Eeyore!
Happy Birthday
With the greatly anticipated move to Quincy, IL right around the corner, I have made it a mission to do, attend, create, explore and cherish as much as I can in San Antonio and surrounding areas before I depart from this beloved city of mine. With Fiesta wrapping up in such a wonderfully exhausting way, Eeyore's Birthday Party was a perfect relaxed event to attend and be a part of. "Eeyore's Birthday Party is a fund-raiser to benefit non-profit groups in Austin." You are encouraged to dress up (or down), wear costumes for contests, there are food booths with the most tempting smells, drinks, face painting and henna tattooing, talented musicians and welcoming, interactive drum circles and activities. The mood in the air was one of appreciation of creative, spiritual minds coming together in celebration of nature and beauty. The event was perfect and the weather was gorgeous.
Living in San Antonio, I still manage to have a few wonderful friends who dwell in Austin. Once learning about this great event, I contacted my friend, Grace, and inquired whether she would be in attendance. Luckily, she was all over it! The day rolled around and I made my 1 1/2 hour trek to Austin, TX. With my purse packed with camera, extra battery and SD cards, a pair of jeans (you never know), a poncho (just in case of rain), sunglasses, cash and a "mom" makeup bag filled with hand sanitizer, sunscreen, lotion, chap stick and bug spray, I was ready for a beautiful day! After arriving at the party, it was first things first, which is getting a refreshment in my hand. Exploring the scene, I walked around just taking in all the wonderfully animated people that were in attendance. While exploring, my ears were spellbound by a brilliant beat and crowd enthusiasm. I made my way towards a white canopy and was fortunate to find a front row view where I was captivated by at least 20 individual drummers and musicians all playing to the same impromptu beat and passionate performers feeling every rhythm and pulse that was being designed by the drum circle. With absolutely no care in the world, these creative individuals were lusting over the feverish beat allowing it to simply flow within their mind and body. It was a privilege to see such magic within a space and be a part of the moment.
Catching me off guard, at first, one unusual onlooker made its way to the front to catch the show. After the initial shock of a snake being in close proximity, I was thrilled capture its presence. Being passed around like a bowl of candy, the snake was calm and cool. Adorned as an accessory for the party, girls were begging to sway with the large boa, flowing to the music. The snake found the rhythm as it danced from shoulder to shoulder, person to person. It was patient and still, as if, to be passed around was a daily occurrence. Children began to marvel at the site of this large boa, sending their hands out, with brilliant bravery only to snap it back to their side in realization of what it was they were about to touch. The snake's head would slowly sweep to meet each bystander's stare as if to draw them into a trance, like that of Kaa from the Jungle Book.
Through the thickness of the crowd, somehow, I was able to finally spot my friends. They had created a charming circular patch to gather at and enjoy the illuminating shine that peeked through the trees. Close by were other enthusiastic and eccentric groups of friends simply appreciating the day and festivities. Decorated with floral headbands, weaves of beads, embellished costumes that glistened in the sun's light, sequins, glitter, body shimmer and clothing that found a home in every curve of the body, everyone was in the birthday celebration mood. In the chatter that enveloped the woods, one girl stood to perform an impromptu hula hoop routine. Spinning the hoops madly yet gracefully around her readied hands, the light would catch the whirling circles and illuminate them, forcing the hoops to stand out against the lush greenery. She seemed transfixed on her movements, consistent and precise in what motion would follow the next. Wrapped in her spell, most of our circle stayed glued to her actions. It wasn't until she concluded her performance that she realized we had all become her audience.​​
​​Two of my absolute favorite "candid" portraits from the celebration are that of my college friends who now reside in Austin. The first (on the right) is of Grace. She is holding Mr. Bojangles (Kaare's little man) as if he were a baby child. Fitting comfortably into her lap and arm, he appears to be quite accepting of his situation. In playing with the colors a bit, the soft pinkish light that sheaths Mr. Bojangles and Grace brings out the nice brown tones of Bo and the softness of Grace's skin. The loving look of an auntie is very much the take away from this moment, as Grace stares down with pure delight at Mr. Bojangles serenely lounged in her arms. The photograph to the right is of Mr. Bojangles' caretaker and mom, Kaare. She is quite the enchanting woodland goddess with her curly hair, piercing and mischievous green eyes and floral inspired headband. As I panned the lens over in attempt at capturing her in the forest element, she was too quick for a purely "candid" moment, however, offered instead a look of comedic acceptance. Staying true to the colors that were present at the moment of capture, I think plays well to relating Kaare with her natural surroundings. The green that outlines her figure, can also be found in her eyes, headband and dress. All the colors and overall mood of the moment play well in creating a true to nature portrait of Miss Kaare.
I hope that you have found the stories of my day spent in beautiful Austin intriguing. These were fun photographs and a wonderfully spent day for me. You can see more photographs from the day, as well as some of these, in the TEXAS gallery in PERSONAL WORKS. As always, THANK YOU for taking the time in your day to view the photographs and read the narratives. THANK YOU for supporting my photographic endeavors. I can promise you that there are MUCH MORE exciting and beautiful moments to come in the next coming months!
