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.
Chronicles | April 2020
Access the documentary Beyond the Visible Hima af Klint, learn about the unveiling of a 15-year-old Dallas Mural, and more.
A R T
Time Traveler Hilma af Klint
Serendipity led me to attend the Guggenheim's exhibition Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future last year. Klint's abilities left me in awe to the extent that it felt indescribable to those who didn’t get to see in person. Luckily, a Hilma af Klint documentary came out this month. It’s not on big-name screening services but, I found a list of theaters from Zeitgeist Films that were intending on screening Beyond the Visible - Hilma af Klint, and for now, offer online showings. I chose to purchase my ticket from Cinema 21, a small theater located in Portland, OR. You can stream it here. The documentary is directed by Halina Dyrschka and shines a light on the concepts behind Klint’s work and her life trajectory while confronting the male-dominated art world.
L O C A L
Remember This?
Lately, I’ve been driving through the city, taking in the scenery I’ve grown accustomed to overlooking. This month, Robert Wyland’s mural Whaling Wall was unveiled after being covered by large scale advertisements sense 2005. I found it funny that although the last time I saw the artwork was 15 years ago, it was engaged in my mind so well, that I didn’t notice it was ever gone. I encourage those who are able, to take a look. Read PaperCity’s reporting on Whaling Wall for further information on the mural’s history.
M U S I C
Aries Energy
Aries are known for their radical ideas and call to action. I’ve always felt it was special that Al Green and Marvin Gaye were Aries because their music ignites such energy and intent. This month Bill Whether passed away and rightfully so, he finds himself on my roster of influential Aries too. I thought about who else can be added and created a playlist.
Although Thundercat had to cancel his tour, that didn’t stop the release of his newest album It Is What It Is. James Lawson’s album review from Stereoboard describes Thundercat’s intent more sufficiently than I can, as music reviews are not my forte. Lawson writes; “Throughout, the LP is punctuated by unexpected bursts of humour. It soon becomes clear that rather than investigating grief in isolation, Bruner has written about living with grief as an omnipresent but secondary character. This is achieved with a level of candor that manages to take the Thundercat alter ego, as over-the-top and cartoonish as it is, and portray it delicately, honestly and believably”. Thundercat’s music exists in various realms but, if I had to narrow it down for those unfamiliar, I’d define his work as funk, soul, jazz, and electronic-influenced.
After seven years, The Strokes released their most recent album The New Abnormal. This comes at an opportune moment. I’ve been reminiscing on the last time I felt unrestrained with what I do, it was in middle school when I was obsessively teaching myself how to play songs from Is This It, Room on Fire, and First Impressions Of Earth.
P L A C E S
New York & New Orleans
A year ago I spent the first week of April in New Orleans and the last two weeks of April in New York City for work, it was my first time there. I’ve always loved New Orleans and although it took time and reflection to admit it, I love New York too. These cities have been affected by so much throughout history and now COVID-19 takes its jab. I look on at these images I took fondly in the hopes to revisit one day.
Carmo will be my first stop in New Orleans, the restaurant that fed me so well, and offered sweet hospitality after a long mishap filled road trip. Somehow, I’m eager to go on another time-warped, 17-mile walk, through Manhattan and Brooklyn to find solace in dollar slices and Italian restaurants like Fiore at the end of my day.
Personal Care | Dallas Based Shops for Skincare Needs
Here I explain the functionality behind common skincare ingredients while exploring options you can find at local Dallas boutiques.
Hello,
I don’t want my skincare knowledge to go to waste while I’m unable to guide people through their regimens in person. I’ve composed a list of quality skincare products from smaller companies that can all be purchased from Dallas based businesses. Even if you’re not a Dallas-local, you can most likely find these items in a boutique closer to you or, opt to shop from the shops I’ve listed.
Enjoy!
G L O S S A R Y
Fatty Acids - strengthen the surface of the skin making for a more smooth texture.
Emollients - help retain moisture, softens, and soothes the skin.
Humectants - substances that help withhold moisture.
Tocopherol - is a form of Vitamin E which is hydrating and antioxidant-rich.
Panthenol - is vitamin b5. It is a humectant and soothes the skin.
Niacinimide - is vitamin b3. It strengths the skin, is soothing, restores hydration, and evens skin tone.
