update! and a brief return to LA LA land…

UPDATE: I found myself spending most of last month re-inventing myself and the direction of my photography. Needless to say, it was the perfect time to re-design my website. I then began the tedious process of creating a new website. Talk about a learning curve! Even with light html coding this was still a challenge for me. I now know for certain that I’m not that BIG of a computer tech. Regardless, it was a great experience in knowing what goes into building even the simplest websites. Lets just say I’ll leave the fancier web design sites to the pros! I’m proud to say that I finished the final site design at the end of January. www.aimeecandelaphoto.viewbook.com  I’ll be retiring shoofromthehip.us later in the year to replace with a new domain name.

RETURN TO LA: As soon as I completed the website and was in the next phase of promoting my work, I unexpectedly found myself making a last minute visit to Los Angeles. So I stopped everything to take care of business back home. When I returned I found myself missing the familiarity of living in LA. The creature comforts of convenience and accessibility. I think the time away living in a smaller city has shown what I left behind in LA and that I’m still connected with. At this moment, I’m planning to split my time between the East & West Coast. And when that time comes to fly out, I’ll have these images from my recent visit as a reminder of  LA’s mysterious wonder.

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A Sketchy Miami Holiday and 1 yr.blog anniversary…

A few weeks ago I attended Sketchy Miami’s holiday party at Lesters in Miami’s Wynwood arts district. I’ve missed the last few Sketchy events as I was just relocating to Miami. It wasn’t until I came across their site and read what Sketchy Miami is all about. A simple, “(im)possible goal” of artists sketching a portrait of everyone in Miami. And the word is out! Recently, while on the bus I saw an older man with a large sketch pad drawing portraits of some of the passengers . Brilliant, I thought!

Sketchy Miami is a wonderful way to have artists create in an open environment and to interact within Miami’s diverse community.

The art community is the one thing that continually fascinates me. Artists supporting artists supporting community. Reminds me of my art college years and being surrounded by talented artists and designers trying to break ground for either notoriety and/or success. Not much has changed in getting a piece of that successful artist pie, except now there is digital art!

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This is my last post for 2011. And a great means to bring in my 1 year anniversary of creating this photo blog!

So I look forward to the next year of photography and where the universe will next place me.

The journey continues..

Happy New Year! With much prosperity and  happiness to everyone.

I leave you with this wonderful image of Noor (our future generation) to put smiles on all of our faces.

Art Basel 2011- Another State of Mind

 It’s been 2 weeks since Art Basel 2011 ended. And as I look back at what I photographed and the people I met I still feel there was so much that was missing. With a growing emergence of artists in Miami (thanks to Art Basel Miami) this event has helped to put many up and coming artists in the spotlight. But one thing is clear that there is still a separation of  ”the haves and the have-nots” in the artist community. Unless you have the power of money and know the whos’s who, Art Basel felt like an art version” of a Hollywood Oscar weekend. Jet-setters a plenty with a few celebrities seen at various openings and parties. The places I spent the most time was in the Wynwood Art and Design districts. All close in proximity with a nice eclectic mix from up and coming artists and designers.

Much has already been written about this year’s event. But what I want to share with you is some of the most creative artists and works I’ve seen at a global level all staged in one place for a weekend. I’ve listed below a few of the artists whose work I photographed while walking through various showings and installations. Photography was sorely under represented at this event. Which makes me wonder how photography is looked upon as a true art form these days. Perhaps a “Photo Basel” as an off shoot event to Art Basel?

Regardless, I leave you with a wonderful portrait of Paul Simonon (bassist of The Clash). I was close to dropping coin on this print but a few too many zeros out of my price range!

Below is a photo narrative of what caught my eye during this year’s Art Basel. NOW go out and be the change you want the world to see!

Carlito Dalceggio, Alexis Diaz & Juan Fernandez (La Pandilla), Anibal Vallejo, Yuri Solomko, Miguel Paredes, Alberto Linero, Teresa Diehl, Brian Ermanski 

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Art Gallery Opening in Little Havana..

SANTO★ MARTIN GALLERY: With an early start for the approaching Art Basel events that will take over Miami/Miami Beach in about 1 week. I recently attended the opening of my friend’s new gallery, Santo ★Martin. Located in the heart of Little Havana near 10th St./Calle Ocho. It was a wonderful evening of celebrating art and life. Santo Martin (gallery founder) and his partner Ricardo Bermudez were the hosts of the evening. Their charm and exuberance got many of us dancing to the percussion duo who were providing the rhythms for us. Though didn’t think I would be coerced into dancing with everyone, Santo Martin took my hand and next thing I knew I’m joining him in a Latin spirited dance frenzy. It felt good and I was long overdue for some dancing, VIVA SANTO ★ MARTIN!  Please come by and visit the gallery if in Miami. Support those who truly love and believe in what they do!

