JANUARY
2012 - A new beginningI am a Canadian Art Director, Designer, Dancer & Artist who recently moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina in the pursuit of my passions. I am excited for 2012 as many are and have many creative resolutions to which I am aspiring to achieve. One of which, is starting to blog more.
I started a fun little project playing with my Facebook account (changing my profile pic and the cover photo in the new layout everyday) which now has turned more into a visual diary sharing my thoughts and feelings first thing in the morning to give myself a little creative boost. I don't spend hours on my daily designs nor are all of the images original artwork. Some include quotes I found or images I have purchased on the net and altered.
This morning exercise has now become part of my daily routine and is to showcase my initial thoughts, feelings, inspirations, experiences and randomness that occur in my life here in Argentina.
I hope 2012 brings you closer to your creative resolutions as well. Inspire! :)
Day 1 - Feeling Groovy What a perfect way to start off the new year. Kickin' it old skool. ;)I think this will be an amazing year, full of opportunity, success and achieved dreams.A new year in which anything is possible.
Day 2 - Missing You
One of my favourite quotes was found scribbled on a wall that reads, "Fly to your dreams but never forget where you came from". This is a little shout out to my friends back in Canada, and around the world, because I'm here happily pursuing my dreams and they're over there, in the cold of winter. I may miss you, but I don't miss the cold. Wish you were here.
Day 3 - Sweet Dreams
What can I say? I like it retro. James Dean, and dreams sky high. This is a goal of mine this year, to live 2012 as if it were my last, or even better as if I was going to die tomorrow... hopefully that doesn't happen.
What would you do if you knew you only had a short time to live? What would you want to happen, what would you want to leave behind? What will be your legacy?
Have you thought about that? If you take a look at your life right now, are you putting yourself in the right path to accomplishing these goals. What did you want to be when you were a child? Did you ever explore your interests? Do you explore your interests now. Dream of the future that you want for yourself and put yourself out there right now in the present.
Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams.
Do the unexpected. Do what you love and do it without delay.
"...do the things you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Because you can!
Day 4 - Feeling Fresh
This is an image I used in my biography and as far as biographies go, mine may not be the most in-depth but it was pretty fresh, and by fresh I mean different. Which in a world of creativity, is rather refreshing. That's the type of work I like to do and to make. I was born to create. Why this image? No sé porque. I just woke up in a refreshingly good mood and wanted to share some of my joy, and that something on my to-dew list. ;
Day 5 - Hang on tight
It's going to be a bumpy ride. A lot of my friends say this quote sums me up perfectly. I do hope so. Live for adventure. Live for today. Be spontaneous. Play with abandon. Face your fears and remember, "The race is long, but in the end it's only with yourself." - Baz Lurhmann (Wear Sunscreen)
Day 6 - Love is everywhere
This pic is from a photoshoot I did for the Miss Perfect 10 pageant and I love it because of the graffiti heart, which nobody ever sees so I thought I'd bring it to your attention. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and more often than not it's found in the most peculiar places... like a garbage bin, for example. Artists have the ability to see beauty or create it where others can't. Sometimes people just need to know where to look for it before they can see that it's already there.
Day 7 - The answer is clear
Yesterday I was feeling lovely, today I must be feeling peaceful. Paz y amor!!!
This is a composition I made using a design I saw on a t-shirt which I really liked. One of my dreams for 2012. I just don't understand why people have to fight over difference in beliefs or difference of opinions.
I come from a family that practices different religions and this has actually caused a bit of a rift between the ones that I love and I think it's a shame. As a Canadian I grew up being exposed to many differences in race, culture, religions and languages. I also grew up learning to respect them. I find the same here in Argentina thankfully, unfortunately the whole world has not taken this approach to diversity and I can't wait until it does.
My thoughts on this are if you don't like something, don't do it. If you don't want your rights taken away, don't try to take away anybody else's. Then we could just live in peace.
Coexist. Co-create. Co-operate.
Day 8 - Que Buena Onda (what a good vibe
I had an amazing day yesterday, I participated in a Free Hugs Event in Buenos Aires and together we tackled the busy Florida (famous street in downtown Buenos Aires that's filled with people, merchants, stores, tango shows and other things). I hugged about 200 people yesterday and even got some besitos (little kisses) too.
I recommend it to anybody, it's a lot fun and the people participating really contribute to the energy and the creativity of it all. It's nice too to break complete strangers out of their routines and maybe even spark a smile out of the ones that are too shy or don't want to hug you. Eventually we had people dancing on the streets and sharing our signs giving out free hugs as well. So much fun in the sun and at night I still managed to go dance Zouk under the stars with my two close friends — not making it home until 6 in the morning. I love this city!
