February 23rd - 11:51

Title: February 23rd - 11:51 Medium: Super-8 film Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Resolution: 2880 x 2160 File Type: H.264 Codec / MP4. Comments: Once landed in Colombia I took a 2 hour cab ride to a part of Cartagena that was outside the old city. I had no idea where I was going or what I was doing. But I had a trusted taxi driver thanks to my friend Ana. He took great care of me and barely spoke English. I was in Colombia for one day before heading off to Jamaica so had some time to rest on the breezy beach and enjoy the sunshine reflecting on the ocean. Idanys was working at breakfast time and her smile and bright yellow dress caught my eye. I knew deep down this was the person I had to photograph, but she was on the clock. She also did not speak english so her co-worker translated for us. Luckily, it was about to be her break in an hour so I drank a few more glasses of passion fruit juice and waited for the window of opportunity to make art with her. She walked me over to a quiet part on the beach and pointed towards the water. She walked in calmly and smiley. Held her dress and was dancing in the water for the duration of the shoot. She stood with such poise and dignity. The sun shined on her so perfectly. Everything about this moment was in harmony with nature and what felt like the universe. The broken waves even posed for us. We wrapped up the shoot after making a few portraits on my Rollie-flex while we were out here. I walked her back to the kitchen and said farewell. I packed up my camera and went back to the beach to swim and meditate on the sands. Napped in a hammock and read a book. I was alone for the first time in months. On a beach in Colombia. It was me and the sound of the waves. Mental clarity. 12 hours of freedom until the clock struck midnight. Until the new day began and groundhog day commenced. To find another person somewhere else in the world to make art with. Once the shutter clicks and the portrait is made the stress fades away. A sense of survival meets completion. Every single day. A part of my brain smooths out like kneaded dough when the work is completed. As if I can finally relax or take a deep breath. The shutter is the transition of emotions; a physical processing to the computational mind. Where the stress leaves and the mind become at ease. Just for a little while. Like sitting on the beach watching the waves gently hugging your toes before pulling back to the sea. The oceans kiss. Art is a similar feeling for the heart and mind. Transforming a thought into feeling. When finding someone to make their portrait is half the process, and seeing them to convey them is the other. Endurance and Creativity. Like a knight with his sword and shield. Or a magician with her staff and cloak.