Are you Feeling Supported?

Something that often comes up in my class, Expressive Self Portraiture, is the fear of sharing such deep and personal work while not feeling supported by those closest to us. I always encourage artists to share their work and trust that it will reach the right people at the right time, but this is no easy feat even for some of the most esteemed artists.
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It can feel confusing and even hurtful when the people we are closest to do not show support for our art. Why does it seem to be common to feel more supported by strangers and people you have never met in person? There can be several reasons for this.
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Our art is not for everyone.
I’ll say it again.
Not everyone is going to understand or connect with our work.
Our work can cause uncomfortable feelings for some people.
It may encourage them to face something in themselves that they are not ready to face.
They may think following you is enough.
They may feel intimidated or feel like an outsider to the art world.
They may not know how or feel comfortable interpreting our art.
They have their reasons and whatever they may be, just know that it is about them and not you or your work.
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As artists, we sometimes fall too deep in the trap of external validation. When we don’t see the support we would hope for from friends and family we tend to stay small. We don’t speak up or question it, but instead we hide with our feelings of unworthiness, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome.
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Fellow artists, keep doing what you’re doing and supporting each other. I know what gets put into making personal work. I’m a firm believer in artists supporting artists. I support you and appreciate your support- every comment, like, share, review, and recommendation.
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Thank you!
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Let’s discuss this. Do you find this is something you have struggled with or encountered? I believe it’s much more common than we think.

Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | f/2.8 | 1/250 | 200

✨ Don’t forget as a Lensbaby Ambassador I can save you 10% on your purchase. You can click this link and use the discount code- wsharon . Tag me on Instagram with any images you make with your Lensbaby gear so I can show my support!

Lost & Found {Self-Portrait}

You can only find the right way after you lost it
Erik Tanghe
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Intuition {Self-Portrait}

Intuitively, we gather together. We learn from each other. We share each other’s pain and life experiences as a collective.
We learn we are not so different from one another. We go beyond the surface and we create from a once guarded space deep within. We support, we grieve, we hold space, we grow, we make a mess. We are Artists. There’s no textbook that can teach this experience; this way of learning. It’s in the doing. It’s in the mistakes. It’s in our guts. We are guided by our intuition and we trust the process.
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Thank you to the women who have trusted in me and have gathered together to create in Expressive Self Portraiture. It is a gift and honor to spend time with you.♥️

The Snow Queen

Perfectionism is fear in disguise. How many times have you wanted to do something but told yourself the timing wasn't right or you didn't have enough time? Maybe if ___ happened or ____ then you could begin. Oftentimes, I find the most difficult part with something new is to begin. If we could allow ourselves to just begin, then the rest will unfold. We don't have to be experts to begin.
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I’m currently reading Julia Cameron's newest book, The Listening Path. When she teaches, she cues her students to make a list of 10 fill in the blanks. Each one begins with- If it didn't have to do it perfectly, I’d try ____.
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My very first thought was paint. I would paint. Thinking of all of the things I would do if they didn't have to be perfect was profound and gave me a lot to journal about. Think of all the things we hold back from in fear of not being good enough. We are depriving ourselves of the very things that will make us thrive!
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Let's be brave together and show up and do the work...whatever that work may be.

Seeker {Lensbaby Self-Portraits)

Seeker🕯
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Earlier this week, I shot these self-portrait in my backyard using my Lensbaby Velvet 56. Since @lensbabyusa lenses are manual focus lenses, I needed something to focus on in the place where I would be standing. I used a dress form complete with a wig and mask on it to stand in my place. I use this because it is similar in size and height to me. Once I grabbed my focus, I was able to place a stick on the ground where I would be standing and move the dress form out of the frame.
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Have a question? Comment or DM me! Here’s the link for Lensbaby’s site. Be sure to use the code wsharon for a 10% discount on your next Lensbaby purchase!

Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | 1/250 | f/2 | ISO 100

Lensbaby Ambassador

Lensbaby Ambassador!
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It’s official! I have joined the @lensbabyusa team as part of their Ambassador program. I have been using Lensbaby lenses for several years now. If you’ve taken my Expressive Self Portraiture class you know that I love using Lensbaby lenses throughout my self-portraiture work. If you’ve taken my other class, The Art of Authenticity, then you know that my macro work primarily consists of Lensbaby work. Nothing can compare!
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So what does this mean? I will be sharing more behind the scenes and details of my Lensbaby work and why I love working with these unique lenses. I also have a discount code for YOU! Feel free to DM me any time with any questions about Lensbaby or my process.
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You can follow this LINK to their website and use the code wsharon to save 10% on all regular price purchases.
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This self-portrait was taken with the Lensbaby Composer Pro II and the Sweet 50 optic.

Once Upon a Time- The Creative Weaver

Once upon a time
A girl weaved a magical story
Though art.
And then another, and another,
And another,
She created from her heart. 

These spells held heartache,
Love, turmoil, enchantment,
Good vs evil,
Darkness and light.
They held wishes, dreams,
Memories,
Creating them was her right.

