Friday, August 5, 2011

the courage to be me

Well, here we are at the end of our two weeks of anniversary posts. Being last is sometimes fun because you have the benefit of seeing what everyone else posted. But it can also be difficult because...well...c'mon...after the recent heartfelt blogging from all the Muses present and past what else is left to be said?

With that challenge in mind I thought it would be nice to create an image to help us remember this first anniversary celebration and all of our inspired words.  So, I went back through all of the Muses posts as well as all of your beautiful comments from the past eleven days (yes, I am crazy) and put them together in this word cloud, with the size of each word representing how often it was used.  If you want to pin it, blog it, tweet it or print it out and hang it somewhere for a little inspiration please do so. It was a lot of fun for me to create and I hope you all enjoy it!

OK, and now I actually do have something I want to add...

One of the things I love most about this community of creativity that we have built together is that every one of you challenges me in some way whether you realize it or not. To be better. To take risks. To try something new. And the biggest challenge of all...to be myself.

When I first joined the Muses I wasn't sure my urban-street-iphoneography-style was going to fit in. My initial thought was that I needed a better camera, and that I'd have to start taking different kinds of photos to measure up to the beautiful images I had been seeing from the other Muses. After the initial panic died down I realized that my photos were bringing another layer of diversity to the collaboration...which was in fact the whole idea. Tammy you are so wise, and I cannot thank you enough for opening my eyes and my heart, for bringing me in, and for helping me to see the real me.

another one lost...

I don't think it was a coincidence that I started a year of self-portraits project shortly after becoming a Muse. I thank each and every one of you for giving me the inspiration to share these little pieces of myself, and as Michel said so perfectly yesterday--the courage to hike up my skirt, be bold, and jump into the water! This image above is one of the first to pop out of my recently acquired Polaroid camera--the next challenge I have laid out for myself this year as we all continue to push the boundaries of our creativity comfort zones together.

I am excited to continue on this journey with all of you and to spend another year exploring by your side. Keep the inspiration coming in our flickr pools and I'll see you soon!

~christy {urban muser}

21 comments:

gina said...

Your word cloud makes me smile with delight...so happy I discovered this wonderful community! Yes, we're all learning together. Kudos to you and all the muses!
p.s. Your self portrait is charming!

Kirstin said...

Brilliant, Christy. What a fabulous post! It's been an honour to muse with you and I am looking forward to the next year!

Gilly said...

Love the word cloud - great idea! And I love your urban-style pics as well - it would be boring if we were all the same. Lovely post.

Stephanie said...

Christy, I've especially enjoyed your contributions to the 'mix.' My 'style' often feels like it doesn't fit it, but somehow I always feel at home with your photos, and you inspire me to keep putting myself out there...including the self-portraits...
So, thank you. Just as you've been challenged, you've challenged me, and pushed me to take risks, try something new, and be myself.

Anonymous said...

great job christy!

Unknown said...

i remember that i picked one of your wonderful photos for the "around the house" theme to pair with mine -- loved the dark/light city apartment view of your kitty in that photo. SO glad you decided to join, and share your views of your urban world. you've taken me back to my days in NYC and it's been a poignant journey. have a great year ahead, christy!

christina said...

i just love you to bits.
and your work is just amazing!
xoxo

Barbara said...

I love this photo! Thanks for the encouragement I needed as I struggle to improve in my photography without the means to get better equipment or venture far from my little neck of the woods.

esra said...

beautiful post... love the word cloud,such a wonderful idea.i love your pictures and style...

Ashley Sisk said...

That was such a beautiful message Christy - you have truly inspired me this past year...more specifically the past few months and I am so excited to be a muse with you in the next year!

Kat Sloma said...

I can't wait to get my printer so that I can print this off Christy - what an awesome idea!! A great way to end the anniversary celebration - I can't wait to start our new year next week! Yay!

mosey (kim) said...

A word cloud! I love it... And your unique style has caught my eye since I day I first saw your images. xx

SpilledInkGuy said...

You are an unbelievably talented lady, U.M. - your pieces are always simply amazing, and I continue to look forward to checking out what ever it is that you are working on!

Tammy Lee Bradley said...

Wonderful post Christy. I love the unique vision that you add to the group. Your dog in the fountain photo is still one of my favorites. xo tam

Holly ~ Soupatraveler said...

I just love your words, especially b/c they match the word cloud to a "T"!!!! Your gritty, urban style is one of my favorite things about this site, everyone shines a different light on us all and makes us bigger and broader and brighter for it!

Maureen said...

I love that you put this together, thank you. Such a very cool representation of the love and encouragement found here. And I love how big the word LOVE is in the word cloud. :) Lots of love to be found on the Mortal Muse site.
I've always been a fan of your photography, so very different from my own. I do believe one of your iphone B/Ws was one of my first Everyday Beauty pics. So glad to have you and your vision muse with us, and I'm looking forward to following all that comes next.
xoxo
Mo

GailO said...

Isn't it WONDERFUL that "wonderful" and "love are the two biggest words in the cloud?!! I LOVE it!! I love iphone pics too...they do add a wonderful dimension...so different yet so alike if you know what I mean.

Anonymous said...

Love this post! And this quote you posted from Michel..."courage to hike up my skirt, be bold, and jump into the water!"...so true. Happy Saturday! :)

Chelsea said...

Wonderful post Christy thank you! I love your style & that you stuck with who you are & didn't change it. Thanks for the word cloud, very cool!

Unknown said...

amazing girl that you pulled it all together combing through the posts - what dedication. But that POLAROID!?! it stole all my attention, I love it and to think how many more will develop in the next 12 months!! That is something I can't wait to see.

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Great post Christy. I have always enjoyed looking at your street shots. They help take me away to a whole other type of surrounding. I love that! So glad you will continue on.

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