A LOVE for Photography

I have always been a little "different", and with a camera in my hand my eye is now exception. I accredit my ability to be visually stimulated to being an only child. I learned to entertain myself through observation. I love looking at things, studying them. Some of the most ordinary things can become extraordinary with the right light, or view. Here is a photo from a trip to Red Lodge, MT. We pulled off the road in the middle of no where to stretch our legs and found this old, weathered saddle sitting on a fence. The sun was starting to set, nicely contrasting the dark saddle. It really was gorgeous.

How I Keep My Sanity:

When I get on the wheel - I turn my mind completely off. Some people do yoga ... I throw mud! I truly is the ONLY thing in my life that I don't over think. I rarely jump on the wheel and say to my self ... I'm going to throw a bowl. If I do that it usually gets all messed up - because of the preconceptions that I had in my mind. Throughout the years I have learned to simply let the clay mold itself. I started throwing in 1994 with one of my favorite teachers of all time Mr. Thomas @ Helena High. He taught me more than any of my professors ever did in college ... and my education from him was free! When I started teaching art ... I really didn't have time for it. So there was a period of 5 years that I maybe threw 10 items total. I kept waiting and waiting for a teacher to retire (who has been there for 80 years), so I could teach - just one ceramics class. But, it never happened and I wasn't about to put my happiness on the line and look like a fool for who know how many more years. It was a life changing decision to take this "leap of faith" and start this business and I have never, not once regretted it! I am currently teaching a ceramics class @ the Helena Clay Arts Guild! I have a group of amazing adults that are interested in learning and want to be there! It's a whole new experience. They are nice, don't interrupt, throw things, mouth off, etc. Don't get me wrong I do miss high schoolers from time to time - but lets be honest ... it's a really hard age. Right now my business is BOOMING! Not only am I throwing like crazy, which brings me intense peace, but I'm also painting commissions left and right, and booking photo shoots continuously. I feel like I can do anything. I hope that my story is an inspiration for anyone who is telling themselves ... "I'll just wait it out". There is no time like the present. Don't sell your sell short - life is too short!

Creating with Confidence!

I have great hopes and I will dare to go all out for them. I have great dreams and I dare to live them. I have tremendous expectations and dare to believe in them. When you "follow your heart" so to speak ... you will find jealousy, resistance, non-supporters, and people who can be down right mean. Jealousy is connected & cooperates with false ego, unnecessary self respect, self-deceit, rigid ness, anger, ability to talk at the back of peoples, superficial relationship & ability to give reasons for not performing at par. In business you will often hear people say "trust NO one". That is not me and I refuse to change because people get me down. Negative people are like black holes which suddenly come out of nowhere and suck the life right out of you. I try to stay positive - and push the negative people right out of my life, however, it is still exhausting! At this point in my life I have decided to only keep the positive people who benefit my life around me. Negative people want a reaction from you. They do this by "pushing your buttons" to bring up intense feelings for you. I need to learn to just smile and remain completely detached. From now on whenever the negative tirade starts I plan to smile and not say a thing. I refuse to get caught in their web of negativity because soon as I do, they drain my of my energy.
To the energy vampires in my life - you SUCK! -Get it?! It is inevitable that they will appear in and out of my life, but it is my choice to be confident so that no one can drain me if I don't cooperate.

Hello - Friends! So, blogging is truly all new to me, however, I am learning so much through creating this website! As many of you know I decided at the end of the school year in 2009 not to renew my contract. It was a long thought out decision that was based on a number of factors. The most important factor - I wasn't 100% satisfied with my career. I LOVE art and I do enjoy teaching, but the discipline and controversy got in the way of my creativity! I LIVE to create. It makes me happy and defines who I am. Even though I was still creating while teaching, I wasn't creating and interacting (with people who appreciate art) enough to feel satisfied. I believe that life is just too darn short - to sell yourself short! That is when I developed Your Creative License! I have not once regreted my decision (even though it was one of the most difficult and scary decisions I've ever made)! I am interacting, creating, teaching, and exploring every single day ... and I'm my own boss! NEVER - NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS! There are people who "DO" and people who are always going "TO DO"! Be a "DOER"!

BOOK THIS MONTH AND SAVE BIG

Spring is here and this is an excellent time to get outdoor pictures. Book this month and receive 10% off any package - Wedding, senior photos etc.. Email or call to reserve your spots. You can visit our website for information on the packages at www.yourcreativelicense.net.