Photography Exhibition – West Newton Cinema, May 6 – June 29

 

I have two photographs on display at West Newton Cinema, an art-house international and indie film movie theater.  Stop by the cinema if you’re in the area or read my artist statement below, explaining what’s behind the photographs.

In Dreams Glass Portrait, Metal Print

This portrait is part of my photographic series, “Glass Portraits,” which analyzes the intricacies of personality.  What we see on the outside may not be what is on the inside.  Personality is complex: it can be shaped by one’s environment or deeply ingrained by our genes.

The photographs in the series are an amalgam of natural glass filters, such as vases, and portraits.  Together, these components reflect the convolution of personality.  Color gives way to show internal emotions.  An eerie blue-green hue, commonly used in science fiction films, gives an other-worldly feel.  Certain facial features are made more prominent by the use of light, color, and shadows.

The glass serves as a barrier: representing disconnectedness.  Bubbles and imperfections in the glass disrupt the portrait by literally poking holes, thereby pointing out gaps or changes in character.  Overall, personality has layers—just like the portraits in this series—and is malleable, like glass.

Palm Abstract, Inkjet Print

In my artwork, I like to push past reality, into another realm, so that the outcome is symbolic. Instead of showing a true representation of what I saw in the moment, I like to enhance a feeling. The palm tree leaves in this photograph represent a power struggle through bold color juxtaposition, texture, and the interplay of shapes.

Jutting out across the photograph, the leaves point you in a particular direction.  However, there is tension because one’s eye is also forced to look in the opposite direction due to a palm in the background, which goes against the grain. It drips down to the ground, almost as if it were taking on the human emotion of crying.

Below are photographs from the reception, courtesy of Erik Gehring, a BCC member and former President.

The photographs are on display on the second floor of West Newton Cinema from May 6 until June 29.  Take in a unique film while also enjoying a variety of photographs of places from around the world.

A Traveler’s Confession

I have a confession: I’ve been a hoarder this year.

Negative connotations probably take hold of the psyche with the mere mention of the word “hoard.” Visions of junk pervade the mind. However, obsessively collecting possessions in pack rat fashion is not the type of hoard I mean.

I’ve been hoarding something that doesn’t take up space and is invisible. I’ve been collecting it through abstinence.

The construct I’ve been accumulating is time. I’ve taken less than one week of vacation all year.

I survived by capitalizing on long holiday weekends and traveling to nearby states. I worked from home occasionally, which felt like a holiday being in pajamas on a Tuesday.

Don’t get me wrong: I vacationed. I went to Mexico and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I spaced that trip out among the other days I used. I also took mental holidays away from the hustle of life.

I sacrificed using up my vacation time because I knew the reward of having a massive amount of vacation in the new year would be worth it.

I leave you with a staycation in North Point Park.

 

NECCC Photography Conference, UMass Amherst

You probably wouldn’t think a parking lot would provide inspiration. However, the seed for the photographs below was planted when I was a student at UMass Amherst.

I often cut through the campus center parking lot to get to class. Each time I made this trek, I was awe-struck by the light formations that were created by the sun on the asphalt. The concrete parking lot had walls with thousands of small square openings that let light flow through to the ground. These openings were little windows you could peer out of to see the surrounding mountains and farmland.

This summer I found myself cutting through that parking lot again. I was back at UMass Amherst, staying in a dorm, and attending NECCC, a photography conference. The small square windows shaped the sunlight into designs on the pavement. I got down on the ground and began clicking my shutter.

NECCC consisted of different talks on various photographic topics, such as photographing water, landscape photography, and bird photography. My favorite presentations were the keynote, “The Art of Seeing” by Bryan F. Peterson and “Shooting for the Story” by Bob Krist.

Peterson is a great storyteller and really funny! One take away from his presentation was to not be afraid of using F22. Many photographers steer clear of this f stop because of light infractions. His point was, why would every camera company add an F Stop of 22 if it is not to be used? He showed examples of the photographic quality one can get when using the stop correctly.

Bob Krist, who photographs travel stories for National Geographic, discussed the ingredients for photographing a place. As you can imagine this was right up my alley. He illustrated his points with photographic examples and memorable stories. He also touched on videography with DSLRs.

The weekend included free cleaning for my camera body and lenses, photo opportunities with indoor and outdoor model shoots, still life, dark field glassware practice, and macro floral and insect photography.

I took a break to soak in vitamin D and became the subject of a fellow photographer. He was taking advantage of the lens-loaning booth, where photographers could borrow lenses and take them for a three-hour spin.

