Freestyle thoughts before New York

It's been awhile dear blog, you thought I forgot about you. In actuality, the previous was a mere warm up. The adventure has taken many twists and turns since my last entry. In December, I went to vacation of sorts to Florida. I landed in Miami Beach, where I've stayed for nine months.

I had the opportunity to work with Fashion Wire Press for both Miami 2011 Mercedes Benz Swim Week and most recently New York Spring/Summer Fashion Week. My duties were to write show reviews for the online magazine/blog as well as edit runway photos, which later get sold to myriad of magazines and publishings around the world.

The morning before leaving to New York for the very first time, I wrote this:

"Aikido. Unifying life force. The art of redirecting attacking force. In this case as a malleable power, exchanged for positive momentum. In other words, when I feel attacked, or life starts to feel especially challenging especially during this New York mission... the goal is to use that energy to progressively propel positive momentum.

I sit on this beach, south point of Miami, leading my thoughts in yoga like movements, appreciating and recollecting the conditioning I've been experiencing to prepare me for this next leap. Hostel living, rock star serving, on the drive of Ocean...ducking and diving amongst the bittersweet chaos of every class citizen trying to forget where they came from, one night at a time.

The rain visits to wash the streets of its decadent sins, shortly after the heat has incubated the passionately reckless moment. Tomorrow I leap off the island to the big apple, hardly knowing where I'll rest my head or if I will at all because of the demands of a fashion world that performs its yearly circus. Fashion. I honestly lack the passion on this subject, but that's between you and I. Clothes are armor and gear for the daily adventure and battle that life presents. I see this next mission to NY fashion week as an internship and experience that will greater develop my writing, editing and photography skills... not to mention networking web. The greater goal remains, photojournalism of stories that impact lives with undeniable influence. Example, studies on food and our future society, animal behavior in comparison to human trends and what they might have to teach us. This fashion world gives me perspective and professional experience in a playground of sorts with many of the tools needed to touch these goals with the impact great enough to bust through. If I know how to reach the fashion world, on top of the environmentally conscious world that already reads these stories...change and difference can really be made. "

Genetically Modified

I believe that if consumers -a.k.a you- knew that they were slowly being poisoned by what they eat every day, and that simply by buying certain products they were supporting the 'food tycoons' that are responsible for this poison let alone one of the greatest agricultural disasters of all time was quietly unfolding, you and the rest of the USA may think twice about what you purchase at the supermarket. There are some of the greatest disturbing economic trends taking place right now, and the average American has no idea. The choices you make at the supermarket determine the future of food and health of this planet.

I just watched a documentary called "The Future of Food." I highly recommend anyone and everyone to watch this. http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food What I've gathered below is a report on what I learned from this documentary as well as my own years research.

12,000 years ago, there were thousands of varieties of crops such as rice, potatoes and corn. In the 19th century there were 7,000 apple varieties in the United States alone. In the 20th century radical changes took place. The invention of nitrogen bombs lead to the development of nitrogen based fertilizers. Nerve gas, which was developed during World War II, was modified to make insecticides. DDT, a synthetic pesticide, became the fuel of it's generation. These herbicides were created with the idea of increasing food production, greater availability and eliminating problems people have long had with agriculture, ultimately to make the most profit as possible.

This radical change, lead to the 'green revolution.' Several decades saw remarkable production. However, the more spray used, the more spray that had to continue to be used in order to maintain crops and avoid bug immunity. Over time, this spray has shown that it leads to many issues, among those polluted water and increased health risks.

In the 1970's Roundup was introduced by the chemical company, Monsanto. Roundup contains the active ingredient glyphosate, and has become the most used herbicide in the USA, the number one selling herbicide worldwide since 1980. The power of Roundup is like none other. It kills anything green from the roots up, even your crops. However, Monsanto also produces seeds which are 'round up ready.' This means these seeds grow into plants genetically engineered to be tolerant of glyphosate. They are modified not to die under Roundup chemicals. This herbicide has proven deadly for wildlife such as deer, birds and insects. Monsanto's corn itself is registered as an insecticide. If a corn worm eats any part of the corn, it dies. Yes, that is the same corn used in high-fructose corn syrup...

