Busy, busy, busy

I'd say that last week has been the busiest week since I started my solo project.

Spent a day taking pictures for Fairy Wings, received the soaps from Cassidy Creek, had my first high fashion studio shoot ever (which was very cool), worked on my product photography website, and had been editing pictures in Photoshop non-stop. Ufff!

It's Sunday and I need to cool down for a bit.  I'm planning on going to the gym for a swim, stopping at the supermarket, buying some groceries and cook a good old home-cook dinner.  Homemade meatballs, pasta, fresh salad.... oh yes.

Chill' out... that's what I'll do.  Because I'm getting impatient, and need to refocus.

Ommmmm....

Of Escher and the reality of illusion

I have been a fan of Escher's work since I was young.  His ability to create illusion, to portray surreal pictures, have always fascinated me.

I own this drawing.  Well, a poster of the original drawing to be exact.  I framed in a simple black and white setting, and is sitting on top of my computer.  I stare at it quite often.  It draws me in like a magnet, as I try to find a new feature, a new hidden angle on his contorted surroundings.

And I wonder, am I holding a crystal ball in my hand?  Am I looking at my surroundings as this same reflection?  Bended? Disfigured? Unreal? Are my conclusions tainted by my own prejudice?

We become as a result of our own history.  It is really difficult to detach oneself from previous experiences, and even to rationalize these past occurrences as merely that.... past events.  So, as a result, we are doomed to perceive ourselves like the distorted room on Escher's drawing.  It is our choice to remove the crystal ball, and look around with our own eyes.

We choose what we want to see.  Don't be fooled by illusion.  Illusion derives from something greater.  It always does.  Look for the source... it will reveal the reality from within the illusion.  And then you will be able to separate fact from fiction.

Cassidy Creek Soaps

I am very happy to announce that I will be photographing the fabulous products of Cassidy Creek Soaps!!

I have been exchanging emails with Catherine, a new Canadian entrepreneur, who's products will soon be available at her new Etsy store.  She just informed me that the package is in its way.  I can't wait to smell and hold her soaps!  I will tell you all about it, so stay tuned.

A simple white Origami crane

More to come... and with colors :)

New interest

I didn't know paper could be such an interesting thing.  I have suddenly found a passion with origami, and now I see papers everywhere.  I touch them, feel their texture, and wonder if any of them will fold nicely while I try to make a new figure.  I have fallen in love with paper and there's no turning back...

Now, Photography is the truest of all my loves.  And I am making progress.  I found a Meetup group called Light-Pro Photography here in Miami and woohoo!, I think I found something really good.  I will be learning everything that has to do with the usage of lighting, and that precisely is the difference between a photographer and a Professional Photographer.  Knowing to use light in your favor. Manipulate it.  Not just counting on the random good shot.  Doing one excellent shot after another, knowing exactly what to do to accomplish it each and every time.

I have also started on my Product Photography website.  Color Depth Design is working with me in that department.  Too many options..... and looking forward to go through them all.

Surreal Imagery... Beautiful Song

A friend of mine posted this video on Facebook, and it just blew my mind away.  Enjoy.

A Sorta Fairytale with You- Lyrics

on my way up north

up on the ventura

i pulled back the hood

and i was talking to you

and i knew then it would be

a life long thing

but i didn't know that we

we could break a silver lining

and i'm so sad

like a good book

i can't put this day back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

things you said that day

up on the 101

the girl had come undone

i tried to downplay it

with a bet about us

you said that-

you'd take it

as long as i could

i could not erase it

and i'm so sad

like a good book

i can't put this day back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

and i ride along side

and i rode along side

you then

and i rode along side

till you lost me there

in the open road

and i rode along side

till the honey spread

itself so thin

for me to break your bread

for me to take your word

i had to steal it

way up north i took my day

all in all was a pretty nice

day and i put the hood

right back where

you could taste heaven

perfectly

feel out the summer breeze

didn't know when we'd be back

and i, i don't

didn't think

we'd end up like

like this

and i'm so sad

like a good book

i can't put this day back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

Epiphany

Yesterday I had a "spread your wings and fly" epiphany.  As I was writing a blog post at My Fairy Wings Boutique blog, I remembered something I had written on a personal journal I used to keep:

"Life is too short to ignore what you do with it.  Be passionate, be creative, but above all, be true to yourself."

When I wrote this line, I was going through a very deep depression.  Nothing in my life at that moment made sense, and this was a desperate call for me to step up and do something about it.  Two years later, I am surrounded by completely new circumstances: a new relationship, a new sense of being, a new address, even a new haircut.  Too much new is good, but it can be a little bit scary sometimes.  The familiarity of everything else is gone.  I have to mark new safe zones, new comforts.  Leave behind old ways of doing, and rebirth into this new version of myself.  I am making progress.  Slowly but surely.

I do know that life is short.  Time passes by like a soft wind against your face, fading away almost exactly as it first presented itself.  So, everything you do now counts.  Everything.  Every laughter, every kiss, every idea, your creative being, the effort you put into your projects, your dreams, everything.

My father died last November (check out the link to see his picture).  I took this picture exactly one year before his death, on a Thanksgiving weekend in 2008. We spent that sunset playing with my new camera, learning the tricks, practicing against the marvelous sky.  He was the only one who got it.  He was the only one that would take the time to do photography with me.  No one else cared enough.  That extra time, that little project of ours, made a difference in my life.  And he made sure it counted for something great.  So, as I try on making a business in photography, I think so much of him.  In all the things I wish I could ask him now.  But his time came, and he gave me exactly what I needed, when I needed it.

All I have to do now is believe I can do it.  Believe and put all my effort into becoming it a reality.  This is only the beginning.

Indie Craft Bazaar Summer Event, Ft. Lauderdale

I found out about this Handmade event in Ft. Lauderdale.  Save the date!! July 18th, from 1p.m. to 6 p.m.  They are still looking for vendors. Follow the LINK to their website.  They also have a Facebook page.

Where Fashion, Art, and Music Meet

This is the kind of stuff that thrills me! Yesterday I met with the wonderful people at Dekka, a new and upcoming gallery/boutique in Hallendale Beach. They are putting together a unique space for new artists, fashionistas, designers, and Handmade entrepreneurs to display their creations in a very unique space. Located at 139 NE 1st Ave, it offers an array of possibilities for business  and community development.

Josh (owner and artist) showed me the place and talked to me about all the ideas they are bringing to the table.  The city is backing their efforts and are working together to make this strip a one of a kind.

If you happen to be looking for an affordable place to start showcasing your Handmade products, this is a good place to go.  Look for the mannikin with the "Open" sign.  You won't miss it.

Contact:

Joshua Tiktin

Cel: (240)355.1265
joshuatiktin@msn.com

Address:

139 NE 1st. Ave.

Hallendale, FL 33009

www.dekkafam.com