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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Protective Bubble
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?
The Wolf
Unleash your creativity.
Play.
Make mistakes.
Make a lot of mistakes.
Learn from them.
Get dirty.
Let go of perfectionism.
Experiment.
Share with others so they may be inspired to act on their creative sparks.
Think you’re not creative enough?
Think again.
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The Moon
The Moon 🌙
She’s about darkness and illumination and finding that balance. She’s about enchantment and reality and the in-between. She’s about uncovering what was right there in front of her the whole time. She’s about learning to see both here and now, and in her dreams. She’s learning to lean in and trust her intuitive nature. It’s always been there. She doesn’t realize the true depth of the power she holds, but that will come in time. She ebbs and flows and dances to the rhythm of her own heart. ♥️
Do the Work: 10 Reminders for Artists and Creators
Do the work
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Don’t give up when things get hard or don’t go as you planned.
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Learn when enough is enough and it’s time to move on.
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Support others instead of comparing.
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Failures = learning lessons/experiences.
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Share your failures so that others may learn as well.
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Show up every damn day in some way no matter how small.
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Be gentle and kind to yourself as well as others.
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Forgive.
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Lead by example.
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Trust your intuition.
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Just dropping these reminders right here...For me. I’m still learning...every day. Sometimes the answers to my life’s burning questions are right there in front of my face the whole time. I just need to open my eyes. What reminders do you find most helpful in your life right now?
Art Now! Chores Later : Why You Shouldn't Put Off Your Creativity and 5 Ways to Nourish it
" I've seen women insist on cleaning everything in the house before they could sit down to write...and you know it's a funny thing about housecleaning...it never comes to an end. Perfect way to stop a woman. A woman must be careful to not allow over-responsibility (or over-respectability) to steal her necessary creative rests, riffs, and raptures. She simply must put her foot down and say no to half of what she believes she "should" be doing. Art is not meant to be created in stolen moments only." _ Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Recently, an artist friend of mine shared this quote on Instagram. It was one of those quotes that screamed out to me. The kind that your gut intuition tells you that it was written just for you. I brought the quote to The Define School’s forum and we quickly adopted the motto, Art Now! Chores later.
Not too long ago, I was that woman in the quote. And by no means am I saying I am no longer her. I am just more aware of when I am her. Being aware and recognizing unrewarding patterns is half the battle. I've trained myself to rearrange my priorities and put myself and my creativity up at the top of my list whenever possible. It's not always easy, and often it's uncomfortable.
As women, we wear many hats, or as I like to say- masks. We are known to put others first and tend to everyone else. We tend to prioritize chores and responsibilities. We are caregivers. We clean, cook, take care of children, help family and friends, look after beloved family pets, run errands, work, and leave little to no time for what lights us up.
Tend to your spark.
Ignite the fire.
Don't allow your artistic calling to lie dormant and unaroused. Practice listening to your intuitive voice when it comes to creating. Balance is key.
One early evening last week, inspiration hit me at an inconvenient time. The dogs and kids needed to be fed, but so did I, in a different way. The woods were calling. Once everyone was taken care of, I knew the cleanup and aftermath could wait. I quickly darted out the door and began to set up. Everything changed when I was out there. My heart rate, breath, mood- it all steadied and slowed down. I was in my happy place, and all was well in that moment.
For me, the process is more important than the outcome. Whether or not I get the shot is irrelevant. I needed that time and space to create. I can't emphasize enough how absolutely necessary it is to make time for yourself. Your badge of honor should not be for all of the things you fit into a day and checked off of your to-do list. Your button of merit shouldn't be earned from being so busy in your day that you didn't have time to eat; to nourish your own body.
Here are some ways to be kind to yourself and allow for creative space in your daily life. Keep an open mind and open heart to them, and you will be greatly rewarded.
Set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier each morning and begin your day in silence. Sip on some lemon water. Meditate. Journal. Get it all out on the pages so you can then start your day with a clear mind. Waking up earlier than required sounds terrible to most people. With some simple adjusting to your bedtime, it becomes much easier over time. For me, I need that time alone in the morning to thrive and be the best I can for others throughout the day. You may even be surprised to find yourself looking forward to that early morning time!
Move your body. Stretch. Breathe. I have a daily yoga practice. Some mornings it only means 10 minutes. Other mornings it's 40 minutes. I won't allow myself to get hung up on time. My body needs this type of movement and breathing. It is key to helping me carry through my day. Some prefer an evening ritual, so if that's you, go for it!
Schedule time for creativity. If you are finding yourself getting caught up in the "I'm too busy and don't have enough time" loop, then this is for you. Block off some time on your calendar for your creativity each day. Make it non-negotiable even if it's something as little as 10 minutes a day. Allow yourself this well-deserved, uninterrupted time. Time is what we make of it. I've been guilty of saying I don't have enough of it, but it comes down to priorities.
