A collared owlet first

 

           

 

          

 

Some photos I recently took of Josh, a singer // rapper // song writer.

Quite possibly for cover art. It was the first time I photographed a male in this manner! 

Six words.

 

"Just literally stop giving a fuck"

Six words, texted to me from my go to human in life, my sister.

Six words that have now become my mantra.

Six words that could help many others just like me.

 

 

I am a textbook Virgo (if you believe in that kind of stuff) with OCD and a lack of confidence.

It doesn't come easy changing my mindset, yet I attempt to every morning when I wake up.

Some people believe if you constantly receive positive feedback, that confidence follows and there is nothing
more untrue than that. Confidence is embedded, you have it or you work to have it within yourself,
it's that simple. I try and step back daily, and not compare what I'm doing and what brings me happiness to others.
This practice of changing my thoughts has been something I work on in all aspects of my life, but has
been in full effect art wise since I started to like grit and grain in photos. I am not all that confident in my
clear works, so putting photos such as these out there, takes a lot. Those six words, constantly running
through my head. If you change your thoughts, you can change your life and to be honest
it's working. I do not care, like them, don't like them, fail, succeed. Repeat it, over and over.
 

 

 

Those six words. Literally, stop.



 

Gritty

Gritty and grainy and everything you shouldn't do.

but what you really shouldn't do,

is ever let someone tell you what you shouldn't do.

Photo/Edit:Victoria Galvin

Ten Things

1. My extremely talented friend JG took this gorgeous photo

2. My 24th birthday is so soon, and I'm excited to celebrate it early this weekend with friends

3. I can't wait for the kids to go back to school, so I have more free time for personal goals and such.

4. I get to see my parents in a few days, for my Dad and my birthday and to see Jeter play one last time together, just like our first time ever together when I was six.

5. This is the first time in five years I'll be with my parents near my birthday, or on one of theirs! :)

6. I'm really really excited about this long weekend coming up for all the reasons I just named!

7. And I'm equally excited for the end of summer festivites, and to start focusing hard.

8. I got a crazy idea yesterday, and just might need to do it.

9. Sunday was a killer thrift day for me, the treasures I found are so good.

10. My sister pointed out that this photo is also a Free People Me photo shoot!



Living Spaces: Volume One

 

 

 

 

I've had nine bedrooms so far in my life, and I know that the number will continue to increase. Seven of those bedrooms have been in the matter of six years. Although there are many cons about moving around, a huge pro for me is decorating. I have photographs of every bedroom I've ever had, and it makes me smile to see growth and changes through them. I currently live in a "log cabin" (that's my nickname for it!). It's located in my Aunt's house in New York, and is the only room in the house that looks like a log cabin. I'm glad I don't have the luxury of painting it since I'm a temporary resident, because even without being able to I often go back and fourth wondering if I could paint it, would I leave it or paint it white (lucky this isn't a real dilemma!). Anyway I thought it would be interesting to share some photos of bedrooms (and rooms in apartments!) I've had along the way. I'm sure the Log Cabin will make it's way onto this blog again, because I love it so much, and will surely miss it when I no longer live in it!

Deténgase

 

I recently caught myself falling into some patterns that I do not like. It took me a long time to get my head on straight and not fear the odds or tell myself my mind and body are not "good enough", and this summer being around other people a lot again has brought back out some dark sad thoughts. I tend to be alone more often than I'm not, and it really allows me to self reflect and help myself rather than depend on medication to help my mind. I try to find ways to help my disorders without using medication often and this week I created this "Stop Doing" list rather than a "To Do" list and hung it right by my bedroom door. Everyday I am now reminded of the person I am and things I want to well, stop doing. It takes time and repetition, but changing your mind can greatly improve many areas in your life. I dare you to write some things down like this! and see if it helps you!

Ten Thing

1.On friday the hair gods were on my side and my hair turned white! allowing me to do the lavender

2. It's not dead either! (thank you hair gods!)

3.Today work consists of the beach with the kids and my friend (paid to go boogie boarding? I'm in!)

