Femininity Redefined

NINA PAK: artist, photographer, musician, writer, muse, model. These are the few occupations this incredible woman does in her daily life. She has lived all over the world, and her life story is worth to be published. Right now her main focus is photography – which has become such a success, that there are waiting lists of stunning models all over the world who are willing to fly to another continent, just to be immortalized by Nina’s camera and her vision.

She was the one who convinced me to start modeling for artists, and made those incredible images everyone in my circles is still talking about up to this day.

This new interview series will start with this wonderful woman and artist – the one who introduced me to the whole Muse concept.

Nowadays she lives in Vancouver, Canada, together with her husband – instead of the sunny Arizona, U.S.A.

And as far as i know the food in Canada is nothing to brag about....

1.Q: Tell us more about how you choose your models. Are you being guided by intuition? Or do you choose someone on automatic pilot, knowing that this person will photograph well?

There is a particular look and energy that attracts me, as anyone, I have preferences, very long hair on either male or female models. I prefer redheads and dark hair. So that is the first attraction. Visual is often our first stimulus. But I also need someone with character and I like flaws, something unique, something in their eyes, depth, emotion. So that insight often pulls me to work with someone, I feel they are special. I also like ethnic types, diversity. Too often these beauties are overlooked. And I like someone who is odd, someone bald or in some other way different.

2.Q: Many, if not all photographers, prefer the skeleton thin model, usually with no visible personality or something special. What is your opinion on this tendency? What effects do you think this ‘standardized version of a woman’ has on the current generations and on the generations to come?

This is the tragedy of our time, young women base their concepts of what ideal beauty is on the fashion industry and what they see in magazines, without realizing that these images are perfected in Photoshop to remove every imperfection. The use of heavy make-up at a young age is also part of this trend. I have nothing against make-up! On the set or for evening wear it is wonderful, but there is something lost when natural beauty is not seen or appreciated in all its forms.

3.Q: Do you feel there is a fear for a feminine woman?

Femininity is a lost concept in our modern world. This is a long topic in itself for which I am writing a book. But a short answer, both men and women have lost their place in relation to each other, Male and Female are different. I would refer you to such books as: Sex on the Brain: The Biological Differences Between Men and Women by Deborah Blum. This is a scientific study of research about the brain, not from a psychological point of view such as the book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.

I grew up during a time when it was a struggle to make a living as a woman, and divorces forced women to try to raise children on a salary that could barely sustain them. My mother was such a career woman. Men were considered the bread winners, so employers did not give a single woman parent any priority, when it came to promotions or pay raises. Rather, they were looked down on as defective and at fault for not keeping the home together; never mind that it might not have been their fault. So women had to compete in a man’s world and by men's rules. The feminine nature fell by the wayside. Not out of fear but survival. Now it is just forgotten, the way you forget a language you never use. Mothers did not teach their daughters by example or they were just absent or neglectful because they were too busy working to pay attention to the needs of their daughters.

4.Q: In fashion they want women to look like teenage boys, boys in drag, and their views on what a woman should be and look like has become much more powerful, women blatantly and without thinking, seem to take those views and make their lives miserable, dieting their hips, breasts and derriere away, to become a desperate genderless sack of bones with tons of makeup on her bony face. How do you feel and think about all of this? Is there really a fear for a truly feminine woman? A woman in all of her glory and power?

Again, I feel it is not so much fear as an absence of some essence which is forgotten. Men are certainly still attracted by it, when some female possess it, and yet it is rare in our world. Women who have the curves are not confident enough in their bodies to own it, young women no matter what they look like, have no idea what femininity is, or how to embody it, or that such a potent essence is possible, there are so few examples.

5.Q: Do you think many women have become confused about what true femininity is and why?

Perhaps the feminist movement is responsible, feminist movement has nothing to do with femininity, but rather the loss of it. And yet it was truly a necessary action for that time, and without it women would not have careers today, or the freedoms they enjoy. Yet with everything gained there is something lost. Nothing comes without a price.