Ask for help. Too much on your to-do list leaves little to no time for you. There is no rule that states we have to do it all; a common fallacy that many people take on as a firm belief. You may feel asking for help makes you less of a person or that it sets you up for rejection. I find the opposite to be true. Making a few simple changes and delegating some tasks i.e., surrendering and giving up some control, can supply you with enough freedom to cultivate your creativity.
Set up a small space that's just for you. This space can be a corner of a room, a little altar, desk, windowsill, a bookshelf, anything. Get creative with it. Decorate it with candles, crystals, flowers, books, artwork, pictures, oracle cards, anything that brings you inner peace, makes you smile, and inspires you. Spend some time in that area each day. Can you set up a chair nearby and read or journal for 15 minutes in this space? Make it your own and bring what you will to it. I've completely taken over the sunroom in our house and made it my own. Aside from that, I have smaller spaces throughout the house that I've created for myself also.
Do the things that light you up.
You don't have to check off a to-do list in order to earn quality time for yourself. The house cleaning can wait! Commit to these practices, and you will see and feel such a difference in yourself.
Leave a comment below and share your thoughts and ideas. Let's help each other out and support one another!
** Sharon Covert is a teacher and mentor at The Define School. Sharon's courses, Expressive Self Portraiture and The Art of Authenticity are both available through The Define School. For more information email Sharon at sharoncovertphotography@gmail.com or visit The Define School by clicking this link. You can sign up for Sharon’s newsletter HERE to stay up to date and receive a bonus black and white editing video.
Backstage Pass: The Story Behind the Image
I recently began creating a new series, Luna, and wanted to share a peek at what goes on behind the scenes.
I like to incorporate objects as symbolism in many of my self-portraits. For this series, I wanted a type of sphere to represent the moon. I purchased several of the Amazing Wubble Bubble Balls (Have you heard of them?) in white and blue. I also used a 3D printed LED moon lamp (which has some texture. Can you spot it?). Soon I'll be adding in pearl-colored children's ball pit balls for even more spheres. I chose shades of blues and whites because I felt they would convert well to black and white in my post-processing.
I began by setting up some test shots in my backyard to get a feel for things before changing into a cumbersome dress. It can sometimes be difficult with all of the back and forth to my camera while wearing a gown. Often, they end up dirt ridden, torn and tattered, but thankfully, the camera is forgiving.
Test shot to grab my focus, set my exposure, and get the placement of the balls.
My initial thoughts were to capture the balls in mid-air. This process proved to be complicated. It was tricky to time it out with my camera's shutter release and more times than not the balls landed on my head, knocking my glasses off.
Here you can see that I was trying to capture some movement in my dress.
In these outtakes you can see how I try to capture some movement in my dress.
Eventually, I ended up with a costume change and a call for back-up. Since I don't typically work in Photoshop, I need to find other ways to bring my visions to life. Sometimes that means asking for help.
You can see the hand on the left by the dress.
Once I finished, I brought my images into Lightroom and converted them to black and white. I added any texture and bokeh using Alien Skin Exposure software. It only took me about 10 minutes to edit each self-portrait.
Here are a few of the final edits.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into what goes on behind the scenes. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below, and I'd be happy to reply.
I am an Artist - My Struggles with Imposter Syndrome
The first time I came across the term “Imposter Syndrome,” I was newly teaching my Expressive Self Portraiture class with The Define School. A fellow artist and student brought it to my attention. What was it? It didn’t sound good. I Googled the term, and right before my eyes was a description of my exact feelings.
Wikipedia says, “Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon remain convinced that they are frauds, and do not deserve all they have achieved. Individuals with impostorism incorrectly attribute their success to luck, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent than they perceive themselves to be.”
As time went on, I came to realize that Imposter Syndrome is quite common, if not prevalent in the Artist community. Unfortunately, many of us choose not to speak about it and expose ourselves as the “frauds” we believe we are.
I want to share my struggles openly with all of you. I know it’s in these relatable moments where I find reassurance that I am not alone. I hope you can find the same.
For years I would freeze up when someone would ask me what I do for a living. It was a process for me to say the words “I’m a photographer.” In all honesty, sometimes I would revert to my past years and take the easier route. “I’m a piano teacher.” Stating that I’m a photographer opened up space for more questions which would essentially lead to the fact that I’m a fraud.
As time went on, I graduated from photographer to artist. With that, the feelings came of “What gives me the right to call myself an artist?!” Throw in the fact that my art consisted mostly of self-portraits, and I really had a doozy on my hands when speaking to others.
Do you need to be making an income to title yourself as a photographer or artist?
No!
Do you need to have clients, magazine spreads, or pictures hanging on gallery walls to be worthy?
No!
Do you need wild success and acclamations to muster up the courage to call yourself an artist?
Never!
What you need is to create and create authentically from your heart. You need to trust in yourself and your abilities.