4. I found a beautiful plant (pot, stand and all!) on the side of the road last night, and it made me the happiest girl.

5. I feel something good might be on the verge of happening

6. Currently I have a crippling pain in my stomach, but I'm trying my best to ignore it

7. I put my phone on the other side of the room last night so I would wake up at 6am, I woke up, grabbed it and went back to sleep. (I believe I need a new plan)

8. I'm longing for fall, pumpkin spice coffee, knee highs, sweaters and my new jacket!

9. I'm also longing for my October trip to Nashville and my Novemeber trip to North Carolina

10. I finished a painting and a book last night and little things such as those make me feel like a successful person.

Monday Thoughts

 

"There is a light that never goes out"

-The Smiths

I've decided to use a quote a week on a photo I have taken in the past. I've always wrote my own, saved quotes or re-wrote meaningful ones in my notebooks. I don't know if it's just me but when I read a quote or a song lyric and it resonates with me specifically, it gets me thinking. This week specifically I can't help but get this oldie but goodie out of my head. It came to me while on the phone with my Father. He asked me if I have looked into school, and the answer is I haven't really. The light that will not, and can not go out in me, is a creative one. I have yet to make the decision if I want to go to Grad school or if I want to push for a more creative career. Although Grad school would give me more of a guaranteed financial career, I can't help but shut off the light of wanting the freedom to create. This is a decision I must figure out soon, but I'm leaning toward it can't hurt to try, only not to!



Ten Things

1. I'm longing for Lake Norman (above) at my parents house in North Carolina

2. Last night I burned eucalyptus oil as I fell asleep (game changer)

3. I have a summer cold, and my throat is on fireeeeeee

4. I take four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar a day

5. I have another lightening session on friday and I hope my hair turns white

6. I'm reading a book about permanent change and goals

7. ^ Because I need to move sooner rather than later, but I'm petrified.

8. I'm sure it will be the best thing I've ever done though.

9. I want to meet new people (friends) but I don't know how

10. I have a grandma bladder, it holds no liquid I swear.



Rebirth

 

 

 

 

 

Rebirth 2014.

"Let it out and rid it forever"

Photos and Edits: Victoria Galvin

Bow & Arrow: Inspiration

 

Where do you get your inspiration from? Does it come to you randomly like mine? Does it often come from nature?

My mind knows no bounds, it's not limited to drawing, painting or photography ideas, but random ideas, at random moments, often while outside (which most of my time is spent outside). I was on a walk with the little boy I nanny and I saw the pile of sticks that I had picked through two weeks prior (for different projects) was still there, so naturally I had to take a look. The first stick I found was the one I used for the bow and the stick that sprung this idea. Just that little stick, and I knew what I wanted to create next. It had the perfect bend, and looked like a bow all on it's own. I picked a stick for an arrow and got to work that night. I wanted the wood raw, but I've never done anything like that so I just tried (just try things! doesn't hurt to try, only not to!), first by pulling off some bark then by stripping the sticks with scissors and finally sanding them. I then made the bow, simply by adding hemp how I saw fit. For the arrow, I used a hot glue gun, a rock from my rock collection, white feathers and hemp. I hung it up and stared at it (and sent my sister a photo). We both came to the conclusion that the simplicity of it was beautiful all on it's own, and I didn't need to add anything further. I'm really happy with how this project came out, it makes me smile everytime I walk past it and makes my wall look real good too! It feels fresh and original and has inspired new projects (what a cycle!). So go out there, find some inspiration (possibly in nature) and get to creating! 

Ten Thing Tuesday

1. I have that pit in my stomach and chest that is all to fimilar to me.

2. A little about number one: I have anxiety//mild OCD that causes emotional and physical effects, but I ditched medication for good and now I use a morning mantra and natural things to sooth this out of nowhere, for no reason disorder.

3. I got a flat tire this morning, and I smiled through it!

4. I'm still smiling

5. I'm using this ten thing tuesday as a way to incorporate old photos I've taken on this here blog

6. I took the above photos directly after my worst panic attack to date, April 8th 2014.

7. I'm a klutz, I'm always hurting myself, always.

8. I don't eat pigs or cows

9. My toenails aren't painted right now and it feels so strange

10. Is it friday yet?



You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

 

 

If you follow me on any sort of social media, or know me in real life, you know about or have seen my fascination for Native Americans. I get that from my Grandfather. Every year we would go to the reservation, and he would buy my sister and I a new dreamcatcher. His collection of Native American memorabilia was one I always admired. He started my fascination with dream catchers, but Matt and I re-sparked it in my later years. We collected and made our own, and I have yet to stop that. Dream catchers were first introduced by the Ojibwe people, and as everyone knows are said to filter out bad dreams and allow only good thoughts to enter the mind. I find dream catchers soothing and healing, making them (maybe I should sell some!), surrounding myself with them, and learning about them all have further promt the obsession I have. My collection is growing (14!) and will continue to. I even make sure my loved ones have at least one made by me as little gifts and have bought some of them one made by a real tribe from my favorite store in the city Western Spirit. I like collecting them from all the places I travel, and making them unique with real bird feathers I find on the ground. My goal is in my future home to have a whole wall covered, with bought and made ones! Do you have a hobby/collection? If not you should start one! It's theraputic, I tell you.