My new email challenge, The Creative Weaver, is coming soon! To be the first to know, sign up for my email list or reach out to me at sharon@sharoncovert.com .
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How to Be a Creative Weaver - New Email Challenge Coming Soon!

How to be a Creative Weaver

Create uncensored,
Write for your eyes only,
But share it.

Believe in magic,
Truly believe.

Hand the reins over to your inner child,
Gift her the space she needs to create.
Allow her to craft a magical mess!

Read one hundred books,
Read some more.

Walk in the woods,
Talk to the animals.
Collect treasures from nature,
Feathers, acorns, bones, mushrooms, rocks.

Look up at the sky,
Take a deep breath,
Deeper.
Inhale.
Exhale.

Consult the cards, self-reflection,
Follow your heart and intuition,
Trust it knows the way.

You are a Creative Weaver.

My new 10-day email challenge, The Creative Weaver, is coming soon! Email me with any questions!

New Email Challenge! The Creative Weaver

As a young child, I was always drawn to fairytales. I would lose myself in faraway lands as I listened to my grandmother read magical stories to me. 📖📚

It's no surprise that I thread pieces of these tales throughout my work along with other magical elements. ✨

I'm so excited to announce a new 10-day email challenge that I am creating for you.

The Creative Weaver. 🌙

In The Creative Weaver, we will draw our inspiration from Fairytales, the Tarot, Mythology, Folklore, Archetypes, Personal Symbolism vs. Universal Symbolism, Journaling, and more. 💫🌛🥀🦄🐻🐰🦊🐺🔮⚔️

If you sign up for my newsletter you'll receive early access to sign up. You can also learn more here and on Instagram (@sharoncovertphotography) over the next couple of weeks. 🔮

Let's weave magic and enchantment throughout our imagery together!
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Turn Your Stories into Art

I haven’t been on social media much lately.

Life’s mishaps have decided 2020 is their year.

I recently wrapped up my latest round of Expressive Self Portraiture and I’m feeling grateful for the women it brought into my life.
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I spent some time writing today and putting into words what my class focus is on. It came down to this- I help teach women to process their emotions and life experiences through art and creativity so that they have a healing outlet through self-expression. 

I have a new appreciation for the story behind a self-portrait and what goes into it. How brave these women are to share pieces of themselves in this way. It’s so easy to quickly judge another person and what they choose to share with others. What we often forget is that we are multifaceted beings with layer upon layer of life on us.

We are each living our own version of a shared story.

A collective.

Learning to read self-portraiture is an art form. It’s such an intricate story no matter how the image may look on the outside. A person’s life experiences help shape and form each and every one.
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These are just my thoughts and ramblings for the day. Be kind to one another. Support each other. ♥️

“It Began in August” {Self-Portrait}

Carry the Light {Self-Portraits}

There have been several new faces around here recently so I thought I’d tell you a little about what I do. 🤗
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I’m a conceptual fine art self-portrait artist. I create the bulk of my outdoor work using only the natural light available to me right here in my backyard. My indoor work is made in a small spare room in my home with a window for my light source. My editing process consists primarily of Lightroom and Exposure Software and does not involve compositing.

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I created and teach a 4-week online class called Expressive Self Portraiture where I walk you through my process step by step. I guide and support you on your own self-portraiture journey. We dig deep to get to the core of why we feel drawn to creating this type of work. We learn and put into use many different techniques to allow us options in our self-expression. I go over my editing process. There are weekly lessons to read, assignments, editing videos, behind the scenes videos, and more.
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Our stories are what heals us and others. Our expression of our stories is our medicine. The process is cathartic. The outcome is freeing. Self-portraiture is an opportunity to tell your story, rewrite a new one, learn who you are, and are not. The camera is your tool that reveals your soul. This work strips you down to your core. It’s not easy, but the healing and self-discovery that comes out of this medium are profound and life-changing.
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If this sparks any curiosity or interest in you, feel free to email me with any questions. During our time together you will have my guidance and support, but you will have continued support long after the class has ended. You can learn more and read testimonials from past students by visiting 
https://www.sharoncovert.com/classes
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The Hermit

Art has taught me that it’s okay to be different.

Art had allowed me the freedom of self-expression.

I do things my own way.

I create from the inner guidance of my own voice.

I march to the beat of my own internal drum. 

Guided down my path by my own light and vision, I learn through my solitude that I can form connections with others through creating.

Recently, I have shared self-portraits that I made while teaching and being a student of my own class, Expressive Self-Portraiture. This is the first time I decided to be a student and do the work alongside my students. It really helped to keep my creative flow during these difficult times. I am so grateful for the amazing and brave women creatives who continue to join me!

🕯The Hermit {Self-Portrait} 🕯

Diana the Huntress {Self-Portrait}

My creativity has been ignited by the world’s recent events. It’s not a place I go to escape, but instead, go to be myself. I find freedom in creating. There’s solace in self-expression. I feel protective over the world I have created. I cannot turn my back on making art, for it would be turning my back on myself.

Diana the Huntress {Self-Portrait}
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