There is Nothing You Can Do.

2010-08-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have a small collection of ocean inspired photographs on display during August and September at:

Secession Art and Design
3361 Mission St (cross street is Virginia Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94110
www.secessionsf.com

Please come by and take a look!

The Devotion Show
Textile work by Nicole Markoff and
Photographs by Brittany M. Powell
Opening reception is Friday, August 20th.
6:30pm-9:30pm

2010-04-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

Love Poem

2010-02-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Your eyes are made of the six elements-
earth, water, fire, air,
space, and consciousness.
They are made of these only,
but they are beautiful.
Should I try and make them mine?
Should I try to make them last for a long time?
Should I try and record them?
But I know that what I can record
would not be your true eyes.

Your voice is made of the six elements,
but it is truly lovely.
Should I try and make it mine?
Should I try and record it?
But I know that what I can hold on to or record
would not be your true voice.
What I get may only be a picture,
a magnetic tape,
a painting,
or a book.

Your smile is made of six elements,
but it is truly wonderful.
Should I try to make it mine?
Should I try to make it last for a long time?
Should I try to own or record it?
But I know what I can own or record
could not be your true smile.
It would only be some of the elements.

Your eyes are impermanent.
Your eyes are not you.
Yes, I have been told,
and I have seen it,
yet they are still beautiful.

Just because they are impermanent,
they are all the more beautiful.
the six wonderful elements.
These elements are so beautiful.
And I learn to love them too.

There are so many things I love--
your eyes, the blue sky,
your voice, the birds in the trees,
your smile, and the butterflies on the flowers.
I learn each moment
to be a better lover.
I learn each moment
to discover my true love.

Your eyes are beautiful
So is your voice, your smile,
the sky,
the birds,
the butterflies.
I love them. I vow to protect them. Yes.
I know to love is to respect.
And reverence
is the nature of my love.

2009-12-22T14:57:00.001-08:00

I'll sit and wait for you by the sea forever.

2009-12-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

Already a lot like I was. So lucky to be somewhere so beautiful, so far away from the mess of material and stress.

2009-11-05T13:47:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time I painted pictures every day. This one was about a man who starved himself as spectacle. Don't we all do that in some way?

2009-11-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

Even though I am uncertain of whether to miss you or not, I realize you represent a history I didn't know I had.

Oh dirty south, will I ever get you out of my blood?

2009-02-25T11:23:00.000-08:00

Oh California, I promise to never break your heart and leave you...

2009-02-25T11:20:00.000-08:00

2008-12-02T00:56:00.000-08:00

I would be lying if I said I didn't feel haunted by you every day.

Goodbye House

2008-07-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

2008-06-18T23:34:00.000-07:00

I could smell the moon flowers at night forever and then again some. I would turn back the clocks to to have so many things things once more, because it's true, I never could have loved them enough when I had them.

2008-06-06T00:20:00.000-07:00

Then the possibilities were endless. If I knew then what I know now then I'd have allowed the water to drip through my fingers more. But like so many moments lost I thought I had all the time in the world to notice.

2008-03-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

Because sometimes beauty shows itself in everyone we know. Your personality shines brighter to me than the time I've known you and I can see it written all over your face.

West Marin.

2008-01-21T17:40:00.000-08:00

It's the way the light bathes everything in warmth. It's the icy breeze, the overwhelming mountains, the glassy surf rolling onto the landscape below.

2007-03-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

Sick of waiting by the side of the road. Can't really get someplace unless I go there all by myself.

2007-03-11T23:53:00.000-07:00

Brian Thoms. March 2007.

2007-02-25T22:41:00.000-08:00

Spring is almost here. With it comes heartache and dissapointment. Will the rain wash it away and bring the fever and flowers?

2007-02-25T21:49:00.000-08:00

Always wore high heels. Big eyes, sweet smile and dark smoky nights at the Ruby Room, listening to the strokes. You've got talent girl. Don't let it slip away.

2007-02-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

It's nice to look out to the horizon and see that something beautiful has emerged from the muck. I've been lucky lately, because life has been giving me rainbows.

2007-01-22T11:07:00.000-08:00

The air was hot and sticky and the mosquitos were hard to see but easy to feel. It was as if this place was reserved as a nostalgic reminder of what the rural landscape was once about.

2006-12-27T00:14:00.000-08:00

No matter how far across the world I travel you might just be the closest place I have to home.

2006-12-17T23:24:00.000-08:00

Though you've had some work done, I think your one of the most beautiful women alive. I can't wait to see you again for Christmas in Pensacola, FL. Maybe we'll eat a turducken for dinner.

2006-12-12T23:29:00.000-08:00

I starting to feel convinced that you have no demons. I'll accept that there isn't a bad bone in your body, that you are as striking and wonderful as you seem, and I'll thank you for being true.

2006-12-10T15:50:00.000-08:00

On that day I felt grateful that so many of you came, grateful to have so many of you in my life. That sunset gave me proof that someone was listening.

2006-11-10T23:35:00.000-08:00

It's the time of year when the sunsets get good and the air smells like fall. The rain will be here soon.

2006-08-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

If only the world was full of people with your light.

2006-08-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

Songbirds I love to hear your voices. We were all such good friends but never quite the right fit. It doesn't change the fact that I love you just the same.

2006-08-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

We fell asleep in our tent listening to the waves crash against the face and the fire dying into the morning. Your body was warm against mine and your breath reminded me of the smoke that leaked from the coals at dawn.

2006-07-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

It is hard to know how to comfort you, how to tell you what I think. You are so strong, and beautiful, and brave. I want to remind you of it every day so you'll remember on your own without any of them having to tell you.

2006-06-27T22:44:00.000-07:00

It was so bright in there it became easy to forget was close and what was far. I felt dizzy at times but was comforted in the fact that everything was clean.
Bart Nagel photos.

2006-06-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

I was sad for you when it didn't work out, because I liked the person he encouraged you to be. I was even prouder when you had the strength to walk away and not look back, and still be that same person without him.

2006-06-11T22:03:00.000-07:00

I loved soaring through the air, but was afraid of making the initial commitment to jump. Everyone else was braver than I, and I remembered how sometimes I feel better with my feet planted firmly on the ground.

2006-06-10T02:27:00.000-07:00

The light faded away as we got deeper and deeper. All of sudden it was wet and the walls were closing in. You held on to me when I started to cry but still forced me to continue through the passage. Afterwards I was relieved we made it through but full of dread for the miles of dry heat yet to come.