inspiration

On this, the day of the UK launch for the brilliant documentary on Bill Cunningham: Bill Cunningham New York - I thought I'd go back to my blog's infancy. On three years ago today, just around the Ides of March (another great film, btw), I posted this shot ('it's a bird'). I remember she didn't speak English - possibly French, she was very shy - so I didn't eve catch her name. And then this pigeon flew into the shot! That's when I was shooting in film, and only took one or two shots: I loved the serendipity of the moment. The accidents that happen.

I'm interested in seeing what holds up, over time. That's the distinction, for me, between following a trend and simply having a good sense of style. And I know that, like Bill, I am not an arbitrator of style (??), nor am I an industry insider, thank God! I'm just reporting the facts, ma'am, so please don't shoot the messenger.

There is so much in the film that I love, but especially, the idea that Bill knows he can't go out to chase a trend: the street talks to him, the trends reveal themselves. That's exactly my experience. It's a question of keeping one's eyes open, stilling one's mind, and carrying a camera. It's that simple. No, I take that back: it's simple, but it's also all consuming, and even doing it for a few years.. to spend a lifetime doing this, with the energy he does, is awe inspiring.

Those of you who know me know that Bill is the reason I started my blog. So I will be doing an homage to him over the next few weeks. I realise this is only a big deal in the UK: apparently America saw the film - was it a year ago? More? - and I don't know about other countries. But if you want to see cinema listings, go to: BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK. Very moving film: I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

somewhere in connecticut

I forget that my friend Daniel was once, in another life, my boss. I was a freelance graphic designer in NY, and he was an art director. This was back before cell phones. One Monday morning, the phone rang in the ad agency in which we worked. 'Hi Darling,' Daniel said in his melodious voice, looking at the clock because it was like, 10:45 a.m., and we had deadlines looming. 'Where are you?'

'Uh, somewhere in Connecticut,' I replied, from a pay phone on the side of the road. I forget the reason that we couldn't get down to the city in time for work, but you see, we had been at Mike's house for the weekend.. this might have been that weekend. We did a series on his pond: me and my beautiful friend Joseph Keller: it was his vision, this series. And over time, that became an expression, for Daniel and I: to be 'somewhere in Connecticut' means one could be.. ANYWHERE.

We've found each other again, and besides still being such a gorgeous specimen of a human being, he's also an incredibly talented photographer. When he called while we were in Florida, HIS voice - also delightfully melodious, with essences of corn fed Mid West blonde and high notes of smiles - brought me right back to that time in my life. We have a lot to catch up on. Keep an eye out for his site: Joseph Keller Photography.

axis of light

Home from Florida, where it was so lovely for a few weeks of swimming, sunshine, and, on the one overcast slightly rainy day, with husband and mother, a walk through Green Cay (where I took these photos).

Sleepy still, and probably jet lagged, and trying to nip a bug in the bud, but I keep thinking about my good dear friend Pia Getty, and her film, AXIS OF LIGHT. And how surreal her life is, and her world, and how she doesn't have to do this: make films about artists around the world (her first takes place in China, and Axis of Light focuses on eight middle eastern artists).

It is such a beautiful film. I want to help her to get it seen by as many people as possible. It is an important film. Especially now, as I think of the good people of Syria, and pray that the forces of good in this world can save them. As I think of Maria Colvin, and late last night, watching her colleague and friend, Paul Conroy, speak of her courage and her humanity. And how irrelevant it feels, fashion weeks (I chose this season to skip out on the whole thing, and I don't regret my choice) and how my friend Pia could spend all her time flying around to fashion weeks, or buying shoes, (altho she does, let's face it, have some great shoes), and instead - besides being a wonderful mother of four, and having such a rich, full social life - she chooses to focus on WHAT MATTERS.

And I can't really speak what I feel, what's in my heart - my brain doesn't seem to work - but I feel so grateful, so so grateful: for my life, for the love and friendship of my friends and family. I had the privilege of riding with Pia to her London premiere of the film, at Christies, and it will have its world premiere at the end of the month.

It seems that most of my time these past few weeks, swimming, quieting my mind, has been caught up in images of water, of nature, reflections of light. This isn't even what I meant to say, or show - I seem to have lost the ability to articulate, and the more I type, the more inarticulate I feel - but I guess I have the rest of my life to strive for better ways to express what I see and what I feel. What I mostly feel now is love, and light. And an overwhelming sense that we are all connected. And what we do, or don't do, MATTERS.

More about Axis of Light: www.piagettyfilms.com