Empowerment through Brilliance… and Brilliance through Empowerment
by Carolyn Collins
(poem ©2011 Alexandra Marie; photos & video © 2011 Carolyn Collins Photography)
As I look up into the dark sky of night, I am drawn toward the light of a full moon… and am captivated by its brilliance. Gazing into that beacon of light, I remind myself that this moon’s luminosity is merely a reflection of a much greater source of light… to guide, to inspire, or even just to cast a smile upon someone’s heart. Yet, even when clouds fill the sky, the moon’s light is powerful enough to cast the most magical glow throughout the darkest of skies.
The creative woman has multiple sources of brilliant light reflecting through her to guide or inspire others… or even just to cast a smile upon their hearts. This is the empowerment bestowed upon females who use their creative passion in a directed effort to speak to the world. Empowerment through brilliance + brilliance through empowerment = the opportunity to make a difference. Regardless of the expressive form, the artistic woman’s brilliance is enhanced by her own unique experiences, dreams, perspectives and instincts as a female. Her brilliance grants her with empowerment when she actively pursues her passion… and this empowerment, in turn, increases the luminosity of her brilliance. It’s an exponentially amazing energy with unlimited potential.
I invite you to listen to Alexandra Marie’s passionate voice in this spoken word video “Deeply Rooted”
DEEPLY ROOTED
Toes planted firmly in the earth
She dreams in color
Reaches toward the sky
And grasps it
Firmly
Dedicated
Motivated
No goals
Just future reality
Anything that crosses her lips
You can’t help
But believe
She leaves
You breathless
What you can see and cannot
All subplot
Because the truth
Doesn’t need to headline
Food in water
Age in rings
Her beauty sings so loudly
It can be heard by the deaf
The wind blows her
Always just beyond your reach
But you won’t keep your limbs to yourself
She never ceases to amaze me
I can recognize her glow from across a room
She can transform anything into incredible
From page to stage
Film to canvas
The way she moves inspires awe and
Ooh…
Wait, she is speaking
Singing
Dancing
Saying
Snapping
Painting
Praying
Molding
Twisting
Turning nothing
Into everything
Birthing
Ideas
Babies
Melodies
Brilliance
In every breath
Inhale…
Can you feel it?
Exhale…
Do you see her?
So much more than soft skin
Curves and
Sweet smells
There is power in her
But you don’t need to take my word
This GIRL will SHOW better than I can tell…
girlShow 2011 once again offers a talented and passionate lineup of women this year. These girls are pushing beyond the mediocre, challenging themselves as well as those who experience their artistic voice/vision. Inspiration is key in the lives of all, whether or not they consider themselves to be artistic. In fact, creative limitations can sometimes be the most powerful inspirations to cast a magical glow through ‘dark, clouded skies’. Come. Be inspired. Witness the brilliance… feel the empowerment of art in all its forms.
I was recently surrounded by just a few of girlShow 2011’s artistic cast, including (among many others)
(starting at top…left to right) Alexandra Marie – spoken word poet David Rodriguez – co-producer Tory Wardrick – painter Nicki Rodriguez – lead producer Janessa Garza – painter Shakira Pierce – aka DJ Night Nurse Heather Alley – photographer & painter (yours truly – girlShow 2009 photographic artist & guest blogger, still glowing the day after hanging with this 2011 crew!) Laura Ruben – painter Tiffany McAnarney – painter Deborah Driscoll – co-producer Naomi Hunter – jeweler Ixchel Aguilar – painter Tammy Grove – photographer & painter Chelsea Roff – spoken word poet.
If you have not yet pre-purchased tickets for this July 23rd, 2011 event in Deep Ellum (Dallas, TX), YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON AN AWESOME BONUS! Go to artlovemagic.com for details + discounted online ticket purchase & more! Peace and smiles, ~Carolyn
Carolyn, you are amazing!! Thank you so much for putting this together.
Such a great photo!