London, Jan 1990 – Nov 2009.
You see, London was the first foreign place the gypsy girl ever went to, outside her mother country, Brazil. London was a dream, a gateway for this Brazilian girl who dreamed of being a Royal Academy ballerina. In fact, she had spent many many days of her young life practicing classical ballet, performing yearly, in front of English examiners from the Royal Academy, who would carefully watch and grade her posture and grace. The ballerina girl lived for ballet. Her days were filled with ‘plies’ and ‘pirouettes’, ballet classes to live piano and ballet videos such as “Giselle” and “La Fille mal Gardee” (which she watched over and over)… She liked to draw and journal as well. She had folders and folders filled with drawings and photos of elaborate sets and skinny ladies striking a pose in their pointe shoes. Yes. She was already a romantic and a dreamer back then. So one day, her parents decided to pull together all their savings and buy her a plane ticket, so she could be there finally: In London, where she believed ballets could be seen every single day.
Fast-forward 20 years. So much happened.
I think of London as the Landmark for where the ‘ballerina girl’ life ended and the ‘adventure girl’ life began. From there on, the ‘adventure girl’ set out to study Art and she also began to explore travel. She got a masters degree in Fine Arts (and another in Daydreaming!), visited over 30 countries,made a career as a Film producer and married the man of her dreams. My God. If she only knew it back then, it wouldn’t have been nearly as exciting! She dreamed, she was fearless, she followed her gut. I’m so proud of that girl. She created something she could not even have imagined herself.
Sometimes I forget I know that girl and can learn from her. Also, somehow I don’t think it is a coincidence that this year, the year in which I decided to reinvent myself as a photographer, happens to be the year that I went back to London. You may ask what I saw and what I did there. The answer is none of that is relevant. Not really. I had a good time. But truly, what comes to mind is that I went back there to see the ‘adventure girl’ once again. I needed to meet her for lunch in Covent Garden and have a chat with her. See her bright sparkly eyes and feed off her energy, her intuition, her bravery. Now I think I am ready to keep on going.
***
And you? Can you think of any time or landmarks in your life that can teach you something about yourself that you’ve forgotten? We hold so many stories within the gaps… Find something heart warming and worth honoring about your life today.
Archive for October, 2009
Time and Landmarks
Inspired by Photography + Collage + More
I love when my friends send me images that made them think of me…. It is so good to feel like someone gets us, isn’t it?
So when I was gifted with the link to this amazing fashion editorial (as seen in the Italian Marie Claire) by my friend Nina, I officially decided this week was off to a great start! Thanks, dear Nina!! xo
Can you think of any words to describe the beauty in these photographs?
Help me here. I have no words… It’s sooo fun and artsy! It makes me dream beyond belief… Just magical, don’t you think? I love how it mixes two of my favorite things: Photography and Illustration. Funny thing is I’ve been journalling and playing with ideas just like these lately! Maybe I’ll share a couple of concepts here in the blog soon… Wow! This work got me totally inspired to keep experimenting and playing! This is good, peeps. Real good.
Photographer Koto Bolofo is a bonafide artist born in South Africa and raised in Great Britain, who currently lives in Paris. Oola la. What a background! Koto not only takes fabulous photographs, but he also directs films, makes books and designs women’s clothing. He is definitely charged with inspiration! His portfolio at Jed Root Inc is impressive to say the least!
But without diminishing Koto’s talent, I wish I also knew more about all the others involved in creating these lovely images. After years in film making and now having done a few fashion shoots myself, I know that when something like this comes through, it is the result of nothing less than some great collaboration!
Photography + Styling + Clothing + Jewelery + Make Up+ Hair Styling + Lighting + Design + etc
It makes me think about my own work and how overwhelmed I get with certain ideas I have… At the end of the day, we must do what we do best and delegate the rest! I think that is the only way to get things done.
Have you thought of how much time and “worry” you could save if you tackled your dreams using collaboration? So here is my latest challenge for you: Can you focus on your favorite thing about your work this week and delegate the rest?
(delegating can also be interpreted as “asking for help” when and where you need it.)
xo
Inspired by UK flair
Photography: Hebrides, John Swannell NYC, Janette Beckman
Collection: Sandra Murray
After silence, it was about time I got busy shooting and travelling again. My current adventure includes train rides, warm clothes and ‘bloody marvelous’ city life, complete with gallery shows and lots of pubs! Enough to say I seem to have traded my double lattes for pints of guinness these days… (Thank goodness for all the walking and buzzing around to offset those calories!) :)
With all that in mind, I figured I’d share my latest find, this amazing designer from Scotland. I’m drooling over Sandra Murray‘s feminine and creativite designs! Thanks to her, I’m charmed by plaid once and for all! I think she does absolute magic with such popping and challenging patterns. What a dream to shoot designs like these! I’m drooling… “Hey, Sandra, just let me know when I need to start packing to go shoot your next collection” (I know… shameless self promotion… But it’s true! i’d pack right away!)
And there is so much more to share… And I’d love to stay and chat… But I’m off to prep for a shoot in a charming 900+ year old town, and then, hopefully see Susannah and Leonie. Aren’t I a lucky girl?
So this week I am inspired by UK flair, but also by moving and doing and seeing and creating…
I’m inspired by the very active energy of “getting off our butts” and launching ourselves out there in the world, to do what we are meant to do in this life: LIVE!
Give it a try! Unplug for a bit and LIVE. Stop watching someone else’s life! You’ve got enough inspiration to get your day started. Turn off the computer, the tv, the radio, and enjoy the life that is your ‘one and only’ life! Yep. This is your single unique opportunity for adventure. Take off those cozy pajamas and put some boots on. Or not. Keep the pajamas on, but dance around the living room. Or Cook some amazing food, or look out the window, light a fire, whatever rocks your boat. But just try to move that stagnate energy weighing you down. Now… Go! I’m walking by your side and cheering you on with my plaid funky dress and the trusty camera around my neck.
Keep on going…
(I’ll be back soon with updates).
xo