6.Q: Please describe how you see a truly feminine woman. What is the first you notice? React to? What makes you conclude that “yes, this woman is so incredibly feminine”?

There is a quality of grace, an attention to softness, a certain respect for their personal care, an air of alert attention and observance. But more than any exterior aspect, it is a depth of awareness and caring that is so unique to women. A way of touching someone, not only physically, but with their words and actions, that shows true awareness and caring. The combination of the archetypes of both Hestia, who kept the home and hearth, and Venus who could arouse you with a glance, and bring you to splendor with her laugh. These are the qualities of the female. Mystery, grace, yielding. These are all misunderstood today. Yielding is considered weak, but these are tools of the female, and they are far from positions of weakness. They are ways that women move to a position of power. And again, the word power now, is so male, and its context so distorted and strong.

7.Q: What are the major differences between the way the world saw a woman in the days you were growing up into one, compared with now?

Being a product of another age, I can not see through the eyes of a younger woman or know her view. But I lived in a transitional age, women were coming to the point where the most important thing was gaining respect in the corporate world, and the fight for rights in the work place was the focus. Most families I knew were broken, children neglected. Many of those children grew up wanting to give their children more than what they had, some from the 60's generation moved back to a more simple life, even so far as to drop out of society and live "off the grid". While others took advantage of what their mothers paved the way for, and became CEOs of companies themselves. The one thing I can say is, that now there is choice. As a woman you have the opportunity to move in society as freely as a man, to make your life choices without the moral judgements and limitations my mothers generation had to contend with.

But children and families are also missing a certain type of care that should be in some way addressed. Both children and the elderly are often neglected. Perhaps some kind of communal lifestyle would solve this isolation.

8.Q: What is it that you would’ve liked to keep on this subject from those days?

When I was little, some of my friends had mothers who cooked and baked and played with them, who were attentive and loving. I was observing all of these things. I did not feel jealous, as it did not occur to me that I could have that, I was just saddened. My mother did teach me to cook, it was one of her gifts of necessity to me. She would leave detailed instructions, so when I got home from school I would get up on my step stool and follow, step by step, her notes. And I would have dinner ready for her when she got home from work. When I grew up, I kept my interest in food preparation as a kind of art, and explored a more healthy way of cooking from what my mother knew. I notice today that many young women don't cook. They do not have the feeling for it, or the desire to learn it. And I feel that cooking is not only an art but a kind of magic. It is a way to give love to others. It is a way to nurture yourself and those you care about.

9.Q: What are you happy about that has left?

I am not sure how to answer this question. Everything changes, everything is changed. Nothing is left but memories. And memories are subjective. They can be an inspiration. They can be a hindrance. I am grateful to have a perspective of forgiveness about the past. Forgiveness for myself, and for the others in my life. I have regrets but I know I did what I could at the time, with what I understood about life, and that is true of the people who caused me pain as well, they were what the world made them. So forgiveness is the best thing you can achieve out of hardship. That is the best thing that is left.

10.Q: Are young women now much more concerned with their appearance to the outside world compared to the world you were growing up in?

No people are always insecure until they have enough life experience to gain self-respect. When you know what your strengths are, you gain confidence and with that confidence you have personal worth. Until you have that formed, you are always worried how others see you. You want to do external things to draw attention to yourself. The exterior is the first focus of attention, before the knowledge that a more meaningful connection with others is far more interesting than what someone looks like. But that is not possible until you know yourself and have something meaningful to share with others. The media today reinforces the external aspects of life and physical appearance, so young people sometimes get stuck there and don't develop within.

11.Q: Are women more materialistic nowadays? More focussed on achieving success at all costs? Trying to be a clone of a man?

