Paint brushes and pheromones

I wanted to share some photos from my week, a week that saw me complete three photography jobs, travel to and from Bristol to see my sister and indulge in a little flirty banter with a man playing a guitar. I was working, and was required to take this gentleman’s photograph - and there was chemistry, people, chemistry! It’s been so long I almost ran away.

I’ve always been a bit in awe of how musicians can put themselves on a stage, how they can reveal themselves in song. The worst thing you could ask me to do is to sing. Sure, I can do karaoke but that’s for fun - it's not singing, it’s camping it up with a tambourine and an oversized mic. Real singing makes me feel utterly vulnerable - hence I never do it.

So there I was, snapping away as the two handsome musicians made music with a violin and a guitar, completely impromptu, sitting in the sun as they waited to set up for the gig they’d be playing that evening. As I listened I marvelled at how they had their thing, how they had a gift they could use, a talent they felt so comfortable with their instrument was an extension of themselves. And I envied them for a moment, until I looked down at the camera in my hands and remembered that I had found the thing that makes me get up in the morning smiling. And it’s true - I really do, even though I have no idea where it is taking me.

A friend of mine recently told me that she feared she didn’t have a thing, that all she could do was ‘be a mum’. And she is a wonderful mother, but I had to point out to her how gorgeous her home was, how her sense of style was straight out of an interiors magazine. Her thing is interior design; others are poets, writers, cooks, yoga practitioners, singers, painters, sculptors, gardeners, surfers, walkers, knitters… we all have a thing.

What’s yours?

Comments

[maddie]

chemistry? well - that cute knee is
just vibrating with chemistry!

i am just smiling ear to ear for you and your
wonderful pictures are fabulous - love
the paints picture - and my thing...

is writing :) I feel really happy lately that i can
earn a little income now writing as it brings me
such profound pleaseure and joy -

and photography - even though i am just
an amateur - it fuels me - helps me
"see" in new ways everytime i take a photo -

:)

beautiful post sweetie - :)

[bee]

oh, i heart this post for so very many reasons. for some magical reason your prose can evoke such a clear scenario for me...i can see you with those musicians, having cute banter under the sun...and congratulations on the 3 jobs! i don't think you need to know where you're going, but i'm sure the universe is showing you that you're doing the right thing. it sounds like you're incredibly happy, so YAY.

mine is writing...and walking, and photography, and yoga. mine is still unknown, i think.

i agree with maddie, this was beautiful. :)

[Luxie]

Oh' yes...Your pictures are just sooo soothing!...And..yay'..to your question...Seemed like you've read my mind from across the great ocean shores...

Hmm'..thinking...thinking..What really could be my "thing"...shucks!

[Star]

Chemistry...mmmmm. :D Love your gorgeous photos; they all look happy, like they are coming from the center of you.

I'm still looking for my thing. And I'm beginning to stress about the postcard thing already--aack! Is a picture enough?

[susanna]

Chemistry! Alright, Susannah! And your photographs are just soooo good! I really like how the diptychs you've created. Look at that black and white yoga portrait next to the painting...so beautiful. You do have a gift. :)

[Amber]

I can't tell you how it made me smile to read about the chemistry! Oh yeah, ah ha, oh yeah, go sus! :) I love those first flirty feelings. Hot fun.

These pics are all just so beautiful. You are good at your thing.

:)

[Blue]

My thing is a willingness to try anything...I am not concerned with failure.
Your photographs are outstanding...I love them!
xo
Blue

[JanePoe (aka Deborah)]

Mmmmm....I'm glad you had that spark of chemistry! What fun :)
I've discovered my thing & thank goodness that I have a community to share it with.
Sending you peace & love, JP/deb

[Catherine]

It's so obvious from your photos that they are your "thing". As for me, despite the fact that I've tried all sorts of creative pursuits over the years - quilting, poetry, photography, blogging - I have to admit that the "thing" that comes really naturally to me is logical thinking, which finds its outlet in areas like maths, accounting, and research skills (family history). Despite the boring image attached to accountants etc, I find I lose all sense of time when I'm absorbed in number problems.

[kristen]

You definitely have found your thing honey, I love how your photos make me feel and the above photos, well they are delicious. I smiled big and hard for your chemi flirting and even more when you said you almost ran away....very evocative sentence there. (= I hope someday you'll take me to karaoke, it's something I've always wanted to do but haven't got the nerve. Yet.
I don't know what my thing is - I mean I know in one sense, sticking people which I LOVE, but the creative 'thing'? I don't know. xoxo

[bb]

i so agree ~ so let's get all get out there are shake our thang, ahem, i mean thing ;)

[deirdre]

Having a "thing" is a constant conversation in my home. We both believe being creative is one of the most soothing and healing things a person can do, almost a spiritual practice. There's great joy and satisfaction in making something, no matter what form it takes.

[Delia]

Who's shaking what now, bb (sounds fun)??? ;) I have been thinking about this too after a similar conversation with a friend whose house puts mine to s-h-a-m-e. Learning that I have gifts of my own...ones I'm trying to celebrate--not diminish or seek to trade for others. It is an interesting truth. But, yes...we all have something. I see your photo-stories and know you have found yours.
Love,
D.

[Megan]

Oh! Chemistry.. That got me a little choked up for you! Your heart is peeking out the window, wondering if it's okay to go outside and play!

I love your "thing"! (tee hee, that sounded funny!) Your pictures are so beautiful. I feel like I am there.

My thing? I would have to say first and foremost is photography. It's what feeds me. But really, just being creative and crafty makes me happy.
Decorating, painting, writing. Bringing to life old furniture is another one that makes me really happy. It's decorating and recycling all in one! :)

[Sylvia C.]

I couldn't agree any more that we all have a "thing." Some people forget...or, even worse: they never know it at all!

How tragic.

I consider myself blessed to be so intuitive and so close to my "things" at only 22. Life is great.

I am hard at work on the swap by the way, and I am looking forward to learning a few new names and people!
:)
Can't wait!

Sylvia C.

[luzie]

Chemistry, huh? How exciting! :)

I'm so glad you've found your thing, Sus. You're such a talented photographer, and it shows in each and every photo you share with us. I love seeing the world through your lense .

My thing? I've been trying to figure that out for quite some time. It's probably got something to do with teaching and caring.

xx

[LeS]

My thing is also photography - now just to figure out how to make it my full time occupation instead having to do other things as well.

I am so happy to have found your blog - really inspiring stuff.

Now what did you do about that chemistry? Gonna go see them play again...?