Body is Canvas pt. 2

Hello beautiful souls!

I have finally gotten to my self portraits for this beautiful project I am embarking on. I felt I had to tell my own story first before I ask others to share theirs. This project has been on my mind for quite some time. I want to showcase people's tattoos and their stories.

I'm excited to share mine with you today!

My setup for this one was in home studio. It is pretty crude. But, I was going for a certain look.

The look came out a bit soultry. Which played well with my portraits. It was a two light setup and my 24 to 70mm , 50mm and 80 to 200mm lenses. The 24 to 70 worked best.

It was a challenge to photograph myself. Stuck the self timer on and hoped it turned out well.

Which I think they did.

I like them both in color and black and white. I am still working on some of my images. I wanted to showcase what I have so far and I will add to this.

I was just getting a feel for how to pose. I think once you pose yourself it is easier to pose others.

If you can make it out here. I have my wrist. It says "Live, Laugh, Love". I got it on a whim. But those words have never been more true to me, then it is now. With everything that has unfolded in my life.

My back piece is not completed yet. But. the second tattoo I got is the hummingbird with my grandmother's name in the wind of its wings and jasmine flowers at its beak. This is because my grandmother was a huge part of me. She loved humming birds and the flowers are me. The orchids going across represent my Mother. She is my back bone and she loves orchids so i thought what best to represent her. Resiliente, delicate and beautiful. The sun and the moon. I resonate with them. I believe in things that go beyond what we see or can obtain. That's what they mean to me, go beyond.

For my shoulder I have a camera with the words "Amore Bello" which means "beautiful love". Photography (obviously) is a huge passion of mine and it is a beautiful love for me that translate through my life.

My 1st owl tattoo on my ankle is a sister tattoo. I got with my sister as she got her 1st tattoo. An owl represents to me everything I am. An old soul and wiser from all my experiences in life. For some it can been seen as an omen and others goodluck. I believe it both for myself.

I got another sister tattoo with my other sister. This one is Louise Belcher with wording "I smell fear on you". Louise is my spirit animal along with the owl. Louise's character is very bold and doesn't take crap from anyone. This rings true in my life. Especially as of late. I don't hold anything back.

Now for the big four.

On my right arm I have and owl with the rockies in the background. Above it is a waxing crescent moon with cherokee wording meaning "9 (and) 11". On my ring finger I have an "H". On my hip I have my 1st tattoo which started it all, the sun and moon with the lettering "J. E. 2nd"

These tattoos hold a hug significance to me. On my arm I got the owl on my 1 year wedding anniversary. It was my present from my husband when we went to Colorado. My husband soon passed a month later. So, above it I got the moon. The moon represents the day he passed which was the moon phase waxing crescent. 9 and 11 represents the time my husband was born. He would also always see the clock at 9:11 no matter what. Now I do too. My ring finger "H" has the infinity in the middle of it, represents our everlasting bond with one another. I can't always wear my wedding ring but I can have this for forever like I have him in my heart. My hip is for my father John Evans 2nd. He was my 1st huge loss at the age of seven. Again with what the sun and moon means to me. Something that is beyond it. I am always searching and I will continue to do so.

Those are the most emotional ones for me. I cried when I got my ring finger. I cried when I got the moon. It just solidified that my husband is gone.

My tattoos will forever hold a lot of weight for me. I will continue to embark on this journey. Adding more to my story as I evolve. I cannot wait to share other's tattoos and stories with this project. It will be ongoing.

Thank you for taking the time to hear my story. Hopefully you will stay tuned for the rest.

-Jasmine