The Importance of Play for Creativity

I've recently had a spark of creativity that has resulted in a new way of creating for me. I've been breathing new life and meaning into self-portraits I have already made. It began with taking a print of a recent self-portrait and poking holes in it. I needed pins and needles of various sizes and some cork board to put behind the printed photo. This technique is something I have wanted to try for years but never took the first step. Next, I found a light to shine behind the print and used my camera to take a picture of the altered print. This was the result.

Another thing I tried was using gold leaf paint. When I shared this next self-portrait on social media, several people thought I had used some type of overlay in Photoshop to achieve this look. Again, this was a print of an older self-portrait I had. I splattered gold leaf paint on top of the print and then photographed the print using my Lensbaby Velvet 56.

For this last one, I used a 2.5-gallon fish tank. I took the printed photograph, submerged it into the tank, and shook the tank to create movement in the water. Then, I took a picture of the picture.

Many viewers assumed my end results were all achieved in Photoshop. The process of making these felt important and therapeutic for me. I wasn't sure how they would turn out and was intrigued by the fact that these photographs would be forever altered and have new meaning. There was a quality of permanence to them that they didn't have before.

As a Lensbaby Ambassador, I can save you 10% off your Lensbaby regular-priced purchase by using the code wsharon. As a Click Pro Ambassador, I can save you $15.00 off of your Click Pro application by clicking here to apply and using code sharoncovert.

Expressive Self Portraiture Opening Soon

Expressive Self-Portraiture opening soon!🌙
This is a call for all artists who have that inner burning desire to create new work- a new type of work.
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This is a call for anyone who would like to delve deeper into self-portraiture and learn how to process and express your emotions and life experiences through art.
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This is a call to dare to dream, find your voice, use your voice, and try new things, all in a safe and supportive space online.
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This is a call for hard work, emotional work, creative work, healing work.
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This is your call to action! Come join me in a private online space where we will spend 4+ weeks together. We will share, learn, create, support, heal, and make magic. There will be weekly written lessons, editing videos, behind the scenes, and weekly live creative sessions where we will hold one another accountable and work together.
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Registration for Expressive Self Portraiture is opening next week. Stay tuned for more details! Have a question? Feel free to DM me or drop it in the comments below. I’m SO excited!

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

Interested in the Lensbaby Velvet 56? Us this link and the code wsharon to save 10%!

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!

A Foggy Morning with the Lensbaby Velvet 56

I loved the conversation we had in the comments of my last Instagram post that I shared here yesterday. I think it’s helpful to learn the process of others, whether it’s finding out they are similar to you or learning something completely new. Thank you for sharing!
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Yesterday morning we had fog again. I knew I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. This was one of those shoots where I wasn’t thrilled with my results at first. I needed to sit with the images for a bit. I ended up editing one in color and one in B+W.
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I’ve been very pleased with the results of my @lensbabyusa Velvet 56 lately. The combination of this lens and the fog really helped add to the atmosphere here in this self-portrait. It makes me feel like it’s from another time, another land, a scene from a movie, a page from a book.
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Don’t forget, as a #lensbabyambassador I can offer you a 10% discount. Use this link and type in the code wsharon at checkout. Tag me in any work you make with them. I’d love to see and support you!
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To Plan or Not to Plan Your Creative Shoots?

Are you the type of artist who pre-plans your creative work? Or do you work off of a feeling? I used to have the mindset that in order to create art I needed to have a plan set in place. I felt that all of the professionals worked that way.
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Through time and experience, I have come to learn that there is no one way of creating art. I now can go into creating with an open mind and no expectations of a specific outcome. I don’t always pre-think all of my shots and instead, I allow myself to be present in the moment to find and create what my heart sees and feels.
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It may just be a whisper or a nudge, a sense or a feeling. I try to be receptive and
open so I don’t miss it. I listen and watch for signs and guidance. I’ve had plenty of shoots that didn’t produce an image in the end, but it did provide me with lessons and an experience. It all depends on how you look at it.
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This self-portrait? I was driving home from dropping my daughter off at school yesterday morning and the early morning fog called to me.
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So tell me, do you favor planning or going with your intuition? Or maybe a mix of the two like I do? There is no wrong or right way! Can you see a difference in your work with one way over another?
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Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | f/2.8 | 1/250 | 200

As a Lensbaby Ambassador I can save you 10% on your Lensbaby purchase. Just use this link and the code wsharon at checkout! Tag me on Instagram @sharoncovertphotography with any Lensbaby work you create!

Lost & Found {Self-Portrait}

You can only find the right way after you lost it
Erik Tanghe
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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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Strength

Strength shows up in different ways. It’s not always bold and overpowering. There’s strength in silence, solitude, patience, and stillness. Strength stands quietly by your side as you weather the storm whispering in your ear giving you the courage to endure.
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Strength {Self-Portrait}

Connecting Through Art

Self-portraiture gives me a sense of freedom and control. Turning to creativity and art during this distressing time has provided me with both an escape and a feeling of grounding.

Sharing and connecting through our art is more important now than ever before. How can I support you? Let’s support one another and hold space for each other. 

Art is My Voice

“If we but look at the shadows we cast, we see that they are not two-legged human shadows but the lovely shapes of a something free and wild.” - Clarissa Pinkola Estes

As an introvert and someone who suffers from social anxiety, I tend to go within and isolate myself for long periods. While this may feel safe, it can also lead to feelings of loneliness and being overlooked.

Self-expression is so vital to being and feeling alive. I used to think that having a voice meant I had to verbalize my thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

Art is my voice.

What is your preferred form of self-expression?