Day 9 - Soaking up the sun, and the culture
Argentina may not be a rich country by economic standards, but it´s riches are deeply embedded in it´s culture. Buenos Aires especially has something for everybody. Everybody I have met here absolutely loves it. I love it for the hot summer sun, the dancing, the music, the night life, the food, the wine, the BBQ, the shopping, the beautiful leather, the dulce de leche, the architecture, the art and the design, and of course the language (Argentineans speak a Spanish that is not only unique to Argentina, it is filled with eloquen inuendos and expressions that still leaves me guessing half the time) but I´m still learning.
Estoy en mi paraiso. (I´m in my Paradise) and everyday as I get to know more about the city, the people, the creativity and the culture I grow to love it even more. I especially like the Argentinean sense of humour as demonstrated in the cooking aprons. Translations: 1 **I'm al dente 2 **You don't want to miss this opportunity
Day 10 - Work. Love. Dance.
This quote pretty much sums up my life right now. I'm living in Buenos Aires, freelancing and just working on my career, personal projects, improving my spanish, learning new dance and focusing on myself.
I do work like I don't need the money. I work because I love what I do, and it's never hurt me yet. And maybe one day you'll see me dance, but if I'm posting it on here —then I'd obviously I'd know you would be watching.
Day 11 - Freedom of freelance
I can honestly say that I am happier now than I've ever been and that's because I'm finally living the life I imagined. On top of being happy there are many other benefits to this. I'm more productive, I love the work that do which means I try my best, I'm healthier and I'm continually growing as an artist, as a designer, as a dancer and more importantly as a person. I didn't design this quote but I love it and I believe every word of it is true.
I am a freelancer. I love that word because it means I am free to make my own schedule, free to choose the work that I do and free to turn down projects that don`t interest me or don't fall under the category of work I agree to do for others. As a freelancer I only do work for entrepreneurs, artists or independent businesses and not-for profit organizations, or companies that provide products or services that have some sort of social benefit. I wish everybody could exercise their freedom of choice in the work that do because the world would be so much more interesting, and beautiful if everybody really pursued their passions and the work that they did, they did it with love. It really makes a difference.
Day 12 - The first step
I once had a my fortune told by a guru in Thailand. He told me that I would never be rich and I responded, 'I don't care, I'd rather be happy'. I think that just having that mentality makes it so. I travel a lot, I move around a lot, I have many different interests and many different types of friends because I like change. I've learned that sometimes the worst thing people can do for themselves is get too comfortable because then change becomes harder or people of losing whatever it is they think they've gained. I've lived in a number of different countries, have worked a million different jobs and it never killed me, but definitely made me stronger.
If there`s something in your life that you don't like, change it. Don't make excuses, don't justify it, just change it. There's always something better just waiting around the corner but if you never take that first step towards reaching it, you'll never find out how much better things can be. You decide your life. If you don't change it for the better, who else will?
Day 13 - TGIF
Today is Friday the 13th, to those of you who are superstitious it is either lucky or unlucky. I always prefer to take the more optimistic approach and consider it my lucky day. Today I spent the day getting to know Buenos Aires a little better as I travelled around the city on buses and the subte checking out different apartments in different barrios (neighbourhoods) all across the city. I found a room, which is actually more like an apartment in an enormous house in las barracas (the oldest part of Buenos Aires) and it is shared with an Argentinean woman who has her own huge apartment in her enormous house. It was the last viewing of the day, and it was so beautiful I jumped on it.
I could see myself living there, with a separate kitchen, bathroom, laundry (which we share) and my room had a separate room with a desk and wardrobe, a little sink and mirror, a double bed with an overhead fan, and a little window that you walk out of to the little balcony on the room. Fue muy lindo (it was so beautiful) and it just felt right. I'm trying it out for a month and taking it from there. I figure if you can see yourself living somewhere and your stuff would fit beautifully, and the price is right you sometimes have to just go for it. Worst case scenario: I move out.
Happy Friday the 13th!
Day 14 - Live you life and enjoy it. It's the only one you'll ever have.
According to my horoscope January 14th is supposed to be one of my good days this month and I can assure you it was one of the best. Several girls met up at one of my friends' houses so we could enjoy a day at the pool. I brought a bottle of champagne, we laid in the sun, made pizzas from scratch and just enjoyed living in the moment. All of girls are from different backgrounds, speak different languages, have different interests and different lifestyles. Yet we managed just fine and had a wonderful time together.
