Dive into the intricate dance between intuition, memories, and the art they inspire. Discover how each thread weaves a story, guiding us on a journey of self-expression and deeper understanding.
Read MoreFinding Calm in Creation: A Personal Journey into Mindfulness
Finding solace in creativity isn't just a hobby; it's a lifeline. Amidst the chaos of anxious thoughts, the act of creating self-portraits becomes a grounding force, a way to reconnect with oneself. It's not about crafting the perfect image; it's about the therapeutic journey through each click of the shutter. Join me as I explore how art transcends its visual appeal and becomes a profound tool for mental wellness, transforming anxiety into a wellspring of inspiration.
Read MoreCreativity: A State of Being, Not Just Doing
Creativity is more than a simple act—it's a state of being. Explore the depth of your artistic self and realize that creativity permeates through all facets of life, not just in the artwork we produce. In this post, we delve into the idea of creativity as a fundamental part of who you are, not merely what you do.
Read MoreThe Artist's Rollercoaster: Navigating Love, Doubt, and Reconnection with Your Art
Artists often experience fluctuating feelings towards their own work - a love-hate relationship that can sometimes be difficult to navigate. In this blog post, I share my own experiences with this emotional rollercoaster and offer tips to help manage these feelings, fostering a healthier and more balanced relationship with your creative output.
Read MoreDancing with the Rhythms of Creativity: A Seasonal Approach to Artistic Flow
Just as nature is governed by seasons, so too can our creativity be guided by the rhythm of sowing, growing, reaping, and resting. This cyclical process can help maintain a sustainable creative practice and enrich the depth of our work. Let's unpack this concept.
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Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | F/2 | Omni | 1/100 | 500
Summer Solstice Creativity
Happy Litha or Summer Solstice, my creative friends! As we bask in the full glory of the sun, let's remember that we, too, have a powerful light within us – our creativity.
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Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | 2.8 | 1/160 | 800
Diving into the Dreamscape: Lensbaby Lenses and the Magic of Self-Portraiture
Within the enchanting world of art, there are tools that transport us to realms of ethereal beauty and enchantment. For these recent self-portraits, I embarked on a journey guided by the whimsical lens creations of Lensbaby, specifically the Soft Focus II and Velvet 56 lenses. These magical instruments allowed me to capture ethereal moments and immerse myself in the mystical allure of my surroundings.
Read MoreThe Power of Experimentation: Why It's Crucial for Your Artistic Journey
As artists, we often find comfort in the familiar - our tried-and-true techniques, favorite mediums, and signature styles. We become known for that one thing. Yet, when we dare to step out of this comfort zone and explore the unknown, our creative journey truly takes flight. Although it may seem daunting, experimentation in art is an essential component of artistic growth and development.
Read MoreExpressive Self Portraiture Begins May 8, 2023
Unlock your inner magic with Expressive Self Portraiture! Join me, Sharon Covert, on a transformative 4-week journey of self-discovery and artistic growth. 🎨📸 Dive deep into your emotions and experiences, turning them into captivating self-portraits that tell your unique story. With personal guidance, gentle feedback, and a nurturing environment, you'll uncover your artistic voice and fall more in love with yourself as an artist. 💖 Don't miss out – enroll today and let your creativity soar!
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Sony a7riii | Obscura | f/32 | 1/80 | 3200
5 Ways a Self-Portrait Artist Can Benefit From Using Lensbaby's Obscura
The Obscura optic is characterized by its low-fi and dreamlike aesthetic, which is achieved through the use of pinhole, zone plate, and sieve apertures. These apertures produce images with a soft focus, limited depth of field, and noticeable vignetting. The resulting photographs often have a nostalgic or otherworldly feel, with an emphasis on shapes, forms, and light rather than fine details or sharpness.
Read MoreLensbaby Double Glass II Optic
I am excited to finally share some self-portraits I have taken while being a beta tester for the new Lensbaby Double Glass II optic!
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Sony a7riii | Velvet 56 | 2.8 | 1/250 | 250
Anthropomorphic Art
By using fantasy as a foundation, artists can create personal and imaginative self-portraits while communicating their unique vision to the world. It allows the artist to push the boundaries of conventional self-portraiture while experimenting with creative techniques and ideas.
Read MoreComing Home to Self-The Evolution of My Self-Portraiture
The first time I turned my camera around onto myself was ten years ago. I had no idea of what I was doing or why I was doing it. Hindsight tells me I was going through a challenging time in my life and was looking for ways to express and process my feelings. I remember the need to express myself through self-portraiture feeling urgent and persistent. The usual things most photographers thought about before shooting, like time of day, lighting, weather, and pre-planning, did not cross my mind—the need to create something overpowered and trumped all.
