Secert #5 The story behind the mask

 I thought I would share a few secrets from the story behind my mask and entice a few locals to come hear some of my stories at my Artist Lecture, May 2, 2018, at the Museum of Art Fort Collins.

Any guess on whose face this is? 
Yup— you guessed it - me at 18.

After graduating high school I studied art in Florence, Italy instead of making the big commitment to go a “real college”.

I had the good fortune to make a plaster mask of my face in my sculpture class. Knowing I would be 18 only once I jumped at the chance to be immortal.

Although super scary and claustrophobic I have never regretted this opportunity.

Carrying a mask of yourself around for 40 years across the states and aboard does get a bit tiresome-

In one of my fits of cleaning and organizing it safely landed in my box of porcupine quills instead of Goodwill.

This was my first inspiration for my mask. However, I soon realized I didn’t want to give up my quills.

The porcupine quills are still a strong element in my final piece- I just didn’t use the whole porcupine.

Please join me to hear more stories behind the elements of my mask.

#focomask #masks #jillpmottphotography #porpupine #quills#fortamstudios #artschool #africa #Zimbabwe #italy
@moafortcollins

Register today
May 2, 2018 6pm-7pm
https://moafc.org/events/list/…

Re-branding, reinventing, reflecting

I am in the process of looking back to move forward. I am finally in a place and space in my life where I can put energy and focus toward re-branding who I am as photographer and it has brought plenty of unexpected challenges.

I did not have any illusions when I began the process that it would be easy or happen over night. I knew it would be time consuming, frustrating, a bit depressing and definitely not straightforward.

I have a long check list of things to be done; design a logo, write my “about me” statement, collect portfolio images, build a website to name a few. All this seems relatively tangible but it hasn’t been. I am not sure if it because of my shift of focus to another genre of photography photojournalism to lifestyle portraiture or straight up indecision with a healthy does of ADHD.

I do have a new acceptance and understanding of the process after the last month of pushing to meet self-imposed deadlines.

Coming to terms with where I am, how I got here and where I hope to go has given me plenty to think about day and night.

I try not to beat myself up about where I wish I was— (the Pulitzer really isn’t in the cards anymore) and focus more on what I want out of life. How do I want to spend my days?

The short answer is: being present, not living to complete a “to do” list and having no regrets.

We have all heard the famous quote “Life is a journey, not a destination.”
and if you are like me you may have wanted to throw up a few times when some wise sole laid it on me at the peak of a stressful situation, well now I truly get the meaning.

I plan on am making room in my life to enjoy this process. I am not running a race.

I am off to Imaging USA- one of the largest photo conferences I have ever been to; an expected 12,000 attendees. I am guessing there will be a major focus on defining who you are throughout the weekend.

I am ready and plan on being able to answer with confidence and excitement about the future. 

Day 3- a partner in challenging creativity

Day 3 #fivedaybwchallenge- I took these images at the beginning of my A Photo A Day project in 2013. I knew the empty garden pots would look much better in black and white; simplifying the image so I could focus on shape, design and texture. When I posted the image I remember the feedback was positive, in particular from my old college roommate who is a painter and theater props master.

The photo and the concept intrigued her enough to join the A Photo A Day Challenge. I believe part of the interest was wanting and needing to bring more creativity and vision into her daily life-which was my main motivation also.

 I don’t think I would have been as successful if it were Nancy and others who joined me on this challenge.

Nancy is flying in from NYC today to visit, laugh, play, and see the last few days of “Vivid Conversations”.  Her support has been invaluable to me over the last few decades years. Our conversations always inspire me.

Day 2-"Carry me home"

Day 2- B&W Challenge ‪#‎fivedaybwchallenge‬“ Carry me home” -an image from my collection of work in “Third Effect”.

The work in the series took an unexpected turn towards spirituality as I started to create it.

Listening to a bit of Bluegrass Gospel music from greats like Bailey and Vincent, The wailing’ Jennys, Paul Williams, and of course my all time favorite Johnny Cash has inspired me to think about how the meaning of songs can come together with my photographic observations- with inquiry about what is out there and up there…