Igreja de São Francisco in Porto, Portugal // Diana F+ 120 Fisheye Lens // Lomography Color Negative 400 film converted to Black and White
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I’m so excited to share that my first book, Temporary Beauty: A Memoir about Panic Disorder and Finding Purpose Through Art and Meditation, is officially available on Amazon.
I honestly can’t believe I got up to the courage to actually share this book. It’s essentially all of my deepest, darkest secrets tied up in a nice little bow. There have been moments where my stomach has dropped, knowing that people might read these stories. But I keep reminding myself that if I’m nervous, then I’m doing something right. I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone and testing my limits. I’m living my life to the fullest. When I was growing up and going through the dark moments of my mental health journey, I was constantly searching for books that would validate my thoughts and feelings so I could feel less alone. I loved angsty coming-of age novels and books like It’s Kind of a Funny Story and The Bell Jar. I like to think that I would have loved stumbling across Temporary Beauty during that time. In my more adult years, I fell in love with books like The Collected Schizophrenias, Educated and World of Wonders - creative memoirs and honest accounts of personal struggle. While I’ve never really been the kind of artist to be majorly creatively influenced by the work of others, I do think Temporary Beauty falls somewhere in the vein of these books. I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum, which lends to a lot of loneliness and insecurity, but I think has also allowed me a lot of room to grow as an artist. Ultimately though, if I’m able to help even just one person to feel some camaraderie with this book, then it was all worth it. We’re all just searching for community and understanding, especially as we’re navigating difficult times.
Temporary Beauty is a collection of memories, poetic ponderings, travel adventures, journal entries, nightmares, and love stories, following Myles through her picturesque childhood in the Blue Ridge Mountains and on to her adventure-filled twenties as a photographer in the Pacific Northwest, discovering herself as an artist. After her diagnosis of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and OCD in high school, she spent her college years struggling to find her footing, finding solace in art, meditation, and travel. Temporary Beauty is a reflection of what it means to be a career-driven woman in modern society, an honest and unapologetic account of the darkness that mental illness can bring, and a conscious reminder of the fragility and beauty of human existence.
"And regardless of my mental illness, deep down I do believe that the day will come where I can walk through the woods, alone, and feel not an ounce of sadness or crippling fear. The grass will be filled with neon-green four-leaf clovers, and delicate pink blossoms will hang silently from the perfectly silhouetted fog-lined trees. I will smile to myself about all that I’ve accomplished. I’ll be proud of myself for defeating my unhinged mind. But that would mean that I’d have to have won the ultimate battle. The one between me and my anxiety. The one battle that never seems to end." — From Temporary Beauty
If this book sounds like something you could relate to, I’d love for you to read it.
And if you feel inclined, please leave a review on my Amazon page when you finish reading it! It will help others to be able to find my book too! And make sure to follow my author page on Amazon for future releases.
Thank you all for your support as I’ve been navigating this journey of becoming an author!
<3 Myles Katherine
“This might be the best memoir I've ever read. Vulnerable, raw and honest, it was an inspiring read that made me feel connected to the world around me. I recommend it 100%, especially to those who struggle with mental illness.” -Evita D.
“Temporary Beauty by Myles is a journey through the heart and mind of a young woman navigating life’s ups and downs with grace & resilience. The book is like a scrapbook of her life, filled with beautiful memories, poetic reflections, and honest glimpses into her struggles with mental health. Her journey is inspiring, especially as she learns to find peace in art, meditation, and travel. "Temporary Beauty" is more than just a memoir; it's a celebration of strength, creativity, and the delicate dance of life. If you're looking for a book that will leave you feeling inspired and connected to the fragility and empowerment of the human spirit, this one is for you! 💕” - Novels with Katie
““I think the fact that I have anxiety leads to a fear of my anxiety taking over my life, which leads to a constant battle with myself to prove that I am not just anxiety. I do believe that I was meant for something much greater than that, which is why I continue to fight it every day.”
A scrapbook of Myles’s existence as she treads the fierce waters of living as a woman with an anxiety disorder. It includes her first hand accounts, photographs, journal entries, beautiful prose, triumphs and tribulations.
