Author Archives: faern!
Somewhere Between Yoga and an Update #yiom
Over the past few weeks things have done this thing- a shift. Some unidentifiable exposure finding new comfort in old statements. Overturning criticism implanted, but in a way that has created a certain amount of gratitude. Sure, there is a sense of loss- but really it’s more like a sense of relief. It only takes a second for my mind to wander and then to fall into itself. But, I am not so allowing in that area anymore. But now, for example somehow I finally don’t have to always feel a sense of despair when I think about my mom. For so long I have had to sift through rampant emotions in order to just access any memory of her. Which I am grateful for – in a major way… but this isn’t supposed to be about that… I havn’t been able to ramble on my blog for a while. I have been busy working on conquering within myself- addressing personal concerns directly taking the time to really see.
One of the most valuable tools I have gathered from Yoga is the effect we can have on the environment around us. That, believe it or not, as people taking the time to learn “The science of getting to know the self” (from Stephanie Snyder via Sri Dharma Mittra) this is 100% possible- it may not seem this way to a lot of folks- but that is ok. All we really can do is deal with what we have been given with the facilities we have developed.
What inspires me is dissolving within this pool- and I am sure that is what is agitating me. So I return to my mat and seek within. This has all come out of a time of great separation- some with intent- some unfortunately a reactional response… that would be great to over turn, but that takes work that has to be agreed upon. A lot of times, the only person that is going to work on things with you is yourself, which again leads me back to my yoga mat.
What is the moral to this story?
Not sure yet, I think I’ll go take a yoga class…
Some Updates…. Untapped- have you found us yet? You really should come on by!
I have Tumblr now, it’s called “FaernSpan” PLEASE come see, thanks
Recently there was a fire on the top floor of our building. A bad one. We also learned that the fire alarm didn’t work, this note was posted after the fire was put out. I think they fixed it today…
This was what I came home to that day (well, this is a quiet photo). I feel so badly for the family that lost everything.
If you are on Instagram, please fine me! (as Faern)
I am still working away on the muni transfer pieces, here are some in progress.
PLEASE stay tuned-
OH- ** I am really looking for a place to show the series, please help me out!
One of my favorite things to do is take pictures that deal with our transportation system AKA “muni”. Above is one of my faves, Muni Diaries often features my images, check them out!
“Clean Socks Project” is off to a roaring start!
I have a weekly column on Untapped called ‘ART on STREETS’ please come on over and see art around San Francisco.
You can see ALL of my posts so far by clicking ~here~
Clean Socks Project
As most of you already know, I am in the beginning of a documentary project on Mongolian Contortion. This project molds my studies in cultural anthropology with my years of photographing the body but also allows for a focus on a personal connection to my work. As I go through photographing the students of Serchmaa Byamba I am as well developing my own personal practice and broadening my self confidence that are both completely inspired by Mongolian Contortion. By doing these things in tandem I am allowing for a deeper understanding of the bodies I am photographing and documenting the nuances comes more naturally. I have created a multi-experience for myself to both feel by actually experiencing what contortionists go through as well as representing it via my fine art mediums. (I say “mediums” here because I hope to take this project to the mixed media level as well, but the documentary aspect and the experiences take precedence at this time).
Photographically, this is a direct extension of my project called “Interlude:Actuate” in which I created a series of fine art pieces based on photographs of people in “bound” Yoga Asana. Exploring the “bind” itself visually as an extreme connection to both the self and how we move forward. Using asana photography, specifically “bound” asana to symbolize the pauses in life, the ‘Interludes’. Combining this with an organic texture to represent growth, or activation- the movement of life- the action, ‘Actuating’. But now, considering Mongolian Contortion as the “next step”, so to speak, when it comes to photographing the body in “extreme” postures it only made perfect sense to take my work to the next level this way via the art of documentary.
