We had the good fortune of connecting with Dominoe Farris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dominoe, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

Something you should know about me is that I work like a hummingbird. That might have something to do with my attention span, but instead of fighting it, I’ve learned to lean in. I work in a circular fashion, on many projects at once. I also used to push myself to the brink of exhaustion because when I go, I really go.

Last year “balance” was something I was actively focused on cultivating more of and so I spent the year trying to figure out what that meant for me. Because I am an artist and freelance for myself, I felt the pressure to always be “on”. To always go go go, because if I wasn’t, it felt like failure. In focusing on balance, however, I came to realize that my creativity comes in waves. Sometimes I feel like I’m on fire. Ideas are coming to me from all directions and all I want to do is create. Use my hands, get messy. Other times, that muse is absent from my life and I take time for myself. I’m more than Ok with it. I’ve learned to use those special moments to focus on other things. Maybe that might be taking more walks, seeing some friends or cooking something yummy. The true magic, however, is that when I step back from my creative work to do seemingly mundane things, inspiration usually strikes without even trying. So, I’ve come to love it all. The waves of work and the waves of rest. Balanced.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I was that anxious kid who could never quite figure out what to “be when I grew up” because I loved doing too many things. How could I ever focus on just one? But photography is my home base. It’s the one thing I have stuck with consistently since childhood that still makes my heart sing! It excites and delights me and I know there will always be more to discover.

In my other creative explorations I have learned welding, ceramics, silversmithing, painting, macrame, dying, and recently stained glass making. I’ve been able to cross pollinate my artistic pursuits, which is wonderful to realize that nothing has been wasted.

I am currently focused on 35mm photography as well as hand tinting said photos. An analog process I have been developing over the years. I love the simplicity of a body in nature. Unobscured by clothing. Timeless. Yet each person brings something completely unique to the experience. An energy distinct unto themselves. It is my duty to capture that and to reflect back to them the beauty I behold. In tinting the photos, I become a channel for the divine. Embedding each image with whatever wants to come through. To show something personal to the subject.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I absolutely love to dance so I suppose I would take this hypothetical friend to a dance party. I also love a dinner party with friends so they could tag along. In my late 30’s, the bar scene doesn’t really interest me as much as it used to but I do enjoy Zebulon (which might be back open by the time this article in released). And finally, a good old fashioned art opening, where art and spectacularly decorated humans converge. A visual delight.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I have the sublime honor of knowing some of the most inspirational, kind, talented and loving humans that I get to call friends. They have untethered my heart and provided such a strong foundation for my being to soar. I love you!

Website: www.dominoefarris.com

Instagram: @dominoefarris @triplefloral

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