Self Portrait Challenge ~ "Self Portrait As..."

boho strumming, canon digital rebel xt

Self Portrait As...A Passionate Guitarist

This is a dream of mine, really. I often drift off into a fantasy world where I am sitting on a stage in an intimate venue, pouring my heart onto the strings. In my reality, it has been a struggle for me to learn how to play the guitar because my hands are so small (tiny fingers). Truly...I only know a few chords and the Virgo in me puts the pressure on to do it all so perfectly, so I tend to put the guitar down with a sigh and walk away from it for days, even months.

I was first inspired by my sister Darlene. In the 70's, I watched her sit around with her friends in a circle while she serenaded them with her long straight hair parted in the middle and wearing embroidered bell bottom jeans. I was sitting up on our stairs, looking down on her hippy self and wanting to BE her in that moment.

Then it was Jewel, Sarah, Ani, Abra and Beth that inspired me in my later years to pick it up and make this dream come true. I took some lessons at a sweet little cottage in Berkeley, CA from the coolest artsy gal pal. It was her that taught me the spirituality and deep romantic connection that can happen between you and an instrument. Watching her play was like watching two souls make love.

I did this self portrait series of me playing the guitar to make it my reality. My husband is going to teach me a song to move me beyond those few chords so that I may begin to create my own music.

I want to find that passion between woman and strings.