Another conference highlight was the motorcycle stunt jumper show by the Boston FMX Freestyle Motocross Team. I don’t typically photograph things in motion so it was fun to experiment with a different subject.

If you’re interested in photography I highly recommend NECCC. I was awarded free admission, courtesy of Boston Camera Club. After attending, I see the value in the admission price.

It’s always fun for me to go back to UMass Amherst because I have so many fond memories. If you aren’t a photographer and don’t have ties to the area, you might consider vacationing in Western Massachusetts.

UMass Amherst is set in a rural landscape. The surrounding towns have good hiking, rivers you can float down, and there are often interesting events in the area due to the five college consortium.

The consortium is made up of Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The system is advantageous for students because they can enroll in classes at any college.

I took a class at Hampshire College, where there are no grades. Instead, evaluations are in paragraph form. The final for my self defense class was to put into practice what I had learned, which basically meant running at a man in a padded suit.

The so-called “pioneer valley” has cultural and natural offerings to satisfy many appetites. If you’re feeling energetic, climb Mt. Tom or the Holyoke range. If you’re lazy, grab an inner tube and float down the Connecticut River. In a historical mood? Check out the Emily Dickinson House.

You can also follow my Sunday afternoon itinerary and head over to Bub’s BBQ. After you’re good and satiated, wander over to the Bookmill in Montague, which is a charming book shop/music store/restaurant. The old mill has outdoor string lights that will lead you to a dirt path. Follow this down to a river with rapids and dip your feet in.

Whether you’re lurking in parking lots to capture light beams, learning about photography at NECCC, or exploring the pioneer valley, you can count on finding something worth seeing in Western Massachusetts.

 

 

 

 

Quintana Roo, Mexico

The palm tree shadows showed as designs on my legs. The dry sandy path leading me to the cenote left white specs of sand on my sandal-laden feet. The surrounding area was a swamp-like forest.

Our destination was a cenote, a natural pool of water that is caused by collapsed bedrock thereby exposing ground water from beneath.

My friend and I were told the cenote was closed. It was our last day in Mexico so that wouldn’t do. We convinced the gatekeepers to let us in early so we could meet back up with our fellow bachelorette-celebrating friends to catch out flight.

As we reached the mangrove-surrounded cenote, we saw we were not alone. Three locals, two men and a woman, were also enjoying an early morning swim. The men sat on a low hanging tree branch, surrounding a cooler of beer.

My eyes fell on the woman who was fully submerged in the water. She seemed out of place, fully clothed in jeans and a long sleeve shirt instead of a bathing suit.

She looked on curiously as we debated whether to jump in.

Our question was whether there was anything in the depths of the dark water that might try to eat us. The woman appeared carefree. I put my trust in her confidence and followed suit by jumping in.

A few joint cannonball sessions and we were taking photographs together.

Cannonballing into the mangrove-surrounded cenote.

The gatekeeper joined…

Five days earlier, seven of us had met at the Cancun airport to celebrate our friend’s last days of singledom. It was my first time in Mexico and a much-anticipated trip after another New England winter.

Our first stop was Playa del Carmen, a seaside city in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately thirty minutes from the Cancun airport. The stretch of beach is lined with restaurants and hotels. The city has lots of nightlife options.

A pathway from the beach to downtown.

On our second day, we took a ferry to the island of Cozumel for an active day of snorkeling and exploring the beaches on the far side of the island.

On a rooftop, looking out at the colorful and palm tree-lined main street in Cozumel.

Waves crashing on the far-side of the island.

Lifeguard stand surrounded by rock and greenery.

Beach bug.

Snorkel session.

After experiencing the nightlife, and surviving a barefoot walk on the cracked pavement, we headed to Tulum, a yoga retreat town. This laid back beach town provides words of wisdom from street signs to inviting beach signs.

Self-explanatory.

Tulum also offers Mayan ruins, which are strategically placed on a dramatic cliff that plunges into the ocean.

View from the ruins.

The essentials: hydration, transportation, and readiness for the beach.

We rented bicycles to explore the ins and outs of Tulum.

Beach bungalow.

Overall, the coastal Mexican towns of Playa del Carmen and Tulum make for a fun tropical getaway. With warm turquoise waters, fantastic tacos, historic ruins, and colorfully sewn fabrics you can’t go wrong. These areas are touristy for good reason.

The Real Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville is a coastal city situated among hills in southwestern Cambodia. It boasts miles of continuous beach and large volcanic rock to climb on. The turquoise water is warm enough to swim in the entire day. Looking out into the vast Gulf of Thailand, tropical islands dot the horizon.

