Welcome! Please scroll down to explore my latest articles, interviews, travel, family travel, itineraries, personal essay, the arts, corporate branding, spirituality, hard news, entertainment, yachting/cruising, and luxury travel clips.
LATEST
Family Fun Around Orlando and the Space Coast –– LA Parent
The name Almería comes from the Arabic word Al-Mariyat meaning the mirror of the sea. Just south of Granada, set among the Sierra de Gador Mountain Range, Almería Bay welcomes you to romance and mysteries. Almería’s plazas framed with palms and historic churches are just the beginning of uncovering the secrets of this once over-looked destination in the heart of Spain’s Costa del Sol. Did someone say tapas and fortresses? Yes, please. But there’s so much more…
INTERVIEWS
Part of interview series which included five artists for the Singapore Contemporary Art Show feature–I conducted Mayté’s interview in Spanish.Excerpt from Interview:
Movement is Mayté Guzmán’s middle name––bodies on canvas, speed and gestures. She’s in love with all things impromptu, accidental and yet precise. Her artistic vision holds a fascinating dichotomy. The organic and the powerful all speak to her, allowing a unique energy and passion to awaken curiosity in her viewers. She hopes to transport us into a world of organic memory that transcends this world.
We wanted to dig a little deeper into her inspirations and discover some of the stories behind her creations in order to get a pulse on the artist’s love affair with process.
LE: Who has been the greatest artistic influence on your work?
Mayté: Mainly I identify with the German and American abstract expressionists like De Kooning, and Franz Kline. I also admire Joan Mitchell, and Gerhard Richter for their great imprint and spontaneity.
LE: Can you speak about the inspiration for your series on love and walk us through the evolution of this body of work reflecting on your process?
Mayté: My painting is not a political or religious denunciation, it is simply a way of expressing my feelings based also on intuition and fantasy. In the process I like the spontaneity of the stroke leaving always the error, the accident. Painting gives me a strange form of pleasure.
LE: In “Las Amas de casa en extinción” can you please tell us about the subject of the message, was it a person or situation that inspired you to create the painting?
Mayté: The woman was previously educated to obey and to be submissive to gain her personal fulfillment, now she occupies a different place in the world. From here arose the series “Housewives in danger of extinction.”
Excerpt from interview:
Inspired by the Buddhist idea that one’s heart shapes and influences an ever-changing physical reality, Zhang’s meditative process of producing art transcends the medium of ink and paper. Viewers see beyond his minimalist visual forms into their very soul, sometimes reunifying with their authentic selves in a kind of purification process.
Often free flowing and free from color, Zhang’s peaceful mind guides his brush to create abstract images. Viewers encounter breathtaking brush strokes that awaken their imaginations and invite them on a powerful journey to the heart.
We wanted to understand more about the intention behind Zhang’s art and the concept of freedom that is found in understanding our authentic selves.
LE: Can you tell us the inspiration that led to you choose the subject “forget, forget, forget, forget, forget, forget” for your solo exhibition this year?
Zhang: The exhibition’s title originates from my artistic expression, which releases the shackles of external figuration for a return to the internal self.
LE: Do you remember the first time you painted intuitively with a peaceful mind? What did you do with that artwork?
Zhang: It was about eight years ago when I was traveling on my own to a deserted village on foot. I saw that the plants growing there had reshaped a man-made environment. This was an extremely picturesque scene which left a deep impression on me.
LE: Understanding experiences shape experiences. Can you comment on whether your painting helped to generate your peaceful mind, or whether it was the quest for a peaceful mind that created your artwork?
Zhang: Spiritual epiphany. Inner calmness is my life pursuit. Hence, there are no concrete images in my works, only knowing myself wholeheartedly without any constraints from a mundane life.
Other artists interviewed : Jeff Murray, UK; Sara Zaher, Australia; Azad Daniel, Malaysia
LUXURY TRAVEL
World Travel Magazine unveils its sixth edition of The 100 List. This annual editorial selection covers the best hotels in the world. The properties are shortlisted with focus on service, desirability, exclusiveness, appeal, unique attributes and facilities. The 100 List represent some of the finest, most exclusive and luxurious hotels and resorts around the world.
Welcome to New World mystery. Unleash your elemental wild side in this place, unlike any other in the world. Claim your buried treasure. Explode a few closely held myths. Make a new way on these wild encounters and sail away to a new paradise.
Mention the Caribbean and the sound of steel drums, tales of pirates, sun-baked beaches, and calls to adventure come to mind. The hotspot evokes a kind of fantasyland where the sun never sets and the rum never goes dry––filled with palm trees, coconuts, plantains, papayas, and the dream of discovering buried treasure. There’s something in the air in this part of the world that blends the mythological, the supernatural, the Calypsonian and storyteller in us all, creating our own kind of folklore. You can almost hear the whispers of the past on the Caribbean’s storied, consistent trade winds. Winds that blew unimaginable treasure across the ocean to the Old World.
