[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 29 November 2021].
a spineless woman in a cage of bones
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 23 November 2021].
The first image from a new series of self-portraits I started creating in September.
The series is titled wallflowers.
child psychology
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 29 October 2021].
cat in a lap
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 13 November 2021].
Shiloh photo-bombing another self-portrait shoot back in September on my last day of cat-sitting her and Susie in West London.
barefoot and pregnant
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 2 October 2021].
no girls today
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 16 September 2021].
ca(p)tivated
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 17 September 2021].
So, the cat's out of the bag...
The new side hustle I somehow fell into is cat-sitting! :o
For anyone who's known me more than a few years, I've never previously been a cat person. I was always a dog person.
But, over the past I-don't-know-how-many-years, the idea of cats has stopped repulsing me. I've realised I'm an "animal person". Not just a dog person.
So, when friends asked if I'd be willing to cat-sit for them for almost three weeks - even though I'd never met their feline companions - my first questions were:
Will your home make a photogenic backdrop for self-portraits, and are you okay with me sharing your home on the internets?
Can I bring my iMac as I don't currently have a laptop?
Are you okay with me disappearing for four days as I already have time out of town booked during that period?
Will it cost me anything?
The answers to all those questions were more than satisfactory, so I ventured across to West London at the beginning of September to meet my potential gaolers.
Not only were the kittehs cute and friendly - I bonded immediately with Susie, who's apparently the most hesitant with strangers (not pictured; this is Shiloh). But I fell in love with the house.
The colour schemes and decor. The abundance of bookshelves and bookcases. The furnishings. The hidden doorways (literally, not figuratively). The decorations. EVERYTHING.
My only real struggle since relocating almost a week ago was getting in front of the camera again. Which is largely due to my weight (pun intended).
But I'm tackling that - mentally and emotionally - and from the one shoot I've done so far, I have a selection of photos that don't offend me. I'm hoping to do more tomorrow and at the beginning of next week. And to share more with you.
I just need to be gentle with myself.
I'm also dealing with some worrying family medical news from Australia. And some unexpected flat stuff. And, obviously, having to continue to pick up client work.
But the kittehs help.
They 'meow' and make Mogwai-like sounds at me when they're ready for breakfast (and they've realised that won't be at 5:00, so they're patient for when I'm actually awake).
They make me laugh at their tap-drinking antics even though I can't entertain those antics for long.
And I haven't killed any fish yet.
And I've had the pleasure of giving friends a grand tour of this lovely haven I'm in until the end of the month.
If anyone wants to remind me how squatters' rights work... ;)
Or, if you have a photogenic mansion/house/flat/caravan/van and a pet or pets you need looking after while you go on holiday, DM me.
I'm open to payment in photo ops, pet love and booze ;) (Money's also good).
Also, for you folk who thought I'd struggle with collaborating artistically with cats: Shiloh joined me on the couch of her own volition. Without any real coaxing and, definitely, no kitteh treats. The beeping of my self-timer was all she needed to focus her laser-sharp gaze for this portrait :)