The city is named after King Norodom Sihanouk. Read or listen to this NPR article to learn more about him.

Cambodia is full of natural and manmade treasures. A natural example is the wild fruit that grows everywhere. An example of a manmade masterpiece is the temples that were erected during the Khmer Empire, which ruled for over 600 years and who had immense power, wealth, and stunning artistic and architectural achievements.

However, it is also a country still recovering from a horrific genocide that took place from 1975-1979. It has widespread poverty and is rife with corruption.

Beyond the beautiful white sand beaches and luxury hotels of Sihanoukville lies a fishing village. This is the real Sihanoukville.

On our second day in the resort city, my friends and I went for a walk. We climbed volcanic rock, dug our feet into the hot sand, and bought bags full of chopped pineapple with long toothpicks to help us select pieces without a mess. I adhered the bag to my purse and trekked the beach.

The landscape began to change from luxury hotels to natural palm trees. Little boys flew their kites and curiously followed us. Finally we came upon a small town that showed a drastically different picture from the area we were staying in.

Rust covers the side of homes and trash wastes away on the walking path through the town. A friendly dog joined us on our journey.

Fish drying on a rack outside.

And yet, the residents’ have a spectacular view.

Above are girls I met who were preparing fish for a stew.

Boats returned to a pier from a fishing expedition.

Seeing this town was actually one of my favorite days. It was eye-opening to view a way of life I was unaccustomed to.

Somehow, I felt inspired seeing everyone working with their hands. A little ways past the village, my friend found some coconuts. Hungry and without a knife, I decided to attempt opening my coconut on rocks. I began striking the coconut on the jagged edge. Slowly but surely, I was able to peel back the outer skin and crack it open.

Naturally, this led to a yoga/workout session on the rocks…

Namaste.

 

 

Architectural Edition: Inside Boston Public Library

With lavish masonry work and notable murals by well-known artists, Boston Public Library is an example of Beaux-Arts Renaissance architecture. The gorgeous architectural elements were planned by architect Charles McKim.

Beaux-Arts refers to the American renaissance period from 1890 to 1920 which incorporated French and Italian renaissance and neoclassical revivals. Renaissance style consists of heavy ornamentation, sculptural decoration, and large-scale compositions.

Bates Hall: a reading room.

Bates Hall is a reading room of grand stature. The lavish classical style helped secure the library’s place among National Historic Landmarks. The reading room has fifteen arched and grilled windows. The ceiling soars 50 feet high in barrel vault style, lending to the semi-cylindrical appearance. The room is 218 feet long and 42.5 feet wide.

Entrance at Dartmouth Street

Boston Public Library describes itself as being the first free publicly supported large municipal library in the world and, amazingly, the first to allow people to take books out on loan. The library’s collection is significant with 23 million items which includes rare books, maps, and musical scores.

The entrance of the McKim building at Dartmouth Street has a luxurious marble staircase, several large murals, and two lion statues leading to the second floor.

Lion sculpture at Dartmouth street entrance

At the center of the library is a courtyard where patrons can inhale fresh air and sit by a fountain. Looking up, one can see nearby skyscrapers. The arches, columns, and balustraded sill add a dramatic touch.

Fountain in courtyard

Courtyard

The McKim building at Boston Public Library is worth a stop to view extravagant rooms, skillful masonry, and decadent murals by artist John Singer Sargent. The Beaux-Arts architecture is grandiose in scale and detail. If you find yourself shopping on Newbury Street, walk over to Copley Square and take retreat in the courtyard for a quiet moment.

 

Hiking Yosemite National Park

Amid alpines and clear skies, I sat on a granite rock and looked out toward Half Dome, a Yosemite National Park landmark. The rock formation’s name is derived from its appearance of being a dome cut in half. One side is a steep 90 degree angle while the other three are rounded.

I was on the John Muir trail, a 210.4-mile trail according to the United States Geological Survey. Unlike some hikers traveling the whole distance, I was only climbing a portion of the trail for a day trip. My group started at 6am to get in as much isolation as possible on the popular Mist Trail. With motivating views in store, getting up early on this vacation was easy.

We began our steep ascent from Happy Isle Bridge, the prelude hike to the Mist and John Muir Trail junction. We shed multiple layers of clothing quickly. Gorgeous views of valleys rewarded us. When we reached the junction, we refilled our water bottles at the water-stop and forged on to Mist Trail.

