The Whole Story - Photo by Mansi Bhatia

Striking is the word that comes to mind when I see this self-portrait of the uber-talented Mansi Bhatia. Read on for The Whole Story behind this image.  Interested in submitting a smartphone photo of your own for a chance to be featured? Get more information here. 

The Photograph

The Whole Story 

I am not curvy 
or lady-like
in physical appearance
or mannerisms.

I am ambitious
and have a strong
sense of self-worth.

I snore
I hate shopping
I don't like socializing.

I hate doing the
laundry
and the dishes
and am no
fan of keeping
things organized

I like hanging out
with the guys
And can argue 
Until the moon
goes to bed.

I am judgmental
and opinionated 
and you've heard 
me fart.

I am obsessed
with planning
and usually have 
a Plan C and D
ready in case
A and B fail.

I prefer my space
and want you 
to have yours.

I nag at times
and complain
that you give away
"my" unused things
to those who
need 'em.

I am selfish
and clingy
sometimes both at 
the same time.

I don' like
sharing you 
with anyone...
not even your mom.

I am not patient
or wise 
and I'm a 
sore loser.

I keep grudges
and it's hard for
me to let go
even when I know
I should.

I am strongly opinionated
and will not
take advantage of
the perks that come
with "being a woman."

I am self-critical
and confused
about where I want to be
and what I want to do.

I lie at times
when I think it's 
the reasonable thing to do
but also sometimes
because it's easier.

I dig my nose
and my ears
and will not wax
my armpits until
I absolutely have to.

I make excuses
for little things
when I don't need to
but still have the
urge to.

I recognize
all my "flaws"
and know that
perfection is but
a myth
a mirage
a non-attainable 
ideal.

It doesn't mean 
I don't try to
become a
better person,
more tolerant
less critical
more accepting
less disparaging.

It doesn't mean
I don't strive
to improve 
upon my shortcomings

All it means 
is recognizing
that perfection
isn't a standard
by which to judge 
ourselves or fellow
human beings.

I am not perfect.

But my imperfections
make me the
unique person
I am.

They make me
the real me
not the person
I want to be
or pretend to be
but the person I am.

I am me.

Self-portrait shot with Hipstamatic and edited in Procreate, Filterstorm, Scratchcam, Image Blender and FlowPaper.


The Photographer 

Mansi Bhatia - As a child I spent hours transforming photographs into watercolor paintings, losing myself in another world. As a teenager struggling to find my identity, I found my voice through art. But somewhere in adulthood, my artistic leaning was lost. I craved time for painting. I yearned to unpack my brushes. I willed myself to recreate that lost world where I could just be. But life became too fast-paced, too short, and too technology dependent for that.

Surprisingly, these very things converged to introduce art back into my life. Creating photography-based art on the iPhone has allowed me to explore something new: the freedom to make art anywhere, at any moment, without the need for extra space, materials or planning.

iPhoneography introduced pause in my life and I hope that, through my work, you may find a new appreciation for the convergence of technology and art. 

Find Mansi:  Facebook / Twitter / iPhoneArt / Instagram / EyeEm  

L.A. Mobile Arts Festival 2012

Living in California definitely has its advantages.  One that I was able to enjoy this weekend was the L.A. Mobile Arts Festival held at the Santa Monica Art Studios.  I came away totally inspired and humbled by the talent of the amazing iPhoneographers whose work was selected for this event.
Below are some photos I took of the beautiful images and sculptures on display.  I have noted the names of the photographers in some instances – I apologize for not getting each name, however I was so gobsmacked by what I was viewing that I forget to take note!


Above – Left image "Yellow Room Fronthill Castle" by Rad Drew






Above – Top Left, Roger Guetta.  Top Right - Sita Mae. Bottom Left Photo “Under the Parasol” by Tracy J. Thomas.  Bottom Center Photo by Elizabeth Grilli.    Bottom Right Photo by Petyr Campos.


Above – Top Right, Helen Breznik.  Bottom Center, "Blinded by Love" by Lanie Heller.  Bottom Right, Golden Age by Alan Kastner


Above – Last Trail Home (left) Giuseppe Capazzo Top Right "Open Minded" by Lanie Heller


Above – Top Right, "Rosa" by Nico Brons.  Bottom Left, the three lower images on the right by Mansi Bhatia


Above – Bottom Left, The Soak by Robin Robertis.  Bottom Center, Adria Ellis.  Bottom Right, "Please Hand Cancel" by Lanie Heller


Above Center – The Botanica Illuminati by Kimberly Post Rowe, Adria Ellis and Daria Polichetti




Above – Light Impressions. A traveling installation consisting of 40 iPads mounted on a metal sculpture recovered from Florida’s Hurricane Opal in 1995.  Each iPad contains a rotating slideshow of 13 works of an individual artist.  (My husband had to ask if it was for sale and the answer was yes…for $180,000)


Above – Corsair by Elizabeth Grilli


Above – The Olde Curiosity Shoppe (bottom center features the work of Tracy J. Thomas)



Above – Fingerpainting in Motion: The iPad Car!  This iPad created painting by Italian-based mobile artist Matthew Watkins was printed on film and then applied to a CODA 2012 automobile with a heat gun. 
I’m hopeful that this is just the first of many Mobile Arts Festivals to come!  The event this year run through August 25th.