My Wish for You

May your day be full of grace, sunshine, warmth, and simple pleasures.



Barefoot in the Park, © Christy Marie Photographie 2008




Tree of Love, © Christy Marie Photographie 2008

Hope

I received the best email the other day from a photographer friend. It has stayed with me the last few days.

She told me that she often finds my work gives her great hope. I can't think of a better complement. My faith may have rocky days, but I can't help but hope. It's a big part of who I am. For her to tell me she feels it in my work, means my work is reflecting me... and I couldn't be more pleased.

In honor of hope and generous friends, my latest hope-filled piece... another shot from my day shooting with Sarah at Pennhurst:



The Outside World, © Christy Marie Photographie 2008

My space on MySpace

Yes, that's right, Christy Marie Photographie is now on MySpace. If you have aMySpace page, be sure to friend me. This is another great way to keep up with what I'm doing.

See it here.

More From Pennhurst

More shots from our adventure at Pennhurst. This "Alcohol Ruins Lives" tag was stenciled throughout the three buildings we explored.



Warning, © Christy Marie Photographie 2008


Bookends, © Christy Marie Photographie 2008


Neither Sarah or I had been adequately prepared for the emotional toll the trip would have on us. The site has been abandoned for 21 years, and yet there were still art supplies in what would have been, we assume, a play room. It is important to remember that adults and children lived in Pennhurst State School & Hospital. The most vulnerable adults and children living in overcrowded conditions, with allegations of abuse and mistreatment until the center was shut down in 1986/1987.

Sunday became a day of rest and reflection for both of us. We were exhausted, physically and psychologically.Deluge captures my exhaustion and the stormy weather both inside and outside of my walls.


Deluge, Self Portrait © Christy Marie Photographie 2008

How I Spent My Saturday (or Photographers Loose at Mental Hospital)

Saturday's adventure was amazing. Exhausting. Overwhelming. Amazing. Sarah & I spent the day shooting at the old Pennhurst State School and Hospital in Pennsylvania. This was my first experience shooting in an abandoned building and I was on sensory overload from the beginning. The campus is massive. The school/hospital has a very sad macabre history and the later the day got, the spookier it seemed to become.

Sarah was phenomenal. I knew she would be. Another trip with her to this location is in the works.



Shavings, © Christy Marie Photographie 2008


Lonely Hearts, © Christy Marie Photographie 2008


Christmas Tree, © Christy Marie Photographie 2008


Conference Room, © Christy Marie Photographie 2008

Coming Soon!

She Took Her Own Picture: Selections from the Female Self Portrait Artists' Support Group

Hardcover, 123 pages
Collection of Self Portraits
Photography

*Features 44 female self portrait photographers from around the world.*

I'm so excited to be a part of this project and I think you will love the creativity and depth shown in this book. More about the book as we get closer to the release date (coming soon!).

Electric Blue Wigs, Self Portraits, & Inspiration

The last two weeks have been some of my most creative. I've been inspired, lost sleep working on pieces until the wee hours of the morning, stretched, broken down barriers with a sledgehammer, and have created some of my best self portrait work.

One of the catalysts of this burst of creativity was the arrival of an electric blue wig on my doorstep. The Wandering Wig stayed in Delaware for a week, before I sent it on its way to its next stop in Maine. I thought I'd share a little bit of my work here; I'm calling the blue wig infused portraits The Bleu Series. Please contact me if you are interested in seeing the full collection:

The Bleu Series is a set of self portraits featuring an electric blue wig. The Wandering Wig. The Wandering Wig is a prop being used by 38 female self portrait artists across the globe. As the wig crosses the borders of 10 countries it inspires creativity, encourages collaboration, and strengthens the bond between female self portrait artists.

Incognito, No. 2 The Bleu Series
© Christy Marie Photographie 2008



White-Out, No. 3 The Bleu Series
© Christy Marie Photographie 2008


Night Sky, No. 5 The Bleu Series
© Christy Marie Photographie 2008

In other news, my self portrait work will soon be published in two compilations of work by female self portrait artists. The first of the two books, She Took Her Own Picture: Selections from the Female Self Portrait Artists' Support Group, will be available in the next month, and I'm thrilled. I am one of 44 female self portrait artists featured. Stay tuned for more information; I'll have specifics soon.

This Saturday, I will be spending the day with Sarah Bloom in Pennsylvania shooting at a secret location---location to be revealed later. Needless to say, I am beyond excited. Sarah is an incredibly talented photographer and I am constantly inspired by her work, especially her self portrait work. I hope to have lots of great shots to share soon.