Big Projects

Hello, 2024 and thanks for being so good to me 2023.

I had some big projects this year, ones that made me sit back and finally feel a bit of relief from all of the hustle because they made my year more stable, and more interesting and gave me the juice to carry on.

I began this year with a contract at La Movida sewing and design creating images for their website so they can sell fabric and notions online. I had a sweet little setup and got to work with friends which was a huge bonus. Laurie is a powerhouse and a great inspiration to work with, always creating and laughing. This gig was a perfect start to 2023.

You know those projects that bring you joy, the ones that bring you the cool people to work with, the ones that set your creative heart ablaze with hope and love. I had a few and I am beyond grateful for them. So much so that I haven’t been able to go back and look at the images like I usually do because I don’t want to break the seal. I just want the memory to stay as it was and not worry about adding the images to my website or social platforms.

I got to work with some really cool new clients like Denu and Home Team Models. Denim and diverse models are two things that I really look for and I found both in these clients.

I got to work for an entire semester creating marking and social media content at LaSalle College and I look forward to joining them again this year to make more magic.

I got to work with a wonderful stylist and create content for The Ecologyst where we received some amazing SWAG after the shoot.

I spent so much time in the studio working with wonderful models doing digitals, doing creatives and capturing my own denim collection. Alex Waber runs Doris and I was lucky enough to rent there for a year and a half. He is supported by Monika an amazing model and stylist who I got to work with creatively and commercially. We also celebrated the new year together in 2022/23 with some crazy karaoke.

I made some amazing new friends in this industry and was able to let my restaurant gigs go. I did pick up a part-time gig at The Only on Davie. It’s a brand new location and a sister store to their fabulous location on Commercial Drive. I love vintage and I have found a wonderful new home there with some great staff and amazing finds.

2023 was a challenging year for all of us and as we continue into this next chapter I know we are holding our noses as we are about to jump into what feels like the deep end. I just wanted to give a whole heap of gratitude for what I was lucky enough to experience because I also could not have done any of this without the amazing friends and clients I have. To you, I tip my hat and I can’t wait to create and collaborate our way through this next year too.

I will leave you with one of my favourite images from last year. I am still sorting through the mound that I have to choose from to update my websites, for now, 1 new one will have to do.

Jeremy and Tao on a Tuesday for Off Town Magazine.

I worked with these two amazing models Tao and Jeremy in the studio on a Sunday but it felt more like a Tuesday. This was Tao’s first shoot and I think he did great. Jeremy is a working actor and loves being in front of the lens, I am in love with this spread.

Off Town, Magazine featured the editorial in their Roll Up Volume 28 #4 Issue

Free Admission Designs published in Malvie Magazine

Models Rebecca and Daniela styled by Heather Jude wearing my upcycled designs.

Shot in the studio at Doris Land.

Published in Malvie Magazine The Artist Edition Vol 608.

Each piece featured my continuous line drawings placed on a thrifted piece of clothing.

Some feature a silkscreened image that I designed by hand.

This collection is hitting the runway on May 21 and I can’t wait to see what the reaction will be.

Popping Up

Wow, I had my first official pop-up market last Sunday and am now in 3 more this summer.

I am so impressed with my interactions with everyone that I want to do this again, and again!

It sure beats tailgating on the yard sales in my neighbourhood and popping up at the beach or on the sidewalk. Having an organized venue and event is the bee’s knees and I’m smitten!

Starting with June 26 at the Vancouver Mural Festival.

The next one is the Wayfarer Market and a group design show at a Gallery.

I will definitely be sharing all of the details here. I would love to see your face so please stop by.

Strip payment is available and everything is $25 or 2 for $40 with a variety of pins and stickers too.

Friends, it's a small world.

I often work with models who are new to the industry, we do what is called a test shoot.

It’s testing the agency does to start their ‘book’ online and begin to build their profile.

It is to help them learn about moving in front of the camera and introduce them to this cool new world they have chosen.

In 2016/17 I took a self employment course while I was living in Toronto. I wanted to increase my business and learn more about writing a plan and get some more entrepreneurship skills under my belt.

I was in a class of about 12 people at the Centre for Entrepreneurship in Scarborough. It took about an hour and a half to get to class every day, for 10 weeks through the winter. I know I sound like someone’s granny but it wasn’t easy.

We had to write a business plan in 10 weeks and present it, and have it approved by the program.

I will never forget during my 40 minute presentation to the panel I featured my photos from Fashion Week. One of the panelists asked me if the photos were mine. I immediately flop sweated but managed to continue on. I received my approval and went on to create my business. We had 10 months of coaching after the classes ended and I had a great mentor.

I was not a lone as a creative in a class full of accountants, and people selling widgets or starting a home staging company. I found a soul mate there, Jarret. He was starting a modelling agency, we sat together every day, ate lunch together and travelled together. We had a great time. His agency has become very successful and I had the chance to meet and shoot with one of his newest models.

This is Ruben, currently with a local agency here in Vancouver, and also with Ciotti Models.

Jarret, I couldn’t be more proud of your success, the agency is doing so well! Congratulations!

Ruben photographed at Doris Land by Deanna Flinn