The focus on material things goes back many many generations, and it is also cultural. The civilized world paradigm values it. There are still native people who are living in a different paradigm where there are other values and insights. But the world we were born into does not value what they can not see and touch and possess. The differences between this generation and the past are nominal, the differences are in what is valued, one currency over another; certain items people want or covet, but the basic attitude is there. Until people develop internally, spiritually, until they awaken some other perspective, the world will value and fight over these material things.

12.Q: Your art is truly incredible. You manage to get beauty out of every one you have worked with. Sometimes I look at their other photos (made by others) and I can’t help but feel disappointed about it. How do you achieve to reveal the beauty that is obviously theirs through the images you make of them?

I feel a connection with those people I photograph. It is a kind of intimacy, they let me into a private part of themselves. Because I focus on the good and the beautiful in the world, I generally find it in others. But I also see other things at times, and capture them with my camera. Things which the model may not want to be seen or care to share, or even to see in themselves. I have tried over the years to be respectful and not show someone what they are not ready to see. Therefor my favorite model is someone who is open and willing to explore the depths of that soul they share with me. I have been told that my photos are soul portraits, or archetype prints.

13.Q: Do you agree with “Beauty comes from the inside”?

Yes I do. No mater what you look like you can be a beautiful person, and that beauty can radiate out of you with such force that others will see you as attractive. Likewise you can have the most physically perfect face and body, but be such an ill mannered unhappy person that you become ugly. I find it interesting that women are better able to see through the physical exterior of a person to find the beauty in a man, or in their chosen partner. You often see gorgeous women with physically unattractive partners, (and of course I am not referring to those women who partner with someone for wealth), but those who are partnered with ordinary men, who are not attractive physically, or who are rather plain in comparison to their female partners.

Men, on the other hand tend to focus much more on the exterior, and can be fooled by a woman who uses her sexual energy to catch them.

14.Q: What is the most important thing for a woman to know, according to you, in order to meet that beauty that has always been inside of her anyway?

I like the way you worded that question. Because that is often the case, people can be strangers to their own beauty. It comes down again to self-esteem. If you do not value yourself, if you do not know what you are, then you can not see the beauty in yourself. You will be vulnerable to others manipulations and criticisms. You will measure yourself by others values.

What I would advise a young woman is really a question which should be answered case by case. Everyone has different ways of masking insecurity. But to give a general answer:

Everyone can benefit from reading, it may sound old fashioned but there are worlds to explore in books. And in those stories you can often find aspects of yourself and learn from those experiences, gain insights and learn about how people interact, what their motives are, how they achieve their goals. You can learn so many things that no one will ever think to tell you, because you don't know how to ask the right questions. Also I am a believer in studying history. Especially the kind of history you will not learn at school, women's history. Learn about the famous women of our past, and from them you will gain strength. Study about the earth and what is going on with the environment, be aware of your world, have an opinion based on research. Clever knowledgeable women are interesting. Study psychology, study yourself, take the Myers Briggs test, and the Enneagram test, do your numerology and astrology charts. Explore the world and yourself and find out what you like and what you don't, have an opinion.

The extravert: Some young women are very outgoing, being so involved in superficial social activities that they don't learn anything about themselves, for this person I would advise spending more time alone, take up a personal hobby, like pottery, beading, sewing, cooking, something creative but done by themselves. Through the creative process you will learn about yourself, and the sharing of what you have done will give you self-worth. Or at least, if you are not good at it, you will have some interesting stories to share about your efforts. You will learn your strengths and your talents. You will learn your limits and your weaknesses. Most of all you will learn a little more about yourself and you will find your inner beauty.

The introvert: For the loner, it can be a challenge to share what they have inside themselves with others. For them I would advise getting involved in some social activity such as theater or a charity, working at a homeless shelter, or volunteering at a nursing home. Some venue that allows you to interact with others and gain a sense of accomplishment and worth. Also seek out ways to share what your personal interests are, if you like reading, join a book club, if you write poetry, find a place where people gather to read their poems, if you paint or take photographs, find public ways to display it and meet other artists. Find a way to share what you love. And when you share, you will find your beauty in the eyes of others.

