Of the many wonderful things that have happened since starting this project, my connection to M.E. Dunlap, thanks to my sister DaNel, ranks high on the list. We have sent several emails back and forth, and I also stopped off in Eugene on my way back up from being in Applegate for Thanksgiving, so we could meet and chat about our possible, now probable, collaboration of arts. I had forgotten that we had briefly met once before a couple years back. M.E. is very inspiring both as a person, and an artist, and she has offered an enormous amount of encouragement to me. I just wanted to share some of her encouraging words and wonderful insights... these are snippets from her emails and letters..............................
---2nd Degree of Separation- How do I know DaNel?... Well we met while in a teaching program in Ashland Oregon but I think that the moment that I truly got to know DaNel was when I made a silly comment about giving her a gold star in a computer class we were both in... Probably not the smartest thing I have ever done but it WAS funny and things evened out. From that point on, I have watched DaNel grow as a fabulous teacher and a true friend. But first and foremost she has always been dedicated to her family. She always spoke fondly of the time she spent at the Applegate ranch and is always excited to be going back for a visit. If you are lucky enough to have DaNel in your cheering section you are sure to get to where you need to be. And there is no doubt that DaNel is Melanie's #1 fan for this project not to mention life in general. To Melanie, there is no doubt that this project will be a success and that you will reach your goals. I am always glad to participate in a great art game... and this is a great one!---
(From DaNel)---My friend M.E. sent this back to me in response to a comment I made about some people not agreeing with your choices and the amount of debt you have. I love her response and thought you would too.---
---DaNel,
First of all regardless of what others say, this is a great art project and Melanie has every right to take it on... and I should know because I bought a piece of paper for $60,000.00 that says I have a BFA. Oh, AND a MAT... you can decide what the letters mean but to me it was worth every penny even though I am going on my third year of uncertain (un)employment. To those who find Melanie irresponsible, they have either been given things monetarily and not had to find their own way or they don't believe enough in themselves to take the chance and educate themselves, OR perhaps they do not have a drive within them that tells them to be true to their passion regardless of what others think. What is popular is not always right. What is right is not always popular!---
---"How would people react to a project such as this proposed by a 30 year old man with a degree in architecture selling prints of his building designs in an effort to pay off his college loan debt?"---
---What a fantastic art/life project. I am quite interested in art that addresses “things we don’t talk about.”---
---I too understand your dark cloud as I am also in financial aid debt… without a steady job and I am also working on an art related project that is in the prototype stage as of now. I figured if I participate in your project, I may collect a few good Karma points for later on. Anyway, great project, you will be successful!---
---p.s. I love the idea of sending real money in the mail for several reasons…mostly because they say NEVER TO DO IT!---
---I want you to know that your project came along at the perfect time for me. And you may not realize it, but it has helped me out so very much! I needed to be reminded that I am not alone on this artistic path that I have chosen and that in fact, I am on the right path for me. It has rarely been easy for me (and I am sure many could say the same) but it has all been worth it for what my spirit has gained. And finally, it is so wonderful to see your family supporting you, not all of us have this, but it gives me a boost of hope. I am sure I do not have to tell you that this is a great gift.---
---Thank you for taking the chance and putting yourself out there... I am sure your project has started conversations, opened minds, and sparked imaginations... We never know when someone may be affected by our actions.---
---Just want to send you a quick note while a few things are on my mind. First of all, thanks so much for stopping by, sharing your artistic ideas and a bit of your story. Many things both artistically and personally became so much clearer to me. Like the choices I have made no matter how difficult, for the most part were right for me regardless of what others thought or wanted. And, as for my artwork, if you can do it, so can I. It is time for me to truly believe in myself, and my art and do everything I can to get it out there and after talking with you and seeing things from your perspective, I can see my work in a marketable way for the first time... What a gift! Thank you so much, you rock!---
---By the way, you are one of the most easy to be around people that I have ever met. I admire your strength, your opinions, and tenacity. They are contagious and wonderful. I completely lost track of time as we were talking as I rarely have the chance to talk with someone with an artistic way of seeing things.---
---I am grateful for this connection as well and the spark of energy it has given me. And I appreciate you believing in my work enough to want to collaborate with me, thanks... OK, have a great week, I will talk to you soon.---
M.E. Dunlap - 2nd Degree
Eugene, Oregon
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About Me - Melanie Bess Hogan
I was born October 28th, 1978 and raised in Southern Oregon, in the small, lovely town of Applegate, located just west of Medford. With three siblings and many cousins living within a mile stretch, most of my childhood was spent outdoors. Whether we were riding bikes, building forts, playing tag, trying to catch crawdads in Thompson Creek, swimming in the Applegate River, sleeping under the stars or helping out with the farming chores, it was an incredible time. My Gram's property stretches just over 600 acres, and 19 of those were certified a Century Ranch in 2003, receiving recognition as being owned and operated as a working ranch for 100 years within my family. I feel so fortunate to have grown up with such history, not to mention the freedom and encouragement to explore the wide-open spaces of the countryside that my family has maintained through hard work and perseverance! I love being a country girl!
I knew I wanted to be a photographer since I was a junior in high school and applied to Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. Art has been something I have always enjoyed and still-framing moments to later watch come to life again in the darkroom had me completely intrigued! How can you not love it? It is such a magical process! I was forever hooked when I took my first photography class at Southern Oregon University, while also taking the general education classes required to officially enroll at Brooks.
The reality of the financial requirement to follow this passion of photography sank in, and I made the decision to put off going until I could save more money. This is when the notion of becoming a nanny was put in front of me, and within two weeks of checking into it, I was on a plane to meet a family back East. After two years with the same family, and a little money tucked away for Brooks, I had yet another reality to choose, and that was whether or not to see the world. Brooks or the world? This was a no-brainer, as I have always been one for adventure. So I put off Brooks again and spent most of 2000 back-packing overseas. This was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made, and if you get the chance, DO IT!
Using up all the money I had saved for Brooks while traveling, I was back to square one. So with nearly another two more years of nannying, serving up lattes at Starbucks and saving, I was ready to start. I arrived in Santa Barbara on my 24th birthday and began Brooks just days later. It was a goal set and a goal achieved, well worth the six-year hiatus it took me to get there!
I graduated cum laude three years later with a Bachelor's Degree in Photography, double majoring in Commercial Advertising and Advertising. Even while attending school I was freelancing, along with maintaining my position at Starbucks and being a part-time, live-in nanny. Since graduating I have shot weddings, portraiture, fine art, worked as a studio manager for Door 9 Studios, and had the great privilege of working as the Photo Editor for America's Underwater Treasures, a book put out by Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society.
I jumped at the opportunity to exchange palm trees for pine trees in July 2007 and moved to the Inland Northwest. My move, although partly to escape the high costs of living in Santa Barbara, was to assist my sister Jennifer with her brand new coffee stand, Droolin Dog Espresso, located on Ramsey Road in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Perhaps I wouldn't have thought of this project had I not been on that road trip back from Jackson Hole, and that wouldn't have happened had I not made the decision to share in my sister's new adventures. I am grateful for both!
My goal, besides successfully completing this project and being Debt-Free by 30, is to inspire others! I want to travel, and being a destination photographer is the way to make two of my passions a reality. On the road getting there and when I finally do, need always come my desire to be true to myself and true to others, and in that comes inspiration!
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Below each post, you will see the word "comments"...if you click on it you can leave me your thoughts, impressions, ideas...good or a good critique, I would love to hear them! Mb
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