Self Portrait

Right now I'm working on adding some self portraits to my portfolio. I want it to be fun, edgy, and experimental. I don't take myself too seriously, but I do want to show exactly who I am in this body of work.

I started my project by playing around with the thermal camera on my MacBook.

Grandma's Ackee Tree

This afternoon, my father and I had lunch together at my grandmother's house.  We ate, chatted, and picked ackees from the tree in Grandma's backyard.  It seems that woman can make anything grow!  As a matter of fact, both of my grandmothers are blessed with green thumbs.  I guess that gene skipped me.  I'm hoping it's something I'll acquire with age, though.

The ackee tree is nice to look at, with its bright leaves and yellowish-orange fruit

My grandmother's tree is pretty tall

Here, my Dad is searching for ackees that are ready for picking

Ackees are ready when they have split open, exposing the yellow flesh and black seeds inside

Yup...these are good to go!

Nice work Grandma!

Puerto Rican Vacation

I just got back from my trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It reminded me a lot of Miami (but with narrower roads and fewer English speaking people); city life meets island life.  My girlfriends and I stayed in an area called Carolina.  

One of the views from our room

The other view from our room

My friend took this pic of me hanging out on the beach near our hotel

On the last full day of our trip, we did a morning hike through El Yunque Rainforest.  It was such a spiritual experience.  The glorious mountains burst mightily with crystal clear water, which rushed over and through rocks with tremendous force.  How could something so powerful and vigorous translate into something so tranquil? I don't know, but the relaxation and vitality I felt after having bathed in the ice-cold waters at  La Mina Waterfall could not be denied.  I was so energized that the remainder of the uphill hike only propelled me into a greater state of calm and cognizance.  Days later, I still haven't come down from my Puerto Rican high.

The water was so cold!

Whoa!

After our amazing hike we made our way back to Old San Juan, where we spent the rest of the evening.  Here, you could find street vendors selling sweet treats and handmade crafts, shops where vintage items  and souvenirs are sold, colorful architecture, men playing dominoes, and museums among other wonderful things.