The attached: Many young women need someone else's approval for everything they do, they need to either give or get the attention from their peers or their boyfriends. Otherwise they do not feel alive or complete. Actually they are not willing to spend time alone at all, and they have no depth, no personal opinions. You ask them what they think about something, they usually don't know. Or they give some weak or cliché answers. Everything they are is dependent on the actions and opinions of others. This is the biggest mess anyone can get themselves into and it usually is bred by an indifferent family situation. Usually nothing can break the pattern without complete upheaval and some major life change, only then are they forced to look at themselves or think about what they want or need. These people should spend some significant time alone. Reading, and learning to do things like cooking or crafts. And the time they do spend with others should be some kind of social contribution, some community work or volunteer service. Only after taking the time to learn who they are, what they like, and what others really like about them, will they begin to see some value and beauty in themselves. Unfortunately most of these women are not courageous enough to take on that kind of challenge, they just find someone else to attach themselves to.

15.Q: Do you prefer to walk with women who are seen as ‘beautiful’ by our modern standards, or someone who is unusual in their beauty?

It makes no difference. Even beautiful women can be interesting, if they have taken time to get to know themselves. Let us not be prejudice against the pretty people, to assume that just because someone was gifted with physical beauty that they are without depth or interest. I prefer to spend time with anyone who is genuine and caring.

16.Q: Does an “ugly woman” exist?

Yes. Cruelty is ugly. Hate, jealousy, spite, catty gossipy nasty is ugly. Competitive, selfish, greedy is ugly. The woman who uses her sexual energies to get her way, without care for the consequences, this can be very ugly. Ugly is in your actions or in your indifference or in your intolerance, or in your petty lies or in your privileged views. Ugly is what you embody when you are so self-centered that you don't see how your actions touch other peoples lives. If you live that way long enough, your physical appearance begins to mold itself around your insides. Your face wears a grimace, your eyes become pinched, you look hard and angry, or stern and hateful. Everything eventually gets written on your face and body.

17.Q: Do you agree with the way the modern Western society man sees a woman?

I feel the freedom women have achieved in Western society, to live and work as they wish, is something to be respected. Everyone should have a choice how they live their lives, but not everyone in the world does. With that freedom comes responsibility, yet not every young woman has the guidance or a good role model to help her know what the right choices are. With the lack of good advice, they are often guided by the media. It is important to remember that we all create our own reality, if women go along with the concept of beauty that is common, if she chooses to follow the trends, change her body with plastic surgery, live the lifestyle the films and media show them, then they will attract a certain type of attention and be cast into a specific role in our society. If a woman does not want to take part in that paradigm, then she can be different, choose not to support it. Reality is somewhat fluid, everything is in your power to change yourself and therefor change how society views you.

18.Q: What do you prefer as a title: a girl or a woman? a man or a boy?

It is respectful to call an adult a woman or man. Yet in our society boys are often given this respect sooner. I assume this is what you are getting at. But it is habitual, even women do it, you rarely hear someone say they are meeting their woman friends, or man friends. Usually they say girlfriend, boyfriend. Also how many women do you know whose husbands have pet names for them like baby? And they like it, accept it. Until we change how we perceive ourselves, until we have self-respect... society will not change. It is not necessary to do anything by force or with irritation. Kindness always gets you further. You need to have a personal aura of self-confidence even when someone is trying to put you down. But honestly in most cases there is no ill intent, just a lack of awareness. So it is best not to take offense.

19.Q: Do you think (and feel) pornography is a healthy way of entertainment?