I immediately connected with Myles due to my own diagnosis of “panic disorder/generalized anxiety disorder.” The aloneness one can feel while having severe panic attacks daily and with constant triggers is absolutely crippling, and reading Myles’s story was like a mirror at times. But, she found herself within the chaos and as a reader and fellow worrier, it was lovely to see. She defied all odds and wrote a book, became an accomplished photographer, has a partner who accepts her completely. A worthwhile memoir, and I’m very happy to have read this.” -Venus
St. Augustine Beach, Florida / Holga GCFN
I’m honored to have a handful of my photographs featured in the “Art From Within” Staff Exhibition at Steven Francis Fine Art Gallery in Lynchburg, Virginia. As a previous student of the gallery owner, Steven Coates, I’ve been involved with the gallery since it first opened. After graduating from the University of Lynchburg with a degree in Studio Art, I worked for Steve as a photography and gallery assistant for about a year before moving to Portland, Oregon in 2012. After moving back to Virginia in 2019, I began working for him again as a web designer and social media manager. The current exhibition is a staff show, featuring work from everyone involved in keeping the gallery running smoothly. If you live in Lynchburg or close by, make sure to stop by and see the show and all of the amazing artists!
If you’re interested in purchasing a print, contact me here!
<3 Myles Katherine
Corolla, NC / Holga GCFN
St. Augustine, Florida / Holga GCFN
Chincoteague, Virginia / Holga GCFN
Paris, France / Palais Garnier / Canon Rebel K2 35 mm
Edinburgh, Scotland / Scott Monument / Canon Rebel K2 35 mm
Edinburgh, Scotland / Rose / Canon Rebel K2 35 mm
"The Wind of Elizabeth Lookout" - Holga GCFN Double Exposure - Budapest, Hungary
<3 Myles Katherine
I’m absolutely honored to have won “Juror’s Choice Award” for my photograph, “Kitsune at Fushimi Inari Shrine”, in the 2022 National Juried Photography Exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts in Lynchburg, Virginia. I’m so glad I was able to stop by and see the show last weekend when I was in town. There are so many incredible artists featured in the exhibition. My photograph, “Deserted”, was also accepted into the exhibition. If you get a chance to stop by the show, it runs until October 1st, 2022.
“Kitsune at Fushimi Inari Shrine”, Holga GCFN double exposure
“Deserted”, Holga GCFN
I’m honored to be one of the winners for Lomography’s TEN AND ONE 2021 Competition, in the category “Human Stories”. This photo was taken at Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon, Oregon. It was truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring places I’ve been.
For prints and sizing, please contact me here.
I’m honored to have six of my photographs featured in Lynchburg Art Club’s latest exhibition titled Photography: A Digital Vision. I’ve included a few images below from my visit to the exhibition last week. If you live in the area, make sure to stop by and see all of the amazing artwork!
ARTIST STATEMENT
I fell in love with the Holga camera immediately after my first roll of film. The Holga is a cheap, toy camera that is strangely simplistic and complex at the same time. It creates images that are surreal and otherworldly, bringing the viewer into a universe that is slightly different than reality. For these images, I wanted to exaggerate that unique atmosphere that the Holga is known for. By accentuating and distorting proportions even more, I was able to bring forward the characteristics that embody the Holga. Vignetting, multiple exposures, light leaks, lens blur and distortion are all part of the Holga’s magic. These images were taken with the Holga at locations across the United States using a variety of film (Redscale, Lomochrome Purple, etc.). After the film was processed, I scanned the images in high-resolution using an Epson Perfection V750 Pro, lightly adjusting the color, saturation and contrast prior to scanning. I then further adjusted color, saturation and contrast in Lightroom before exporting the images into Photoshop where I used various distortion and blur filters to finalize the images.
I’m absolutely thrilled to have my photo, “Owakudani”, accepted into this year’s Krappy Kamera Competition at Soho Photo Gallery in New York City. This photo was taken in Owakudani, Japan, a volcanic valley that is known for its active sulphur vents and hot springs. Japan was such an incredible place and I can hardly wait to go again at some point in my life.
Thank you to Soho Photo Gallery for including me in this amazing group of film photographers!