In other words, the company that sells herbicide also sells the seed. In 1995, the pesticide industry basically bought the seed industry. What's worse is the genes contained in these seeds are patented. This means that if a truck full of Monsanto's round up ready seeds drives by an independent farmer's field, and a few of those seeds blow onto that field and sprout, Monsanto owns that entire crop. They demand payment for the presence of their gene. Monsanto has strategically patented just about every seed they can get their hands on. Whoever controls the seeds, controls the food.

The 'green revolution' turned into the 'gene revolution' in the 90's. Food has become industrialized at a cellular level. The problem with these modified genes, is that they are created to withstand toxic bacteria and are shot into the plant cells like a virus. Genetic modification alters the genetic makeup of plants, but can also be done to animals and bacteria, as well. This is called the "cell invasion technique." Lab rats that were fed genetically modified potatoes suffered from a depressed immune system. These are the same potatoes you find in the average french fry. The effect this has on the human body has not been determined yet, because mandatory tests are considered unnecessary by the FDA at this time.

The ironic piece to note is, that many people involved with the FDA and the government are also involved with or work for Monsanto. For instance, Linda Fisher who was used to be the Executive Vice President for Monsanto, now works for the Environmental protection agency of the USA. Donald Rumsfeld, Former Secretary of Defense, was on the Board of Directors of Monsanto's pharmaceuticals. Former US Secretary of Agriculture, Anne Veneman was on the Board of Directors of Monsanto's Calgene Corporation. As a U.S. senator, John Ashcroft received more than $50,000 in campaign contributions from Monsanto. The list goes on.

90% of crop variety is now extinct due to growing one variety in mass uniformity. Growing a single gene type, one industrial crop which passes it's genes on to other colonies, crowds out diversity. This is a major threat to food security. If you are only growing one variety, intolerance and immune bacteria have the chance to flourish.

European cultures don't want any part to do with GMO's. All 15 countries of the European Union have adopted rules that requires all genetically modified ingredients in their products to be labeled. The Japanese are particularly concerned with the health effects of GMO's. A Japanese trade representative stated they will watch the health of the children of the USA for the next couple generations. Labeling GMO's creates traceability on health effects, and companies such as Monsanto are doing everything they can to prevent this labeling from happening here in the United States.

For instance, if you have a toxic or allergic reaction to a genetically modified ingredient, and it's not labeled on the package, you will never know what caused it. We currently don't have much of a choice in eating GMO foods without the label. Right now we are guinea pigs for a giant science experiment of the biotech companies. Labeling is the only way to make these Corporations liable for health risks.

Current regulations require only minimal safety testing for some foods, and none at all for others. In no case do regulations require evaluation of long term impacts on health.

"Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Asuring it's safety is the FDA's job." Phil Angell, Director of Corprate Communication Monsanto. -New York Time Oct. 25, 1998-

Dangers of Genetically Modified food include, viral and bacterial illness, cancer and degenerative diseases, allergies, birth defects and shorter life spans, interior toxins, lowered nutrition, toxicity to soil, extinction of seed varieties, super weeds, destruction of forest life, super pests, killing beneficial insects, support of animal factory farming, genetic pollution, disturbance of nature's boundaries, decline and destruction of self-sufficient family farms.

The top three GMO crops in the US are: Soy (89% is GMO) Cotton (83% is GMO) Corn (61%)

You’ve actually been eating GM foods for about the past decade. They are in most breads, cheeses, sodas and beers in the form of modified enzymes. Whenever you can, buy organic versions of these to avoid contact with (and giving your money to) GMO producers.

Further explanation of the health risks of GM Foods:

http://www.raw-wisdom.com/genetically-modified-food

http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/GeneticRoulette/HealthRisksofGMFoodsSummaryDebate/index.cfm

http://www.netlink.de/gen/fagan.html

Sustainable agriculture is key to turning this path around. This means, using resources of the local ecology and recycling those resources within the system, rather than taking resources from another system of ecology. Using solar energy for example, as nature does instead of
relying on petroleum. Purchasing organic produce from local farmers, not only supports independent farmers who are slowly getting shut out, but also supports the environment, the health of your body and future generations.

What about the majority of people who can't afford to buy organic? Buying directly from the farmers at farmer's market cuts out the mark up price from retail stores. You can also grow some organic food yourself, even if you don't have a yard. Windowsills make great little greenhouses. Freezing and canning seasonal produce, stocks you up for the less plentiful months. Participating in organic and sustainable farmed foods is investing in your health; less medical bills and health consequences in the long term balance it out.

