just one shot of dinner… mmm.. portobello mushrooms, broccoli, and grape tomato pasta with basil. Totally improvised (can I use that term for cooking without a plan?)

Oh, springtime, I love you. The weather is so rejuvenating. I decided to do some “spring cleaning” to my website in the form of a RE-DESIGN! It’s much more colorful compared to my last site. What do you think? It really is a labor of love. I even got a new about page picture!

And because no post should be without art, here are some photos I took recently:

One of my favorite things about photography is that it gives me the bravery to see things I usually wouldn’t. I’m allowed to trespass & explore abandoned buildings as long as it’s for art, right? Ever since I’ve picked up a camera it has been one of my favorite activities. Urban exploration. Exploring abandoned buildings. Accidental ghost hunting. Whatever you want to call it.

So when my friend Erin called me up & said “Hey, wanna go check out an abandoned building at the infamous Lakeshore Mental Health Institute in Knoxville that is known for paranormal activity, crazy people, and alleged human right abuses?” I was like, DUH!! (Okay, she didn’t exactly say that, but for the sake of the blog, let’s pretend)

At first, we were both legitimately scared. The back of the building is much scarier than the front, with really dark hall ways, open basement doors, & places where people have broken in. As we made our way around the outside of the huge building, we realized we weren’t dealing with a really scary rehab facility, but a school! It calmed our nerves a bit, but it was still freaking awesome & creepy. It’s so weird to think about how a vibrant school filled with kids can just be pushed aside and forgotten. Where there really no other uses for this building? I’m drawn to exploring just like I’m drawn to stories. This neglected building definitely has a story.

These don’t really fit the mood of the others, but here’s a pretty picture of my partner in crime, Erin!

We were blessed with a perfect first day of spring. It was one of those days where I just wanted to hop in the car, camera in tow, choose a road, & go. The particular road we ended up on sent us to Shelbyville where Jeff & I enjoyed the quiet downtown & stopped for Cherry Limeades before heading back to Murfreesboro. The weather was perfect. Thanks, Spring, for the rejuvenation.

Now back to work!

As a photographer & artist, I draw inspiration all across the board. Books, movies, mixed media, journalism, short stories, poetry, dance, you name it. That’s a big reason of why I’m active over at HitRecord, a collaborative community of artists.

Tom Macarte is one of my favorites. His poems dance & flow into my brain in a way other poems just don’t.  I love the way his work tell vibrant stories, but leave room for my imagination.

I was SO HAPPY to find out that Tom had written a piece inspired by one of my favorite photos I took last winter. I cannot describe how much I love this poem & I love how I inspire him & he inspires me. It’s an awesome inspiration circle. It’s so flattering to have an artist inspired by my work. Best compliment ever.

With Tom’s permission, I’ve posted his poem along with my photo. Please, please enjoy it. And go follow TOM MACARTE on Twitter to get updates on his work. Thanks :)