Antioxidants - assist in repairing and protecting our surface cells which become damaged by free radicals causing oxidation. Think about the discoloration of a sliced apple left on the counter. By squeezing lemon juice on the apple, it prevents browning making the lemon an antioxidant in this scenario.
Collagen Production - occurs naturally in our skin but lessens as we age. Collagen is important in helping our skin renew itself, retain moisture, and improve in texture.
L I P C A R E
Lip care can be used in particularly dry areas of the body as a salve. Our lips have many layers of skin meaning a need for a higher boost in hydration to suffice. This is why I recommend using a dense lip product for dry hands as a helpful trick.
Le Baume can be bought from Marcel Market. I’m highlighting the option that’s naturally fragranced with violet as I know the ingredient to be softening, hydrating, and antiseptic. Other quality ingredients include; Shea Butter (high in fatty acids & is an emollient), Tocopherol, Sea Buckthorne (antioxidant-rich), and Honey (anti-inflammatory).
If you prefer a traditional applicator try Nash and Jones’s Lip Balm available at All Good Things. It contains Avacado Oil (fatty acid-rich), Beeswax, Tocopherol, and Peppermint (soothing but avoid around the eyes).
C L E A N S E R
Magic Hour Shop has a solid collection of skincare items. For a daily and or nightly face wash, I’d direct anyone towards Lauren’s All Purpose’s Serum. To use this product as an oil cleanser, apply 8 drops into your hands and gently massage on your face and neck then rinse. Please don’t be wary to try an oil cleanser even if your skin is oily! The way an oil-based cleanser function is that its oils attract your oils. Ingredients in Lauren’s All-Purpose Serum are; Hemp Seed Oil (balances excess & depleted oils), Burdock Root (anti-inflammatory & antibacterial), and Rose Otto Oil (helps to maintain elasticity in the skin & is very hydrating).
An overlooked approach to face washing is using your oil cleanser daily and reaching for a clay-based masque for a twice-weekly deep cleanse. The masques I’ll reference can also be purchased at Magic Hour Shop. If your skin is on the dry side I would go for the rose quartz masque and if you’re oilier, the vitamin C masque. Poppy and Someday’s Rose Quartz Face Mask contains; Rose Quartz and White Kaolin Clay (decongesting & gently exfoliating), Rosehip (boosts collagen production), Lavender (balancing to excess oils), and Chamomile (anti-inflammatory). The other option is Palermo Body’s Vitamin C Mask with; Pink Clay (decongesting & gently exfoliating), Rosehip, Strawberry Extract (antioxidant-rich), Hibiscus (high in alpha-hydroxy acid which is another gentle exfoliation), and Chamomile.
T O N E R
A toner is essential in my opinion. Visualize a toner as a primer, your skin as a canvas, making the steps that follow the painting. To reiterate, the toner comes after any product you wash off and before the products you’ll leave on. A good toner feels balanced and light in hydration. My advice is to avoid traditional astringent toners in general because they’re quite aggressive on the skin and can potentially cause more trouble in the long term even if they do offer short term results (this is relevant for those with blemishes and oiler skin).
You can order Noto’s Basil Yarrow Mist at Shop Commerce to use as a toner. This product offers; Rose Water (hydrating), Witch Hazel (antiseptic & balances excess oils), Basil (antioxidant-rich), Chamomile (anti-inflammatory), Ylang Ylang, and Lavender (both balance excess oils). This is a good option for all skin types, particularly oily and combination.
Poppy and Someday’s Gypsy Rose Toner from Magic Hour is based with; Rose Otto Oil, Evening Primrose (fatty acid-rich), and Witch Hazel (balancing & cleansing to pores). This would make more sense for those with dry, sensitive, and mature skin. However, I don’t see the harm in other types trying it out as well.
M O I S T U R I Z E R
At All Good Things you’ll find Freck’s Lil Prick Cactus Seed Dry Serum although I’d argue this would make a really nice moisturizer for oily, blemish-prone, combination, and sensitive skin. For dry skin, I would layer this product underneath another hydrator. Ingredients are; Prickly Pear (anti-inflammatory & can even skin tone), Sweet Almond (hydrating ), Grape Seed Oil (anti-oxidant rich), Rosemary (antiseptic), and Tocopherol.
