January 2020

In January 2020 I took my first trip to Los Angeles, visiting a close friend from high school who showed me the ins and outs of her sunny California habitat. I had three days to explore, so we packed as much into each day as possible.

Day one began with a hearty breakfast burrito at Sage Vegan Bistro, and a walk through Echo Park - I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of lemon and orange trees there were, adding flavor to each side street. My friend and I then took a drive to Pasadena, where we wandered The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Gardens for a few hours. The rich vegetation was just what I had been craving back in NYC. I could have spent all day reading, sketching, and taking photos within the gardens, but by golden hour we were back on the road and driving through Hollywood Hills. We arrived at Griffith Observatory just as the sun started to set, and I witnessed the most glorious first LA sunset imaginable. The rest of the night involved beautiful LA parking lot views from Grand Central Market, and book browsing at The Last Bookstore.

Me, taken by Lillian

Lillian, the loveliest host and guide this weekend

Walking through The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Sunset from Griffith Observatory

 

LA sunsets are something else

Day two started early at the Getty, where my friend and I admired clear views of the Pacific Ocean, along with the museum's gardens, European paintings, and beautiful photographs on display. Again, I could have spent all day roaming the grounds with my camera in one hand and sketchbook in the other, but by mid-afternoon we were back on the road. My friend gave me a brief tour of Beverly Hills, and introduced me to another good friend who lived in the area. We all decided to grab lunch at Cafe Gratitude, where I had the very LA experience of announcing "I am dazzling" before ordering my meal, and then we made our way north to Malibu for another anticipated sunset. Although it was overcast, we relaxed on the beach until dark and I soaked up as much west coast salt air as I could. We ended the night with a delicious feast in Koreatown, and my first improv show at UCB.

Malibu Mentality pt. i

Malibu Mentality pt. ii

My third and final day in Los Angeles was spent exploring the colorful shops of Venice, and lounging on Venice Beach with my first meal from In-N-Out. Even with seagulls trying to snag a bite, it was delicious, indulgent, and the perfect send-off before my departure home. 

Along with creating more travel-inspired paintings, one of my goals for 2020 has been to capture more moments in film. Shooting 35mm has been such a huge part of my life since I first discovered the dark room in high school, so I was happy to reach the end of my first roll of the year before leaving California. Overall, my first impression of LA could not have been better. Scattered palm trees, exquisite food, great company and abundant exposure to art is the perfect recipe to kick off an inspiring year of art-making.

2019

It's been about 5 years since I last shared on this blog, and reflecting on this mid-December Sunday felt like the perfect time to return and publish something new. Let's take a quick look back on the intensity and beauty that was this final year of the decade. 2019 was a grand one to say the least.

January through March was a cold blur, but a beautiful one at that. I experienced my second winter as a Manhattan resident, and spent a good portion of time planning the remainder of the year. I went to the NY Botanical Garden, took myself to see Bronze Radio Return in concert, took advantage of First Friday's at the Frick, and attended my first formal tea party. I took my mom to see a choir perform at Carnegie Hall for the first time. I enrolled in night classes at the Art Students League of NY, sketching after work in a warm studio every Tuesday. I took a quick trip to Massachusetts, exploring Provincetown with my grandparents for a long weekend of quiet recuperation.

January 2019 - New York, NY

April through June was when the year shifted gears - I toyed with the idea of moving from my first studio apartment, then shortly after, found and moved into my current one bedroom. I also began playing in spring and summer tennis leagues, continued taking figurative drawing classes, attended my first Mets game, and enjoyed my first Belmont Stakes experience. Trickling into the remainder of the summer, I spent the 4th of July back in New England, witnessing some of my favorite sunsets in recent memory, and relaxing before a nonstop second half of the year. I also bit the bullet and decided to go blonde (finally).

July 2019 - New York, NY

In August I traveled to New Mexico for the first time. I flew into Albuquerque, spent my birthday in Santa Fe exploring the Georgia O'Keeffe museum, then settled in Taos for the remainder of my week in the Southwest. I visited Taos Ski Valley, walked halfway across the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and took a tour of sacred Taos Pueblo. I also painted oils in a plein air workshop, danced in my first outdoor water aerobics class, and embarked on my first llama trek along the Colorado border. It was all beautiful and soul reviving, and no, we didn't ride the llamas. 

