Established in January 2020, Sub Rosa began as a digital journal dedicated to highlighting points of inspiration—a reflection of the systematic groundwork behind one’s practice. Within these pages, you’ll find the people, objects, moments, locations, and histories that have motivated me.
All views are my own.
Location Scouting | Sand Dunes of Texas
This is location scouting for the nonconformist.
“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit”
At the beginning of 2018, my colleague and I set out to find a desert scene in-between Dallas and El Paso. We came across Monohan Sandhills State Park where you can soar through peaks and valleys by way of plastic discs. The warm hues and dusty textures against the boundless washed blue sky inspired us to photograph each other for the portrayal of a winter season look-book. We aspired to explore the gap shown by brands that portray their cool-season garments, often in settings of snow, cabins, bonfires, and forestry. Reds oranges and contrasting deep blue tones mirrored with sharp crisp textures are usually prominent in these types of editorials as well. But what happens when the brisk night falls upon those of us in the southern regions? Dark layers of wool, denim, and cotton were used to contrast the light and airy color scheme displayed. We utilized a curated list of brands that included; Oak and Fort, Loeil, and Vagabond to create outwear looks that mimicked western expeditions.
In this instance, we conducted some prior research before finding our selected landscape but, often intriguing scenes for photography shoots appear to me in uncanny ways. Examples can be a striking parking lot that I've overlooked on routes to and from work, abandoned hotel exteriors, and office buildings or leveled fields of grass surrounded by shrubbery and specimens of native plants.
The success of our shoot resulted in a feature in Austere Magazine, which happened to be their final issue after producing content for 6-years. Natasha Brito, Austere's founder, opted to create a coffee table photo book for the last edition. Our images at the Monohan San Dunes were also accepted to a curated show at CICA Museum in Gimpo Korea. The exhibition was titled, "What We Eat and Wear" and transpired to be my first international representation.
An Italian painter, a contemporary NYC photographer, Dallas's City Hall survey, and Valentine's Day playlist for January's 2022 chronicles.
From The High Line to Fair Park, Laura Owen's mosaic at Laguardia Airport, details of artwork at the MoMA, The Noguchi Museum, The Whitney, Ciara Elle Bryant at The MAC, and Virgil Abloh.
Keeping the theme of resetting in mind, a breakdown of my influences from July - September 2021 is listed on this chronicle.
Some questions I had this June; Artwork often has a unique power to exist wherever it wants but, what’s that mean for rural Texas residents? What’s the moral thing to do with an unwanted painting? This month also covers local artwork commemorating Juneteenth, an underreported Dallas newspaper’s history, celebrating Gay Pride by featuring artwork post Stonewall and a playlist for making art.
May presented me a theme of involving; cloud iridescence, lessons from flowers, how a smell makes you feel, and spatial learning from nature's patterns.
Remoteness leads to freedom and vastness lends introspection, placemaking in South Dallas, earth every day, Joan Miro, and Joan Mitchell.
Highlighting BIPOC female architects, a guide on how to not fast fashion, a snail goes on a stroll at a zoo, and how to be an ally to AAPI.
2020 Nasher Prize winner Michael Rakowitz’s work uses Iraq monuments as a way to reclaim art spaces, the optical illusion inspired wallpapers by Bradley L Bowers, how to responsibly collect Black artists work by Destinee Ross-Sutton, and who showed up and who is responsible for power outages during storm Uri’s in Texas.
Starting off the new year with a look back into history. From the longest running photography atelier, the way fashion reflect social movements, and the Wilmington insurrection.
A 2020 sign off that includes the power of creating change, painting’s relationship with photography, Ed Rucha’s iconography, an art chapel, and otherwordly fashion.
In October 2020, I reflect on three nationally recognized days that are often overlooked. In observation I celebrate Dolores Huerta, Monica Roberts, and Indegenous-owned businesses. + more.
In this post, you’ll see a building that offers heat to entire neighborhoods, a hotel and library that sits within the forest, and an event center built of fungus. Other topics include a prolific botanist in celebration of Mexican Heritage Month, art world news, and a free guide to making pottery. I also created a Spotify playlist inspired by the transition of summer to fall.
Finding inspiration through artists and history. Including Ruth Asawa, a Japanese American artists whose work was featured on USPS stamps. + more.
Barbara Earl Thomas will create a commissioned installation for Yale’s Grace Hopper College that addresses the school’s current namesake and the previous, John C. Calhoun. Dallas’s art industry is reemerging through historical hardships and current ones.
June 2020 was spent reflecting, learning, and listening. Through the art of Jacob Lawrence and Gordon Parks, a dismantling of the exclusive and racist portrayal of history is shown. To share productive ways to fight racism, local organizations are listed. + more.
Is there validation for ‘copycat’ architecture? Is physical museum closure the only way to ensure inclusivity? Listen to what Native American designers and business owners have to say about sustainability and fashion. Use literature as a tool to subvert systemic racism against Black Americans.
Access the documentary Beyond the Visible Hima af Klint, learn about the unveiling of a 15-year-old Dallas Mural, and more.
Here I explain the functionality behind common skincare ingredients while exploring options you can find at local Dallas boutiques.
While we’re at home, we can look towards design, literature, podcasts, and art to elevate our homes into meaningful sanctuaries.
Browse through the films on my ‘to watch’ list from the 2020 Berlin Film Festivale. I’ve also featured Mondo Mondo’s fragrance selections and images from Louis Armstrong’s preserved 1970’s flat.
Here we have my first published Chronicle. I began by researching some influential people who were born during this month and have also left us this month as a reminder for the remain constant in your efforts and personal history.