MARLON AND RIVI: At the opening I met two new faces. Marlon Alarm (singer) and his friend, Rivi Madison (performance artist). Rivi treated us to a wonderful expressive dance piece to one of Bjork’s songs. Very touching! We talked afterwards about art/music/culture in Miami and Los Angeles, and agreed that there are plenty of talented artists in Miami from all walks of life. The main factor is that the arts community is not highly prolific in relation to other major cities. Though I want to say that this community IS Miami’s best kept secret! There are some incredible artists here with many more to discover. Miami is growing and give it another decade and I  predict this city will be one of the top cultural centers in the world! Dare, I say mark my words  ;)

ART BASEL: With the annual Art Basel event coming up this is the one BIG date of the year where established and up and coming artists, gallery owners, and everything in between are out to show their wares to art connoisseurs across the world. I’m also told Art Basel IS one of the city’s highest revenue draws bringing millions of dollars into Miami/MiamiBeach during the 5 day long event. Now if only the city could invest some of that income into building a better infrastructure for Miami instead of considering an outrageous casino project! Las Vegas in Miami??  Doesn’t make sense…

Keeping this post short and holiday sweet for everyone. I will do another update when Art Basel is over.

African Urban Beauty…

   A few weeks after my arrival to Miami I had the great pleasure of meeting this wonderful woman by the name of  Sister Sherrie. Originally from New York, she now owns a Miami based hair salon called  ”A Kinky Thing”.  I dropped by the salon to see about getting my dreads back into shape. And when I met her, I was immediately floored by her jaw dropping appearance and energy. A very grounded woman. Even with the large ankh tattooed dead center on her forehead, piercings, and various other tattoos all of that disappeared moments after I spoke with her. Her 8 month old son, Enoch, was there with her while mom was finishing up with a client. I asked Sherrie (who later said to call her Sherrie) if I could do some portraits of her. She agreed and we set the shoot up a few weeks later. These are a few results of which I’m quite happy with. Here I introduce you to “Sister Sherrie”. I will be soon changing my photo gallery to accomodate specific categories with my work.

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There is one aspect that I’ve always enjoyed when photographing a portrait is the element of the unknown coming from the subject. As a photographer, documenting the unexpected is what makes photography such a pursuit for me. It’s the continual drive to keep photographing (in a different manner) and catching the result from it. No two elements are alike in this world and this is the approach I take with my work and to share with others.

A Letter to the Crone

Reblogged from Amaranthine:

As the Wheel of the Year moves towards Samhain, we Pagan’s look towards the New Year which begins November 1st. The decaying world is reflective of the Crone, the final aspect of the Goddess, represented by the waning moon and an elderly woman. This is the twilight of the year, the natural decline of life, and the metaphorical “passing of the torch” so the Maiden can renew come Yule and give birth to the Sun God. It is a tradition in my circle to write a letter to the Crone to be used in ritual on …

thank you for reminding me the spiritual importance of Samhain.
Have a blessed New Year….

Steve Jobs – The Passing of A Visionary and Humanitarian

I’m heading home on the train as I write this and thinking about the news I heard an hour ago of Steve Jobs passing. Though I have never met him, I feel I’ve gotten to know a little about who was through the various Apple products I’ve owned now close to two decades.

This man was an extraordinary visionary who put simplicity and creativity into using computers. His technical experience meshed with a compassionate soul created many products that have now changed the way we work, create, and even interact.

But somehow Steve Jobs was on the pulse of things. He made investments and took risks to show how important Apple products are to the world and to people who can use these products to enhance productivity in their daily lives.

I can easily say thank you to Steve Jobs for standing by what he believes in and being a humanitarian, Also for taking part in creating the memorable campaign “think different”.

Thank you for creating such products that have allowed me to think and to be creative “outside of the box”.You will definitely be a hard act to follow, or possibly I can be that particular act to follow one day!

Godspeed your soul, sir!

A Calico Spider and Bill Baggs State Park

Before I begin this post, I thought I’d bring up front this photo of a Calico spider. Now many of you may have just yelled “ew” and have started looking around your feet. But as close as I was to this eerie yet curious creature (with limbs as wide as my hand) I was in awe of its appearance. I don’t have a great fear of spiders, but took caution in not knowing it’s behavior. I mean.. I kept thinking this one could fly of its web and land right on me at any moment. I was less than 12 inches away to get the photo. The yellow substance that we see is more than likely the material used to spin its  large web. When I got home I searched online for a similar looking spider. I’m happy to have read that the “calico spider” (also known as the “golden silk spider”) is harmless to humans. Here’s more information about this beautiful yet harmless creature.