Shop Commerce carries Alder New York Everyday Face Serum and Alder New York Every Day Moisturizer. The moisturizer is geared for dry, normal, combo, sensitive, and dehydrated skin. While oily skin types could use this at night. This moisturizer contains; Hyaluronic Acid (retains moisture in the skin), Glyceral Ascorbate (vitamin C which aids in hyperpigmentation & is an antioxidant), Oatmeal (soothing), Sunflower (vitamin E rich), Panthenol (vitamin b5) and, Aloe Vera (soothing). While the serum has; Niacinamide (vitamin b3), Rosemary, Willow Bark (soothing & cleansing to pores), Panthenol (vitamin b5), and Hyaluronic Acid. The serum could be useful to anyone.
Those seeking to aid with irritation, redness, and inflammation could try Fat and the Moon’s Moon Milk at Magic Hour Shop. It is comprised of; Rosewater (anti-inflammatory), Hemp Seed (balancing to both dry & oily concerns), Coconut Milk Powder (nutrient-rich & makes for milky consistency), Hyaluronic Acid (retains moisture in the skin), and Elderberry (antioxidant-rich).
Poppy and Someday’s Sea and Sun Shield at Magic Hour Shop would be a good item to incorporate for everyone. If you’re oily use it as a moisturizer and if you’re dry go ahead and layer it. It has; Carrot Seed Oil (high vitamin E), Sea buckthorn (antioxidant), Frankincense (aids in hyperpigmentation), Sandalwood (anti-inflammatory), Lavender (balancing), and Rose Geranium (antibacterial).
S K I N T Y P E S
I’ll offer some guidance below for those who are having trouble defining your skin type but most importantly, don’t overthink it!
Normal skin doesn’t feel tight, flaky, patchy, textured, overtly oily by the end of the day, or visibly congested. If you have no persistent concerns with your skin, my recommendation is trialing products one at a time to develop a routine that makes sense for your lifestyle and environment.
Dry Skin cannot produce enough oil. Flaking and patchiness can be seen and feeling tight after cleansing is common. Use nourishing ingredients in each step of your routine not just a bountiful amount of lotion.
Sensitive Skin doesn’t just mean you’re prone to breakouts. I would define truly sensitive skin as reactive to weather, allergens, and is easily inflamed resulting in rashes. Sensitive skin needs simplicity, hydration, and soothing ingredients above all other concerns.
Mature Skin is usually dry because our ability to retain moisture, produce vitamins, and collagen slows down rapidly roughly after age 30. You’ll need to focus on hydrating and protecting your skin at this point. Don’t fixate on if a product claims anti-aging results rather select formulations that are nourishing, have fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Oily Skin feels greasy, sometimes coarse in texture, and can have more of a chance for clogged pores. If you have oily skin, aim for balancing it not stripping everything away. It’s still vital to moisturize even if you suffer from oiliness because you can still be dehydrated. In some cases, people’s skin appears oily because it’s so depleted of nourishment.
Combination is most usually experienced as oiliness across the forehead and nose while feeling normal to dry on the cheeks. Similar to approach with sensitive skin, aim for simplicity. Just because your skin may feel many different ways doesn’t mean you need many different products. Again look for balance, perhaps try a decongesting cleanser, a nourishing toner, and a lightweight moisturizer.
Blemishes can occur on any skin type. As someone who is acne-prone, my greatest advice is don’t try and dry out your concerns with harsh ingredients. Instead, looking for decongesting and anti-inflammatory properties. Fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants are really important to ease scaring after a severe breakout.
Chronicles | March 2020
While we’re at home, we can look towards design, literature, podcasts, and art to elevate our homes into meaningful sanctuaries.
A R T
Making Art Digitally Accessible, Should Be More of a Effort Even Post-Pandemic
Many galleries are archiving their installations and artists’ talks on social media including Talley Dunn where the piece featured above by Francesca Fuchs is currently on display. A snippet from Fuchs’s exhibition statement reads, “Thickly oil-painted ceramics of mugs are paired with paintings of objects and paintings of paintings. Fuchs jostles images of last century stylizations with representations of classical art and the domestically mundane. From a framed image of the Pantheon in her childhood home to the unassuming mugs she uses to drink her daily tea, Fuchs’ subjects are drawn from her immediate surroundings.”