<3 Myles Katherine
I'm so incredibly excited to announce that my photograph, "Birds of a Feather", was chosen in the Top 20 for an exhibition at Lightbox Photographic Gallery in Astoria, Oregon. There were 420 images and 69 photographers and this particular exhibition was unique because the top images were peer-selected. If anything, this means more to me than being a part of a traditional juried show because it means my work is valued by my fellow photographers. It was such a fun experience choosing my top 10 favorite images as well, as it allowed me to truly examine the work that was entered into the show, alongside my own. I wish I could go visit Lightbox to see the show in person, but it's still exciting to see my name listed amongst the other winners. Below, I've included more information about the exhibition and you can see all of the other winning images!
“Isolation” in the age of Pandemic with A Jury of Your Peers
Byron Will • Dean Forbes • Diane Cockerill Diane Fenster • Donald MacDonald • Elizabeth Bailey Heidi Clapp-Temple • J.R. Runner • Jeremy Boutwell Jim Hamstra • Jody Miller • John DuBois • John Ritchie Kate Ampersand • Leigh Oviatt • Larry Gloth Loren Nelson • Mark Wiltrakis • Michael Gesinger Michael Puff • Myles Katherine • Pamala Drago Pat Rose • Patrick Whitaker • Per Bjeese • Sam Blair Phil Coleman • Raina Stinson • Roger Dorband shāna einhorn • Susan Bien • Zeb Andrews
COMPLETE SHOW IMAGES IN ORDER OF VOTE TALLY »
<3 Myles Katherine
A blend of 120 mm and 35 mm images taken on Chincoteague Island.
My husband, Chris, and I are going on week 7 of quarantine due to COVID-19 and it’s been an interesting adventure. It’s easy to let the days run together so I’ve been writing down everything I do each day, even if it’s something small. Some days it’s the weather that stands out in my mind, other days it’s the movie my husband and I watched together. I’ve been trying lots of new recipes and reading books that have been sitting on my shelves for years. I’ve tried working from different locations in my house and my backyard to change it up. I’ve written letters to friends and taken new walks in my neighborhood. I’ve also finally gotten back into the groove on working on a book I’m writing! There are days where I feel a little crazy, but it’s also been a great time to re-think my photography business and think about what I really want out of life. My husband and I are usually constantly on the go for work so it’s been nice to slow down and reflect on all of the trips we’ve taken in the last year. For my birthday in February this year, we took a trip to Oregon to visit Chris’ family and for me to do a few photoshoots with Portland fashion designers. I always have to squeeze a personal trip to the coast into my schedule every time we’re in Oregon and this trip was no exception. I’m so glad I did because who knows when we will be able to travel there again!
I wanted to share all of my favorite images from our Oregon Coast trip, captured on various 35mm cameras and of course, the Holga. I experimented with a few new films and filters and I love how colorful the images turned out. Prints can be purchased here. If you do not see the exact print you’re looking for, feel free to reach out and I am happy to place a special order for you. Thanks so much!
<3 Myles Katherine
At this point, I’ve driven across the country 4 times and flown across it dozens of times. It never ceases to amaze me though, and it always leaves me wanting more. From Portland to Texas, the ride is absolutely incredible. Utah, Nevada and Colorado are just truly unbelievable. From Texas to Virginia, it gets a lot less exciting but I still have a nostalgia for the East Coast and the simplicity of the trees and mountains. The sky seems bigger to me and I guess I just feel at home in the South. Virginia never really felt “Southern” to me as I was growing up, but after living in Oregon for 7 years, I’ve realized it definitely has it’s own culture. There are certain things about the South that feel a little too slow for me, but it’s still a huge part of who I am.
These photos were all taken with a Mamiya 645 and a Holga GCFN. We started our journey in Portland, Oregon, stopping in Bend on the way down to Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam. We watched the sun rise at the Grand Canyon and then continued through Albuquerque, New Mexico to Amarillo, Texas. The last leg of our journey included Oklahoma City, Memphis, Nashville and then finally Lynchburg. On the way back to Portland, we took a slightly different route but the most exciting place we went was Arches National Park. I was SO sick with the flu on the way back and all I really remember was how miserable I was.
I love going through these photos because I’m reminded of how vast and lonely the Southwestern states felt. Its kind of terrifying seeing signs that say “No service for 106 miles” but when you’re standing in a huge valley on a single lane two way road with no other humans or cars in sight, you realize how beautiful and special the United States is. I had my cat, Lula, and my husband, Chris, with me on the journey. Below are all of my favorite photos from our trip.
<3 MylesKatherine
Film photography taken throughout Japan using a Holga GCFN.