All this takes is a little extra consciousness of what your purchase and where. Education is key. Such as reading labels and asking questions. The consumer can be in control, however, how can the consumer make fully conscious decisions without being informed about what is really being sold to them?

Again, a lesson in nature vs. man. Nature wins.

Controversial Art

My art is my body. My body is the canvas in which I develop expression and dedication. As a painter chooses his colors and his strokes, I sculpt my structure and consciously feed the system with passion and never ending curiosity. I decorate with fabric and jewels. I tend to skin and extremities with special oils and concoctions. How is this much different than any other artist who chooses a different medium? Once the body is developed, I add the expression and capture it with photography and someday by painting.

It's not so much an obsession with my own body. It's a fascination with the body canvas in general. It is a tool and a temple that was given by the Creator. I have been given the freedom to respect, research and decorate the vessel with whatever creativity I feel. It just so happens that this type of art can also be quite lucrative

I do see one difference worth a concern, that sets the body canvas away from a material canvas. That is that one can walk away from a material canvas any time he or she so chooses. The body is a little hard to escape, without substances or distractions. So the ultimate discipline is being able to know when it's time to sculpt and attend to the body and when it's time to let go, live and relax in the conscious, without substances or distractions.

I am still learning this balance. My issue lies in taking it really seriously to the point where grocery shopping is an ordeal. This is my substance obsession. I spend a lot of time reading labels and weighing in on how I can get more alkaline foods in my diet to keep the PH balance on point. It's pretty insane to the average person. But the thing is, I ENJOY going to the grocery store. Especially the produce and bulk section. It's like a hobby for me. There are so many combinations, experiments, and detox soups to be put together.

I write this out to discover why I am choosing to go this extreme. I've always been pretty extreme though, I just require a focus. In fact, when I don't have a focus, this almost over driven behavior, can turn into trouble or self destruction as I constantly need to be challenged. I also believe at this point at my life, I can do anything I put my mind to. All this seems to be preparation for what's to come. Preparing for the unexpected. Once this focus needs to be directed in a different direction, it will be. I suppose I could be focused on much unhealthier obsessions.

When younger, especially coming from a family of artists, I had a hard time finding what I was good at. What was my art? Sure I was great at imagining, and I can draw a little, dance a little, sing a little, write a little, but nothing outstanding. My random talents seemed so spread out that finding an expression that I truly felt proud of was hard to come by. I would often put myself in challenging or compromising situations to tap into my tools and instinctual reactions. Mostly to discover the essence of what I was made of; Simply to learn more about who I am and how do I express the message I have to share.

Where does art come from? I believe that the need to express one's point or message comes from the essence of energy that lies in us all. Call it God or Soul. We are all connected molecules, though sometimes the vibes and wavelengths get stuck on weird channels and need a new exit. This is what I believe causes one to have the urge to create.

Living is art. My expression through body is a lifestyle. At the same time there is a fine balance between not letting that body, the art, define you. 'Don't get caught up,' as the soul is much deeper and can get lost if the focus becomes primarily exterior expression. Modeling and body image is so often misunderstood. There is much controversy and concern in my family as I begin down this path. I feel like I am constantly having to explain and justify my journey. At this point, I've spent uncountable time taking care of myself, volunteering pictures and poses, I feel I owe it to myself to be successful. What does that mean? Who defies success?

Successful modeling to me would be becoming a unique type of role model in high demand, being sent all over the world. This includes being respected amongst the industry and financially independent. I want to model with energy, then body. Similar to an actress, though frozen in frames. I am aware and have come to know and respect that priorities change and develop. Focus and goals blossom and morph. This may be a short lived chapter or take me through many in this book of life. I am open. More than anything, I want to be understood. I want to share. I want to teach. Getting paid is blatantly the next step. I have a feeling once I have experienced success as a model, my journey will enhance and continue to change in unimaginable directions.

Maybe what I say is totally morphed and screwed in view. Who's to say really. Everyone has their perspective. I am confident but private. I don't often share my mind. In calculated caution, I feel that I might be labeled 'lofty', offend or be misunderstood. Or worse, hear someone tell me I can't do it. I'd rather listen and observe. This is part of why I began this blog, to express what I don't say; So that I may strengthen and unleash my communication, in hopes to release mind puzzles and prevent interior pollution. Thought patterns simply need to be regenerated like a fan or waterfall. The dam must be broken to create the flow.

