

I hear you and I know...... in the silence

I have become what I have always sworn I would never do. I live my job. I have worked so much in the last year that I have lost out on spending time with my family, my friends and important people in my life.

In todays world it is so hurry up and get it done. Work, work, work  and more work. I just don't want to do it anymore. There has got to be something else out there. I have worked for the same company for most of my adult life...... I need a change.

I want to go to work, get my job done and not feel like I need to live my job.

Life as I know it is ever changing. New friends, old friends, family and connections that are ever transforming.

I have had some real happy events in my life the last few weeks and just when I think I have wrapped my head around the over whelming emotions, I have something else happen in my life that opens my eyes even more.

It is never easy when a child is lost. It is never easy to hear about a life that is cut short. It is even more tragic when that child belongs to your family. We lost someone with a beautiful smile, a joy of life and someone that was too young to be taken from her mother. She was my cousin, 11 year old Stormie.

Family gathers and one thing that is always on the lips of each one is "why do we wait until something tragic happens to get us all together?" Why is it that we do that? We let the ones we love drift apart? We all have busy lives and tend to forget to slow down to take care of the people around us. Family is replace by work and the duties of everyday life.

Take time today to slow down, pick up the phone and tell someone you love them. Call someone that you haven't spoke to in a long time, that family member that means the world to you but you haven't had time for. Call them...