Bill Baggs State Park in Key Biscayne provided a wonderful surprise. About 1.5 miles in circumference it gave me a scenic bike ride on paths leading along a seawall of the Atlantic ocean, and in/out of flora and fauna. The Cape Florida lighthouse is about 95 feet high (appox.9 stories). Even lying on my back I couldn’t capture its height from bottom to top. The history that is provided about the lighthouse is most interesting. Also take a read about Stiltsville.

For its small size Bill Baggs State Park has much to see and experience for everyone. Especially a city slicker like me !

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Fall Equinox and Embracing Change

 

This week I’ve been putting a bit of thought into my recent move. Summer comes to an end, and now transitions from light into dark with the approach of the Fall Equinox tomorrow. For a brief moment there will be an equal balance of lightness and darkness then transcending into shorter days and longer nights. Once Winter Solstice (Dec. 22 2011) arrives, thus begins (for the next 3 months) shorter nights and longer days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I explain all of this as each seasonal change occurs, I take the time to reflect on what has been accomplished and what has yet to be achieved. My arrival to the Miami area has been profound. And I’m now realizing that “I AM” here. This became very clear to me as I took part in a yoga practice to welcome in the the beginning of Fall . I find a place to set myself facing the bay (as the sun sets) outside of The Standard Spa (Miami Beach). The shifting of the warm winds and the darkening of the light, sets an ethereal backdrop for this Fall celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christy Nones (certified Anusara teacher) leads the yoga practice for this event with ease and focus for all of us. Sonically there were “crystal singing bowls” performed by Andrew Clark. By the end of the practice, the lighting was so unreal I had to stop (before meditation) and capture what I saw and felt.

I’m embracing the fact that I’m on a new journey that will lead me to who knows where, and that I’m fine with. And grateful for being a photographer who can share with others the who’s, the what’s, the where’s which moves me.

Well wishes to everyone for a wonderful Fall season.

A Beach Couple Worth Blogging About..

Happiness near the shore..

Let me introduce you to one of the happiest married couple I have ever met. Valerie and Billy. They will be celebrating their 52nd (I believe) wedding anniversary this week. What’s the secret??  She said  ”argue once a week!!”  But of course..  ;)

How they met? She was a nurse and he was an orderly at the mental hospital they were working at! I could run off with the humorous antidotes they were telling me, but that would be a separate blog entry. At 72 and 73 yrs.old. they have lived near the water for about 20 years. Which means they have weathered some of Miami’s worst hurricanes in that time.

I met Valerie as she was walking out of the water. I was staring out into the sea as the sun was going down and jutting away from the large influx of  moon jellyfish of which I’m later  told is unusual for this time. Valerie hasn’t seen this many jellyfish in a while herself. Her husband, Billy is a few hundred feet ahead in the ocean just walking around. One thing surprised me is that you can walk out quite a ways from the shore and still be standing in the water. I have to remember that Miami is right at sea level! As I’m chatting with Valerie she catches my attention about MRSA. A staph infection where there is no bacterial remedy for it. And it has been found in the ocean waters and beach sands! I’m not too alarmed when she tells me this. It’s sad that beaches world-wide are being polluted in their own ways, but to have temperate waters harbor staph bacteria seems possible. There’s no chlorine in the ocean to kill bacteria. Also, people walking around with infected cuts or open wounds greater the chance of spreading MRSA. We can only be careful and shower before/after entering beach waters.

Fresh out of the Atlantic waters, Billy comes up and joins our conversation. I realize this man’s personality is one of great humor and tease. He kept telling me stories and Valerie would say to me stop lying and/or scaring me off. For instance, barracudas in the ocean!! I I broke out in laughter and said that you can’t fool me, Billy. I’ve seen “Apocalpsye Now” a few times already!!.. That wonderful smile of his came back and we both knew he was kidding. He had a few other stories to share with me and as time went on the sun had set and we’re standing in darkness with the warm breeze and ocean sounds becoming our soundtrack. I had such a lovely experience speaking with this couple who come to relax at the foot of the shoreline (everyday at sundown) to let the ocean lull them and create further peace and healing. They are such a handsome and energetic couple that I look forward to seeing them again at the end of 17th St. near the lifeguard house. When I told them I was going to add their photo on my blog, Valerie was excited and said “we’re going to be seen by a lot of people!!”. I certainly hope so.

A RAINBOW SIDE NOTE:

 An early morning rainfall today produced this rainbow that just put a positive light on my day. I don’t chase rainbows but this was an eye catcher for me as I was commuting to the yoga studio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND LASTLY.. I don’t even want to get started with this cute feral who I secretly named “Scotty”! I swear we felines follow each other everywhere!