spring habit

I love cleaning. Some of my happiest moments were cleaning First Samples of Austin, Texas. I was a girl friday among other things, but mostly a janitor. The place was beautiful and full of hope: you can become a seamstress in this beautiful school. I miss it actually.

So this cleaning business. Humble, dirty, and devoid of respect, but I think it is important in my life. And so it shall be that I will devote two hours of each day to beauty. Whether it is my bathroom tile or my hair does not matter. I'm making April a trial run of this. Let's see if I can make it. I'm a supposed model writing you with chipped nails and dirty hair.

The inspiration for this is the Dalai Lama. I'm reading the Story of Tibet by Thomas Laird. His holiness devotes four to five hours daily to meditation. I can spare two for what I feel is important spiritually.

portrait by dorje-d

At Christmas you tell the truth.

Thank you. This goes out to all the artists whether they are struggling or not, thank you. It's Christmas, and at Christmas you tell the truth: life wouldn't be worth living without song, beautiful pictures, and handmade dresses and afghans. This is my life I'm talking about. I read on Jennifer Balkan's mirror a quote, "Art is like sex; an individual can survive without it, but a civilization cannot." So I am thankful for you all, just as you are kind and full of gratitude for people who sit around all day. :smile:

I don't know how to say it - it's your life. Just know that sometimes your art can get a girl through a hellish workday. Just a few minutes looking at a beautiful print can bring her soul back to her. Please don't put your art away...on a shelf, next year when I have time, when the kids are grown. Make time. You can do it. You can balance the mundane with the inspirational. I believe in you.

"The clock was ticking."

Tick tock. The clock inspires so much. Steampunk, Madonna's 4 minutes, and it's the main theme of Lara Croft Tomb Raider. In it there's a scene where she wakes up in the middle of the night to the ticking of a clock. My, she takes out a wall to find the clock. :laugh: I was inspired by that scene one night. No walls were bludgeoned, but I snipped off the second hand of a clock with some wire cutters...then went back to sleep.

Nowadays I am that clock. I keep time for short gesture poses, and if a longer pose gets hard I count the last few minutes for a sense of peace. It's odd to try to mimic the ticking in my head, but it's a little goal of mine. Be as accurate as a clock. We models have weird goals, but I should speak for myself. Just know that I can work peacefully with a ticking clock, no sledgehammers will come out.

Searching for Love

What do you look for in a man, in a woman? Nothing. Everything. Yourself.

I love love stories, but pity the woman who relates to romantic comedies. The films I adore have poetry and pain, and do not always have a happy ending. A few weeks ago I modeled for Bill Lundberg's class. It was odd...but I liked it. I really liked the second pose I did: he had a projector beam an image on my back. For some reason that's romantic to me, because it reminds me of the film The Pillow Book.

Creativity and wonder and love...aren't those the things we wish for? Nagiko of The Pillow Book vows at the age of six to write a pillow book of all the things that make the heart beat faster. It's a beautiful movie that involves her writing books on a Chinese typewriter, something I still long for, as well as calligraphy on beautiful bodies.

Anyway, she falls in love with an English translator and there's a scene where they use a projector when writing calligraphy on each other...I should let you see the movie before I explain more.

United Nations Day

Today is United Nations Day. We have about two hours left of it in my time zone.

All I can think of is Ms. Eleanor Roosevelt. An amazing woman whose name might fall on one of my girls. Right now she seems kind of like a super heroine to me, cuz she wrote a column entitled 'My Day' every day. My God, I'm proud of myself when I can get this up twice a week! I'm sorry, lemme get back to Ms. Eleanor. She was appointed one of the first five American delegates for the United Nations General Assembly by President Harry Truman. Through Eleanor's leadership the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was ratified by the United Nations, and at that time she received a standing ovation from the delegates.