Life is amazing. You have to believe you are in control of your own destiny. Surround yourself with positive people who bring positivity and positive experiences into your life and very soon you will see better things come your way. People tend to focus on their problems, their faults or the things they feel they cannot change. By paying more mind to the negative things in your life you are only feeding that negative energy and it will manifest into something bigger and only create more problems. Be aware of what you think, of what you say, and what you do. Because your thought and your feeling become you.
According to my horoscope January 14th is supposed to be one of my good days this month and I can assure you it was one of the best. Several girls met up at one of my friends' houses so we could enjoy a day at the pool. I brought a bottle of champagne, we laid in the sun, made pizzas from scratch and just enjoyed living in the moment. All of girls are from different backgrounds, speak different languages, have different interests and different lifestyles. Yet we managed just fine and had a wonderful time together.
Life is amazing. You have to believe you are in control of your own destiny. Surround yourself with positive people who bring positivity and positive experiences into your life and very soon you will see better things come your way. People tend to focus on their problems, their faults or the things they feel they cannot change. By paying more mind to the negative things in your life you are only feeding that negative energy and it will manifest into something bigger and only create more problems. Be aware of what you think, of what you say, and what you do. Because your thought and your feeling become you.
Another thing I would to mention, and I'm sure a lot of people may brush this off as a coincidence, but I do not believe in such things, especially because this is not the first time something like this has happened. On Friday the 13th, I changed my cover photo on facebook to the wall covered in green leafy vines, not knowing that it would be the poolside backdrop we shared today. You could call it foreshadowing or maybe even psychic, ;) but I like the term 'deja vu' which translates from French to mean, 'already seen'. I believe that when you experience a deja vu it means you're on your right path and following your destiny. The courage to follow your destiny is also the secret to happiness.
Day 15 - Think of the future
Everybody I talk to is optimistic about the good things that will come their way in 2012 and I hope they do. However who's optimistic about the future of this planet? 2012 is a year of change but we also must not only think of ourselves but of mother nature and the resources we are depleting, the habitats we are destroying and the waste we are creating. Everything that exists always has and always will. No matter can ever be destroyed or created and for this, we must make a better effort to reduce our consumption, to recycle more and reuse whatever we can, and if necessary give it a new purpose and a new life.
Everybody I talk to is optimistic about the good things that will come their way in 2012 and I hope they do. However who's optimistic about the future of this planet? 2012 is a year of change but we also must not only think of ourselves but of mother nature and the resources we are depleting, the habitats we are destroying and the waste we are creating. Everything that exists always has and always will. No matter can ever be destroyed or created and for this, we must make a better effort to reduce our consumption, to recycle more and reuse whatever we can, and if necessary give it a new purpose and a new life.
As much as I love Buenos Aires there's one thing it doesn't have enough of, and that`s nature. It is a concrete jungle, and it is still beautiful but I have always been very close to mother nature and find it difficult sometimes to find peace in this crazy concrete jungle of a city. I grew up in a place called Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario (Canada); it's in a place where a tree grows in front of every household and furthermore, we were the first to introduce and implement Nyle Ludoph's blue box recycling program not only to Ontario, but also to the world. “I think Nyle saw something in the future that many other people had overlooked, and that was the need to look after our planet and the environment” Here they don't really recycle the same way we do back home, but rather have people who pick through the garbage and separate that which can be used again, and that which can't.
The good thing it has created jobs for a lot of people, the bad thing is it's a dirty job and after it leaves the city streets in worse shape than they already were. I'm volunteering at Voluntario Global and would like to give workshops to the underprivileged youth on how to use recycled items and give it a new life, and maybe even makes some money of their designs. Now all we need to do is plant more trees! If you're not optimistic about the future of our planet ask yourself, what did your new year's resolutions include to benefit others and bring good things their way? The first step is change, the next step is caring. Caring enough to show others that they can be optimistic two. :)
Be the change you want to see in the world. - Ghandi
Day 16 - We live in a world of technology
What does that mean exactly? It means we have access to a world of information right at our fingertips. It means we can capture moments, edit them and share them within seconds, it means we can connect with anyone, anywhere at anytime for free. It means we never have to get lost because we can find ourselves and find our way using advanced GPS technology. It means we can attend meetings, do business and virtually be in one place while physically in another. It means we have a world of freedom but to others it means a world of slavery.
A friend of mine posted something on Facebook yesterday that I thought was important to share and I thought I'd do some research to elaborate and share some of my own thoughts and concerns on the matter. I remember a few years ago, I thought I couldn't LIVE without my cell phone. When I lost it, I felt I lost a very important part of me. All of my contacts, info, my only means of communicating as I gave up on my landline years before. Then I started travelling and living abroad and I didn't really need a cell phone let alone use it, but I had one anyway just in case, which is getting back to the basics of why we started carrying them in the first place. I'm back the real basics. I have an iphone in case of emergencies. I hate talking on the phone now... If you want to chat, shoot me an email! It's the best way to get in touch, but I do like pigeon calls...
