You Never Know

I want to wish you all a happy safe and meaningful Thanksgiving. Mine is quite eye opening. I have been reminded again that you just never know in life where life will take you. Last year, in September, my father's doctors did not think he would make it through the holidays. Well, here we are, one year later and he is still with us. He is almost 93 years old, and all things considered, he is doing quite well.
My mom passed unexpectedly, as many of you know, 3 years ago--- I can hardly believe it has been that long...I miss her and that will never change.
I want to share my thoughts in all of this because I think it is unique and universal at the same time...We are all here for a reason, to fulfill a destiny, make a contribution, learn lessons, and nobody else can hasten or halt that process. There is major validity to positive energy and thought work, and to our connection and relationship to whatever, whoever you consider to be a higher power.
My holiday wish for myself and for all of us is increased awareness, participation, communication, love and willingness to make a difference.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Quick Quick!

If you haven't become a Club Francesconi member yet DO IT NOW! Sign up for Club Francesconi at www.judyfrancesconi.com ASAP---hint: Friday is a big day!!!

Soulmates

I cried when I first read this. It touched me because I have said the same thing so often and it was powerful to see it in print. It is true and beautiful and I wanted to share it with all of you:

In the book EAT PRAY LOVE, Elizabeth Gilbert defines a soulmate this way: "People think a soulmate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soulmate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soulmate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. Soulmates come into your life just to reveal another level of yourself to you, and then they leave."

I'd add that a soulmate also shows you all that is good and right about you. They reflect the best of you, and I'd like to believe that sometimes they stay to grow in the journey together.

Fresh Fruit Festival Art Exhibition

I'd love to be back in N.Y. right now! I miss my friends and the energy of the city. And now that I know how beautiful it is in upstate N.Y. well well who knows....

In the meantime, I wanted to share an event with you where I will have two pieces exhibited:
Fresh Fruit Festival Art Exhibition
PASSION: Lesbian Visions 2009
July 10-25, 2009
Leslie-Lohman Gallery
26 Wooster Street (btw. Grand and Canal)

I hope you all make it to the opening night reception. When you do, please find Heidi, the brains and energy behind this festival, and give her a hug for me!

All the artists were asked to respond to the same question and here is my artist statement:

Life ignites my passion as an artist.
Real moments of love and tenderness between people ignite my passion.
Vignettes of connection that two people share and I am fortunate enough to witness
touch me artistically and emotionally.
And for me great passion is always about great emotion.
Ultimately, my heart ignites my passion as an artist.

Have a safe Happy 4th of July!

New York Trip-On The Road with Judy

I just returned from my shooting trip in New York and had a wonderful time! American Airlines was very uncooperative unfortunately--they cancelled both flights and offered no replacement plane, so I missed one full day in the city thanks to them. I did however have an exhilarating whirlwind 2 full days of shooting. One day I shot 3 models in a beautiful hotel room---something I have wanted to do for years now, and something I will be doing much more often in the future. Being out of the studio, working with available light, utilizing what is available, having no set plan, just improvising was a BLAST and the best exercise for a photographer to keep sharp. It is important to periodically get back to the basics. I will be doing a casting in the future in major cities and continuing with this 'on the road shoots with Judy'.
I had 2 beautiful women taking good care of me and making sure I got where I needed to go while there. I was born on Long Island but my family moved to California when I was three years old and yet I have always had a pull to the east coast. Even though I have visited many times, I am not as familiarized with Manhattan as I would like, so it is always fun for me to be a tourist and explore. I saw how beautiful upstate N.Y. is and was able to take a day to visit friends in New Jersey. I am really looking forward to getting back very very soon.
All in all, I had a great productive time. I always return from New York completely energized which is helpful since now I need to edit all the shoots....woohoo!

Birthdays and Boxers

Hello everyone. I apologize for such a long absence from blogging, but today is my birthday and I figured what better time to reflect, re-connect and update. The past 2 1/2 months have been busy and I feel like I have been shot out of a cannon while having an anchor tied around my waist....yeah, a little split...geesh you'd think I was a Gemini instead of a Taurus. Birthdays are a great opportunity to re-assess and set new intentions and goals.
I am astounded that here we are in the middle of May and my father is still with us. The doctors didn't even think he was going to make it thru the Christmas holiday, so it just goes to show the strength of the mind and will over the physical. He has been declining again as of late and it is difficult to see how progressively weak he becomes, but he still has an amazing sense of humor.
I decided one old man wasn't enuf to worry about and take care of, so I added an old grey sweet Boxer boy as a foster dog to my home. He is a love.
I am just about to release the new 2010 calendar, titled TEMPT. With a name like that you can imagine the hot images---very sexy this time around.
Ok, I am off to class...so more later this week

A RIGHT Decision

WooHoo! I just called the Governor's office and spoke with someone directly who said that the proposed tax for vet visits has been removed from the budget proposal! I am so excited and happy about that. What great news.