2014 Calendar

I'm excited to announce my first photography calendar for 2014 - featuring 12 of my favorite photos over the past 3 years. Check out the calendar preview below and visit Lulu.com - the ONLY site the product is officially available on!

After the year is up frame your favorite prints and be on the lookout for 2015's calendar. :)

Enjoy!

Mika

Random act of self-kindness

Today I committed what can only be called a random act of self-kindness. I bought myself a bouquet of daisies. We all deserve to treat ourselves with the same kindness we grant others. I practice self-love (yes, failing is part of practice...you practice to get better at it) we must first love ourselves before we can whole-heartily love others.

I have something amazingly fantastic in the works but I'm keeping it under wraps for now. Just know you'll see these photos again soon.

Love,

Mika

PS: I was also inspired to do a mini photo shoot with my Tiny Buddha today. Shameless advertising - buy the print here!

The Paris Wife and the complications of life

Today I finally finished "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain. I asked for the book our last Christmas together and bought it for myself after the separation. Knowing Ernest Hemingway's history, I knew Hadley was his first wife - first of many. My heart would not allow my head to finish the story...to see it through because I have a personal connection.

I cried myself through the last 5 chapters, re-reading emotions. The underlying message that Hadley told herself...the same message I tell myself. "What is done, is done. No one knows what tomorrow will bring but you must be present."

Yesterday I watched a childhood friend marry. I saw the love, happiness and desire in her pink cheeks and bright blue eyes. I wept tears of joy for her; and tears of sorrow for myself. Selfish? Definitely. Stupid? Probably. But completely honest with myself? Yes.

Life is complicated with moments of happiness and moments of sadness.

Quote from the book...Hadley to Ernest:

"We'll always be friends - delicate friends, and I'll love you 'til I die, you know."

He gave me this our first Christmas together. I gave it back months ago. Memories hurt but are nessecary at times.














This post is dedicated to Hadley Richardson, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas. 

My own strength

It's been months...too many months and too many emotions to even try to explain my seclusion. It's been a long transition (that I suspect will never end) and looking back at my last post to now...I've come a long way. The Mika typing at this very second is not the mopy self-centered person the first of April.

There are things in this life I want/need and know how to get them. "To thine own self be true" - Shakespeare's words are etched in my mind. Not everyone will agree with me...hell I figure a few will try to shame me but I'm not living for anyone else anymore. People will let you down time and time again...I refuse to let myself down; anymore.

With a deep breath I give you insight to the true Mika. This is my first (of many) steps. I am ready.

Lilith

I am from Lilith
I am made of clay
An equal to any man
I am my own being

The air in my lungs
And the thoughts in my mind
Are filled with serenity
Free to roam the winds of time

I am from Lilith
I am from the clay
My knowledge is my worth
Not the ring on my finger

I am not to be conquered
I am not to be controlled
If I love you - it is freely
With all the passion I hold

I am from Lilith
I am not beneath you anymore
I choose my own destiny
With wisdom to be adored.

*    All rights are reserved by the author Mika Buell.

With love and my own strength,

Mika

Easter Sunday

I've went through a lot of "Firsts" over the past 6 months. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthday, Valentine's Day and now Easter. Thankfully my parents have been there for all of them...though it's not the same. I didn't expect it to be.

After my Father's Easter Sunday Sermon - that I didn't attend...(yeah, I'm a Preacher's Daughter) I spent the evening with my parents. Things have changed there over the past year. So much that no one really speaks. I sat with them for 6 hours in near silence. Life has changed drastically.

Though I don't attend Church I wanted to at least look nice for the family.

Another "first" holiday to mark off the calendar.

I'm happy to welcome Spring - not as excited to welcome April.

