I haven't been able to bring myself to post anything for a long time. With all that's going on in the world, sharing my little photographs seems insignificant and futile. Why pay tribute to form and color while children are starved and the hateful plot domination, at home and overseas?
Then I remember these aren't modern calamities, sadly, but history repeating. I remember that art has always gotten humanity through hardship. In fact, those same oppressors historically have stopped at nothing to silence the artists, the singers, the visionaries, the poets. Because when creativity dies, so does imagination; so does inspiration; so does hope.
Now is not the time for clamshells and fear, but boldness and compassion. Paint your heart. Sing your joy. Pack your spirit into pie filling and serve it to your friends. Dance in the moonlight. Cry into your coffee. Whatever you do, just keep going. Somewhere some smelly, ugly, self-loathing little weasel can't wait to see you stop. Don't give them the satisfaction.
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The way this platform works, you'll likely never see these images, much less read these words. Anyway, a few slices of Japan on #35mmfilm | 2025
xMD
🌸🇯🇵🤍
Snippets from my spring journey around Japan. Feeling immensely grateful for having the opportunity to spend so much time there.
In many ways, it opened my eyes to what's possible, to what matters. It reminded me of the value in doing something you've never done before; of learning entirely new things. Also the importance of slowing down (very down for onsen culture). It reaquainted me with what it's like when people hold great regard for their environment and for one another. Seeing the way people care for nature when they view it as living spirit hits different. I felt so welcomed despite cultural and language divides. This trip was an actual dream come true.
Japan, you will always have my heart.
ありがとうございます
I promise to return very soon.
🙏🏽
xMD
(P.S. - just wait til I get all the film developed)
Trying something different today 📖
Every now and then I'll weave my poetry into post captions. Usually they arise as one-off spontaneous expressions. A letting go of the wheel, allowing grace to speak thru me.
For years now (inspired by my sister @katvellos_author ) I've been doing these 30 day challenges: a month of either some creation or deprivation. A month without sugar. Writing one song a day. Maybe 30 straight days of qigong. It's always been a fun and insightful practice.
Today I was moved to share more of my words from a previous 30 day challenge. Enjoy these haikus from 2017. Maybe one day I'll compile my writings into a book 🙆🏽♂️
#emdeepee
#poetry
#poetsofinstagram
#haikuoftheday
#haikupoetry
Feeling itchy for a new adventure 🗺 places on the top of my list:
• Iceland
• r̶u̶r̶a̶l̶ ̶J̶a̶p̶a̶n̶
• the Himalayas
• Ethiopia
• Denmark
Where's the next corner of the globe that you would like to explore? 💬👇🏽
photos from the jungles of the Yucatan, 2021
#emdeepee
“My family makes our way to Florida where I grew up in the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale. In middle school, I started skateboarding and then much of my life after that centered around skateboarding and music. As a teenager, I played in punk bands. If I wasn't playing a show or writing songs with my bandmates, I was skateboarding.
"On the weekends my friends and I would load up in my truck and drive down to Miami, which was 45 minutes to an hour away from where we lived. That's where all the spots were. Lots of adventure.”
Excerpt from my interview with Nicholas Gaietto
BIG shouts to all my OG Florida skate homies who made life worth living down in the durty durty 🐊🥵 you know who you are
Read the whole article at the link in bio
📷: @nicholasgaietto
"Here, on the edge of what we know, in contact with the ocean of the unknown, shines the mystery and beauty of the world.
And it's breathtaking."
- Carlo Rovelli
#emdeepee
So I don't typically do this, but recently I shared some of myself and my story in an interview with the wonderful and talented @nicholasgaietto
We spent the afternoon in the lush beauty of The Huntington while I practiced peeling back the layers, exposing my core and reflections on life. Vulnerability is a peculiar thing. It can be so simple yet we (i) often make it rather complicated.
Thanks Nick for the opportunity to unfurl.
Link in bio for the full interview
🌈 𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙖 𝙚𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧 ✨️
Have you watched "Feeling Myself" yet?
There's nothing quite like feeling at home in your own skin. A healthy sense of self and the confidence that comes along with it is invaluable and something we can truly only give ourselves.
When or in what ways are you most feeling yourself? Share in the comments 🗯