This blog is about beauty. Yes, mostly modeling but beauty as a whole. There will be posts on Keep Austin Beautiful in the future. I admire Eleanor for all the inner beauty and grit she possessed. She still amazes me. Perhaps I can get this blog up three times a week.

Happy United Nations Day! Now get some sleep!

Coco Avant Chanel

I'm kinda sick of shoes, they remind me of a horrible man who had a fetish with them. Sorry. They just do. ... But for those who don't have bad memories with a certain man: geta, klompen and babouches - zori! Have fun, y'all.

I'm moody today, the main reason I'll tell you tomorrow, but I saw Coco Avant Chanel this rainy afternoon. I love Coco. She didn't have an ounce of charm in her, and she made it. I love that. Sometimes I wish I didn't play geisha or most honorable guest. Dammit - I'm sweet! Mama made me that way and ... I don't know how not to be. I'm pretty too, so that means ... I got it made?

What's more important than my innate gifts are courage and grit. What use is a pretty doll if she is to be tossed out for a new model? Who is to enjoy beauty if it is to be destroyed (read: raped) and the law proceeds to blame her beauty for the crime? I wore hooker boots out tonight and enjoyed them. After the movie I enjoyed them more. Coco Chanel was brave, why shan't I be? Watch it. It's at Regal Cinema 8 at Great Hills in Austin. Below is the trailer.

Time Machine

So we're ready for our journey, much like Nellie was back in 1889 except we need one more thing. A precious time machine. If we don't have it there is no likely way we could discover all the intriguing mysteries around the world! I do apologize, but I've been reading a children's novel all afternoon. Well, too bad we'll use our imagination...it can get us anywhere. It's true!

Nellie Bly was a journalist in New York, and started her journey there heading off to Great Britain and so on around the world. However since we are going into the past I thought it would be fitting to have her itinerary backwards as well. Today, 2009, we'll travel to San Francisco first and onwards around the world. Til then!

Nellie Bly

I introduce to you Nellie Bly. She was the journalist who ventured around the world solo in a time when women were usually chaperoned. In fact, she beat the fictional Phileas Fogg's record of 80 days by over a week in advance: 72 days 6 hours and 11 minutes. Nellie Bly will be our tourguide of the world in the days to come, but for now, we're packing.

Nellie Bly traveled lightly. She carried a bag that's dimensions were 16 inches wide and 7 inches high. Inspired by her I bought a really pretty, but tiny duffel bag. It is long like hers and about the same dimensions aforementioned. I carry it on long trips like Nellie, but for the most part I use it for modeling.

Hmm...what to wear? Yes, you all know the answer to that when it comes to my work. But I do bring cloth(es) to work. There is the sitting mat which I have, because not all the places I model launder the cushions I sit on. My robe is also packed and a case of CDs. When all are in use, my clothes stay concealed. Believe me, it's really awkward fishing out your business card with underwear in the same bag. Hence the second bag. Well, it's getting late. I should finish packing. G'night!

To question...

My daddy's a scientist. When I was young he told me, "to question everything!" Everything. We'd go to museums and national parks during the summer, and how I dreaded the long pondering of why x was that way. When you are little an hour seemed like a lifetime, and so did his lectures. Perhaps lectures is the proper term, but rather they were him thinking aloud. Now his lectures are interesting for me since I can debate with my father, but then...sheesh!

I question culture: systems and structures of society. I can't travel at present moment, so I read about different peoples of the world. It's fascinating to me. The reason why I am so curious is because another society can function on a totally alien social system and work. It gives me the understanding that x doesn't have to be in our culture. In other words, "that's just the way it is," holds no bearing for me.

Thank you father. I'll give you a ring later. All this is leading up to is I will look at different beauties around the world, question and understand them. Take care til then.

