This gallery of self-portraits was midwifed into being using writing prompts offered by Anya Achtenberg and Demetria Martinez at their August 2007 writers' retreat at Leaven Center in mid-Michigan, USA. This was my third four-day retreat facilitated by these inspired and inspiring writers and nurtured within a circle of some of the most authentic human beings on the planet today.

Social change is always central to their work and workshops, and this year was devoted to change within and without. The retreat was titled, "The World Outside; The World Within: Living and Writing Your Story." As my sisters and brother wrote words in response to Anya's and Demetria's prompts, I went off and took photos...photos of myself. Not my usual subject, but one whose time had come.

As a woman of age, I celebrate all my years. I'm fine with my white hair and sagging breasts, but NOT with the wrinkles on my face, many of which are as deep as a dried river bed. So my task was to face up to my face as it is today. Let me share my process...

Click on each thumbnail to see it in a larger format. You can also view this gallery as a slideshow by clicking on the word "slideshow" in the top righthand corner of your screen.