August 2019 - Somewhere between Albuquerque and Taos

August 2019 - From my painting workshop with Richard Nichols in Taos, NM

August 2019 - Taos, NM

August 2019 - Diego, my rescue llama with Wild Earth Llama Adventures

August 2019 - Taos Ski Valley looking lush during off-season

August 2019 - As seen from the Gorge Bridge

My next set of travels arrived in September when I took a solo trip to Vermont for Labor Day weekend, spent another weekend visiting Dia Beacon for the first time, and then spent one final long weekend exploring Ithaca, NY for the first time with a friend after staying in an Airbnb tiny home village. During my time in Ithaca I plein air painted with oils, played cards and shared stories with fellow guests from upstate NY, and hiked to the base of Taughannock Falls, the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies.

September 2019 - Claude enjoying the view from the Harvest Barn Inn in Bellows Falls, VT

September 2019 - Bellows Falls, VT

October and November were defined by plein air watercolor painting in Central Park, reaching the finals in my first Manhattan fall tennis league, and setting out on my first solo trip to Jackson Hole, WY for some fresh air and gorgeous views of the Grand Tetons. I booked the trip to Jackson on impulse about 2 weeks before my trip to New Mexico, and it was one of the best decisions I could've made all year. During my time in Wyoming I stumbled upon moose, saw (and heard) wolves, drove through the Elk refuge and spotted a herd not too far from where I lodged, made a quick trip to Idaho, rode and pet a couple of local horses, finally put my canon ae-1 to use, and met incredible local artists whenever stopping in town. The Tetons are truly unlike any other landscape I've ever experienced. It's no exaggeration when I say I think about them every day.

November 2019 - Jackson Hole, WY

November 2019 - Jackson Hole, WY

November 2019 - Self portrait with Nerb the barnyard cat in Jackson, WY

November 2019 - Jackson Hole, WY

Holiday parties and chaos aside, December has allowed for a surprisingly rich time of reflection. I've been taking the last couple of weeks to look back and measure how far I've come in such a short amount of time. I accomplished more than I could've imagined at the beginning of 2019, and I look forward to even more adventuring, painting, and connecting in 2020. This year was only the beginning of even greater accomplishments ahead.

Have a happy and healthy end of the year, to whoever chooses to read this.

Turning 21

The week of my 21st birthday was spent in the beautiful state of Massachusetts, and I don't think I could have asked for a better time. I traveled from my hometown in New Jersey up to Quincy, Worcester, Southborough, Amherst, and finally Cotuit (in that order). It was a busy week filled with endless photos, reunions with friends, and a few nights of homework for an online class, but I wouldn't have changed a thing (except for including even more friends and family).

So, I guess I'll start from the very beginning of my trip.

On Saturday August 2nd I photographed my second wedding! It was positively magical. I danced, I cried (only a little during the ceremony, can you blame me?), and I took about 1,500 photos in total. The wedding was cowboy themed, the ceremony was held outdoors, and the weather ended up being perfect. The bride's family generously housed me and my good friend/second photographer, Wandy, for those two nights of wedding festivities, and before we left they showed us a conservation just beyond their backyard that had cows, wildflowers, old apple trees, and grasses tall enough to cover my shins. I am so unbelievably grateful for the entire experience. Here are some of my favorite shots from that day:

I received a short lesson on milkweed, something I had never seen before

So many delicate weeds, flowers, and vegetation

The happy newlyweds! 

The most precious cow I have ever encountered

Carolyn and the most precious cow

Carolyn and John

Wandy, the photo goddess

After feeding the cows we lounged in the grass and Carolyn made us the loveliest flower crowns. I strongly believe that there is no age limit when it comes to flower crowns.

:)

The birthday cards my mom gave me (I saved them for when I officially turned 21 at midnight)

21st birthday mirror selfie, taken in the hotel room where I stayed

Receiving a birthday massage from Brian, featuring Wandy on the phone and Jake being a photographer

My 21st birthday was on August 4th, and first began with a few hours of relaxing in the campus hotel room that I booked for my stay in Amherst. After meeting up with two close friends, Jake and Brian, we all headed over to the Montague Bookmill, only a 20 minute ride away from school. I'm so glad that Jake introduced me to the mill last fall because it is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, buy a few books, and take photos (naturally).

My first legal drink! Thank you, Jake

Wouldn't have been a proper birthday without a few self portraits

So happy and grateful I was able to spend the afternoon these wonderful people

Jake even had me on air for his WMUA radio show!

Before the day was through I had one last photo shoot at a farm not too far from the UMass campus. I had driven by this area before but never took the time to stop and utilize the beautiful scenery for portraits. Again, many thanks to Jake for driving me over and helping me take photos as the sun set.

My final days in Massachusetts were spent on the cape with my grandparents, visiting Provincetown and taking photos at the beach. I ate lobster rolls, went go-karting, and utilized every moment I could to be closer to the water. To put it simply, I love Massachusetts.