http://www.mackenzieandmikaela.com

“When you put together things that other people have thrown out, you’re really bringing them to life
– a spiritual life that surpasses the life for which they were originally created.”

Louise Nevelson

___________________________

Romare Bearden, portrait (Harlem, NY)

I notice that it is only when my mother is working in her flowers that she is radiant, almost to the point of being invisible–except as Creator: hand and eye. She is involved in work her soul must have. Ordering the universe in the image of her personal conception of Beauty. (Alice Walker, In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens)

]]> http://elleeffect.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/114/feed/ 0 laurensusanna http://elleeffect.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/111/ http://elleeffect.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/111/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:32:35 +0000 Lauren Stonestreet http://elleeffect.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/111/ ]]>

my brother moved to Portland, Oregon last week to make (more) music.
and he makes smoking look so good.

andrew (and dearest portland), I’ll be seeing you in april. be warm for me.

cd player,
blurred trees passing by my eyes out the window,
a world of my own no one could disturb,
my holy escape,
my sanctuary,
long trips far from boring,
only exploring.
seeing shapes I had yet to see
shapes I know now were of things to come.

they say the sun doesn’t shine much in the winter in cleveland, so “take it in!“

after a full day of much work and good sweat, I stood outside in the cold on my back(ish) porch. I enjoy the winter birds, and the wee glimpse of the famous, ancient cemetery in my backyard. I wear the same boots every day. until these wear out, they are what I’ve got. you can’t go wrong when boots are paired with some Smart Wool socks. before I moved here, I hated wearing socks to bed. I hated socks in general. now, I live in them every day in class. and sleep in them at night. that took some getting used to, as did other things.

I have learned and unlearned quite a few things while being here. a million things just flew through my mind that I could say… my head tilted back on the red-orange striped couch and sigh. where to begin? I haven’t been that great at updating. I haven’t felt like it. it hasn’t been right or best. I guess when you’re challenged to the core of you who are, there is a retreating that happens inwardly – at least for me. I have been quiet. too quiet, perhaps, but quiet nonetheless. I have been listening, and it has its moments of difficulty. I have not found my identity in a title, art form or career choice. I do not feel naked and I feel naked. flesh fighting spirit?

I have taken on a new job these winter months. I watch two little girls – I nanny, yes. they have intense imagination. every part of the house continually changes into a new world, a plane ride, iceland… I’m a different character every 5 minutes. I’m enjoying getting to know who they are, how I can speak good into their lives and be every character they need to me to be, and be it well.

I’m sure some are wondering if I’m still photographing. yes. let’s just say I have two mouthpieces to speak from – movement and photography. I’ve grown to be content with committing to defining my skills as a dancer, and how this burning to move will play out in the days, months, years to come. I have been dreaming without waking up – and writing out my process. It’s been quite a soul-searching, intimate process. this has been one of the biggest seasons of change for me. obedience is better than sacrifice. and here I am in Cleveland.

for the past couple of years, I’ve been on the road. it’s where I’m comfortable and feel alive. I hadn’t yet planted myself in a city, and called it home. I knew I wanted to, and I knew it would be coming soon. I knew while in Africa things that are playing out now. my faith continues to grow as I see the dots connected… and even when they aren’t connected yet, but know that they in time will be. I am learning a new kind of contentment. of faithfulness. it’s been quite a change to know what my schedule will be for the next… year. there is a certain joy I find on the road: this vagabond spirit won’t let me be, and I wouldn’t ask it to : ) I do miss it. but, there is also a joy knowing who you’ll see crossing the street every morning at 8:17. the color of his coat, his briefcase, his stance. there’s in a joy in knowing the name and attributes of Rose, who lives down the street. there is something to be learned in the joy of being faithful in rising, in resting, in true committment. just as much as I am excerising my body, I am excersing my spirit… to lead. I’ve noticed the little movements I’ve learned unawares over the years, and how those movements come right into the studio with me. unlearning those things is the trick. God created muscle memory for a reason.

I’m not quite sure if all of this is making sense – I’d like to get better at writing one of these days. but for now, these thoughts will do. I wasn’t expecting to sit here and write… but to simply post a iPhone photograph I took at 5pm this evening. I hope some of this has been edifying to you.

-lauren

warehouse location of yesterday’s shoot with talented artists, mackenzie and mikaela.
cannot wait to release these photographs, their website, and their incredible project details!

daniel dixon, summer 2009, West Virginia

I waited a little while before creating one of these to answer some of your questions I receive in my inbox -
and now, I’m an open book ready to answer whatever you’d like. : )

I’ve been a little under the radar since moving to Cleveland this past fall, a lot of amazing things are happening.
So, ask anything about my photographs to my love for dance and why I’m here in Cleveland.

Excited to hear from all of you, and hopefully inspire you as you’ve inspired me.

Ask away…

]]> http://elleeffect.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/im-an-open-book/feed/ 0 laurensusanna