What makes this project special is that I am working alongside Rise Pictures and collaborating on a documentary film! So, as I develop my imagery as described above and I am contributing to an amazing piece on Mongolian Contortion where we are exploring teacher student relationships, the development of the art form and teaching style in the west as well as producing fun events where you can come see what the buzz is all about, experience a variety of styles of contortion as well as traditional artists from the Mongolian National Ensemble here in San Francisco…
Come, experience the “Clean Socks Project” this Saturday!
Here is our website (still under construction)
Event Info>
A benefit for ‘Clean Socks’ a contortion documentary and the Cayuga Gym (Royal Russian Kung Fu Circus Training Academy of Heavenly Mountain) Holiday party!
We had our first intimate show and now we having a more formal production!
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We’d like to show you appx. 90 minutes of the beautiful efforts of students, friends and professionals!
We have contortionists (Mongolian classical and inspired), aerialists, contemporary dance from local and international artists, pole artists, traditional Mongolian musicians from the Mongolian National Orchestra and folk dancers. Even more! 
Support the documentary! Contortion is simple and for everybody. It is also hard, develops patience and changes your life! We hope to share this art form through the film AND the process of the project.
Produced by Tsogtbayar Namsrai (Rise Prodiuctions) and Faern (www.Faernworks.com)
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SATURDAY DEC. 10th
Doors OPEN @ 7:30
Show BEGINS @ 8pm, end 930. Party after~
$10-$20 sliding scale tickets.
All sales of the event go to the production of the film and photo documentary. The artists are all donating their time and efforts to help fundraise. We ask for your attendance and hope you are entertained!
Feel free to bring your dressed up fancy self and friends for a holiday get together after!!
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impossible without the
::::PERFORMANCES BY:::
Fleeky Flanco
Sasha Harrington
Inka
Indie + Friend
Sophia Fox
Dancers and Musicians of the Mongolian National Ensemble
Benjamin Hancock
Bree ‘Rock’ Noack
Featherpistol
Lance Centanni-Sachs
Tara Quinn
Amy & Hooslyn
Gratitude: You Have To Dig It Up Sometimes
- Gratitude is not checking email first thing in the morning
- Gratitude is finding solace in memories
- Gratitude is making art
- Gratitude is being ok with not being understood
- Gratitude is wearing two different socks
- Gratitude is knowing the fog will lift
- Gratitude is a song that makes you cry
- Gratitude is yelling at the top of your lungs
- Gratitude is allowing things to slip away
- Gratitude is knowing how to “sort”
Content. The content of things. This is what is on my mind. Content, the meat of life, communication, arts- that thing we cling too, a meaning of some sort that each person creates on their own that they subconsciously apply to their surroundings – as a viewer or a participant of their life. Artists have a whole other view of “Content” that often gets mixed into the same everyday moments. Our minds wrap around it and carry it with us as if it’s a little present to spring forth from our eyes. What we often forget is that most people are not going to accept this as a mode of communication.
- Gratitude is knowing – “Okay, maybe it’s just me.”
Day of Ones
11-11-11
On this day of one we have the chance to stand up, or fall down. On this day of one I am choosing to be me. To allow myself to fall into myself. To leave all this doubt and all this confusion behind so that I may contribute. To know where my passion is and to be in line with that, instead of always swirling around so many new ideas. Not that I want them to stop- I am just planning domestication of my convictions in order to cultivate them.
On this day of one, I feel awake. Astrologically things are “going my way” in a sense, and it is really helping me out- to actually feel “in tune” with life again in absolutely the greatest gift and I am turning this leaf over by not wondering when it will all fall away- as is my “habit” – this is me flicking my own forehead with my own middle finger “enough already”- and it is done.
On this day of one I find myself whole and upon this realization tears flow into my eyes- people can see me crying in this coffee shop, but yet I am smiling.
Day of ones.
Staying on track with Untapped
For the past couple months I have been contributing to an amazing global community that we lovingly refer to as “Untapped” and I am SF based of course so I really directly contribute to “UntappedSF” but really that just scratches the surface!
Really but Really
We are “Untapped Cities” which started in New York but has gone global with hubs in Paris and Singapore besides the ones around the U.S. So really, we are global.