In the beginning, I made self-portraits to express emotions based on my feelings. I made self-portraits to feel seen and witnessed because I felt invisible. I made self-portraits to give myself a voice because I felt unheard. As time went on, my work began to evolve. I moved through and past emotion and explored storytelling. I started telling my story through self-portraiture but in an anonymous way. From there, it has evolved into what you see today. It is ever-changing, just as we are. It is boundless. Most importantly, it is a part of me.
Self-portrait taken with my Lensbaby Velvet 56
Self-portraiture has become a tool I use to deepen my practice of self-love and self-discovery, and it has had a ripple effect on me. What do I mean by this? When I first began, I was driven by instinct—creating made me feel empowered. I didn't realize the importance of spending time with myself and was more focused on the resulting self-expression. Now, the process of creating is of vital importance to me and extends past creating self-portraits. It begins with nourishing my mind and body, and I meditate and move my body daily. I journal each morning and pull a daily tarot card asking myself- What do I need to know for my creativity today? Self-portraiture taught me how to love myself. It taught me to nurture and forgive myself. It lit a desire in me to care for myself and set a better example for my children. It made me realize the importance of putting my oxygen mask on first before helping others. It has encouraged me to look deeper inside myself and question and explore who I am and who I want to be.
My self-portraiture acts as a visual diary, but one written in code. It's pieces of me, clues, and insights into what was occurring during that time in my life when I made each self-portrait. While they may not read like a diary to the viewer, I can piece them together and remember intimate details about each one. I know what I was doing that day and how I was feeling. As a teenager, I made up a secret written language of symbols and filled a diary with it. I could read the symbols fluently. Now, I use both personal and universal symbolism throughout my work. The meaning something has for me might be completely different from what it means to you, the viewer. We see something and connect to it in personal ways. That's the beauty of art!
Velvet 56
My favorite tools for my work are Lensbaby lenses and optics. They help me to slow down, be more present in the moment, and visualize things more creatively. Self-portraiture combined with Lensbaby products has challenged me and activated and super-charged my creativity in a way that nothing else has. These lenses emphasize the beauty of imperfections. They break the rules and molds and allow you to dream big and wild. I cannot think of a better tool for self-expression and freedom in your art. Using Lensbaby lenses for my self-portraiture has been a coming home to self. It is life-changing.
You can save 10% on Lensbaby purchases with the discount code wsharon at checkout!
Velvet 56
Sony a7riii | Sol45 | f/3.5 | 160 | 500
Expressive Self Portraiture + The Creative Weaver
Registration is closing for Expressive Self Portraiture and The Creative Weaver
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Expressive Self Portraiture Begins 9/12/22
Expressive Self Portraiture is open for registration. Class size remains small to create a safe space to create in with unlimited support. You'll receive 4+ weeks of a mentorship-type experience.
Sony a7riii | LBSFII | 1/100 | f/2.8 | 640
Using Symbolism in Your Art
Symbolism is an essential tool in creating art with meaning.
Read MoreSelf-Portraits With My Lensbaby Sol 45
My Instagram Shadowban Experience
Recently, I was in a bit of a growth period on Instagram. Things were flowing along smoothly until 2 weeks ago when they suddenly came to a halt.
Read MoreSelf-Portrait Behind The Scenes Video
Here’s a behind the scenes look at the making of these self-portraits with my Lensbaby Soft Focus II last night.
Read MoreThe Fool's Journey
Let’s talk Tarot!
How can the Fool card relate to your creativity? I like to think of the Fool as having a beginner’s mind.
As artists, how can we embody the Fool’s energy? Look at it as an invitation to approach creating with a beginner’s mind.
The Fool doesn’t have life experiences under their belt. Because of that lack of experience, their mind is more open and free. What is there to hold them back?
Embodying the Fool might look like creating for yourself and not fearing what others may think. It’s taking chances and trying new things. It’s like seeing things for the first time and not having outside influences.
Approaching your work with the Fool’s energy might help you feel more creative freedom, and with that comes growth. Experiment! Have fun! Create for YOU!
Sony a7riii | LBSFII | 1/200 | ISO 320
Sony a7riii | LBSFII | 1/200 | ISO 320
Self-portraits taken with my Lensbaby Soft Focus II optic. As a Lensbaby Ambassador, I can offer you a discount on your purchases. Use the code wsharon or click this link to be directed to their website. Comment or email any questions, and I’d be happy to chat!