The details that create the canvas

I have a couple big shoots coming up. This Saturday I've been invited to a swimwear shoot on a yacht at the coast. This is an agency shoot, meaning all models attending are signed. There will be an agent accompanying the shoot, and my chances of getting signed are pretty high. No pressure or anything to feel like I am in top shape in less than a week. Whew...

In my previous post I mentioned that modeling from the heart out is where my own personal success lies. I would like to elaborate and share what I am doing to prepare a week before a big shoot. This not only helps me document but also holds me accountable.

Call me insane, but this is what works for me and creates the canvas for me to feel at my best. The tricky balance, especially when modeling swimwear is to be lean, sculpted, yet not too skinny or "hard," to retain the lovely womanly curves.

This past Saturday the 18th, I began my morning with a power vinyasa hot yoga session. I decided this weekend would be a perfect detoxification opportunity. I had purposely left it free and had no plans to travel. -Lately this type of weekend has proven quite rare. I made the decision to go all out and fast on the lemonade master cleanse for one day. http://themastercleanse.org/

It was fairly easy, though I do love food, so I had to preoccupy my time in different ways. Also worth noting, it becomes a little tricky to kick it with friends when fasting. This knocks off two of the most common activities shared when hanging out. Drinking and eating. It just induces a bit of creativity. Plus the energy level is a bit slower. I even quit coffee for two days! For me that is basically a phenomenon.

The space to myself gave me time to rest, read, write, meditate and observe. This feeds my soul and prepares my heart and spirit for any challenge. I spent the afternoon walking around the Saturday market with my pup Ruby, looking at crafts and chatting with people. At one point I sat on a bench under the sun in the food court area, reading my book for almost two hours. -wow talk about discipline. A kind soul named 'Chai' running the massage booth next to me, stuck up conversation and offered me a glass of his home brewed Kombucha. Since this is a detoxifying cell stimulating tea, I indulged gratefully.

After I'd had enough of the food smells and overstimulated by people, I drove up to the rose garden. I found a peaceful nook under a tree and took a nap. Friends called, but my body was just so into the idea of resting, I passed on the opportunities.

The next day I broke the fast with a spinach, raspberry, vega mix, and water smoothie. My girlfriend convinced me to float down the river with her that afternoon. So I packed carrots, apple, walnuts, and a grapefruit. The river float was amazing, and a lot more work than I could have imagined. First of all, since it was last minute, my floating device consisted of two $2 child size 30inch hot pink tubes. I am sure it was quite the site, as I positioned my legs on one and my shoulders on the other. The rapids were mild, but quite the challenge to an unsecured wobbly device in shallow sharp rock infested water. I made it three hours later with only one major crash and burn that cost me one tube and a sandal.

Once home, my hunger was pretty serious after such a wet and wild afternoon. I cooked mung beans, shittake mushrooms, and a quinoa/brown rice mix. This hit the spot just right. Today marked the beginning of a new week, and I am choosing to be ultra in-tune with my exercise and diet this week. There is nothing quite like the thought of being confident in a bikini for an agency shoot, to give you motivation to stay disciplined.

I began the day biking to work and drinking another raz, spinach, vega, water smoothie. Snacked on grapefruit and walnuts, followed by a spinach salad lunch with avocado and raw apple cider vinegar and lemon for the dressing. Tons of water and green/herbal tea. Later in the afternoon, towards the end of the work day, I'll heat up a bit of the leftovers from last night. That will conclude my eating for the day except maybe a few fruits and veggies. I find that skipping what most people consider dinner, knocks off weight quickly. Our bodies are trained to desire food at this time, though it's really the most unnecessary time to eat.

Tonight I will take a run, once the air cools down a bit. Tuesday and Thursday I will do hot yoga at my studio. Wednesday I will bike and run. Friday I will rest, and Saturday before the shoot I will take another quick run. Between the invigorated exercise and careful eating, my muscle sculpture and energy level should be optimum for Saturday's shoot.

A point to note, as I know my mother reads this and will immediately worry that I am not getting enough protein or eating enough in general. Please keep in mind, I've done lots of experimenting on when I feel my best, and this is what works for me presently. Besides, this is the week before action, so think of it similarly to how a professional athlete train week before game time.

Wish me luck!