For me, I have never had a weekly column “due” that I wasn’t in control of- meaning, that is something has to “pass through” another in order to be completed- this needs to be scheduled- I can’t, like, you know, do it all last minute “upon” the moment as I tend to do…
ART on STREETS: One of the most enjoyable things about living in the city of San Francisco is how visually dynamic it is. There is simply art everywhere, but not in a way that inundates you. The most interesting pieces are hidden away in nooks and crannies, and many people often overlook the “candy” placed in prominent locations. ART on STREETS highlights this city’s art through the lens of a “Polaroid” camera (except it’s an app on the phone).
In the Art & Architecture section of UntappedSF
So, I do my darndest to stay on track with Untapped…
Come on by…
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Tip My Hat To Motivation
Last night I exclaimed “I used to be a very motivated person, what happened to me?!?!” and I didn’t just say it, it burst out of me and took something with it. The sound reverberated around me, went back into my head and bounced around in there for a while until it echoed out my eyes and I became blinded by it. With that echo I stopped trying to work and sat. Quietly. Wondering how I can flow with this ocean of a persona I have and not drown in it. I have always been a very good swimmer, not fast but strong. I went to sleep this way- wondering. I woke up reminding myself that there really is no other way besides the unknown. No matter what I do.
Motivation. If I brought any of this up with any of my friends that I see regularly they all have a consistent response. Meditate. Yes, I know meditate. But what I am talking about is something different. So many people ponder “back in the day” as if what they did “back then” is something possible to “replicate”- well, it isn’t! and there is no reason to try that, this is a lesson I learned quite young- but most of the time art related …. But to apply this to my life- takes work- a certain other kind of motivation. So we have to “double up” in this now- digging around in there wondering- where this mess came from… and to top it all off, none of this actually matters. None of this is unique and none of it will make me die. Some of it causes an un-necessary amount of strife because of habit which can lead the way to some suffering – which is exactly where I don’t need to end up again.
So, motivation. To “build” it seems like some foreign language- there is a “drive” missing… shoved deep down… a “non bail out” clause that has to be enacted… and I do believe mine is found in Asana. That if there is one daily thing, it’s that- NOT drawing NOT photo – Asana
{pictured: Khristine Jones}
People Pictures
I am so pleased to be able to offer this new service!
I genuinely am so very pleased that my little studio is working for this!
That I can create a space from scratch and that it can work!
That people can come to my very own space, WE can create something, and they can leave happy!
That I have helped them in some way is such an added bonus, it’s one of those things that can not be explained- words sort of screw it up. Regardless, I am so happy to facilitate personal reflections in this way, each image carries it’s own energy and power and I am so happy to explore this with all of you!
Please, be in contact if you are in the area or will be in the next few months!
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EVERY
Wednesday & Friday
Call to schedule!
Same day appointments!
Within 20 minutes and you can be in front of the camera!
415)577-4277
-If you would like to “pre” schedule you can by emailing through the website
http://www.faernworks.com/contact
The FaernWorks Studio is in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco
100 Treat st. (@18th st) Activspace #246
**If BOTH Wednesday & Friday do not work for you EVER PLEASE be in contact- I will happily offer other possible times
Photography
Image Share
*More images from the new studio soon!
{pictured: Khristine Jones}
You Never Know What Is Hiding Under The Leaves
North Beach at Dusk
These days have been a harvest. A turning over of many months of direct work. What has come up and out is an unyielding feeling that if I could just apply a little more focus and speed I wont be able to lose track in the same detrimental way as I am so used to falling into. The I have the creativity, education and execution of process that I need. That my path actually feels like “mine” now and it’s ok to feel this way (which is much more difficult to come to terms with that you think). Most of the time it is difficult to settle into because there is an attachment to it- a mini fear that if I am feeling this way, it will immediately disperse like a dandelion- seed by seed floating away unreachable by finger tips. This flittering is still there, but just as much stays with me as leaves and I feel safe like this.
I am now on “instagram” if you are there too, please hit me up~ I’m on there as ‘Faern’