My first point demonstrates a very sad reality of our world. Please read this article: Your iPhone Was Built, In Part, By 13 Year-Olds Working 16 Hours A Day For 70 Cents An Hour. iPhones and a long list of other companies produce their products in low-cost Chinese sweatshops, where working conditions are less than humane. Foxconn is the worlds largest maker of electronic part components. I love my iPhone but the cruelty and exploitation that goes into their development is shameful. People need to be aware of these facts and put pressure on these multi-national corporations to be more responsible. That's the beauty of the world of technology. We are all connected and although you may not feel responsible for the sweatshops around the world, by turning a blind eye you are only contributing to the problem by supporting these companies.
Another point is about the damage caused by cell phone radiation. I once received an email that had an image that burned into my brain (no pun intended). It was of the cause and effect on an egg after being exposed to the radiation of a cell phone for more than two hours. It exploded because the radiation caused a mutation in the proteins contained in the egg. Have you ever talked on your phone for hours and felt the heat against your ear? It is still questionable as to whether or not in cause tumours but the fact is you wouldn't hold a microwave up to head for hours, and a cell phone is considered in the same range for the radiation. The damage caused on cells in the brain can persist in your brain for up to 50 days after use. And I'm not even going to get into the pollution caused by the millions of discarded cell phones every year...
What you can do to reduce your risk of cell damage:
What you can do to reduce exploitation and inhumane working environments
What does that mean exactly? It means we have access to a world of information right at our fingertips. It means we can capture moments, edit them and share them within seconds, it means we can connect with anyone, anywhere at anytime for free. It means we never have to get lost because we can find ourselves and find our way using advanced GPS technology. It means we can attend meetings, do business and virtually be in one place while physically in another. It means we have a world of freedom but to others it means a world of slavery.
A friend of mine posted something on Facebook yesterday that I thought was important to share and I thought I'd do some research to elaborate and share some of my own thoughts and concerns on the matter. I remember a few years ago, I thought I couldn't LIVE without my cell phone. When I lost it, I felt I lost a very important part of me. All of my contacts, info, my only means of communicating as I gave up on my landline years before. Then I started travelling and living abroad and I didn't really need a cell phone let alone use it, but I had one anyway just in case, which is getting back to the basics of why we started carrying them in the first place. I'm back the real basics. I have an iphone in case of emergencies. I hate talking on the phone now... If you want to chat, shoot me an email! It's the best way to get in touch, but I do like pigeon calls...
My first point demonstrates a very sad reality of our world. Please read this article: Your iPhone Was Built, In Part, By 13 Year-Olds Working 16 Hours A Day For 70 Cents An Hour. iPhones and a long list of other companies produce their products in low-cost Chinese sweatshops, where working conditions are less than humane. Foxconn is the worlds largest maker of electronic part components. I love my iPhone but the cruelty and exploitation that goes into their development is shameful. People need to be aware of these facts and put pressure on these multi-national corporations to be more responsible. That's the beauty of the world of technology. We are all connected and although you may not feel responsible for the sweatshops around the world, by turning a blind eye you are only contributing to the problem by supporting these companies.
Another point is about the damage caused by cell phone radiation. I once received an email that had an image that burned into my brain (no pun intended). It was of the cause and effect on an egg after being exposed to the radiation of a cell phone for more than two hours. It exploded because the radiation caused a mutation in the proteins contained in the egg. Have you ever talked on your phone for hours and felt the heat against your ear? It is still questionable as to whether or not in cause tumours but the fact is you wouldn't hold a microwave up to head for hours, and a cell phone is considered in the same range for the radiation. The damage caused on cells in the brain can persist in your brain for up to 50 days after use. And I'm not even going to get into the pollution caused by the millions of discarded cell phones every year...
What you can do to reduce your risk of cell damage:
What you can do to reduce exploitation and inhumane working environments
We have a world of information at our fingertips. We have the technology to improve our lives as well as all living things on this planet. By letting financials steer our decision making we live in a world where people think it's acceptable to exploit our resources, exploit other humans, pollute our environment and our minds with useless crap and bad advertising. It not only taints our lives, it taints our souls too. I don't want to live in a world like that and I don't want future children to grow up in that either. It's 2012, I think it's a year of awakening.... I hope someday soon the world will wake up and realize that we already have the technology, we already have the resources but the more we exploit others and hold them back, we're holding back the entire human race. The more we share with one another, the more we will learn and grow. What if we just decided to do what's right, not what happens to be the cheapest fix? What would the world be like then? It's really not that impossible...