With love,

Mika

Ophelia - poem

Credits 

"Ophelia" by Sir John Everett Millais 1851

Ophelia

 

Ophelia whispers to me
the songs of sorrow
the sound of madness
the breaking of a woman’s heart

In winter clover I find her
leaning the direction of the wind
eyes soft and smiling
her wild blonde hair flowing in circles

With an angelic voice so pure and white
she sighs, “I wish to forget last night.”
“These men are all the same.”
“These men are all to blame.”

Embracing her fragile frame
I wish to give her all of my strength
to clear her mind of the mud
and find her own voice once more.

Ophelia please find the joy
that I know you have buried deep
after a lifetime of servitude,
please have courage

Ophelia leads me to the river
singing with the birds
gracefully dancing to her own tune
laughing all the while

With an angelic voice so pure and white
she screams, “I regret nothing of last night!”
“These men are all to blame!”
“Now every man will remember my name!”

Catching her reflection from the water
a single tear runs down her cheek.
“Dear one, this is my courage.
This is the voice that cannot speak”

As she floats along the current
Ophelia echoes to me
“Take the last breath from me,
for I - am free.”


Copyright Mika Buell-Joseph 2013

 Credit
"Ophelia" by Elle Moss

24 Hours - My Trip to Roanoke, VA Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of my 24 hours in Roanoke, VA. This post is solely dedicated to Taubman Museum of Art! I simply have too many photos and want to take the time to break down the area and the experience I had so that others will have a better idea of the area/interests. I've received some very awesome feedback on my first post - which you can read here. If you enjoy these posts please let me know and feel free to share! Again, thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to enter my wacky world.

Much love!

For those of you that do not know me personally - I feel like I'm at an AA meeting. Hello my name is Mika and I'm an art addict. Taubman Museum of Art is only one of many museums in Roanoke. I chose Taubman's while I was researching the area. They simply offered more of what I wanted to see!

As with most museums photography was not allowed in 90% of the areas. For those areas I will link directly to their website.

Welcome to Roanoke!

Taubman Museum of Art

 

This unusual Nylon floating sculpture greets every guest at the museum. Hand sewn by artist Anne Ferrer - "Hot Pink" is suspended 20 feet in the air, giving the rather masculine architectural design a more feminine and rather whimsical feel.

Art Venture was the first area I visited inside the museum. It was inspiring to watch the children reading/painting and opening their beautiful creative minds!

I took this photo for Tamara. :)

 

 

Matching Anne Ferrer sculpture from the lobby.

"Un-usual Folk" Exhibit 

Artist: Unknown

Left: "Quilting Memory Painting by Helen La France

Right: "Self Portrait" by Mose Tolliver

Artist: Unknown

This painting was my favorite of all the "Folk Art"
Artist: Theresa Disney

These were the most unusual pieces. "Buster in Cage 2004" by Marvin Francis who is incarcerated in North Point Training Facility, KY. The most amazing part - they were made with materials Mr. Francis had access to in the facility. Proving you can literally make something from nothing!

Also on exhibit when I visited:

Faberge collection - over 100 separate pieces collected from 1899-1917 ranging from cigarette holders to crystal stamp viewers. Most were originally owned by Tsar Nicholas II.

Judith Leiber Handbags - over 100 crystal handbags. Simply beautiful.

Edward Burtnysky- Collection called "Oil" Mr. Burtnysky shows us in full detail the impact we make on the Earth and on one another. An absolutely beautiful photography collection worth viewing!

American Art from the Permanent Collection - Of course this exhibit was my of my favorite if for no other reason than I was able to view amazing American Impressionists paintings. I love Impressionism and was thrilled to have the honor of gazing upon such strong pieces from a lost era.

State of the Art: Virginia Crossroads - A vast collection of artists from the area (and around Virginia) ranging from sculptures to photography and everything in between. I spent more time in this section than I realized, mainly due to the fact the guard talked me to death! lol

Harold Little - A wonderful painter and Printmaker

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

That's it folks! If you enjoyed my little review please let me know!

Street art outside of the museum. Buy the print here.

There you have it. If you enjoyed my review please let me know! I can't wait to do another one!