Greetings!

I hope to fill this blog with beautiful photography, thoughts, images, and inspirations. In naming my new blog, I played with many variations on the theme of Creating a Life in English, Spanish and French, to see what phrase might make a lovely title. I moved from one phrase to another. “She Creates Beauty,” (Ella Crea Belleza) was one, perhaps I could shorten it to “Crea Belleza”?  “Una Vida Creativa” was another favorite, I’d have loved to title it “Creative Life” in Spanish, but “La Vida Creativa” was already taken!  So I moved along through other phrases like “Creating a Life of Beauty and Meaning,” or creating a Life of  Joy and Beauty – “Una Vida de Alegria y Bellezza. It was good to ponder these possibilities, as this is the direction I wish to take my life and musings – I want to fill my corner of the world with beauty, joy, and meaning. I want my life  to have impact, and to know that my contributions help create a better world.

But, ultimately I did not choose any of these ideas for the name of my blog! Instead, I chose “La Diva Rouge” – my nickname in French!

Today I am thinking of Crossroads. Having just finished two more degrees, adding an AAS in graphic design and an AFA in photography to my BA in Spanish Literature, I am at a place where new beginnings confront me. While this is a good place to be, it is also somewhat daunting to me. It is time to choose my trajectory! Which way shall I go? Which path shall I take?  Yes, I’m sure it’s possible to use all these skills in my life, but which shall be the main chosen profession?

Do I pursue being a professional photographer? How would that be as a career? I would love to do portraits, family and children, and boudoir photography. It is wonderful to work with people in the studio or the field, and I love the play of light on the human form. Product photography is also an interest – I’ve been doing product photography for the packaging and portfolio classes at Shoreline Community College for the past two years, and really enjoy the creative challenge of getting beautiful images of a really wide variety of items. They bring me all sorts of items! On any given shoot day, I may be presented with perfume or wine bottles, jars of honey or hot sauce, ice cream cone wrappers, book covers, brochures, or posters. One never knows what is going to walk through the doors to the studio. It’s also a great pleasure for me  to chat with the fledgling designers while photographing their work. (I allow them to stay and welcome their preferences and suggestions.)

Do I pursue being a graphic designer? There are worlds within worlds in that profession as well! Which avenue within that profession would suit me best? Packaging design? I have created some very beautiful packaging, and really enjoyed doing so. With the 3-D design courses I’ve taken, I have the ability to design specialty bottles or packaging in Maya. One place I’d love to intern or work would be Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery’s graphic design department.  We had a tour there once, and how fabulous that was! I found the rampant creativity very inspiring: They design everything in house:  labels, logos, ads, signage, and the beautiful specialty boxes for their ultra high-end wines. The in-store displays that are distributed to their retailers are also designed and created right there in Woodinville! They have an entire web division as well, which is responsible for the Chateau Ste. Michelle website, and the sites of the various wine brands from all around the world which they promote here in the states. Creativity abounds! I would be thrilled to land there!

Web Design is also be of great interest. So many small companies and artists and craftspeople are terrified of technology, and they all need a little help. There’s definitely a business opportunity there!

Two roads diverged into a wood… and I… I am standing at the crossroads pondering my choice!

One thing I do know, after three years of intense study, working to get as much technical know-how as possible, it’s time to begin!