Think of the future that you want to live in.
Day 17 - Pursue your passions
This is the first day I'm breaking my facebook blog template but that's okay, it's my blog and my rules, and some rules were made to be broken. In order for me to keep doing this blog, I need to make some changes because I am very busy and don't have enough time to create a new image everyday with all of the other work that I do, so I'm going to start posting some of my projects and experiences as well.
My friend Jessica Carro is about to pass her first birthday here in Buenos Aires, Argentina and our friend Szilvia and I are planning on having a surprise birthday party for her which will be held at Szilvia's,- she lives in enormous house in Belgrano which includes a fully equiped kitchen, the most amazing blue-tiled bathroom you've ever seen, a swimming pool, an asado (bbq) and a party room with huge speakers we haven't yet figured out how to work yet.
This is the collage I created for her birthday invitation on facebook, however I'm a big fan of recycling so I also used this as her birthday card and told her that when she releases her first single it could also be her album cover (with a little re-working of course). Jessica is a very talented singer and as much as she enjoys singing we enjoy listening and I created this card for her as a visual reminder to pursue her passions because when you do what you love, everything has a funny of working itself out.
Day 18 - Schemes, Dreams & Jellybeans
The work that I did for Jessica reminded me a lot of the work I did for Yma Ronsi (to listen to her music click here). Maybe it's the celestial backgrounds, maybe it's my digital collage style, maybe it's because they're were both designed for musicians in my attempt to help them achieve their dream.
Looking back over my years of work I have noticed that the best work I ever do is the work I do for free, and that's because I'm spending my precious time on it and I'm doing it because I love to. Although I did this project for free — and at the time I was insanely busy working full-time (and close to over-time) hours bartending at Hemingways Restaurant and Bar, picking up as many shifts as I could before my trip so I could save before my last to Latin America. I was also doing work for my independent clients as well as volunteering my ideas and creative services to a project incentive called WakeUp2Life
The reason I think I managed to squeeze this in is because I really wanted to do it. I really only had to show Yma this concept and she approved it and we moved forward from there. The reason I was able to design this so quickly and easily is because I already had the materials I needed to design it. Traveling through Europe was a dream I'd had for as long as I can remember and never imagined I would do it, but did in the summer of 2009, after I'd lived and worked in Belfast, Northern Ireland and did a trip around Europe before moving back to Canada.
The buildings surrounding the moon represent each country I visited and appear in the order in which I traveled but left out that country if I went there more than once that summer. It's starts at Belfast and goes to ————? (I already know... you tell me ;).This illustration is of my dream and I created it for Yma because of her light and enjoyable sound but also due to the title. I was sharing my dream with Yma to help her achieve hers and although I did't get paid in cash, I got paid in experience (P.I.E.) and now I have this beautiful portfolio piece and I am still glad that I did it.
Day 19 - I can't afford to waste my time making money
For many months now I was working on a project gave benefit to a lot of different people in a lot of different ways. I worked on it, and worked on it, and worked on it and I even went to consulate of Argentina in Toronto to discuss my ideas and get some advice on how to make 'it' work. I finally decided I just needed to get over here so I could make my dreams (and my schemes) for this project a reality.
Por casualidad (by chance) one day I got an idea to look for some work to do in Spanish so I just checked out craigslist, however a) I don't have a working visa—just a tourist visa and b) nothing really interested me nor did it fall under 'my niche' of work. I checked the volunteer section and one job post in particular caught my eye, it was for an NGO based in Argentina and was looking for a volunteer designer to work for a minimum of 6 months. Without even flinching I sent in my new resume I had completed in Spanish. The next day I was called back, and the day after I was their new volunteer designer.
I found out that Voluntario Global is a not-for-profit organization that brings communities and cultures together as they work towards a common goal — to help under-privileged and under-resourced children who live in poverty. It also aims to empower children and youth by providing them with opportunities and teaching them skills that will to guide them towards a better life. It was one of the goals I had for the not-for-profit organization I was dreaming of for all these months. So I may not be ready for mine, but getting experience on this project definitely couldn't hurt.
These are my first three (unfinished) concepts that I presented as I work towards helping them create a strong, bold and appealing new brand image.
1. The first concept I used their green and applied it to a texture and created a fun little design using typographic treaments, illustrations and black and white for high contrast and visual appeal. I also used a logo variation I proposed because at the moment they have several versions and I thought making the green circle into a globe would just make sense, hence the name Voluntario Global.
2. The second concept puts more focus on the volunteers by including them and presenting them in an illustrated style to create a very youthful and humanistic feel.
