You are all invited to an opening of my new images of mothers and children July 9th at 7:00 pm. 515 Millburn Ave. Millburn New Jersey at  The Squirrel and the Bee a grain-free bake shop.

If you have met me in real life, you might know, or should know, that I would have paid for a body double at my wedding. NOT the marriage itself. Just the entire center of attention aspect of the day. I don’t care for being the center of attention. At all. So, having a show of my work really feels like I’ll be standing around naked.  Honestly, how many times can I refer to Brene Brown. She said it best AND on the record at TED2012. “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” I feel like I am working all 3 right now.

Let’s start with innovation. Michelle Retik (Queen Bee at The Squirrel and the Bee) and I had a conversation early last fall about the vision she had for her walls at her new delicious, grain-free bake shop. We don’t think people in this area usually see bakeries as places for art shows and openings. But Michelle and I do. We think that her beautiful space is perfect for showing art that sparks conversation and for showing off some of the wonderful non-profits in our area. Starting with the partnership between Visual Art Center of New Jersey and York Street Project.

Next, creativity. The human condition is one about belonging. Creating Mantra images, and photographing the look of love between two people, are ways I process the world. Being brave enough to present these images on walls and not just in impersonal cyberspace is something I haven’t done in a long time. It makes me feel vulnerable, which then helps me feel more creative, and the cycle begins again.

Lastly, change.  I found this wonderful quote by John A. Powell who was interviewed by Krista Tippett. “Being human is about being in the right kind of relationships. I think being human is a process. It’s not something that we just are born with. We actually learn to celebrate our connection, learn to celebrate our love. If you suffer, it does not imply love. But if you love, it does imply suffering. To suffer with, though, compassion, not to suffer against. And if we can hold that space big enough, we also have joy and fun even as we suffer. And suffering will no longer divide us. And to me, that’s sort of the human journey.” When I heard John Powell say that, I made the connection that Mantras can be a powerful parenting tool in building the “right” relationships with children. The mothers and children I photographed at York Street Project created their Mantras together, which made the words meaningful, specifically to their relationship. Positive self talk creates positive change one child, one person at a time.

So again, join us  July 9th at 7:00 pm. 515 Millburn Ave. Millburn New Jersey at  The Squirrel and the Bee a grain-free bake shop.  My new friends from York street will be there and my body double will not.