Seneca Falls Convention: July 19th and 20th, 1848

Collective memory makes a society. I almost forgot that today was the anniversary of the Seneca Falls Convention. But I am here to redeem myself. It's usually an 'f' word to be a feminist nowadays, but really I would be shaming those who gave me the basic right to vote, and to own property among other things. I am happily a feminist who studied Feminist Theory at Oxford. So in honor of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, the writers of the Declaration of Sentiments, I will present you the Art Models Basic Rights tomorrow. The Seneca Falls Convention lasted two days, and this will too. Just know that this crucial event to women's rights began today. Please comment with what you think should be included. It's vain to think I can do this by myself. I want to be Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the radical who thought women's suffrage should be included in the document. Who will you be?

:poem:

to see the world in a grain of sand

and to see heaven in a wild flower

hold infinity in the palm of your hand

and eternity in an hour.

-william blake

I stare at dirt. I get paid for it actually. There are smudges on windows and cracks in walls, but dirt is my favorite.

It's crazy how calm you can get by holding poses. The only sense of time you have is the number of songs that have played. But if you let go of that...peace. Simple peace.

Summer by Mucha

There's something poetic about a midsummer night. Beautiful about watching the sun set late in the evening.

Yet, all I did was finish a list of chores. Yes, I finished a book. Yes, I made dinner, took out the trash, and figured out a logo. But I haven't seen the sun rise or fall intentionally for 3 years...or maybe 4. Isn't that sad?

I feel good that I attune myself to the seasons, although there are really only two in Austin. But really, I stay inside most of the time. Trust me, I'm not bored. I sew, I read, and practice yoga. Just wanted to make a confession in hopes that a friend will take me to see a sunset or sunrise.

PS The painting is one of Alphonse Mucha's seasons, this one marking the summer solstice.

Palomas at my Window

I love looking out my balcony.  There's a tree and usually you can watch birds sitting in it. Quite beautiful, actually.  I don't know my birds that well so this may all be a lie.  I was looking out and I saw a beautiful turtle dove just walking back and forth on my ledge with a twig in its beak.

Most wouldn't think anything of it, but I take it as an omen.  She's building a nest; I'm building a foundation of what hopefully will be a strong organization.  Anyway, it was beautiful and I'm glad something gave me hope this morning.

I don't know how far these words travel, but I hope Paloma Art Models Guild inspires you to make a union/guild of your own.  I'm very proud that we are second in a google search for 'art model guilds,' but truly we don't have too much competition.  There are two other guilds that I know of for art models: Bay Area Models Guild and DC Area Figure Models Guild.  Two.  There are fifty states that compose the grand United States with countless art models and art schools.  But even if one models guild is inspired by this post I would be delighted.  Let me know if there are other guilds that google searches do not represent, and happily prove me wrong.  Good luck to you.

Touch Me I'm Real

God, that sounds like a stupid song lyric. But am I? Most of you haven't even seen me. Are these words real? I believe thoughts are real, words, a lot of other things, and art. What impacts me are ideas, other cultures, and fabric. My life needs to be filled with the tangible for some reason. I can't stand sitting at the computer for too long. For me, fabric is the beauty in the mundane.

This isn't about me...or at least it's trying not to be. I'm watching "What Dreams May Come," with Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding, Jr. Got up and sat at the computer just after Cuba said, "Thought is real. Physical is the illusion." The connection that Chris and his wife Annie (Annabella Sciorra) have is so deep that they communicate even through death. She paints, and he can see her emotions. I've heard that this is the most sacred of loves in the Vedic Tradition, to love without needing their presence. Just the thought of them is enough.

As far as I know the world is an illusion in the Vedic Tradition. If I am wrong, please correct me. But it's beautiful ain't it?! The world is filled with so much joy to experience. For me, I need color. Lots of it. I am so happy to see others sit down and create. They put out their ideas and attempt to make them part of this collective world. Therefore, my two jobs are perfect for me. I'm surrounded in creativity both of art and fabric. And oddly enough, I enjoy shelving fabric...touching beauty.

Perhaps reading a philosophy book is better than reading my rant. Perhaps sipping warm coffee is better too, whichever you like, they are both real.

