For a Rainy Day

Sometimes we put things out there, and well, we just don't know how it will be received. But at the end of the day, we owe it to ourselves to do our best at everything we set out to do. We owe it to ourselves to be ourselves, our authentic selves. And usually that involves a bit of risk. My lifestyle has been very different from most people. I don't work a 9 to 5 job. I find it hard committing to something more than a week in advance. I am most comfortable with camera in-hand. My favorite experiences usually involve a road I've never driven with no destination in mind. I travel extensively. I camp in the desert for a month at a time to surf un-crowded waves with my family. More than anything, I love to share myself and my experiences with those I love. Usually, it's words and images from afar, but once in awhile I put together a short slideshow to better portray the experience. And sometimes something amazing happens, like it did this past Friday. I was talking with a friend whom I haven't seen for at least a year. She wanted to share with me the impact of forwarding on my slideshows to people in her life. She said in particular, one individual was so moved by it he had shed a tear and called her immediately, and has since watched it every time he needs cheering up. I can't begin to describe how this made me feel. I'm sure many others can relate, because I too, have been touched by things created and passed on by others (and usually in moments when I need it most). But to know that by sharing an experience, it has changed someone's day many times over is simply amazing to me. Hearing that news was the greatest gift I could have received, and in turn, I am re-inspired to continue putting my experiences out there. Maybe, just maybe, this will find its way to someone else that needs that little hit of sunshine on a rainy day.

This is the slideshow I made last Fall about our annual trip to the Mexican desert in search of un-crowded waves. The handsome men featured are my two brothers and my father. The cat (we named him Carlos- he stole my heart!) was a wild, desert kitten that befriended us. Carlos brought us half eaten lizards as gifts and loved riding on the back of the motor bike. After watching this again, I think I am about due for another adventure!

Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!

Art Deco: A Gift Of The Pharaohs

Before arriving in Miami, I had heard all about the much anticipated art deco scene from friends and family (and Miami Vice, of course), but it was still somewhat of a mystery to me. Walking around Ocean Drive, the blocks upon blocks of bright pastels and bold shapes made me wonder about its ancient origins. And ancient they are... Although art deco looks ultra-modern, it dates back to the days of Egyptian tombs. In fact, it was the discovery of King Tut's tomb in the 1920's which opened the door to this enticing style. The stark lines, bold colors and zig-zag architectural features were added to objects placed in the tomb meant to entertain and enlighten the sleeping kings. Americans loved this style, who were going through the "roaring 20's" and were drawn to the eclectic look. To them, it was a symbol of decadence and extravagance, qualities their generation embraced. Art, architecture, jewelry and fashion were all heavily influenced by the bold colors and sharp lines of the movement.

So back to Miami. In 1910, John Collins and Carl Fisher undertook the daunting task of transforming the island now known as Miami Beach from a mangrove swamp to a tourist destination. It just so happened that when they were working on the coast, Ocean Drive, the art deco movement was in full swing. Proving to stand the test of time, year after year people flock from all over to enjoy this gift of the pharaohs, art deco.

 

 

 

 

Miami BEACH!

With all the chaos of Art Basel, I was in Miami 4 days before I was finally able to take a morning walk on the beach. The beach was empty, but with the hundreds of beach chairs and loungers being set up, I knew it was only a matter of time before the sun whorshippers flocked in.

Art Basel Miami Beach 08

After a numbing week in Montreal and New York, we were really looking forward to some heat which we were sure to find in Miami. We were sadly mistaken. It has been unusually cold, resulting in deserted beaches, empty pools and even emptier rooftop patios and bars. But it hasn't stopped the art lovers and partygoers alike from flocking into the area for Art Basel Miami Beach. As the sister event of the most prestigious art show worldwide, Switzerland’s Art Basel, Art Basel Miami Beach is a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. There will be over 250 leading art galleries from around the world and artworks by over 2000 artists, with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. There is no lack for things to do, only a lack for time to fit it all in!

With this being my first year attending Art Basel, I was not sure what to expect. But there is a buzz here, an energy radiating off all this extraordinary art deco that is both contagious and exciting. This is when the newcomers make their statements. This is when art and culture and design and people and music collide, sparks fly, and all are changed forever. I know I will be.

Black Friday in NYC

Black Friday. I heard about this day. Sales even bigger than Boxing Day. And with the state of the economy, there was talk of sales being even bigger and better than ever. So why then, did we choose to celebrate and go out dancing the night before this huge event, when if anything, we needed to be in our finest form??? When I opened the curtains in the morning, my heart dropped when I saw the clear, blue skies overhead. Why now? Why couldn’t the sun shine yesterday when I had all the time in the world to shoot the city? After 5 minutes in the Barneys shoe department, women in a state of excited panic holding armfuls of shoes and boots, I couldn’t take it anymore- I needed air and I had to rid this feeling of guilt and at least attempt a few photos. I walked out of Barneys- Yes, I walked OUT of Barneys empty-handed- and crossed the street to Central Park. This is when it really hit me. New York City in all its glory. Horse-drawn carriages, ice-skating in Central Park, roasted chestnuts, line-ups of frenzied shoppers around the block just to get in to Saks, fur coats worth more than my university education, old churches nestled beside brand new sky scrapers, steam billowing from street vents, vendors selling everything from Prada to pashminas... and me, fumbling through thousands and thousands of people, trying to breathe in every moment. The chaos, the beauty, the uniqueness of NYC. Truly one of the greatest cities in the world.