what is your craft? Fueling my publication, SUSPEND Magazine. Keeps me present in every moment, mindful of who I meet and my surroundings, teaches me to forever and always remain a student. There is never an end to education and learning new things.
what are you most afraid of? Waking up feeling empty and without my family. Not being creatively fulfilled. Never having children to share my stories and experiences with.
where do you get your drive from? From already existing printed matter (publications, newspapers, etc.) where I read interviews and view editorials that have been conceived, where a team of people have created and pushed something never-before-seen into the art world. It drives me to do the same.
what does mindfulness mean to you? Attaining a sense of humility for individuals that we come across in any walks of life. We must never be ignorant; we must always be open and courteous to anyone we encounter. It’s healthy and good for the soul to take care of each other, even if it’s just in passing. Smile.
what role does stillness play in your life and art? It activates a sense of accountability in what I do, and what I want to create with my magazine and my photography. In an age where it’s easy to let technology and the internet feed us (endlessly) with mind-numbing content, in an infinite stream (and scroll), stillness allows me to face my mind. What is it that I want to create and push out into the universe today, tomorrow, next year, in ten years? Stillness allows me to better myself without any added distraction.
“Stillness allows me to face my mind.”
name up to three emerging visual artists, designers, musicians that inspire you right now. Photographer Emman Montalvan, Sophia Macks of Beyond The Mag, and Stephen Malbon of Frank 151.
what is a book have you read / talk have you heard / video have you seen that has impacted your outlook on your life and art in the past year? Netflix’s documentary series “Chef’s Table” is stunning not only on a cinematic level but rich in content, and in documenting an array of chefs with such different backgrounds. Francis Mallman’s technique of cooking over open fires and enriching his life with travel is something to be admired. He also has mastered the art of being alone and being secluded. He lives without fear.
what is a mantra or affirmation you are working on this year? Do less better.
“I make sure to call my family everyday. Hearing their voice reminds me that regardless of what we accomplish in this life, having their support overrides everything. ”
how do you stay woke (awake/aware) on a daily basis? I sleep between six to seven hours per night and wake up to a cuppa with PG Tips tea (courtesy of my Art Editor, Sally Baxter, who used to always make us each a cuppa when we were working at a picture agency together in Venice, Calif.). I start each morning looking at two notebooks that I carry with me everywhere: my weekly Moleskine planner and another Moleskine notebook that I write all my notes, thoughts, plans for the magazine. Starting every morning with that decision to “plan” or see what I have for the day/week really keeps me on schedule and awake – I also make sure to call my family everyday. Hearing their voice reminds me that regardless of what we accomplish in this life, having their support overrides everything.