True Beauty

"Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

I will tell you a secret. I usually think it's too mushy to say, but today it's appropriate. How I became a model.

What inspires you? For me, it is old ladies with so many stories they gush...and you want to sit there and stay. Yes, an old lady saying, "That is me," referring to herself in a painting inspired me to model. I've never met her, but her pride made the TV glow. I love women who can hold themselves up in a dignified way. They know who they are and are determined to be just that.

I model for ladies...and men, but usually women are the painters. This is my own experience and not a generalization. Seriously, if you want advise on marriage ask these women. It's nice. Advise, kindness, it's all there at open-studio sessions. I hope I am as beautiful as them in my old age.

Inspiration

I've been reading the biography of Tori Amos.  It's rather a story of her sources of inspiration.  Part cedar chest full of beauty intwined into songs, part history of hers and those before her.  She reveals her Source as she discusses her compositions piece by piece.

I love intelligent women.  Reading about her makes me want to read more.  I do - I stopped reading one book to read this.  But, her book gives me a sense of wonder that I hope to never lose.  Someday I will get to Joseph Campbell, Barbara Walker, and Jungian theory, books waiting for me in my bookcase, and I hope I will still ponder when I shut them.

I wish for you a life full of wonder, for the world is a large place with many worlds intertwined.  

A New Year

I celebrate Winter.  I love it.  Snowflakes and icicles, skating rinks and scarves.  This past Tuesday for a modeling gig, I dressed up as the Snow Queen departing for her season was almost over.  And today, it is.

Today is the first day of Spring.  It's almost sad for me, but there are Alphonse Mucha's seasons that are so beautiful.  So it's not that bad.  I loved how today our President celebrated the new year of Iran in his own diplomatic way.  

Today is Nowruz, an ancient, traditional Persian holiday that is tied to the government.  It is a day of pardoning prisoners, allowing the public to have an audience, and monetary gifts.  Being the new year as well, one celebrates the turning of a new leaf.  For me, I will study yoga more so that my body becomes stronger.

 

The Little Mermaid

I'm losing my voice.  It's slowly getting quieter and quieter.  It seems to most that I am soft-spoken lady, but I know that I am in pain.

Today I did this pose, and I couldn't help thinking of mermaids.  I love fairy tales.  In my youth I was lucky enough to visit Hans Christian Anderson's home in Denmark.  I loved their coins at the time (they were shaped like donuts).  But anyway,  I feel like I've lost my voice in a reverse "Little Mermaid" story.  She loses her voice to catch the boy; I lose my voice when he leaves.  

I love stories about sirens.  Perhaps I'll quietly read about them and get better.

fever

I know it's an old song, but I have 'Fever' sung by Madonna stuck in my head. I'm sick as a dog and am impressed that I can even sit down and write this. Hopefully, y'all won't get any viruses. :laugh:

I love how she can transform herself so easily. Almost every video and certainly every show she performs is a production. Themes and costumes galore. At the Windberg Art Center up in Georgetown, TX I model with costumes weekly. Thankfully, I have all winter break to make/buy some new ones. Usually, I go to thriftstores like St. Vincent de Paul on South Congress and sometimes I splurge at Marigold and Parts and Labour to get something new. One week I bought a feather clip at P & L for a flapper outfit. Anyway, I'm definitely not doing anything today. Works done. Take care.

Caprice in Purple and Gold: The Golden Screen

What's life without inspiration? I needed a break and you do too. So here is what inspires me to model. I've always leaned towards Asian art and everything else. As a girl my mother took me to the Freer and the Sackler Museums in DC. Here's a favorite Whistler. She is so elegant - isn't she?I love her robe! I wonder whether it is brocade our some other beautiful fabric. When I get my act together I will buy fabric from Silk Roads and make more robes. Right now I get by with two. Working full-time though...I can't wash them quick enough. But this is my inspiration: to make many beautiful robes.