Sunday, January 29, 2012

1.29.12

A lot has happened in the past couple weeks. A lot of adjusting and sacrifices, and let's just say that my week days are just so exhausting right now. I don't see it getting any easier in the near future, but one can always dream.
I am so relieved about this weekend arriving because I can get back to focusing on my art- which is also my outlet. I needed these two days to regroup and create.
I'm in the process of getting a couple pieces together to show in an exhibit. I'm totally excited right now about it, but it's so damn hard to chose which images! 



I'm not too sure exactly how much of my fan base actually knows about me, or my personal life. I have over a hundred likes on my facebook photog page, and I know I have a small fanbase from my website. Other than that, I'm clueless on how much of me that you guys keep up on. There's a lot of reasons why I keep so much of my personal life off of the internet, even on my personal facebook page where I can control who are my friends and what not- I still limit the amount of info I spread around about myself.

Not too long ago, I was contacted by a fan who lives in Wyoming. Her name is Christol. She found my webpage a few years back and has been a follower since.
Christol is a lover of photography, and she is currently in two photography clubs. One is her high school photography club, and she is also a member in a club outside of school. She was given an assignment from one of her classes, and that was to interview someone that inspires her.
She chose me :)


I am beyond flattered- Even though before now, her and I have never spoken. I didn't even know I had a fan in Wyoming. Especially one that has kept up on all my updates and followed my work for the past few years. It's both funny and admiring to know that she is out there keeping up on my updates. Funny, only because I don't make much of a to-do about my art and photography. I started out doing this as an outlet for myself. Just a way to pass time and take my mind off of difficult times that I've come across in my life.
I guess you can say that instead of becoming a junkie and turning my life into a meaningless mess, I decided to use my creativity in a positive way for myself- and hey, if it inspires others along the way, then I know I'm doing something awesome. 

I grew up in a not so great environment for a lot of years. To go into details about it isn't something that I will do, it would just be a whole lot of finger pointing and placing blame. And I'm really not the "woe is me" type- but let's just say that I didn't have the best childhood/teenage years growing up. Growing up, I needed an outlet to keep myself sane. Writing was a huge way I was able to express myself, even though my writing was my private diaries. It wasn't until several years afterwards when I decided to show my writings to the world. *World: meaning my close friends and family.
I still treat my writings as something precious, and some part of me still only shows them to people who I feel have proved themselves worthy of reading it.
I know that sounds stingy and maybe a bit arrogant, but I assure you, that is not my intentions. I'm a very private person when it comes to emotions and sharing my inner workings.

Along the way, my focus became on photography and art. As always, it's a learning process along the way to achieving great accomplishments.
I have a very creative mind, whether I'm awake or resting. My brain never stops dreaming, therefor my art is always changing somehow.
When I'm sitting here on the computer or I'm out snapping photos, that's my way of releasing what is in my head. If I did not do that, then I think I would literally go insane.
I can't help but to create. It is who I am- and yet, I keep it so very private. In my own little world.

Speaking with Christol the past month I have come to the realization on how important it is to expose yourself to the world around you. When you have a gift, you utilize that in a way that inspires others. Even if that means going outside of your comfort zone.
I can remember starting out in photography and art- looking at images in magazines or online, and being inspired by what I saw. Even though I do not remember any names of the artists, I can remember the feeling of just being in total amazement.
I want to make people feel that way, too. I want them to see my images and want to reach that level of creativity. I want to be one of those people who inspire them to become who I am today with my art.

It took me several years to feel blessed, special and proud of what I can do. Blame it on insecurity, low self esteem or what have you, because that's where it stemmed from.
But it is about breaking away from that and becoming someone that will stand out in the crowd. Everyone is amazing, they have amazing potential. And sadly enough, hardly anyone will utilize that.

So I want to thank Christol for allowing me to take that step outside of the box. I'm ready now more than ever to put myself out there.


Secondly- unfortunately photography and art are not my main source of income. I only tend to that in my spare time. My main income source is my full time job, being a supervisor at a bank.
It isn't what I would call the best job in the world, but it pays the bills. Because my art related section of my life plays a big part on the internet, I keep my work related business off of here being that I do not know who reads what. I don't want to say something that could get me fired or in trouble at my day job. A large reason why I don't discuss my day job is because it isn't an important part of my life.

But I would like to share with you what a typical day is like for me in my personal life.
We have gone through some tough changes at my workplace. My branch used to be 15 minutes down the road, but just last week we have closed the office I worked out of. My new office I was transferred to is now located 25 miles away. It takes me roughly 40 minutes each way. I guess I can say that I'm grateful that I still have a job. Am I happy about the change? Yes and no. I have to get used to a whole new customer base and all new personalities. Last week was my first week in my new office, and it was a huge difference from what I was used to.
All I can say is that I am very grateful that I get to come home to my wonderful husband every night. This past week he's heard me complain more than I think either of us would like to admit.
But, it is what it is.
My husband works in corrections. He just started this new career path over a year ago. Before that, he spent his entire life being a mechanic at his family business that his brother owns and operates. He too had to endure a huge adjustment. The shop he used to work at is literally around the corner from where we live. Now, he has to travel 50 minutes each way to get to work. And he too has to deal with huge differences in personalities as well.
But, like I said- it is what it is.

Being that we now have long commutes, we are looking to move. Gas is a pain in the ass and we know we could save so much money if we were closer to our jobs. Our dilemma though is that we would have to sell our house before we can do that. It's a great market for buying, but not a great market for selling.
So, we're stuck with that right now.
Someday we will be able to make the move- but not in the near future.

As of right now, we do not have any children. Some of you may know the history of our miscarried pregnancies. Are we still trying? We're enjoying each other right now, if it happens, it happens- if not then that's ok too. Someday we would love to have a little one running around, but there are concerns with that as well.



I'm really not sure what else to throw out there about myself. I hope that this gave you a bit more insight about me. I'm really just a regular person who enjoys the simple things in life. I'm friendly and quiet and mostly keep to myself. :)





Saturday, January 14, 2012

1.14.2012

Promo cards were mailed out today. Thanks for everyone who participated! You should receive them next week with your little Thank You gift!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

1.8.11

I found a site that prints on canvas, and the prices are very reasonable. Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to purchase any prints to see the quality, but they do have a 30 money back guarantee!

Click Here to view the site and all the images I have uploaded so far. If there is anything else you'd like to see that isn't listed, shoot me an email along with which print you're inquiring on, and I'll find out what sizes are avail, and the prices for them.

Also, I'm still looking for participants with spreading around promo cards. You can also email me for that too- just include your mailing address. As a thank you, you'll receive a small token of my appreciation for helping out! 



Saturday, January 7, 2012

Promote!!

Wanna help promote? I have 100 promo cards to pass around, EVERYWHERE! Send me your mailing info and where you're from to misty.valenta@gmail.com and I'll send you a handful of promo cards so you can spread them around. Coffee shops, book stores, laundromat, supermarket... you can leave one, or a few, anywhere you wish!

Here is an example of the cards that I'll send ya. And as a 'thank you', I'll also include a little token of my appreciation for participating. 


I do have limited supplies, so hurry! misty.valenta@gmail.com