My answer will probably surprise you. I don't think there is anything wrong with it. And yes, at times it is even healthy. There are too many hang-ups about sex in our Western culture. I do feel that pornography is sometimes sort of comical. However, if it deals with under age children or anything of a dark and twisted nature : that is disturbing. But then I don't like nightmarish, scary slasher films either. I don't really handle them well they give me bad dreams. What it all comes down to is intent. If you have a desire to explore the sexual energy and it is completely consensual, then that is wonderful. But if you have a corrupt nature and you just want to exploit someone, then that is rather sad.

20.Q: What do you think about the Feminist Movement? Is it time for retirement in the Western world?

I think I answered this already, so I can only say that "Feminist" is somewhat misunderstood, often even by those who profess to be feminist. It was a movement that began with the suffragettes, those women from 1910 to the 1930s went through hell to give us the right to vote, and to work for pay. And along the way a lot of good changes were made. However society needs to be nurtured, and children need to have parents who are not absent, so something needs to change. Some allowance for the absence in the home should be made. There is nothing wrong with either parent being at home with the children during their formative years, either the father or the mother. Certainly we could all have less children. It would be best not to have kids if one parent can not spend quality time with them. But NO I do not feel the Feminist Movement should retire, I feel it should be redirected. There is inequality, but that is also due to the fact that men and women ARE different. What should not be different is that if someone does the same job, they should not get paid less because they are of a different sex. This is still true in some cases; and it is still true that men are often promoted to higher positions rather than women. It is just a fact that women do not have the system of support that men do. It is even worse that women are not really willing or interested to develop one. This is where the Feminist Movement should focus. Women mentoring women, women supporting and promoting women, women learning to appreciate other women and not be threatened by them.

21.Q: Do you believe in the solidarity among women? Do you see it around you?

I believe it is needed and it is rare. There are women who say all the right things, but when it comes right down to it, they are just not there. They don't have your back, or they don't choose to help you. I have known too often women who are more competitive than men. Men will give referrals and opportunities to their friends, women rarely do. Women are good at saying all the nice and supportive things, but it is really what they DO that counts, anyone can flatter you, but if they are unwilling to help you when they have it in their power to make a difference for you, then all the flattery is pretty meaningless.

22.Q: Tell us more about what a Muse is.

A muse is not always pretty, a muse is an inspiration, who gives her energy to inspire other artists. A muse hopes to make a difference, leave something worthwhile, either by influencing some other artists to do creative wonderful things, or by creating art which will have an influence on the world. This can be done quietly without anyone knowing, or they can be famous actresses, models or artists of all types. The point is that they use their creative talent or their beauty (not only outward beauty, what is INSIDE of them) to assist or help change the world, to make it more beautiful or better. A muse need not be the center of attention, the art is the center. A good muse keeps the focus on the art, and just guides or is a channel for the art.

Muse is not a job description, it is not outlined like a "to do" list. It is not about being in front or behind a camera. It's just a part of your soul.

It is a spirit of creative energy, it flows out of you and touches others.

23.Q: Why are Muses important to our word?

Because they inspire change and hopefully beauty in the world, and they give us hope. They touch the heart and make us laugh and sing and paint and write music or whatever our gifts are, the muse guides us to that fulfillment.

24.Q: Can any woman be a Muse? Can you train yourself to be one? Or can you only BE one?

I don't know. The muses I have known are all of a certain type, and yet, I might be attracted to them because I see something of myself in them. But no, I don't think you can learn to be a muse, you either have it in your nature or you don't. If you are not someone who likes to give, or inspire or collaborate with others for example, I don't think you would even think about wanting to be a muse. It would not be important, you would have other goals or interests.

25.Q: Where is that thin line between being the best you can be, and finding yourself to be better than other women? Do Muses find themselves to be better than other women?

People have flaws, muses are women, who also have flaws. There are all kinds of women who have different levels of awareness about themselves and others, who have different motives and intent. There is no set way to go about inspiring the world to change; or an artist to create. Sometimes people get arrogant or make mistakes. Sometimes all the attention directed towards a woman or a muse, makes them feel self-important and they loose track of the center of it all, they loose track of the art. A muse has an inclination to move someone to action, to inspire something to change, to help someone to make beautiful things. She might feel superior because she can do that, but she is not. Is she special? Yes I think so. But there are many ways to be special in this world. That thin line you mentioned exists in every person; You know when you are doing a right action, and you know when you cross that line, even if you don't want to admit it.