Realted, Glasstire published a new series called, Five-Minute Tours which features Texas-based exhibition walkthroughs. On a global scale, you can virtually tour internationally recognized museums by way of Google Arts & Culture.
D E S I G N
Yuko Nishikawa
Design Milk highlighted the work of multi-media artist Yuko Nishikawa this month, specifically noting her hand made ceramic lights. I enjoy her process of developing characters for each sculpture series and turning them into functional objects by adding lumination. See Keisha Badalge’s write up here to learn more about her process and collections.
Ryan Lawson
Being homebound has led me to delve deep into interior design references. Through this, I found the home of Ryan Lawson, a designer himself, featured in an Architectural Digest’s piece by Paola Singer titled, A Showpiece of Studied Juxtaposition in the Hamptons. Although I can get behind the simplicity of minimalism, I find the trend to be a little sterile because of how much I value using art, color, texture, and memorabilia in the home. Lawson’s house styled by Colin King and photographed by Chris Mottalini (who also photographed the images of Louis Armstrong’s preserved apartment in my last post) does a commendable job at blending minimal and maximal.
L I T E R A T U R E
Local Book Stores
D Magazine’s article features suggestions by Deep Vellum’s founder Will Evans. Out of his recommendations, Heather Harper Ellett’s East Texas-based fictional mystery, Ain’t Nobody Nobody was most compelling to me. Additionally, Deep Vellum is offering digital care package’s which include four digital books for $20. Keep in mind you can also order books online from local bookstores like Interabang Books and Half Price Books too. For art-related reads, I’ve been looking towards an article for Artsy, 13 Art Dealers Share the Books That Helped Them Navigate the Art World. For any other genres, I would suggest perusing NPR’s Favorite Books of 2019.
L O C A L
Small Businesses to Support
Aiming to help maintain small business during this time is a personal focus, D Magazine published a running linked here. WFAA also published one and I’ll feature places to support accordingly as well. While I look forward to expanding to this, any suggestions are warmly welcomed in this post’s comments. An item from a locally based candle shop I have my eye on is “Alexandra”, a candle made of Lavender & Vetiver from Old Flame Candle Co. The reason being, the vessel’s history of a 1970’s ginger jar, the combination of two of my favorite scents, and you know…its namesake. Yet I’m most excited about my new wallet by Admonish pictured below.
Its structure is minimal with black hand-stitched detail around the exterior. The color is a warm brown that transitions between patterns of dark clay, medium amber, and golden-toned highlights. Their small studio began in 2019 where they continue to focus on quality handmade leather goods.
M U S I C
Bob Dylan Knows About Dallas
There were plenty of releases that I had on repeat this month but I decided to showcase Bob Dylan’s Murder Most Foul. It’s his latest published song after eight years and resonates more like a spoken word poem. He speaks about the murder of JFK with clever metaphors, descriptive visualizations, and stories of sociologic happenings in the 1960s that are perhaps relevant now. All the while detailed references to Dallas interestingly intertwined.
You can view Dylan’s lyrics on Genius.
P E O P L E
The Strength of Mexican Women
Tw: Sexism & Violence
On March 9th women of Mexico, collectively protested Femicide resulting in over 80,000 participants leaving metro stations, offices, and schools void of their presence. Some companies were able to give women a paid day off in observance as the need to showcase the consequences of the rapid rise of Femicide is dire. I’d like to applaud all those that able to be involved by reflecting on the work of Frida Kahlo.
Self Portrait - Time Flies, 1929
Fruit of Life, 1953
The Suicide of Dorothy Hale, 1938
What the Water Gave Me, 1938
Still Life with Parrot and Fruit, 1951
P O D C A S T
If you’re looking for a podcast, I recommend Invisibilia published by NPR hosted by Alix Spiegel and Hanna Rosin. Its description reads, “Unseeable forces control human behavior and shape our ideas, beliefs, and assumptions. Invisibilia—Latin for invisible things—fuses narrative storytelling with science that will make you see your own life differently.” Many of my personal project ideas stem from the sources presented in this series.
Chronicles | February 2020
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.