That whole fake it until you make it has never jived well with me. What’s wrong in admitting I have no idea of what I’m doing and I could use a little help? In doing that, you’ll weed out the people who aren’t YOUR people.
I’m here to tell you that I don’t have it all together. I have no idea what I’m doing. It took me countless hours to put together my first newsletter. I still have trouble sizing images for galleries and prints. I recently was asked to mat a photograph and had to ask my father for help after completely failing at it. I’m still trying to figure out Instagram Stories. While typing this, I checked my email and received another rejection letter. This list goes on and on.
But do you know what? I still keep moving forward, no matter how tiny the steps are.
Why?
Because I’m an Artist. And a teacher.
The next time you find yourself doubting you’re an artist, remember this. You are not alone. I’m willing to bet that even the best have a hidden case of Imposter Syndrome going on. The most courageous thing you can do in all of your self-doubts is to do it anyway.
Keep creating the work that calls to you. Support others in doing the same. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Make mistakes and then allow the time and space to learn from them.
As always, thank you all for your support!
xoxo,
Sharon
Growing Ideas
Take an idea and build off of it. Watch it evolve, change, and grow. Witness the stories that unfold as you create from all of the pieces of your life- past, present, future.
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Luna {Self-Portrait}
Calling All Creatives
Wanted: Creative, emotional Artist seeking her tribe of like-minded Artists.
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My Belief: I believe in creating for self-love, self-awareness, self-discovery, self-reflection, self-guidance, self-healing and introspection. My core belief is that by practicing these things you will become a better person to serve those around you.
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Have you ever been moved by someone else’s art? Have you ever felt connected in some way to another’s magic?
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We, as Artists, are healers.
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My 4 week interactive Expressive Self Portraiture course through The Define School is now OPEN for registration! We will spend 4 weeks online together learning and practicing the tools I give you for creating art for yourself. You will learn how to think outside the box and bring your inner stories to life in a healing and expressive way. In this course I share everything. I hold nothing back.
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Answer the call and join me by clicking THIS LINK for more information.
I’m so damn excited for this! ♥️
Class beings September 10th!
Out of the Darkness
My self-portraiture was born out of a dark place, but over time, has evolved just as we all do.
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As I’m sure you can tell, I’m most drawn to mysterious, dark, dreamlike, and oftentimes weird/creepy imagery. I have an active imagination and I enjoy the process of trying to bring it all to life.
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Did you know I don’t use Photoshop to edit my images?
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I truly enjoy the process of bringing my weird ideas to life. Sometimes it comes with its challenges since I can’t easily add in something during post processing.
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This self-portrait was taken in my backyard. I used a smoke bomb in the woods and wore a vintage dress and hat I found at a local thrift store. I kept my face shadowed to add to the mystery of this ghost-like woman in the woods.
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As an introvert I much prefer shooting my self-portraits in my house or on my property, although I do have a funny story or two about shooting in public places!
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Now that I shared a little about my process, what’s yours like? Do you live for the shoot or the editing process? Does your image come to life before or after editing? Or is it a combination of both? Do you prefer to be out in public or hidden?
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Share in the comments below. Also, I’ll make a post soon for those bloopers I’ve experienced out in public!
Rejection
Have you ever been rejected?
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It doesn’t feel good, I know.
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But what if you used that rejection to fuel your fire🔥 and become even more amazing?
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Instead of allowing it to bring you down, let it motivate you.
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I’ve been checking my email for weeks in hopes of an acceptance email. You usually can tell by the header. “Congratulations!”
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Today the email came, except it was a rejection email.
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For a brief moment I let the sting set in and bring me down. The questions began circling through my mind. How? Why? What could I have done different?
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I quickly put a stop to it and decided I would continue submitting to them. After all, what’s the worst thing that can happen?
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So many people share their successes and leave out their failures. I’ve been guilty of doing that myself ✋🏼. I think many of us have feelings of shame in rejection and failure. It’s embarrassing.
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Have you been rejected recently? Or have you had a recent success? Either way, I’d love to hear about it! Comment below and let’s lift each other up and inspire one another.
The Story Behind the Image
I used a long exposure to create this self-portrait in September of 2016.
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I had reached a point in my life where I almost felt I was in two places at once.
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Part of me was coming out of this dark place I had been in for what felt like so long.
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I could separate myself from that place and look back at that version of me, and to be quite honest, I wasn’t sure what this newer version of me was all about yet.
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As humans we tend to stay with what feels safe, even if that “safe” isn’t good for us.
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I almost felt as if I were turning my back on myself, which is what led to the concept of this self-portrait.
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You guys, there is one thing I will attest to and that is this-
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Art heals.
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My hope and wish for you is that you allow yourselves the freedom to explore, play, create, make mistakes and know that it’s completely fine.
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Let go of any judgments you have towards your work or yourself. That’s only going to weigh you down and hold you back from all of the greatness that is YOU.