It Happened One Day
May 7, 2023
Hello, I hope you are doing fine. Many of you know, in mid-2019, we moved to Portugal. A new country, fresh experiences, places to see, people to meet, food to enjoy—it’s all good!
Prior to Lisbon’s 2020 pandemic lockdown, we enjoyed spending time the first six months getting to know our neighbors and exploring the local area. Then isolation began, and we limited ourselves to short strolls on the lonely nearby streets and around the neighborhood. Gazing from the living room window one day, soft sunlight veiled the early morning distance. The constant sounds of ambulances and helicopters going to the hospital across the avenue had subsided. At this time, I pondered the possibilities and direction of an artistic path. The warmth of a hot cup of coffee cradled in my hands helped settled me on the couch, lost in thought, until a long-forgotten memory resurfaced.
In my hometown of San Francisco, a curious thing happened many years ago. One pleasant Saturday afternoon, I took a lengthy walk that led me to a spacious courtyard in the financial district. Around the square, majestic buildings stood in wait for the upcoming hustle and bustle following a tranquil weekend. Sunlight sculpted and enhanced the quiet stillness. The large planters overflowed with blooming plants, scattering color here and there. Big potted trees made the area feel inviting and airy. The containers had wide rims and varied heights, offering comfortable places to sit. A lovely tree in the courtyard’s center filtered dappled light dancing through its branches, appearing to beckon me toward a much-needed rest. A satisfying deep breath of crisp, clean air filled my lungs as I sat on its rim.
Moments soared while appreciating what this oasis offered. I half-way turned on my seat for a better view of what was behind me, when I glimpsed a bright, silvery glint. Ignoring it, I swiveled a little further, but a second later, another glint happened, catching my attention. “What is that?” I rose, scanning my surroundings. As I shifted, the sparkle shimmered in my vision once again. “Where are you?” I glanced around, believing a window reflection had caused the shine. A swift breeze entered the plaza, shifting the speckles of light around me, helping to reveal the glint’s hidden place. To my surprise, I discovered the glint came from inside the pot where I was at. I looked inside at the space surrounding the potted tree. It was narrow and shadowy. I squinted, moving my head in different directions, trying to make out the object at the bottom of the container. “If the light can find you, then so can I.” I could barely distinguish a dark, squarish thing with a hint of metal, partially covered by a few dried leaves and dirt. “What is that?” My hand began sliding into the narrow space with hesitation. Stopping when my thoughts took a brief hold of fear. “Don’t let a snake or other scary thing bite me”, but my curiosity was stronger, so my arm descended further, forcing me to lean onto the rim of the planter. It was deep. “Could I reach it?” At that moment, my finger tips sensed something. “There you are!” I stretched even further, my fingers jostled, catching the thing with a precarious hold. “Got you!” I gently pulled upwards, trying not to drop it, bracing the object against the planter’s wall to get a good grasp. When my hand emerged, my eyes grew bigger and my mouth opened with surprise. Wow!
The thing was an Olympus camera! While a bit dirty, it seemed okay. I blew on it, then a few gentle hand strokes brushed off the dirt and leaves clinging to the surface. I turned the small camera every which way, admiring it. Never had I seen one this close. The small viewfinder needed cleaning, and the edge of my sweater sleeve did the job. I raised the camera up to my eye and peered through the little glass window. A section of the square looked interesting within the confines of the frame. I lowered the camera and surveyed the deserted courtyard, wondering who might have lost this item. “How long have you been there?” I asked, staring at the cute thing sitting on my hand. A smile accompanied my face, and the words “thank you” came for whoever had gifted this small object to me that breezy, tranquil Saturday afternoon.
Because of that mysterious day, I enrolled in a photography class where I found out my camera was a 35mm half-frame model with a fixed lens, making learning easy because of its similarity to modern point-and-shoot cameras. We used black and white film in class, but later we transitioned to color. I remember waiting for the photos from the developer before I learned to develop film, feeling excited with anticipation, opening each yellow envelope to reveal the crisp black and white prints that emerged. Although gaining darkroom skills was challenging, it also seemed magical. My excitement grew as I gained access to the school’s many cameras, among them an 8x10 wooden beauty with its grand bellows and intricate mechanics. Thinking of that beauty reminds me that the mechanics of objects have always attracted me since I was a child. The disassembling and reassembling of things was always fun and easy. After I finished my studies, spending three years in two different portrait studios left me unsatisfied and diminished my interest in photography, except for the occasional casual snapshots.
Life took me in a different direction, away from any creative experiences. Instead, I pursued retail, which had been an interest of mine since my youth, and learning all the aspects of the business and management was enjoyable. Then, I moved to Los Angeles, California, where the opportunity to put my retail knowledge into practice came almost immediately. Later, a wonderful opportunity presented itself, at a lovely gift shop situated within a beautiful garden, where I applied all my knowledge for a few years, until a chance arose to manage another garden gift shop. Although I enjoyed working at both stores in every aspect, each lacked the creative outlet I craved.
Days came and went at my nine-to-five, until one day, the cloak of creativity arrived, making my weekends and after-work hours feel like I was a secret agent. Filmmaking was exciting and adventurous! It’s how I met my hubby over 3 decades ago. I had super fun working the camera and working in the art department. Over time and with additional experience, I picked up a few side jobs now-and-then, while jostling my 9to5, until I could dedicate more time to the cinematic image. Time flies when you are having fun, some say, and it’s true. Time flew in our small city of South Pasadena, California, filled with artistic activities like learning to paint with acrylics, silversmithing, and ceramics. The best part was our travels to other lands, which fulfilled my adventurous spirit.
Ahh…by now you’re curious about “What will my creative outlet be?” My decision was to pursue digital photography and to experiment with mixed media art, which I believe are suitable choices for future moments in time. I’ve had a productive two and a half years in Lisbon doing research and learning on the net through a cornucopia of artistic consumption. This brings to mind January 2021, occupying myself with online inquiries and classes, busying my mind while going through a mild case of Covid. It helped a lot, but was mind-numbing with the plethora of material bombarding me. In the long run, the art process and finishing the pieces of artwork is a rewarding endeavor along with rendering a satisfying meditative experience, proving the effort worthwhile. Don’t you agree?
Now, we are enjoying a post-pandemic life, in May 2023, taking our daily walks beyond our neighborhood and resuming our explorations. Once again, it is a joy to visit neighbors and observe people out and about. Being in a creative state, I’m all about the never-ending path of discovery and I wonder what challenges this new artistic journey will bring.
We appreciate your visit. Please come again! To see my photos, please click “here” or click the navigation button “Thru My Lens”.
There is more to come for sure. I’m looking forward to sharing it all with you. ‘Til next time…
~ Kami