A R T
Embracing Fear and Failure
The NOWNESS series Photographers in Focus highlighted Alec Soth’s work for February. In the short film by Joppe Rog, Soth speaks about his career, his intent, and the subject of failure. Soth previously had a conversation with Aaron Schuman featured on Magnum Photo’s Theory and Practice where he explained, “A common mistake I make while shooting with sheet film is accidentally double-exposing the film. I did this last year while shooting in Warsaw and ended up loving the result.“
D E S I G N
Louis Armstrong’s Home
Although Louis Armstrong’s preserved apartment has been standing untouched since his passing in 1971, The New York Times published an article this month titled, Louis Armstrong, The King of Queens which showcases images of and histories about his home. Thanks to the article, I learned that $12 will get you into a house tour.
Chris Mottalini captured the home’s images above for an article published by Curbed in 2018, Visiting Louis Armstrong’s ‘Wonderful World’. The author, Rebecca Bengal conveys a story of Armstrong’s neighborhood concerning Jazz and identity.
F I L M
Berlin Film Festival
I’ll preface that AnOther’s article, Ten Films You’ll Want to Watch from the 2020 Berlin Film Festival, are in fact films I intend to watch. This year marks the festival’s 70th edition. Narrowed from Another’s breakdown I’ve selected three most interesting to me.
Berlin Alexanderplatz was originally a story conceived by Alfred Döblin in 1929 and I’m curious how the 2020 film references our current political climate. The contemporary narrative follows the story of an African immigrant’s promise to be a good person if his life is spared but the circumstances don’t make it all that easy.
Uppercase Print references duality and censorship. It’s a split story of one part anti-regime teenager circa 1981 in Romania and one part the government’s portrayal of him.
Zero is a documentary about Dr. Masatomo Yamamoto, a renowned and prolific Japanese psychiatrist. At age 82, he has decided to retire to care for his wife full-time which leaves his patents wondering what will happen to them now.
L O C A L
Censorship at Our Galleries
To me, the closing of 500x Gallery marks an end of a Dallas art era. Although, we as artists and art admirers hope for sufficient relocation, 500 Exposition Avenue was home to the gallery for 41 years. As censorship plays a role in the landlord’s decision to abruptly dislocate the gallery, I wonder if Dallas will ever actually let itself be more than the high-brow art hub it values so much.
M U S I C
Valentine’s Day happened and I published a playlist of songs about love that mostly makes you want to groooove.
P E O P L E
If you haven’t been already, I’d like to introduce you to Christina Koch & Christine Sun Kim. These two women were sources of establishing monumental moments in history this February.
Christina Koch returned to Earth after orbiting space for 328 days, breaking the record for the longest spaceflight completed by a woman and second-longest spaceflight in U.S history. Space freaks me out, and with that being said, documentation of her travels on through Instagram accompanied by her existential descriptions make me feel some type of way. In her last photo from the perspective of space the view of our blue planet shows with a caption that reads; “What will I miss? The exquisite beauty of both the planet Earth and this marvel that its amazing people create.” I encourage you to read up on her accomplishments during her mission here.
Christine Sun Kim is a multi-media artist who became the first Asian American deaf woman to sign the anthem at the Super Bowl. I’m particularly interested in this story because often conceptual artists and sporting events do not go hand in hand. I have strong concerns about what our society decides to glorify and invest in. Kim expressed disappointment that she was only featured for a couple of seconds of air time yet, her work is prolific and her performance was a breakthrough.
T H I N G S
Aromas
I discovered Mondo Mondo’s fragrance High Lonesome while researching product packaging. After investigating, I learned the aroma was inspired by the desert and the remainder of their collection proved just as intriguing. I opted to trial their package of seven permanent fragrance samples. While I enjoyed each of them, my favorites were The Center of The World, Doll, and Cowboy. Center of The World is the most subtle option in comparison but I enjoy how the fresh and earthy aroma lays on my skin. I am often disappointed with rose interpretations but Doll is spot on for credentials, it’s comforting and real. Cowboy is my favorite because it smells like Texas. Specifically, a freshly cut and watered lawn that had been warmed by the sun all day while hints of honeysuckle nectar flow through the air.
Chronicles | January 2020
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.
