Tai Chi: Energy In Motion

Tai Chi

Tai Chi

Tai Chi

Tai Chi

Tai Chi

Tai Chi

In the early morning hours, parks in Beijing, New York and San Francisco (to name just a few) become the gathering spot for Tai Chi practitioners…young and old flowing in synchronistic waves of gentle movement. Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that is a self-paced system of gentle physical exercises and stretching. Originally, it was developed as a martial art for self-defense but it is now also seen as a mind body practice to reduce stress and address other health conditions. One posture flows into the next with the practitioner focused on breath and movement. As Sifu Peter Judd explained, “The gentle movements and slower tempo of Tai Chi enhance one’s overall sense of well being while simultaneously developing balance, strength and flexibility.” Observing this gifted teacher was truly observing energy in motion and I set out to capture his moving meditation of strength and serenity.

Peter is an excellent Sifu (teacher). If interested in learning more and becoming a student of Tai Chi, Peter can be reached at sifupeterjudd@verizon.net or at 704-641-7332.

Wandering Along The Back Streets in Florence

Florence, Italy

Florence, Santa Maria Novella

 

 

Florence, Santa Maria Novella

 

A city bathed in the warm colors of rust and amber, A city where the artists Michelangelo, DaVinci, Donatello, Botticelli and Brunelleschi (just to mention a few) brought forth a collective body of the greatest works of art the world has ever known.  A city where artists attempted to capture the beauty, order and harmony of the human body as a way to glorify God and they excelled at this glorification. Florence is known as the heart of the Renaissance and in many ways the foundation of our modern world lifting us out of the dark ages. It is a city I go back to time and time again as it continually amazes me.

On a recent trip, I walked the far back streets where I had never been before.  There I discovered Farmaceutica Di Santa Maria Novellaone.  The Dominican Friars founded this center in 1221 as a location to make herbal remedies and potions to use in the monastery. “Their reputation became world renowned and the pharmacy, sponsored by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, opened to the public in 1612.”

Many of the Farmaceutica Di Santa Maria Novella’s products have become a part of history: the world famous pot-pourri is still hand crafted in large terra cotta vats using local essences and plants as has been the tradition since the 1200’s. The first “Eau de Cologne” has been attributed to the pharmacy’s creation in the 1500’s of Catherine de Medeci’s “Water of the Queen.” She used the citrus and bergamot scented water and shared it with all her closest friends during her reign as the Queen of France and one can still purchase this fragrance today.  There is  a quiet reverence which envelopes the visitor.  Vaulted ceilings, ornately carved dark wood and low lighting that somehow makes each vintage bottle glow as if holding a rich treasure.  Creams, soaps and perfumes all provide a glimpse into the past practices of the monks who were so attuned to the healing benefits found in nature.  Their original recipe ledgers can still be seen. While knowing that Santa Maria Novella has opened in Chevy Chase, Dallas, Los Angels and New York,  I was very happy to leave this special surprise discovery at Via della Scala, 16, 50123 with a small, beautifully wrapped “Angels of Florence”. Now the scent of white flowers from a far off place lifts my spirits  and I am transported  to a place I love and reminded to wander through the small, back streets.

Engagement Philadelphia Style

I am Aunt Francie to Mark…my tall and handsome nephew who recently announced his engagement to Kelly. This is the second wedding in the family and I wanted to create the tradition of doing an engagement shoot for each niece and nephew (selfishly, it gives me a full day to spend with them and the person who won their hearts!). Mark and Kelly had their first date at the Philadelphia Zoo so I thought that would be the perfect place to start and then continue with the city as the backdrop.  I asked Kelly what she loves about Mark and she said that he makes her laugh…she loves his sense of humor.  Then I put Mark on the spot and he related how much he appreciates Kelly enjoying his wit! How can a relationship go wrong when  the couple totally enjoys being with each other ?  They tease, they laugh and they love …all of which I tried to capture.

I couldn’t be happier for my nephew and his new bride.  They have found much happiness in each other and it is contagious to all of us lucky enough to spend the day with them!

Much love Mark and Kelly,

Aunt Francie!

I also want to extend my sincere thanks to my very talented student photographer/assistant, Intel.  He is developing his vision and helping others at the same time!  Much appreciated.

My Work and My Hope

 

A Mother and Her Child

 

 

Engagement

 

Family

Family

The Past and Present

 

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Silk Weavers

 

John Denver made famous the term, “Rocky Mountain High” (little did he know how high Colorado will be starting today!) but he also created another song which I recently heard and the words keep repeating in my mind as I stand at this threshold of a new beginning with hopes for a life well lived.

“There are children raised in sorrow on a scorched and barren plain

There are children raised beneath the golden sun

There are children of the water
And children of the sand
And they cry out through the universe
Their voices raised as one

I want to live I want to grow
I want to see I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to be I want to live

Have you gazed out on the ocean
Seen the breaching of a whale?
Have you watched the dolphins frolic in the foam?
Have you heard the song the humpback hears five hundred miles away
Telling tales of ancient history of passages and home?

For the worker and the warrior the lover and the liar
For the native and the wanderer in kind
For the maker and the user and the mother and her son
I am looking for my family and all of you are mine

We are standing all together
Face to face and arm in arm
We are standing on the threshold of a dream
No more hunger no more killing
No more wasting life away
It is simply an idea
And I know it’s time has come

I want to live I want to grow
I want to see I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to be I want to live”

This past week did not take me to far off lands.  I was local with a camera in hand.  I was invited in to capture the tender moments of a family, a wonderfully happy  engaged couple, a 99 year old mother and her daughter keeping memories alive and getting her mom to enjoy an afternoon. Then, I was with a courageous, generous woman who is a breast cancer surviver raising two beautiful daughters.  At the same time all of this was going on, I was working on a story about silk weaving in Cambodia and the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange catalogue arrived from those  who live on a commune in Virginia and are dedicated to saving the past for the future.  Whether far or near, all so unique and yet we are all seeking the same …health, happiness and prosperity. So many are voicing their longing for world peace, but I believe it comes one person at a time…one person who opens and tries to understand another, one person who reaches out, one person who looks within and decides not to take themselves too seriously and try to find the humor in the midst of humanity. As a photographer, it would be my hope that my visual images and storytelling will act as a path, a bridge bringing one person together with another, dispelling those boundaries and borders which serve to negatively separate us.

A friend sent me a wish for 2014 that I think we all share…”May your eyes continue to see beautiful and significant things, and your soul dance to good music!”

Happy New Year everyone!

Francie

Christianna: Life is good in the morning sun and nothing is out of reach!

We just went out and had some great fun doing all of Christianna’s favorite things…it is the simple things for sure! Hope you can feel it!

Amigos de Jesus: One Very Special Week

The Back Story usually has the element of severe poverty:
Honduras: The Back Story

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When I went to this orphanage in Honduras over Easter Week, I heard story after story. Each child was there because of a very difficult back story but it was the BACK story. In present time, the boys wanted to put on a show for me one night rapping and dancing (I laughed so hard! They were great and so funny!). The older ones would watch out for the younger ones and when they became tired, they picked them up into their arms. Classes were alive with curiosity. Cows were milked and chess was played. Over 100 clothes were washed each day by hand and over 300 meals needed to be prepared each day…everyone helped out, laughing and sharing stories. Yes, I could focus on the “this child came from” etc. but I would hope not to leave it there, not to use that as a defining factor. Here is a collage of the fun, laughter and great spirit I was fortunate enough to experience because in the end, we all need to rise up…we all need to find what makes us smile!