Seattle Fashion Week Networking Mixer 3.19.09

Gabe Choy asked me to write a small piece on what I remember from the first fashion week mixer to practice a bit of journalism. This was collected and revised from notes I jotted down on a napkin during the train ride back to Portland that weekend in March.

Seattle Fashion Week Networking Mixer @ Amber 3.19.09; Rachel’s Perspective

"I arrived to Seattle, Thursday afternoon, by a thought provoking train ride from Portland, Oregon. From the King Station, I wandered my way by foot on the incline towards the city center. My first stop was Pike Street market. I sat in an all appropriate Seattle’s Best coffee shop, diagonally facing the bay. Sipping on an Americano, observing the buzz of workers and tourists; I was reminded of the beauty of travel and the quirky perspective I often thirst for. The initial reason I had the honor of being in the Emerald City, was to attend the first Seattle Fashion Week networking party for 09’. I was invited to attend with Gabriel Choy, the executive producer, as a model and his personal guest.

Two hours later I checked into the Moore hotel on 2nd and Virginia, where I relaxed and began the process of getting "glamorous". Gabe picked me up from the lobby at 6pm. We arrived early to the Amber Lounge in the heart of Belltown on 1st avenue, to have a drink and make sure things were in order. One Cadillac Margarita and Watermelon Kamikaze later, we headed up the stairs. Away from the dimly lit bar by the fire, we stepped up to the secluded jungle like VIP lounge. Under the green ambiance, we set up posters and mapped out the space. A handful of Gabe’s staff arrived to set up the check in tables and lay out Fashion week cards.

Luis the photographer, was one of the first guests to arrive. He kindly greeted me with his warm smile and few words about his background, before he began documenting the night. [ http://www.luisongpinstudio.com/ / http://www.streetpaparazzi.com/events/20090319/index.html ] Models, sponsors, photographers and designers began trickling in shortly after 7pm. The guests ordered their drinks to smooth out awkward hesitation, proceeding to approach one another to exchange compliments and business cards.

The dress I wore turned out to be a great conversation starter; an elegant long black one shouldered Greek goddess gown created by Portland designer, Carolyn Hart. It only felt appropriate to represent talent from my home base.

Thurston the photographer, was one such individual to approach and inquire about the dress. This led to a series of conversations about the industry and local scene. Mid conversation, Thurston decided that it would be a good idea to run to his car and pull out his lighting umbrella. He returned and took over a corner of the lounge. Incorporating the black leather couches, he created a makeshift studio for willing participants. [http://www.pleasantpictures.com/]

After everyone seemed to have their fill of introductions and small talk, the crew streamed out clusters at a time. A few blocks away, down a steep street, Venom night club became the after party. This monthly ‘GoldenTicket’ party for Dlist Magazine, conveniently enough, collaborated with/and in honor of Seattle Fashion Week. “Bottle and Model”, was the theme. We floated into the fog induced air, around 10pm. Visually stimulated by the chic white flowing fabric hanging from the ceiling and dazzling lighting effects, I took up a post against the wall in middle of the rectangular layout. The dance floor began to fill, surrounded by coves of lounge booths, models and bottles.

The bass of the music thumped our chests as the networking ended and the party began. A handful of people went straight for the dance floor while others went straight for the bar. On the far end of the floor, you could find the VIP section and a stage with a camera. Masses would line up, cram on stage and get their photo taken. Immediately the shots projected on the wall of the club.

A few social birds brought me drinks, and the relaxation flowed through me. As the hours passed, shouting in ear exchanges, laughs and a little bouncing to the music, the capacity brimmed to the point where I felt much like a sardine. Packed and barely able to move, Gabe and I decided it was time to check out and move on. We stumbled upon See Sound, a fresh zen like lounge, on Blanchard street, bumping techno/house pop remixes. Broad casted on the built-in flat screen TV, supermodels walked the catwalk to the beat of the music. Much less crowded and a dance floor that was begging our attention, we let loose to the music. Freedom!

Once the legs grew tired, we took a moment to recollect and take advantage of the red couches. Flowers and candles on the table for our viewing pleasure, we bobbed our head to the beat.
When the lights turned on, it was time to retire. We left with smiles on our faces as Gabe walked me to the lobby of the Moore hotel, where I proceeded to comfortably pass out in the safety of my room. Ah sweet success! Seattle fashion scene is a beautiful thing. Vibrant and quickly blossoming, it was a pleasure to behold. I can hardly imagine what's to come during fashion week..."

