Two Photographers and a 17' Trailer

Once upon a time a business woman of normal standing in her community knew she was a fake. You see, she didn't like normal. Her heart and thoughts didn't fit in with the normal people of her community. Behind the mask of normal she wore for those around her, she yearned for the abnormal, the freedom to be herself. The desire to break out of the boxes all the normal people tried to put her. Through their view points, opinions, and their own discomforts of the abnormalities of those unlike themselves, she became very dark and sad.

She was a depressed soul with a smile on her face. She hid behind this false facade as long as she could, years in fact went by. The fakeness and normal people wore her down. Only her hopes and dreams of a life, where she could be herself...artistic, different, with a life filled with new adventures and wonderful places to see, buoyed her through the rough patches called, 'being responsible'. At times she would lose herself in the mundane routines of normal people. She would wonder if she would ever get to be an expression of her true self-hood...OR, if she would forever live a life of fakery.

She had no ill-will towards the normal people. They were happily going along in the normalness of their ways. But she could tell they didn't like abnormal people. They would make remarks, pressure those around them to be like themselves...or else. So for their sake and hers she hid her true desire to be who she was...wonderfully, completely, wholeheartedly abnormal.

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He was a runner, a freedom fighter. All his life he lived by the beat of his own ways. Even as a child he bucked the system, made his own rules, even if it meant paying a penalty. He broke free from the boxes that the government, community, and even the school boards tried to impose upon him. His days were of his own making. His lesson plans were of his own creating. He learned through his own system. He made his own breach and filled in the gaps with his own curriculum.

Year after year this free spirit made his life choices against the tides of what the normal communities would find acceptable. He lived his life unapologetic and outside the boxes normal people check. He made his life under his own terms and no one else's.

He was an artist, an archer, and a productive member of society without government assistance nor community involvement. He crossed the country from West to East and from South to North for many years until it was almost time for him to find the woman who needed help breaking the chains and barriers of normal-hood and to help set her free.

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They had three things in common: first, the desire to be free; second, the love of photography; and third, a love for God and courage which was brought to them through prayer.

They met in an unlikely way...but for two abnormal people, wouldn't that be normal? Their love and friendship grew through growing pains. They both fought hard for their individual independence and yet they fought as rigorously to stay together. Their bond was being built like and made as beautiful as a Kintsugi bowl.

Step by step this unlikely pair moves closer together and becomes one unit of artistry. They both took photographs that won them places in the hearts of Art Show Juries. She puts together each photo with its perfect pieces of mat board and its unique frame. He completes the task of turning them into a finished product. They are both proud of, and deeply grateful to be a part of this beautiful whole collection of lovely artwork.

Through prayer and guided steps, they will take to the road to go from art show to art show. They are two artists, two 'road prayer warriors', two souls united as one by marriage and artistic commitment, living in a 17' Springdale Mini, and loving their abnormal life.

This blog is to bring the abnormal and the normal readers alike together as one, to celebrate this couple's accomplishments, mourn their hardships, and pray with them every roll of the wheel across this land we call the United States of America.

In the future there may be opportunities to purchase pieces of artwork, maybe a book or two, but for the most part this is a journal, a log of epic RV proportions, a place to commemorate the adventures of two abnormal artists and their journey together.