She Shoots Film! December 2017 issue, MOTHER

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Another end of the year piece of exciting news for me is that my December 2017 issue of She Shoots Film arrived and featured two images I made around 1974. I submitted these last year but didn't hear back for a long time. I was notified several months ago that two images were selected for publication. So, although getting this journal right before Christmas wasn't a complete surprise, it is always fun to see an actual print journal featuring one's work. (Merry Christmas to ME!) She Shoots Film has only published two journals but this Australian-based journal publication feels very promising.

 

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My Statement: 
I came of age in the days of homes for unwed mothers, back-alley abortions, and shotgun weddings, and emerged into early feminism and reliable contraceptives. I was gratefully unburdened by unwanted pregnancy - the thought of which made me feel confined, trapped, imprisoned, and adult.

I used my camera to experience the lives of other people, several who were mothers my age. They fascinated me with their motherliness.

It wasn't until my early thirties, after I became a midwife, that I was ready to embrace motherhood for myself. 

THANKS, She Shoots Film!

THANKS, She Shoots Film!

MOTHERING On-Line Magazine: interest in incarcerated pregnant women grows!

I love how the conversation about incarcerated pregnant women and mothering in a prison nursery keeps spreading. Thanks to writer, Sheramy Tsai for doing such a thorough write-up.

This mother told me the story about getting her tattoo at a point in her life where she had hit rock bottom. Shortly afterwards, she learned she was not only pregnant but sentenced to prison. She explained, "After the birth of my daughter, I now kno…

This mother told me the story about getting her tattoo at a point in her life where she had hit rock bottom. Shortly afterwards, she learned she was not only pregnant but sentenced to prison. She explained, "After the birth of my daughter, I now know I have everything to lose." The prison nursery program has helped her discover another side of her self involving the love and care of her child.

Tiny Hands

Several months ago, I was invited to become a member of FotoFemmes, a women's photography collective that holds monthly meetings in Seattle... but, it is much more than monthly meetings. The group provides support, encouragement, and feedback, sharing new ideas and information, wisdom, and camaraderie. And photographers know what a loner sport this passion can be - so having a group like this has been a real gift to me.

Every month, we have photo challenges. This month, the challenge was rather mysterious. The woman organizing it had a pair of items- kept secret -that she worked with for three days and then wrapped them up to mail via US Postal Service to the next person on the list. When I opened the package, I saw brown mailing paper crumpled up around the items which were "gift wrapped" in blue tissue paper and tied with a white string. At first, I wondered what I could possibly do with these two ceramic tiny hands. But, imagination took over and I had much fun playing with these little hands. Three days later, I mailed the package to the next person on the list. We will post our 5-8 favorite collective images on Tumblr in July. 

I used the brown wrapping paper, the blue tissue, and the string in several of my images. Here are my eight favorites although I thought of more possibilities. But, that's life, isn't it? We are all limited by time, priorities, and deadlines.