Accidental Chinese!

I never measure anything when it comes to cooking. It's kind of my rule to guesstimate, as it always tastes a little different and teaches me how to trust my instinct and senses a bit more. The other night I had leftovers from a Monday night dinner party. When my girlfriend came over Wednesday I had to get creative. Over my lunch break at work, I bought a quarter pound of fresh shiitake mushrooms at the local farmers market in the park blocks downtown. (I have this secret love affair with farmers markets. There is something that entirely excites me about fresh produce and the limitless possibilities...) On my bike ride home, I swooped up a bottle of nice organic sulfite free wine and garlic. Once home, I popped the cork immediately, threw on a bit of thievery corporation, and let the flow of free style begin. I sliced the shiitakes and minced the garlic. In a sauce pan I heat up coconut oil and threw in the garlic and a bit of chopped ginger root. Once slightly brown and smelling quite inviting, I tossed in the shiitakes. I remembered I had leftover bok choy with ginger and almonds, I threw those in as well. For the bulk, I added leftover quinoa/brown rice mix. Once all in the pan, I poured hazelnut milk over the concoction and sprinkled a bit of rosemary, parsley, chili flakes and wah lah! Accidental Chinese food, that turned out delicious!

Well I am at it, I mine as well tell you why this is also beneficial to your health.

Shiitake Mushrooms are a symbol of longevity in Asia due to their health promoting properties and medicinal uses, used for more than 6,000 years! Also high in protein. (18%)

"Recent studies have traced shiitakes' legendary benefits to an active compound contained in these mushrooms called lentinan. Among lentinan's healing benefits is its ability to power up the immune system, strengthening its ability to fight infection and disease. Against influenza and other viruses, lentinan has been shown to be even more effective than prescription drugs; it even improves the immune status of individuals infected with HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS." Taken from one of my favorite websites: http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

Lentinan, derived from shiitakes, has also been used to treat diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibrocystic breast disease, and other conditions with impressive results.

Again, those ingredients were:
Shiitake Mushrooms
Ginger
Garlic
Bok Choy
Brown Rice/Quinoa cooked together
Hazelnut milk
Roasted Almonds (However I would probably use cashews next time)
Coconut Oil
Fresh Herbs of choosing and chili flakes
Maybe some green onions?

Try it, I dare you. :)

More Than a Pose

I have an unquenchable passion for human and animal body language. I love to watch it around me, observe the fluctuation in self, as well as capture it by lens. It's an expression far more expansive than words. It describes reaction and feeling in a raw intuitive way that if caught on camera can tell impacting stories. I feel as though I am just getting to know myself, at the same time have had to face a lot of complexities within my personality that I am slowly getting the hang of how present the expression in an art form. Modeling is a hands on experiment from the opposite angle of my first love, photography.


(taken August 16th, 2008. )


I have a couple of shoots coming up that I am very excited about. Mainly because I grow more confident to be more vulnerable with acting out my expressions each time that I shoot. The above shot of me was one of the first professional situations I had encountered. At the same time, the photographer Jorge Benjamin, became my mentor and friend. He taught me how to gage and predict the angle of the camera from my prospective by thinking in grid form, similar to the game battleship. This mathematical way of attack, presents the body from the most flattering angle. He challenged me to study my structure from 360 degrees, understand my physical/mental strengths and weaknesses, as well as to learn how present myself in the industry, in a serious no B.S. don't mess with me type of way.


(taken August 15th, 2008)


For my first shoot with Jorge, I was in prime physical shape. Primarily because I had just completed a long distance bike trip from Portland Oregon, to Corvallis the previous week, (About 81.3 miles.) I approached the two days with Jorge with an open mind and raw energy, as it was a completely new experience for me.



Jorge introduced me to Gabriel Choy, executive producer of Seattle Fashion Week. This was a move that would open a plethora of new opportunities and doors in the industry. Gabe and I clicked right away. I felt like a giddy little kid whenever we'd talk and we became close buddies almost immediately. I spent just about every weekend the last part of March and close to all of April in Seattle for Fashion mixers, local fashion shows, and the biggest of these, Seattle Fashion week. Gabe introduced me and let me loose into rooms full of photographers, models, and designers. It was up to me to "sell myself" and present myself as a serious up and coming model/photographer. I made business cards and planted many collaborative seeds amongst the local fashion scene. The pace and excitement of these two months put a momentum in my heart that has yet to stop.