3. The third concept is my recommendation. It's flexible and can incorporate both illustration and photography as well I think it will translate nicely to a lot of different mediums because if ti's digital-feel. I also included different background explorations to show them how it could be applied differently.
They were very pleased with the work, I'm just waiting now to hear what the verdict is.
Day 20 - Surround yourself with positive people
I usually go dance Zouk with my friends Jessica and Szilvia and Szilvia is an amazing dancer and I must add, an amazing friend. She is a competitive Salsa dancer and she dances so much that she inspires me to dance more. And apparently I inspire her too with what I do so I guess we help each other out in different ways. Szilvia is entering a salsa competition next August (I think) and at the moment we're still looking for a good dance partner.
This is a little card I made for her to help her fulfill her dreams of being La Salsera—we already know she is though... ;)
Day 21 - Strangers are friends you just haven't met yet
This is going to be my first birthday celebration in my home, Argentina and I am not only going to take advantage of the warm weather in January, but also use this as an excuse to host an event and meet new people. I am organizing a picnic in the park, in the bosques del Palermo, which has a roundabout for runners, bikers and rollerbladers.
It's open to anybody and everybody I know and people I don't know. I'm using my social networks here in Argentina such as facebook, classes, Couchsurfing and just friend I meet through friends. The picnic is a potluck and the rule of thumb is that everybody has to bring their own dinner plate, their own cup and something to share with the others — that could mean food to eat, something to drink, something to sit on, something to listen to, something to play, whatever works and that the rest of us can enjoy.
I think it will be a lovely day and I'm really looking forward to it because sharing is caring — and everybody loves a picnic. :)
Day 22 - Love thy neighbour
Today I had a couch surfer stay here, a girl from Brasil who stayed with me two nights before moving into her new apartment here. Couchsurfing to those who don't understand it may seem a little odd, dangerous or scary but that's only because people fear what they do not know.
I believe in the importance of following the friends and testimonial guidelines as a security measure and in the importance of honesty when writing them. To me it's a beautiful concept that has allowed me and many others to travel around the world, make new friends, live like a local in different cultures and countries, exchange languages and passions and of course dreams of future travels and best kept secrets of those with a wanderlust.
My involvement with the Couchsurfing project has varied over the years. I joined in 2009 and have worn many different hats and met many different people. Initially I just surfed, I also recruited, I hosted events, made new friends and when I can, I like to give back to the project because I think it's an amazing concept and challenges people to open up to new experiences, cultures and friendships. It also helped me start my life here in Buenos Aires.
Love thy neighbour—no matter where you are in the world—because we are all neighbours living on the same planet.
Day 23 - Enter the Dragon
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Chinese Zodiac consists of 12 Animal signs, the dragon is the fifth and is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon symbolizes an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone.
This composition I threw together in the morning using some vector elements, background textures and a vision I held in my mind while piecing it altogether. The celestial Dragon will bring success and happiness to everyone this year, if they are open to, realize and embrace the good luck that comes their way. 展鴻圖Dàzhǎnhóngtú - "May you realize your ambitions"
Day 24 - The girl with the dragon tattoo
I grew up fascinated by Asian Art, and today it is obvious that it has impacted my style not only in paintings I make, but in other artistic outlets as well. After designing the composition yesterday I was reminded of a painting I made close to 10 years ago. It was for my OAC art project and I chose to study the progression and stylization of Asian Art throughout the dynasties up to modern day. It was an acrylic painting that I explored using mixed media and broken glass. The dragon looked a little different than this, better in my opinion (more tribal and stylized) and was actually flipped around vertically so the head was at the top and the curve of the body fit into the yin yang symbol behind it.
I gave that piece away because I wasn't completely satisfied with it, which is how I always felt about my art and rather than keep it and hate it, I would give it away to someone that liked it. I prefer this to the original but it's also not a comparison because this is a digital reproduction (or rather improvement) of the other. I read that in Sung Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279 the dragon is said to have the head of an ox, the muzzle of a donkey, the eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, the feet of a phoenix and it's body is of a serpent but is covered in fish scales. The dragon is all powerful and totally unpredictable. It usually clutches a pearl that symbolizes its super-natural powers. I'm a girl and I like my pearls... so this one is a little bigger than normal, and I guess that means my dragon is even more powerful.
I grew up fascinated by Asian Art, and today it is obvious that it has impacted my style not only in paintings I make, but in other artistic outlets as well. After designing the composition yesterday I was reminded of a painting I made close to 10 years ago. It was for my OAC art project and I chose to study the progression and stylization of Asian Art throughout the dynasties up to modern day. It was an acrylic painting that I explored using mixed media and broken glass. The dragon looked a little different than this, better in my opinion (more tribal and stylized) and was actually flipped around vertically so the head was at the top and the curve of the body fit into the yin yang symbol behind it.
