Home (Away from Home) Sick

Welp? I've returned from my long overdue, sorely needed, and way too short trip to my favorite place on the planet - the island of Anguilla.

…and although I am glad to be back home spending time once again with the people that I love the very most in this world...

…I can't seem to shake the strange sort of homesickness that I've been feeling for a place where I've never even actually lived…

It's Thanksgiving Day, here in The States...and one of the things for which I am most grateful - is all of YOU, my wonderful readers! Enjoy the day, each and every one of You!

  

Flyin' the Coop

For lack of anything else new to share, and because it might be several days before I can even take any fresh pics., thought I'd post a few more from the shoot that I staged recently at my friend and her dad's beautiful barn (Thanks again, You Two!) - before I pack up and fly south, bright and early tomorrow morning - on my first trip to the ocean in 6 years, Hollah!

Although there are no nude beaches on the island of Anguilla, I do know of a few fairly secluded spots where I'm hoping to be able to sneak at least a handful of naked selfpics on a beach - which would mark the very first time in the entire 3 1/2 years that I've been immersed in dash photography, that I will have had the opportunity to do such a thing! Sooooo…fingers crossed you guys, that I'm actually able to pull it off…you have no idea just how badly I've wanted to cross a beach shoot off of my self-portrait bucket list! 

Anyway...Sayonara , Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen!!!

Naked Streak

A new acquaintance of mine came by the gallery yesterday with a friend of his, and after the three of us chatted for a little while about, "Demons & Monsters" (the current exhibition on display at 1 lb.), we segued to a brief convo about my self-portraits. Somewhere in the midst of the new discussion, the acquaintance of mine asked (in such a shy and quiet voice, that it was almost inaudible), "So, is there a reason for why you pose nude as often as you do?". Without hesitation, I replied, "Cuz wearing nothing, is the easiest costume"…which apparently was not at all the answer that he'd expected to hear.

And although that isn't the only reason that I pose naked in my self-portraits (as my new friend had correctly implied), lately it has felt like more times than not - I've opted out of donning any of the many different outfits that I do still make sure to bring along on my shoots - for the sake of expediency, and in an effort to not fritter away precious time on (oftentimes elaborate) costume, make-up and character changes…

So today, when out of curiosity I went to The Big Ugly to check out the sitch, I scrolled down the first page that's up right now, and realized that in every post except for the very last one, I am in fact nakey - uhhhh, whoops…Right away I knew that it might be time to switch things up a bit here on the blog, and luckily - after a really nice afternoon of shooting on Monday, I've come to this entry equipped with pics. that will allow me to break the naked streak! Right? I mean…these pictures do count…do they not?

Oh! And Thanks sooooooo much to my friend and her father, who gave me permission to take selfpics in their immaculate barn, while the most delectable, late afternoon, autumn sunlight streamed in through each and every doorway and window…I enjoyed myself immensely, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that!

Hold On

Been so flipping' busy, lately…feels like I haven't been doing a very good job of keeping The Big Ugly current…and interesting. 

But if we can all hold on for just a little bit longer, I think I'll be able to get my act together again…I hope.

Autumnal Bliss

I've said this before, but it definitely bears repeating...I haven't got many friends, but the few that I do have - truly are the world's absolute best!

I spent all of yesterday with a particularly good buddy of mine, driving to various destinations that he'd bookmarked in his mind, as being possible venues at which I could shoot...and although I focused primarily on completing my darkroom photography class assignments, I did still carve out a little time to devote to taking a few new self-portraits...

It was a positively fantastic day, and I owe a huge "THANK YOU!" to my good buddy for leading me to such remarkably photo-worthy locations, and "THANKS!" also to his girlfriend - for allowing me to stage the above shots at her place!!! I gotta tell ya', it's the greatest thing ever to feel as happy as I do :D 

Good Vibes!

Dude...so this very cool thing happened earlier today! I checked my blog stats (as I am wont to do), and noticed a sudden, and rawther dramatic spike in hits - so then next, I saw that the source of all of this unexpected, but welcomed activity on The Big Ugly - was a reddit link...aaaaand so naturally, I quickly clicked on the link to see what it was all about...

Turns out, a redditor named PolyHedonist had very graciously put up a post about me and the blog! I was so blown away by this generous demonstration of kindness, that - as my way of saying, "THANK YOU!!!" to the benevolent redditor - I promised to try and publish a new blog post today (I'm in hyper-spas mode, trying to get ready for tonight's, "Demons & Monsters" Opening and Artists Reception at 1 lb. Gallery, so wasn't entirely sure it it would happen or not)...but anyway - here it is!

Oh, and while I'm dolling out sincere appreciation for good deeds, "Thank You!" also to my friend who not only always replies with an enthusiastic, "Yes!" whenever I ask for permission to shoot on his property, but who just last weekend, invited me to shoot in yet another of his kickass buildings (seen in the pics. above, as well as here). A big, gigantic, "THANKS!" to you both!!!

(I'm loving all of the good and positive energy that's making the my life feel so electric, these days - WOO!)