Below was a mug shot that Gabe took of me for fashion week, the raw runway, and one of the many shots taken on the runway.







The newest challenge I present to myself is something I am calling "energy modeling." Sex sells in this society; sexual vibes and innuendos are the majority of what you see in advertisement. We so often forget about the power of every other vibe and emotion to get our point across. First of all, the idea of consumerism and corporate America disgusts me, but we will save that for another post as I am focusing on the art of modeling here. I would like to incorporate my fascination of emotion through body language in raw form in my next shoots. This is basically acting without words, captured in the 1/30th of a second that explains or at least makes you question why the subject is feeling and acting out in this way.




"Emotions, by their very nature, do not follow fixed rules…..they just happen, based on what a person feels at a given moment of time. And likewise, there’re no fixed rules for capturing emotions, too. The same scene can evoke different emotions in different people, hence emotions are subject to personal bias. From my experience, my best pictures depicting emotion have ‘just happened’. I don’t remember meticulously planning for them. Does that mean the photographer has no role to play in this? Far from true. As far as I'm concerned, the one most important rule of capturing emotion is to first feel the emotion yourself. Then, you have to click at just the right moment." Article by photographer Jitesh


I am learning to predict emotion through observation. My present specimen is self, and how my own reactions and emotions are caught on film. Through this, I am able to compare how I was feeling in that moment to what it looks like to the eye of the beholder once printed. This has much to do with timing and predicting; Measurement and intuition. This practice then helps me predict when to press the shutter in my own photography, to capture the essence of the situation person place or thing.


An amazing model models from the heart out. What is captured in the eyes are the soul. It is much beyond a hollow clothes hanger. Many people can become fit, some people have a great bone structure, few people have nice hair, skin, and model proportions, very few people have all of that plus a large heart with much depth. I can see why too. Often, beauty is a mask. It's easy to fall into the idea that all people care to see from you is exterior beauty, especially in this industry. The key is letting your spirit shine through that sets you apart. I never want to forget that.

In the Beginning...

This is my first blog entry ever. Ever. I have been so intimidated by the idea of typing my thoughts, feelings, ideas to the world wide web, at the same time entirely intrigued. I've just been waiting for that one day that the gumption hit me and the freedom to flow arrived. I guess that means today is that day. I'm ready. For what? To release and share my mind. I hold in waaay to much... so my apologies before I even begin if I offend.

What's the difference between all the blog sites anyways? Is one superior over the other? I mean is there a blog site status, where all the cool bloggers go here, the nerdy bloggers go there, and the specialists go yonder? I guess maybe as I become more blog savvy the truth shall reveal itself.

Let's begin with a photo.

Rachel and Ian, ladies and gents. Myself and brother, a.k.a. roomie. He's a pretty cool guy who is kind and quite the ladies man. This shot was from a Glow in the Dark fashion show in Seattle a few weekends back. It was fun showing the bro a little of what I do on the side.

It's funny when you have complete freedom to say and post what you want, the places your mind take you when discerning what to write. I have this odd passion for nutritional therapy. Meaning, I study food in my free time. I do this online or by conducting experiments with my own eating habits. I try not to obsess, but it is most certainly a lifestyle more than anything. If I was to describe how I eat I'd say, mostly vegan, a lot of raw, and a little meat. I do this primarily because it makes me feel mentally and physically on point. What I eat effects my performance on all levels. For instance, I've really been digging this in my morning smoothies lately:

Made exclusively from natural plant-based whole foods, Vega is nutritionally complete, alkaline and easy to digest. Mixed with a banana, spinach, kale, some sort of organic berry and almond milk, I find this to be a very satisfying breakfast!

For snacks I munch on apples or grapefruit, maybe walnuts or almonds. For lunch I usually bring a bomb salad such as this one:

Topped with raw apple cider vinegar (to support the PH-balance) and avocado, I am one happy chick. I usually eat more fruit or carrots, maybe yogurt for snacks. In addition to lots of water and green tea of course. My dinner staple often is lentils and quinoa with all sorts of crazy spices.

There you have it. I have officially admitted to you that I am somewhat nutritionally neurotic. It's all a part of the big picture as you will eventually see.

This is a test, or rather an experiment into unknown waters...