Hash taggin’
Slinging slang in 1860, thespians may have created a clever way to shorten the word magnificent. Leave it to artists to mix things up even back in the olden days. The fact that this artist is using the word nifty in 2018, however, might be an indicator of age as opposed to creativity. My kids will certainly attest to that.
However, nifty is a perfect word to consider as I approach a half century of living and loving on this amazing earth of ours. The magical number of 50 has been swirling in my mind lately, and I have to say, I’ve lived a pretty magnificent life:
· More than 50 countries have been stamped in my passport
· 50 new creative ideas have popped up in my head this year alone
· I just traveled 50 hours to secure my 1st gallery-hosted international installation!
Pretty nifty stuff.
Traveling the globe is where inspiration is cultivated.
So, why not write about 50 things that happened in those 50 hours as a memorable way to welcome in 50? Sounds excessive maybe, but when you stop and truly reflect, you can find magnificence in as little as 50 seconds of time.
High Five
It is said that we can only remember about five things in our short-term memory. As a tactile learner, the five fingers of one hand becomes a useful tool to help remember those things. Therefore, instead of taxing the brain with a long list of 50, let’s break it down into 5 bite-sized chunks of 10:
1. Planes, trains and automobiles
2. Techno Logic
3. Color therapy at 6000 feet
4. The factory of dawn
5. Words of wisdom
Should we start with the thumb or the pinkie?
Planes, trains and automobiles
Having 50 years of wanderlust tugging me around, I’m no stranger to the bumps of travel. During this whirlwind trip, however, I easily had 10 sweet moments (two hands are better than one!) in the land of transportation:
1. Caught six flights to/from Mexico and was on time to each of my meetings
2. Enjoyed a free upgrade to first class on AeroMexico’s flight to Guadalajara
3. Sipped tortilla soup thanks to TAR’s 150 peso food voucher for a 4 hour flight delay
4. Found Ignacio, my taxi driver, even though the sign he held said ‘Ana’
5. Listened to Mexican love songs for 3 hours by Ignacio’s side
6. Treated like royalty in the Priority Pass lounge in Queretaro
7. Marveled at a lightning bolt display from my plane window
No, this is not my photo, but I swear this is exactly what the storm looked like!
8. Spent 185 pesos for a 2 minute cab ride to eat 3 tacos for 45 pesos
9. Zipped through immigration for the first time with my Global Entry card
10. Grabbed my bag as it tumbled FIRST from the luggage carousel belt
Techno Logic
Switching off your airplane mode as the wheels touch down means you know that travel technology is a blessing and a curse. One week shy of 50, I still remember the days with nothing but a coin for a payphone while on the road. No coins needed this past week with these 10 minor miracles of telecommunications:
1. Connected to free wifi at four out of five international airports (wake up LAX!)
2. Gazed at Thor fighting to protect the Infinity Stones on not one, but two flights
3. Received the good news of my free upgrade to first class on my Delta app
4. Wrote and designed my very first opt-in at 36,000 feet
5. Finished uploading photo images in my website shop to launch on my birthday
One of many installation photos that will be available to buy on my website shop October 1st.
6. Located Ignacio using my Airbnb app, not the sign he held in his hand
7. Saw every wrong turn Ignacio took on Google Maps before he did
8. Gratefully accepted both of Ignacio’s USB slots to charge my phones on the road
9. Recorded a live announcement on Instagram in the halls of Fabrica la Aurora
Live and kicking my announcement at Fabrica la Aurora, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
10. Created a hot spot with my Blackberry when there was no wifi (LAX…sigh)
Color theory at 6000 feet
If my thumb and pointer finger are all about travel within 50 hours, the last three fingers on my hand celebrate the artistic side of the journey. To realize my dream of a large scale international installation in my 50th year is a thrill. To have this event in San Miguel de Allende in the heart of the Mexican plateau is a visual treat that can be summed up in 10 colors:
1. Coral spires of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
2. Adobe tiles of weathered cantera stones
3. Burnt orange of the stucco facades
My next door neighbor in San Miguel de Allende.
4. Mahogany carved doors of courtyard entrances
5. Ochre washes of high garden walls
6. Fuchsia blooms of the bougainvillea vines
Glitter infused adhesive domes installed in a bougainvillea in San Miguel de Allende.
7. Amethyst flowers of the jacaranda trees
8. Taupe cobblestone of the winding streets
9. Parakeet green of the spiny cacti
10. Azure blue of the clear skies above
50 shades of color around every corner in San Miguel de Allende.
The factory of dawn
To travel 2600 miles across the continent to an altitude of 6200 feet, one should expect to be dazzled by more than just the vivid colors of San Miguel de Allende. Known as a creative haven, it is an incredible honor to have my first show at Manuk Galeria and on the grounds of Fabrica la Aurora. I would travel this distance 50 times over to have 10 glorious moments like these:
1. Met for two hours with the owner of Manuk Galeria to discuss details of my show
2. Presented physical and printed samples of creative ideas for the space
3. Admired the work of 5 other wonderful artists represented by the galle62
The artist/owner of Manuk, Lourdes Rivera, is a lovely woman with an open heart.
4. Shared stories of our creative lives as two female artists on opposite sides of 50
5. Walked the grounds of Fabrica la Aurora to select outdoor areas for installation
One of many cactus gardens that will house my installation work in March 2019.
6. Introduced to the director and exchanged ideas for the outdoor space
7. Discussed logistics and strategies for shipping artwork internationally
8. Chatted with several artists who have working studios in the area
An old textile factory turned design center for creatives of all types.
9. Watched an artist working on a piece he anticipates will take him a year to complete
10. Stumbled into Ana Thiel’s open studio and unlocked a window to my glass future
In February 2018, I discovered the Manuk Galeria and the work of Ana Thiel, a Mexican glass artist whose work holds the aesthetic of my heart. I met Ana in her studio last week - lucky stars!
Words of wisdom
Seamless travel, technology triumphs, a kaleidoscope of colors and an artist’s dream all wrapped up in 50 short hours is something to cherish. In those quiet moments in between, I found myself thinking about 10 simple words that will usher me gracefully into my next half century. I am:
1. Grateful
2. Aligned
3. Creative
4. Excited
5. Inspired
6. Lucky
7. Focused
8. Balanced
9. Alive
10. Young
Hello 50. Damn glad to meet you…
How about meeting me in the comments below? It would be a birthday wish come true!