Meet Charlotte Watts of Wild Woman Rumpus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte Watts.

Charlotte, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been so grateful to have found my path as an energy worker, artist, and budding herbalist. Alternating summers between Mississippi and Tuscany, I’ve was exposed to artworks from Masaccio to Walter Anderson at a young age. Through my fascination of depictions of the Madonna, my creative work began to form through my spirituality. My grandfather’s farm was located just north of Florence, and it was there that I learned to paint. My early paintings were all about my natural surroundings and the darkness that the Tuscan countryside held.

On the flip side, my summers spent in Mississippi showed me how deeply this country is divided. It was there that photography began to come in through documenting Southerners and their stories. In my current work, I use my painting degree to inform my photography and vice versa ending up with work that pays tribute to Caravaggio, John Henry Fuseli, and Hieronymus Bosch.

After some health scares, I started delving into alternatives to allopathic medicine through herbalism. Since then, I’ve used plants, energy healing, and photography to create images and experiences, not of the everyday. I use creative expression to bring imagination to fruition and provide a visual escape from the mundane to the fantastical. It is the in-between of intuitive play medicine and art creation that I have found my spiritual language and body.

Having just worked with my three-hundredth client with Reiki and flower essences, I’ve been so happy to have found these different healing modalities. All of this has been such a journey and I so look forward to what’s next!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
But, of course! The fine line of being an artist and being accepted into society has always been hard. From various family members constantly saying, “Oh, but how will you make money?” to the sheer amount of rejection artist go through every day, nothing about this has been easy.

It is within that challenge that I’ve developed great strength and commitment to being an artist. The sense of devotion I have to my work drives me every day to create and create. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Wild Woman Rumpus story. Tell us more about the business.
Wild Woman Rumpus is a creative photographic experience offered by Charlotte Watts Photography. Using the model set forth by Clarissa Pinkola Estés in When Women Run with Wolves, I work with clients to select a myth or archetype to inspire collaborative portraits. Together, we will blend these myths and fairy tales with their unique life force, constructing a powerful image that emerges from intuition and spirit. Part ceremony, part energetic healing session, part image-creating, these photoshoots are an exploration in personal mythmaking and a reconnection with our wild natures.

After a brief Reiki healing session to tap into our collective intuition, I explore with you several myths, archetypes, and fairy tales to see which one (or many) resonates with you. Next, we will select a location that is specific to your essence. Connecting myth and setting, we will style an image that reflects you. The result is an image that captures the moment when you reconnect with your inner wild woman spirit. Also, as part of the Wild Woman Rumpus, I offer Astral Projections Portraits similar to what has become know as Aura Photography. Our next Astral Projections Portraits sessions will be offered August 4th at ATL Craft!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not sure if I believe in luck as a concept. Luck feels like a coincident, and I think the universe is to complex for coincidences! But, looking at the traditional use of the word luck, YES, luck has played a huge role. In my life, I couldn’t be more thankful for my incredible family.

Everyone is an artist, ranging in talents from writing to music to comedy to acting to the visual arts. I wouldn’t be me without this tribe of some of weirdest humans I have ever met. On the business end, luck has definitely played a role but more so in a long-term-hard-work kind of way. I feel there is luck in that I found what I love and how wonderful is that?

Pricing:

• $75 Astral Projection Portraits
• $500 Wild Woman Rumps Portrait (half day)
• $640 Wild Woman Rumps Portrait (full day)
• $2,000-$3,800 Weddings

Contact Info:

• Address: 1200 Foster St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• Website: www.charlottewattsphotography.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @charliewattsphoto

Image Credit:
Karen Powell, Nicole Johnson, Sarah Leon, Emma Yarborough, Caitlin Reeves, Tricia Hersey-Patrick, Sylvia Wrobel, Emily Johnson, Kelly Blackmon

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