26.Q: Are sexuality and sensuality intertwined according to you, or do they live separate lives?

You can certainly be sensual without being sexual. Sensuality is an awareness and exploration of the senses. You can explore this in all aspects of your life, and as an artist I feel you are especially aware of textures, tastes, scents, and all the aspects of the world in which we experience life through our senses. We are at times perhaps too focused on the visual, but all the senses enrich our experience.

Sexuality is a focus on the pleasure zones in our bodies, if we use all the senses they can assist in our experience of pleasure, enhancing and adding to our experience, but the full range of the sensual experience is not always a focus during sex, unfortunately it too often is not.

27.Q: What is the most important thing you want to tell other women concerning the “caring and feeding” of their sexuality?

Be natural and be open and willing to explore. Don't be selfish or afraid, there is nothing wrong or unclean with a healthy sexual experience. Don't be ashamed of your body, no matter what it looks like, enjoy it.

28.Q: Does a woman need a man at all?

It is really not a question of need. Humans are very adaptable, they get along by themselves if they have to. They can learn to accept many limitations. But it is really a question of what a woman wants, given anything they could have, what would they choose? I personally am grateful and happy to have a partner to share my life with. And yes I feel a man is a good balance for me. Men are very different in the way they see and interact with the world. My husband gives me a perspective I would not otherwise have. I often have made great personal discoveries because he has been able to give me insights I would not have seen. Everyone needs that in their lives.

29.Q: Why do you think so many speak of “The Battle of the Sexes”?

Because they refuse to accept that men and women are not equal. They are very different and not comparable. Yes, certainly men and women can do the same tasks and jobs, but not always in an equal way, some things are better done by a woman and some by a man. I know that is not a popular thing to say, but I don't want to be misunderstood either. Women have a different mind than men, they are misunderstood by men. Women have great strengths and awareness, they have gifts that are not fully used or appreciated in our society. It is unfortunate that many women try to be like men in order to be respected. And the natural talents they could have developed are left dormant or unnoticed.

30.Q: Is it good to want to ‘battle’ about anything? For instance: to fight for women’s rights?

You should stand up for what you believe in, and you should stand up for anyone being oppressed, but I am an idealist. I am not afraid to fight. I just hope that if there is a need to fight that the goal is clear and worthy, and that those whom you are fighting with and for are honorable. People often get attached to a cause without really understanding it, or without first asking the right questions, or learning who is behind that movement or who is pulling the strings. Women should not allow themselves to be used for someone else's war. Fight your own battles but choose them wisely.

31.Q: Must a woman be a fighter or a warrior?

There is no MUST. Some women don't need to fight, they have a peaceful existence and are happy as they live. But if the fight comes to you, then don't be afraid of it, be brave and do what is right. Learn how to protect yourself and others.

32.Q: Do most women “love too much” when it comes to their men and “love too little” when it comes to themselves?

Loving is not the question, you are talking about attachment and self-respect. People are often attached in an unhealthy and needy way to their mates. From this attachment a lot of unhealthy behavior arises. Likewise too little attention on ones own needs is not a good way to live. If a woman takes the time to develop her own interests, and takes care of her appearance and health, she is more attractive as a mate. She is also more desirable. Most importantly she has self-respect, which means she will not be willing to be treated badly.

33.Q: Many women still swim in the ‘martyrdom doctrine’. “If it’s too good to be true, then it ain’t the right thing”, and “you must suffer in order to be beautiful” (?!?). Do you agree?

