Photo provided by Viveca Ljung
Who are you? What do you do?
I’m an artist, photographer, graphic designer, and a mom of three teenagers and two Rottweilers. My latest creative project is @miamicolortheory, an Instagram account documenting the colors and elements of Miami, all shot on an iPhone.
The series somehow pulls together my earlier careers: I was a motion graphics designer and animator in Los Angeles, a magazine design director here for Ocean Drive, I taught typography at Miami Ad School, and I was a commercial photographer in the film days. I’ve also exhibited artwork ranging from photography, to painting, to digital and data art. It’s freeing to shoot everything and edit the colors and motion on an iPhone. In between, I got married, had three kids, and was a soccer mom. I knew I’d come back to my own art, I just didn’t realize it would happen so quickly.
What brings you most alive about this city?
I love Miami! We are so lucky to have perfect blue skies and warm sunlight highlighting the creative, brightly-colored architecture, Wynwood Walls, and Art Deco gems. We are also immersed in an abundance of spectacular nature, from sandy beaches with vibrant lifeguard stations, to palm trees in every direction, and water all around with dolphins, manatees and more. There really is beauty everywhere! Shooting this series is a delight. I now see my surroundings differently. In addition to introducing me to local architects, other artists and photographers, and the zine world (hello Dale Zine and Exile Books!), I’ve been enjoying the simple beauty of a shadow, as well as the colors and patterns on buildings every day.
What’s your favorite Miami memory?
My favorite Miami memory is when I first met my husband Eric at Books & Books when it was on Lincoln Road. Back then it had an indoor café with glass windows. I spilled coffee all over the table.
If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ooh – so many to choose from! Let’s see – my go-to lunches on Miami Beach are Pura Vida’s Mango Salmon Bowl and Carrot Express’s Roasted Brussel Sprout Kale Salad with Apple Cider dressing, or Apple A Day’s Paradise Fuel Juice and a chia pudding. If you asked my kids, it would probably be the butter krab roll from Pubbelly with the wedge salad. When they are happy, I’m happy… So I’ll go with Pubbelly, final answer.
Pick a favorite local outdoor experience. What is it? What’re we doing? Who’s going with ya?
Pickleball with my friends! So much fun.
What’s your favorite local Instagram account to follow and why?
Other than @miamicolortheory, @omiamifestival right now since it’s poetry month.
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
Everyone is so busy that we often don’t take the time to stop and notice what’s right in front of us. So, my one piece of advice has two interrelated parts:
1) Vu-Jadé: Look at your surroundings as if you’ve never seen them before, and
2) Ichigo-Ichie (Japanese proverb): Treasure each moment as if it were a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
What’s an unpopular opinion you have about the city?
I don’t mind the hot weather! I’m from Boston, so I’ll take it all year!
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’ve been working on a three-part video series for The Bass Museum’s education department called Seeing Differently. Part 1 is Minimal Photography, Part 2 is The Art of Editing (iPhone tips and tricks), and Part 3 is The Practice of Seeing, a more mindful approach. It’s been such an exciting project. I can’t wait for everyone to see it!
That’s a wrap on this week’s Locals to Know. Know someone who ought to be featured or would like to be featured yourself? Reach out by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject line “TNT Locals to Know 2022.” If chosen, you might just see yourself or a friend in a future newsletter.