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Jul 22
in Photography Teachings, Uncategorized

Why I take photographs….and make artworks

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who has emailed me privately recently…in particular in response to my last few posts. It is a privilege to be the recipient of your expression and to know that my words and images have in some way touched your life.

I had other information to share today…but an opportunity has arisen for me to use my last post outlining one of the processes I use when I first arrive somewhere; to help illustrate my response to a question one of my readers put to me.

 

rainy-bush-8Why do I take photographs???? …. quite simply…. as an avenue to help me understand myself and who I am. Photography for me is another avenue for me to develop self-awareness.

I will use the example in my last post. I was driving along and these trees caught my eye. I stopped. I felt. I wrote. I started photographing and just listened to what I heard through my eyes.

I saw lines intersecting. Immediately I heard something which made me think of the lines as a metaphor for our lives. The lines from the scribble gum insect traversing the trunk of the tree were an allegory for individual lives which go one way…and then another…traversing time and place….. connecting and interacting with other people, then continuing on our own individual path by ourselves.

Traversing time and place

intersecting meandering lives

together –

alone.

As I saw all the scribbly marks on the tree, I saw different situations where there were clusters of lots of lines and movement and intersections; and I saw communities of people, and friends and families. Then there were  other places on the trees where there were only a couple of lines which came together and then parted to go along their own separate direction; and I saw couples and partners and how individuals come together and yet still had their own individual path….. some in unison alongside another…. some going in a totally different direction. There were some lines on the trunk which were totally isolated – yet I noticed they seemed strong… and I reflected on how strength can come from within oneself.

I recognised that no matter how many lines there were on the tree; how many meandering directions and interactions with others – ultimately my life is an individual journey. I am alone. Not at all lonely. I have a beautiful husband, family and friends. But alone with working out my own needs and goals so that I may lead a fulfilled life rich with experiences and Love…. because that is my responsibility to work out my own needs and goals; and no-one else can do that for me.

I realise these images aren’t earth shattering :-)…. and won’t win any competitions, probably not ‘liked’ by many others nor hung on the lounge room wall; but from so many responses to me via email I have realised the importance of sharing my process and how these simple images have also stimulated reflection in others.

Perhaps you may now see what stopping, listening and taking photographs has enabled me to connect with and learn about myself.

I would love to hear about why you take photographs.

 

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About the Author: Julie
I am a Journeywoman. I live my life as an explorer. An adventurer. An Observer. An Artist. There is no differentiation between how I live my life and the art that is an expression of it. It is through my experience adventuring the unknown, that I learn more about myself. My aim through this connection is to live where my expression is fully in alignment with the essence of who I am. “In the field of Fine-Art Photography, Julie stands apart from others with the way she sees the world and expresses her connection within it. Julie Stephenson’s photographs are sublime. Her work is an expression of her deep connection; and a gift to the world.”

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skeinydipping

I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have t I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have touched; have loved; have created; have worked; have nurtured. My hands.   

I looked down and saw on my wrist and fingers items from around the world which have so many stories; items which have all been created from the heart and made by the hands of others. 

I looked down and saw beautiful yarn. Yarn which has been handled carefully through shearing, dyeing, skeining, balling; and now being knit in my beautiful hands. 

My hands are one of my gifts. This year I’ve really missed the touch of another with my hands, to feel the heart of another through my fingertips; but so grateful and love my hands which touch and feel; work and play!

What do you see when you look at your hands?

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Knitting a fabulous  #slipstravaganzamkal by @westknits .
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#gratitudeattitude #westknitsarethebestknits #westknitsmkal2020 #knittersofinstagram #knittersoftheworld #knittersofaustralia #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #handmade #handmadejewellery #fromtheheart #createeveryday #livetotravel #healing #healinghands #creativehands
My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories. I’ve had adventures on all continents. Slept being rocked by the sea; felt the ice on my skin in both polar regions, and felt the silence of the deserts. I’ve walked stone steps in monasteries at altitudes where each step I’ve taken consciously and mindfully; focussing on treasuring every molecule of oxygen in the rarefied atmosphere. 

COVID has paused those adventures, but I draw upon my experiences as I navigate adventuring my days in a different way, on our ‘home range’. 

I recall my steps in Tibet as I walk through our bushland. I am mindful and conscious of my surroundings. I listen. I feel. I feel happy here. I am content.

My new stories may not hold the same experiences of connection with others; and may not be of extreme challenges or crazy things  (which I am rather prone to doing! 🙂 ) but they are not less wondrous… as I smell the warm eucalyptus waft from under my feet. 

I weave my stories, and this story is of my personal journey on my daily walk through our bushland. 
You can see some of my other woven stories on my website - link in profile. 

How do you express your life’s stories?
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#weaversofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #indiedyed #rigidheddleloomweaving #ashford #inspiredbynature #contentcreator #emotionalbalance #homedeco #handcrafted #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #wellbeing #travellerlife #journeywoman #weavingaustralia
“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those “....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers 

Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. 

As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. 

As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. 

What has been healing for you this year?
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#healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld
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2017 All photographs created by and property of Julie Stephenson.