I gave that piece away because I wasn't completely satisfied with it, which is how I always felt about my art and rather than keep it and hate it, I would give it away to someone that liked it. I prefer this to the original but it's also not a comparison because this is a digital reproduction (or rather improvement) of the other. I read that in Sung Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279 the dragon is said to have the head of an ox, the muzzle of a donkey, the eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, the feet of a phoenix and it's body is of a serpent but is covered in fish scales. The dragon is all powerful and totally unpredictable. It usually clutches a pearl that symbolizes its super-natural powers. I'm a girl and I like my pearls... so this one is a little bigger than normal, and I guess that means my dragon is even more powerful.
The lucky recipient of my original painting was named Angela L. In fact she liked the dragon I'd painted so much she ha it tattooed on her body. So Angela is the girl with the dragon tattoo, and that Angela may not be me, but I'm the one who designed it! I should get credit for that at least. ;)
Day 24 - It is written
I'm still not exactly sure how it happened because I definitely wasn't searching for a spiritual advisor but somehow I stumbled upon this spiritual advisor who was offering a free reading based on your numerology (which includes your name and date of birth) and this is a condensed version of my reading. I believe that we create our own destiny but I also believe that we are born into a certain life path and that if you are on your right path you'll know it.
The more I traveled the closer I came to my life path and now I can feel that my life is headed in the right direction. I also believe it is important to seek advice from an outside source, and perhaps my destiny brought me to this woman... who knows? Anyway, to those of you who have never had a spiritual advisor but area slightly curious to see what it's about, do enjoy. As I mentioned, I edited this to cut it down, it was very long, and to my surprise, VERY ACCURATE. Could that be because I'm on my right path? Or am I just going to create what I want based on what I read and how I interpret them?
So yes, I'm inviting you to join me on my spiritual journey in 2012. Welcome aboard and as I said before, 'Hang on tight!'
I've sort of been on a spiritual journey since 2009 when I went on my first backpacking trip alone through Thailand. A series of miraculous events took place and not only restored my faith in humanity but changed my life thereafter. I've always followed my intuition, and when traveling alone that's all you have to guide you so you trust what you feel is right... but isn't that how we should all live our life?
I feel that a lot of people lose this ability because their day to day lives, their jobs, and their routines cut them off and shelter them from this ability because they learn to suffer through it and miss out on people and opportunities because they think they're stuck in a rut and continue living their lives as they know them. This is why I think everybody should travel.
Day 26 - Can't talk. Packing.
Day 27 - "O" La Blanquita
I had a photoshoot yesterday with two students of Motivarte, Escuela de Fotografía and they were experimenting with lighting effects against a white backdrop and a black. The black background definitely worked in my favour for this shoot... or at least this pic. It's the only one I received but am looking forward to seeing the rest of them.
The shoot went a little longer than expected and my couchsurfers from France were patiently waiting for me when I got home. Oops! I admit, I got a lost on the way... We ended up spending a lovely night together, they treated me like a guest in my own home, they cooked me dinner, poured me wine and we sat around talk talking about the Universe and desitny.
Que buena onda...
Day 28 - Everybody loves a picnic
Today was the day of my 'Picnic en el Parque' as previously advertised on Day 21 of this BLOG. It was an amazing day with lots of food, singing, chatting, sharing of food and stories and of course, mate. Some soccer and yes, even some hula hooping.
I made A LOT of food, and brought a lot of things and also made a few stupid mistakes such as give two different locations, a wrong phone number and I myself had no idea how to get there. However there was around 20 people or so that came, to those who came but couldn't find us or call me.... "I'm Sorry!"
I have been crazy busy these past couple days and can only plea temporary insanity and give a gracious thank you to my friend Szilvia who came and early with me and helped me coordinate everybody. The day was a success and I would love to do it again. I will be posting pics soon on my facebook.
Thank you to my friend Flor Mendez for taking this photograph when I wasn't looking. Check out her blog.
Day 29 - Backpack and Volunteer in Latin America
This was the first poster I created for Voluntario Global and I'm quite pleased with the results. I wrote a heading because I felt it was missing something to connect and appeal to the viewer. Previously Voluntario Global took on volunteers for several months at a time and provided them with room and board amongst other things and opportunities. This poster is to appeal to young adults, mainly in Australia who have just finished high school and are looking for a volunteer opportunity or are planning on backpacking through Latin America.