Mist Trail runs along a river and keeps up a steady incline. As we reached the top of the waterfall, we found flatter terrain to perch upon. We listened to the thundering water and looked below at the colorful speckles of people climbing toward us.

Proceeding further, we scouted views of a second waterfall, Nevada Falls, off in the distance. We navigated our way back to the John Muir Trail. This would loop us back to where we began. I looked toward Half Dome, squinting to see if I could spot anyone scaling the side.

As we continued our descent, we dropped to the so-called “Ice Cut,” or Panarama Cliff, which gets its name from the dangerous winter conditions.

Those eager to continue along John Muir Trail have Kings Canyon, Sequoia National Park and breathtaking views in the Sierra Nevada to look forward to. The footpath links up with the Pacific Crest Trail for about 100 miles. A majority of the trail is in high elevation, around 8,000-10,000 feet.

The John Muir Trail is named after naturalist John Muir who was an early supporter in the preservation of the United States wilderness and creator of the Sierra Club. As an activist, he petitioned Congress to designate Yosemite as a national park. You can read his books, essays, and letters which reflect upon the spiritual connection between nature and people.

Yosemite is a refreshing experience that allows you to disconnect from daily life and be in  awe of the world’s natural beauty. In celebration of National Park’s centennial birthday, consider taking a trip to one of the 58 national parks. Enjoy a new perspective, challenge your body to adjust to new heights, and disconnect from technology for a quiet moment in nature. I extended my trip by a week so I could dive into all things San Francisco. Read my San Francisco restaurant and activity recommendations here!

How to be a Pirate

Sipping Kraken rum and coke, I chatted with the drag queen next to me. We were in the bowels of the Trophy Room, a bar in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts. This historic neighborhood is known for well-preserved Victorian brownstones, restaurants, and stylish boutiques.

The room was abuzz with other models and designers like me, who were prepping for the Halloween Project Runway-style competition, “Walk the Plank: Fashion Show Party.” I was up against nine talented designers. We were battling for the best pirate-inspired garb. Our instruction was to design a costume based on our interpretation of the theme “pirate.” Three-hundred dollars was on the line.

The competition was judged by fashion blogger, Elissa Garza, of StyleWire. Elissa pens articles on “Boston adventure, fashion, and lifestyle.”

Meanwhile, the party had already started upstairs with master and commander, Max Kaplan, creator of FOMO Prescription, at the helm. His curated weekly emails detail the best events around Boston and also include events managed by him.

As I scanned the myriad of colors from the costumes in the room, my eyes landed back on the drag queen, Severity Stone, who was the MC of the fashion show. I looked through her enormous false lashes as she explained that Monday is the best night for Boston drag show viewing.

Elissa came down to wish us good luck. As she sneaked a peek at our designs, her eye caught sight of the fake pet rat that sat on my shoulder.

Mid-show, it was my turn to model my costume. I emerged from behind the curtain and walked to Severity’s reading of my description of my character and costume:

Beware the pirate Alison, known as the Rat Queen, whose curious appellation derives from the feral companion who sits upon her shoulder. His name be Squeaky.

She uses the golden rope that hangs from her black leather belt to wrestle down her prey. Remnants of her last meal devoured on the shores of Africa proudly plume from her leather hat.

Her white ruffled blouse is cinched by a black baldric and fashionably accented by amber jewels that were commandeered during her recent privateering voyage to the Baltic Sea.

The Rat Queen is as dangerous on land as on sea. In need of a sword, she ransacked an ancient house in Sandwich on Cape Cod Bay and discovered a shoe rack from which she built her deadly sword. In the dusty attic she found a fringed red scarf which she courageously transformed into a skirt to gird her loins. A tattered and worn scarf illustrates the rugged glory of the fashionable pirate queen. 

Beware, her reputation precedes her: if ye be caught stealing a coin from her hat, know that the Rat Queen shall let loose her boon companion, Squeaky, who shall wreak havoc upon thee.

As I strutted down the runway, event photographer, Chorale Miles, whose photographs you see here, flashed away.

In the end, it was the detail of my costume and the crowds’ cheers that allowed me to take home the prize.

Until next time…

Sign up for Max’s email here: http://www.fomoprescription.com/

Read Elissa’s post on Beat Hotel here: http://www.style-wire.com/

View Chorale’s event photography here: http://www.choralemiles.com/

 

 

 

A Ride Through Koh Kong

Join me on the back of a motorcycle, traveling through the streets of Koh Kong, Cambodia!

