(My initial post of this picture as shared on Linkedin a month or two ago.)

Began to write a very honest answer to this picture back when I was in Paris in November. Those writings were accidently lost. The message still there to be a story of past, present and future in hopes it is something transformative. I'll write more later on art direction and meaning.

A picture speaks more than a 1000 words.

Saw the window art across the street next to Dior. A dinner to be thankful for at the Bistrologist down the way knowing how you present yourself is important. Silverware is silver worn.

To see something catch your eye and ask to walk across the street was known internally what I was seeing and how to approach it...never alone.

Dreams and transformations are had, forgotten or misplaced everyday. Phoenix, fenice, Phoenix cities, Phoenix countries, Phoenix origins and transformations of A dream. I think to myself Strive. Thrive. Commonality in translations occur. We are in this together. (I say internally)

To see Paris is a once in a life-time event for me knowing my limited means has had travel evaded for most of my life. The only other time overseas was in Italy with miles saved since college and gift from my grandmother to make it occur.

As I pondered on my adventures in Paris, I imagined a life I could have had and may still have one day as things wind down due to the past. I pictured myself well dressed. Shoes on. Success from the imagination. From one place to the next, transformation occurs.

To defy expectations is to dress accordingly when the time calls for it. How many of us have to dress down knowing where we are vs. where we want to be?

My Paris adventure a book within itself and an adventure to be had. This picture important to me that dreams are important and, at the very least, I defy how to be painted into a corner.

The beauty of Paris and Lacoste in particular with this picture is that I work well with Peanuts, but also as the crocodile bites. I too work well with it. My appreciation for what I have been exposed to is not to be underestimated. (I was completely thankful on Thanksgiving knowing I called it St. Patrick's Day while there.)

Cheers to 2022 and hopefully for my 40th, I'll be able to flesh out my Paris adventure in a French quarter of my life. #art #beauty #transformation #paris #inthistogether #work #success

3.8.2022

A follow-up and continuation. The rest remains true and as fate would have it there was no fleshing out of my Paris adventure in the French Quarter. Life does that and sacrifices are made daily when you dream of the could have been while still working with what is available.

It is not often I dress up and I was/am thankful for the opportunity to experience my adventures in all moods of frustration, hope, sadness, anger and happiness.

On the outside of brands and a life I was heading towards I know there is perception one way or the other. I look at the 4-5 images taken in this spot and I see sadness in some and reflection in others. To dress for a day in clothing that made me feel like I belonged in the world was a change of pace to bleached-stained clothes and torn jeans and aprons. Almost 3 years of working in a place from a reboot to a chance to be something where credibility was established with a masters degree in Photography. Admittingly because of discountment in the past but also because it was something to strive for teaching others and preparing them for the world.

Would I have been a good teacher? Is that what I wanted? Life in protection and comfort of not being attacked and molded in the right directions was where I wanted to go and survival took over until survival forces me to still be a teacher one way or another.

I look at my portfolio and my life’s work published and unpublished. I am many things and it becomes apparent in most of lack of equipment in some, lack of time in others and in other areas I excel. As I begin job searching again I am fearful of the 300+ job applications of before not knowing how to address that which I cannot not change. I try as I remain hopeful.

With The French Quarter writing cancelled, I sit outside the window trying to maneuver myself from the prohibition of visual arts and photography. A writer most these days as I market and shift towards conceptual and back to design and looking for direction.

A new square that as I cross the board has left me without the options I’ve had before to express. Creatively it is daily I produce but how to share and what to protect is the question.

A strong sense of self knowing I’ll end up in the right place eventually.

For now. Survival and a presentation of myself in an image not expected. (Even if the details are hidden or downsized for the web)