I believe that it is important for people to travel and experience other cultures and lifestyles before they 'settle in' to the rest of their lives. Apparently in Germany it is expected of the youth to travel before starting school and more important than the cultural experience they will surely have, I feel that breaking free of your habits, routines and surroundings really puts you in a place where you can just be yourself and do the things you want to do.
I also believe volunteering or getting valuable experience in either something your passionate about or your future field of choice is also mandatory but not normally achieved. I have had a lot of different work experiences such as working in restaurants, volunteering, co-op and at the time I thought it was something I wanted to do but after actually experiencing it, or living it I soon realized that I was wrong.
If young people today are pushed out of high school earlier than ever before and are expected to take out tremendous loans to pay for a course or a program that they may not even really be interested in is a huge mistake. After some students realize they don't like their program they think it's too late to change and ultimately still have to pay back everything they've borrowed with interest. Yuck.
So my advice is to travel and to volunteer. It doesn't have to be with Voluntario Global... there are plenty of other organizations and causes or companies even that one of which may interest you... (get experience in anything that interests you or you think would make you feel better about yourself).
It's true what they say, when you do what you love, good things come your way.
Day 30 - Moving Day
Day 31 - One month in. One year older. !Feliz cumpleaños a mi!
This image is a compilation of my monthly experiences. It has been one amazing month and it's only the beginning. It's also my birthday!
I'm unpacked now and settled in to my new beautiful new home and I almost feel like I'm starting a new year all over again, or a new chapter at least because this was, for the first time in years, a real move with ALL of my things, or at least all of the things that have managed to stay with me throughout all of my travels.
Today I went back to the University of Buenos Aires (la UBA) where I went for Spanish lessons the last time I lived here. I completed level 3 with an 80% overall. I know that I've improved a lot as I read and write in Spanish and can speak fluently however I didn't know how much. I went for a Spanish test and discovered that I moved up to level 5 (which is a high intermediate class). Unfortunately I have to pay more to get the certification to get advanced to the next level and I decided that I was satisfied in knowing how much I improved (on my own) and am going to check out an Institute highly recommended by my landlord, Juana.
I'm celebrating my birthday evening with my two closest friends here in Buenos Aires and we are meeting up at Las Brasas, in Puerto Madero. I chose that restaurant because I've gone there several times and have never been disappointed. If you come to Buenos Aires, I recommend you check it out.
It is a beautiful restaurant located right in the port, on the water, with a view, and some summer nights they have a live tango show (not the dancing but the singing which is also very good). They have a full menu but I always go for the buffet. For 75 pesos you can enjoy the salad bar, the sushi station, the paradillas (bbq), the fresh pasta station, there's seafood, potatoes, and a dessert is included. Let me tell you, it fits the bill perfectly. And the service has always been excellent too.
My girl friends and I are all very different. We look different, we come from different backgrounds, countries, we have different styles but we mesh well together even if we do stand out A LOT. We're like our own version of Sexo en La Ciudad (de Buenos Aires).... a mí me encanta! (I love it!)
This image is a compilation of my monthly experiences. It has been one amazing month and it's only the beginning. It's also my birthday!
I'm unpacked now and settled in to my new beautiful new home and I almost feel like I'm starting a new year all over again, or a new chapter at least because this was, for the first time in years, a real move with ALL of my things, or at least all of the things that have managed to stay with me throughout all of my travels.
Today I went back to the University of Buenos Aires (la UBA) where I went for Spanish lessons the last time I lived here. I completed level 3 with an 80% overall. I know that I've improved a lot as I read and write in Spanish and can speak fluently however I didn't know how much. I went for a Spanish test and discovered that I moved up to level 5 (which is a high intermediate class). Unfortunately I have to pay more to get the certification to get advanced to the next level and I decided that I was satisfied in knowing how much I improved (on my own) and am going to check out an Institute highly recommended by my landlord, Juana.
I'm celebrating my birthday evening with my two closest friends here in Buenos Aires and we are meeting up at Las Brasas, in Puerto Madero. I chose that restaurant because I've gone there several times and have never been disappointed. If you come to Buenos Aires, I recommend you check it out.
It is a beautiful restaurant located right in the port, on the water, with a view, and some summer nights they have a live tango show (not the dancing but the singing which is also very good). They have a full menu but I always go for the buffet. For 75 pesos you can enjoy the salad bar, the sushi station, the paradillas (bbq), the fresh pasta station, there's seafood, potatoes, and a dessert is included. Let me tell you, it fits the bill perfectly. And the service has always been excellent too.
My girl friends and I are all very different. We look different, we come from different backgrounds, countries, we have different styles but we mesh well together even if we do stand out A LOT. We're like our own version of Sexo en La Ciudad (de Buenos Aires).... a mí me encanta! (I love it!)