D E S I G N
Maison&Object’s Paris Art Fair was held January 17th - 22nd, the theme being regeneration. Two of my favorite concepts are as followed.Marking the 10th anniversary of the Brokis Muffin lights designed by Lucie Koldova and Dan Yeffet, the lamp now comes in options of mahogany, palisander, and marble. Tom Dixon’s series Swirl marries psychedelic patterns and Italian post-modernism.
“A family of candleholders, bookends, vases and tables, each with their own distinct silhouette, colouration and personality. Substantial in weight, smooth in texture and bold in pattern, Swirl will inject a fresh pop sensibility into any setting.”
L I T E R A T U R E
ArtReview is a contemporary art magazine with a long-standing history beginning in 1949. The January & February 2020 issue covers an array of topics. VALIE EXPORT is displayed on the cover where inside you’ll find a video piece of hers converted into written poetry. Topics of art and linguistics are considered throughout conversations with and about Thu Van Tran, Adrian Lahoud, and Lari Pittman. Yet, most intriguing to me is ArtReview’s columnist Carla Young’s reporting on, “a current trend of quoting landscape and ecology in runway shows, and wondering whether nature has become the ultimate luxury.”
“In 1967, she changed her name to VALIE EXPORT—written in uppercase letters, like an artistic logo—shedding her father’s and husband’s names and appropriating her new surname from a popular brand of cigarettes.”
L O C A L
Aroma
Society by Jackson Vaughn is a boutique shop in Dallas’s Bishop Arts District centered around handmade candles. I reacquainted myself with their range this month and found four particular aromas I was drawn towards. I picked up West Third Brand’s Eu de Toilette, Old Bourbon because of my bourbon bias. A mixture of sweet, citrus, woody, and warm notes are merged into a summer scent for those of us who enjoy wearing earthy fragrances year-round. Sydney Hale Co’s Woodsmoke + Amber comes in the form of a home fragrance and candle. The woodsmoke isn’t too overpowering because the amber balances it out softly. The two candles I enjoyed most are from Jackson Vaughn’s Proprietary Collection which is numbered 01 through 12. The description of warm ginger root and sun-dried hemp immediately caught my attention persuading me to pick up number 08 and smell. I found it to be beautiful and sunny but not in a citrus way. Finally, we have 01 which seemed most experimental in its conception by using eggplant, sandalwood, and basil. To my pleasure, this candles gives that feeling of spring without following conventional influences such as “clean linen” or “oceanside”.
P E O P L E
Kobe Bryant
In memory of Kobe Bryant’s vigor, dedication, and passion I’ve linked a poem he wrote titled Dear Basketball upon announcing his 2016 retirement.
John Baldessari
Although for whatever reason, I was never too keen on John Baldessari’s work, I respect him as an influential force in the development of conceptual art. Baldessari passed away January 2nd and I urge those that are both familiar and not to reflect on his work.
Aaliyah
Aaliyah is a timeless style and musical icon who we all tend to collectively celebrate ever so slightly more on her birthday, January 16th. This year she would have been 41. In a 2001 New York Times article, Kelefa Sanneh describes the power of listening to Aaliyah, “Where some divas insist on being the center of the song, she knew how to disappear into the music, how to match her voice to the baseline - it was sometimes difficult to tell one from the other.”
Sade
Sade’s birthday was also on January 16th. She’s someone I look towards when I question the value originality holds. “I only make records when I feel I have something to say. I’m not interested in releasing music just for the sake of selling something. Sade is not a brand.” - Sade.
Susan Sontag
Susan Sontag, again born January 16th, was a prolific writer and philosopher. She was also a filmmaker and activist. Roughly seven years ago I read her essays On Photography and Regarding the Pain of Others. Reading her explain such complex ideas felt mind-bending but, eventually in a good way. I would recommend giving it a go.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton celebrated her 74th birthday on the 19th. Parton’s philanthropy work shouldn’t be undermined, I aspire to achieve her ability to make things happen.
Martin Luther King Jr
January 15th marked what would’ve been Martin Luther King Jr’s 91st birthday. While I do appreciate the quotes, speeches, images, and writings we share on this specific day, I wanted to research something I haven’t learned before. In my findings, I read an article that a woman in Arizona unknowingly purchased a tape recording at a thrift store for $3 that was a rare speech of MLK’s recorded in 1964. It took place on Arizona State University grounds and the school has the recording now open and linked to the public here.
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.