San Francisco: Recommendations Around the City

Weaving through the streets of San Francisco’s flattest district, the Mission, I sauntered casually past cyclists and down graffiti alleyways. I stood before Bernal Heights hill. Unlike most hills in San Francisco, it is undeveloped besides the radio tower at the crest. I climbed the steep dirt path surrounded by straw-colored grasses, the California state flower, California poppy, and joined dog walkers. Atop are expansive views of the city. I oriented myself, noting places I had already visited and created a mental map of the city for later use. I could have used google maps, but sometimes getting lost allows you to find unforeseen treasures. Read on for some of those jewels, including restaurant, museum, shopping, and activity recommendations.

Restaurants

Blue Plate, 3218 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, blueplatesf.com

This eatery boasts American new dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Each dish is strategically laid out on the plate with artistic grace. It won my affection for the most impressive restaurant I ate at on my trip. Unique pairings from locally-sourced farms were mouth-watering, such as artichoke soup with raspberries and chopped peanuts sprinkled on top. My friend and I opted to eat tapas-style and sampled several dishes. The atmosphere was cozy and rustic with an open kitchen. Divided into three main rooms, we sat in the middle, where we enjoyed a glass of red wine and relished in flavorful moments.

Cinderella Bakery & Cafe, 436 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118, http://cinderellabakery.com/home.html

Moving from Blue plate’s innovative take on American, Cinderella’s slides in with traditional done right. I stumbled upon this Russian Bakery & Café while seeking out completely different food. My friend, who lived in Korea for some time, tipped me off about a great Korean place located by the Conservatory of Flowers, a botanical garden in Golden Gate Park.

As I came to a halt in front of Muguboka, the Korean restaurant, it was dark. I found a sign confirming my suspicion it was closed on Tuesdays. I looked across the street and saw a bakery with wood-paneled outdoor seating surrounded by an oasis of succulents. I darted toward it, eager to find a place to recharge my camera and review my photographs of rare flowers from the Conservatory. As I entered, a waft of savory meat lay in the air. I realized this would not be a quick stop for a camera charge. Instead, my eyes scanned the Russian menu of meat pies and sandwiches.

This Russian gem on Balboa Street has homey foods that could conjure late Tsars from their graves by its sheer smell of alluring sweet and savory treats. Adding to it’s gravitational pull is its proximity to museums of interest, such as the deYoung Museum https://deyoung.famsf.org/, Academy of Science http://www.calacademy.org/, Japanese Tea Garden http://japaneseteagardensf.com/, and San Francisco Botanical Garden http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/.

El Techo, 2516 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, http://eltechosf.com/

This Latin American rooftop restaurant has sweeping city views. It lies above its sister restaurant, Lolinda http://lolindasf.com/. Wait in line, proceed past the beautiful attendant, who manages to pull off a buzz cut, and ride an elevator to the top floor. There seems like a lot of waiting involved, but it’s worth the unobscured city views and delicious small plates, featuring Argentine grilled meats. Dim lights, city views, and a young crowd chatting away under heat lamps on chillier nights make this place memorable.

Dandelion, 740 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110, https://www.dandelionchocolate.com/

Chocolate lovers: you’ll be in heaven. No milk chocolate is served at this chocolate factory and café on Valencia Street in the Mission district. This small batch chocolate maker sells only 70% cocoa and higher. Chocolate is made on site with two ingredients: cocoa beans and sugar.

Activities

• Bike over Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and Tiberon. Take the ferry back to the city.

• Meander through city districts.

• Climb Bernal Heights hill for superb city views.

• See and be seen at Mission Delores Park.

• Take a side trip to breath-taking Yosemite National Park.

Shopping

You’ll find uniquely curated stores on the streets listed below with clothing, home goods, antiques, and plenty of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Each street has its own character, giving off funky, chic, and lively vibes.

• Valencia Street-for the hipster-leaning folk
• Hayes Street-for chic individuals
• Linden Street-for Hayes Street’s on-trend sibling
• Haight-Ashbury-for a trip back to the 60’s
• Castro Street-everyone’s welcome!

San Francisco’s neighborhoods are interesting to walk through when you’re not in a rush. Each area is full of artistic delights, good coffee, and varied museums. If you’re visiting the city, check out Blue Plate for American new, Cinderella’s for Russian, El Techo for Latin American, and Dandelion for desert.  Of the museums I visited, Academy of Science was my favorite because of the wide array of sea creatures and because I went to adult night, which featured an outdoor rock concert. The art museum I enjoyed most, not mentioned above, was Legion of Honor for its collection of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures and the mummies and medicine exhibition. Get out there and start exploring!