I am sorry I am not sure I understand the question exactly, but I will address these two statements:

”The Martyrdom Doctrine: "You Must Suffer To Be Beautiful"... Beauty comes from inside. You can dress up in which way you want and it can be attractive, but if you don't have beauty within it will not matter. It is just all window dressing. Starving yourself or wearing shoes or clothing that are damaging to your body is really not that beautiful, some fashionable heels might look lovely when you’re sitting or standing in one place, but have you ever watched a woman walk in bad shoes, they look like the night of the living dead, hobbling along awkwardly.

"Too Good To Be True" then it ain't the right thing”... usually that is the truth, the visual can be deceptive. Some women have the art of dressing and make-up down, but inside they are not very developed, so they play a lot of games and use manipulation to get what they want. Men tend to be very easily fooled by the exterior look of a woman.

34.Q: Does life get better with every day?

It does if you make an effort, or put your awareness on the beautiful things in life. Try avoiding the news, the morning newspaper is a terrible way to start your day. Read something inspirational instead. Keep a daily journal where you write about some beautiful or happy thing you have seen or experienced. Then you will train yourself to look for those brighter and happier moments, those simple sweet things that we often overlook... if you keep the journal you will see the world differently because you will want to find something to write about, even if it is just birds bathing in a water hole, or a dapper old gentleman who nods at you in passing and smiles, or a funny lady all dressed up with a big hat. The day is full of happiness if you choose to find it.

35.Q: What is the value of wrinkles compared to the gathered wisdom?

Wrinkles are the maps we make on our face with our thoughts. The face becomes completely our own with time. You can look at a person and see if they have been happy or bitter. Wisdom is something internal, it is part of our life's experience and how we have processed those experiences. Age does not mean you have gained wisdom. I know some children who have already lived through enough to gain much insight into human nature and wisdom.

36.Q: If you could choose to have a face of a 25 year old, but to loose all you ever learnt... would you do it?

No but I have to admit it would be tempting. I don't think anyone who is at an age where they are experiencing the aging process wouldn't like to have their youthful appearance back... But of course what good is it without the experiences of the life they have lived, to go with that renewed youth, such desires are part of the human condition.

37.Q: What are your hopes, dreams and desires for the future of Womankind?

That is a very big question, and hard to answer in a short sentence. So to put it simply, I would hope that women realize they are unique and have gifts to offer the world that are very needed and that they will be willing to make an effort to learn more, to gain general knowledge about themselves, to gain self-confidence and meaningful bonds with each other.

38 Q: Your work is uniquely feminine do you feel it is a message to women in some way?

Not intentionally, but I do feel my work explores the beauty of the feminine nature and the strength of woman as well.

39. Q: You are an artist who gets an enormous amount of praise from your peers, I have seen that the comments on your work are often from noteworthy famous photographers around the world. Why have your works not been published more often? Do you feel that being a woman photographer has something to do with the lack of fame that you have received?

I was always an artist who enjoyed the process. I would rather be doing the work, than self-promotion. I am prolific, but I was unaware of how to engage with the business world. My husband told me a few years ago that if I want to be successful with my work I have to spend 50% of my time doing self-promotion. I was shocked and disbelieving that so much effort was necessary. But after some time and research, I realized he is correct. If few people know that my work is available for sale and in what form, how can they know that they could use it? I am the one who needs to propose the possible uses of my product. This is all new to me, but now that I have began to engage the outside world more from a business point of view, I am enjoying the process. I still have much to learn, and of course I would love to have a great representative or publisher who believes in me. But that is something no artist can wait for or expect, it seems that it is almost a matter of destiny. People find those opportunities in rather mysterious ways. But I am hopeful and I am trying to make my work more noticeable. Well as far as being at a disadvantage as a woman photographer, I believe the only way we are disadvantaged is that we do not have the mentoring that men often get from each other. We don't have the guidance. Men help each other much more than women help other women. I have tried to break that tradition by being supportive and helpful as much as possible to young female artists. Well to be honest I am also helpful with young men. That is just my nature.