Vulnerability in life and art

I enjoyed my conversation with photographer and gallerist Corey Notaristefano very much, I think mostly because he was so gently and easily open about his own vulnerability and the themes he explores through his photographs.

Be sure to check out his instagram profiles to learn more about his work - @the__bearded and @c.w.notaristefano - as well as his gallery and studio hueandcry.com.au/

When I asked Eugene Abrams - poet, visual artist, and teacher - how it feels when he reads one of his poems aloud, he said:

"I love words, and when I'm reading it's like I'm tasting the words. And I'm just enjoying, you know?"

What a precious gift, to write, share, and read words used in such beautiful and powerful ways, especially in the service of peace and the human soul.

If you can, make time to read, listen to, and write some poetry - and see what it brings you.

I enjoyed a lovely conversation with Torrance York about the evolution of her photography practice as a tool she uses to make sense of her life, living and working with Parkinson's Disease, and her understanding of the nature of vulnerability and the process of artmaking.

Be sure to check out her work on instagram @torrance_york and torranceyork.com, and particularly her book Semaphore (www.torranceyork.com/semaphore)

I'm almost a week late in releasing this podcast, at least according to my self-imposed schedule. But I guess it had to come when I was ready, and a quote sent this morning by a friend was somehow the trigger to pull some pieces together, such as they are.

Self-awareness is something I've been working on, both personally and intellectually in some way. I'd really love to hear any feedback you may have. You can email me at [email protected].

I realized after listening to my conversation with writer/performer Mike Boyce that this episode is more concerned with vulnerability in life than in art, but I think that partly reflects the fact that Mike's art is the stories he tells about his life, of doing the hard things and discovering a new sense of who he is.

If you're interested in personal storytelling, one of the important issues Mike raises is the question of which stories are truly ours, and which are not ours to tell even if they may be integral to our own understanding and development.

Learn more about Mike by checking out his instagram profile @mwboyce and you can also listen to his Geek 4 podcast, which explores fans, fan cultures, and fan communities.

Zoe Wittering explores periods of transitions and moments of vulnerability and uncertainty through her portrait photographs of herself and others.

We talked about her (what I consider to be brave) choice to leave a career in corporate law and move into work she finds so personally and professionally fulfilling, even or maybe especially because of the need to relinquish control and trust the creative process.

"...a lot of us struggle with control, and with being vulnerable as well, because in a world where there's only black and white there isn't any room for anything else..."

Be sure to check out Zoe's work on her website zoewittering.com as well as on instagram @zoewittering

A mirror and a window, intimacy, safety and connection, acceptance, authenticity, intuition, an invitation, a gaze and open space, risk, love

This is the story of my trip to Hawaii for a photography session with Jeremiah Mk Johnson

Be sure to learn more about Jeremiah and his work at jeremiahmkjohnson.com and on instagram @jeremiahmkjohnson

Photograph (c) Jeremiah Mk Johnson

I enjoyed a wonderful conversation with Sandra Gea, a collagist, poet, and facilitator trained in the Soul Collage© method. She shared many insights, and one in particular stands out to me - how she felt when beginning to work as a self-taught artist. In spite of the doubt:

"...I was so deeply within me convinced that I can touch someone's heart with my work..."

Check out Sandra's work at sandragea.com and on instagram @the.art.of.sandra.gea

I enjoyed a wonderful conversation with photographer Scott Norris. I really appreciated what he shared, including insights into our relationship with the environment, self-portraiture, and:

"One thing that I can do, as a man, is to not always remain the invisible figure behind the camera, but make myself visible in front of the camera, with my own body"

Be sure to check out his profile on instagram @sdnphoto and his website sdnorris.com

Carole and I talk about self-publishing, how fiction may be inspired or interpreted by real life, distinguishing literary from contemporary fiction, opportunities for creating works about older women, what it might mean to write about protagonists different than ourselves, and how fiction can help us feel we're not alone

Look for Carole Scott's book The Broken Heart Repair Plan and check out @carolemscott on instagram