We long for magnificence, seeking it out in all we do and all we own. Shared memories are among the greatest of these treasures––brushstrokes we cherish for a lifetime. What better backdrop for these moments than extraordinary villas? Sacred spaces we fill with experiences destined to see us through uncertain times and upheavals. Moments we’ll undoubtedly weave into the fabric of our lives, at once legend and myth. Are you a king in search of a castle? A queen searching for her lair? Look no further. Find your sense of splendor here, be it an intimate celebration, family reunion or turning the page to a magnificent chapter in your story.
You’ve been there––at the crossroads between the possible and impossible. Staring straight at what you love and don’t want to accept about life. Longing, needing…something. Hanging by a thread, you settle. You decide to avoid, deny or rationalize the longing as a phantom. Something too big to acknowledge, let alone admit.
But the longing won’t be denied. Later that day, on the train or in the car, in the shower or on your daily jog the feeling bites again. That’s when you know. It’s time to get away, but not on a vacation. You need to travel. Only, you have no idea where or when. All you know is the why. All you know is you need to feel.
Pick an emotion and pack your bag. You won’t need much. They’ll do the rest.
Blink invites you to be their guest on an emotional rescue. They’ll customize a remote, one-of-a-kind, tailor-made adventure unlike anything that has been or ever will be. That’s because everything from the temporary homes to the site itself are here today and gone tomorrow. Blink and you’ll miss the here and now––whether among sand dunes, glaciers, jungles, lakes, savannas, or wild coastlines. A metaphor for the life well lived, the life that seems to be slipping away.
With monsoon season getting off to an early start, you’ll want to head to these epic spots and savour the spectacles of mother nature. These gorgeous destinations will make the heat and humidity bearable because of their breathtaking beauty and cool temperatures. So pack your bags now, you don’t have much time to soak in all this splendour––September will be here before you know it.
Where we stay says a lot about who we are and shapes not only our experiences but our lives. One small encounter sets us on a course of new adventure in business, love, exploration, and can even change the way we see the world.
Cuba’s first true luxury hotel brings European flair to old Havana. Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana houses 246 rooms and suites in a refurbished shopping arcade, which was originally built between 1894 and 1917.
This historic structure is surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Capitol, and the Great Theatre of Havana – so there is no shortage of things to do right out the front door of the hotel. However, with the contemporary amenities and elegant atmosphere at the hotel, you might not want to leave.
YACHTING/CRUISING
On a Sunday afternoon the visitors’ dock buzzes at picturesque Roche Harbor, a quaint seadside town, where vessels in the distance are coming and going through U.S. customs here, the northern-most harbor this side of the Canadian border.
Many families enjoy boarding three Sundance yachts tied up at the dock––a Prestige 460, Prestige 500 S, and 43-foot Jeanneau Vallasco. They explore the salons, fly bridges and staterooms, as I meet Nick Buck-Niehaus and Rick Buck the father-and-son team who’ve held their seasonal Sundance at Roche Harbor event for the past ten or so years….
With spray dodgers forward and generous, elegant sun awnings aft, you’ll have plenty of protection while lounging on the upper deck skylounge. Beautiful teak decks bring the old-world charm of the days of sail to your ultra-modern, ultra-sophisticated and fun-filled yachting experience. Admire the view from the skylounge on comfortable yet sophisticated sofas and armchairs on a peaceful afternoon, or enjoy evening entertainment on a theatre-sized flat screen television.
Things To Do In Vancouver BC In 24 Hours
Rapids and romance
Begin your action-packed adventure by escaping to the rugged wilderness just outside of Vancouver. Less than a two-hour drive away, you’ll discover Chilliwack River Rafting, offering five-hour expeditions through the Chilliwack River Canyon. Go for The Canyon, a class 3 to 4+ tour, with rapids like Carousel, Double Whammy, and Godzilla. Or go a bit tamer with The Classic on rapids like Fisherman’s Drop, Allison Pool, and Trailer Park. The trip back finds you back in town for the perfect happy hour, or continue the adventure at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa to pamper those hard-working muscles in five hot mineral pools.
Things To Do In New York In 24 Hours
Indians would describe Henry Hudson’s ship as a wigwam floating on the water. Perhaps the gods had sent a messenger, they thought. Prior to landing in New York, Hudson had tried to find a passage through the polar sea from Europe. This time instead of sailing through icebergs outside of Greenland, he sailed up the river that would bear his name. Today, the excitement of the city that never sleeps lies in its unpredictability––to make dreams come true even as fortunes have been lost. Whatever your desire there is something here for everyone. Bask in her history, marvel at her artistry and enjoy the show––whether on Broadway or a spontaneous grand piano concert on a sidewalk in Central Park. You are about to fall in love.
SANTA CRUZ TRAVEL
“IF A MAN CAN BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, IF HE CAN LIVE ON AFTER HE’S DEAD, THEN MAYBE HE WAS A GREAT MAN.” –– JAMES DEAN
I suppose the same could be said of places. It seems Brookdale Lodge has not only bridged its own life and death, but transcends dimensions too. Manifestations are commonplace here, but its latest has locals and historians celebrating, courtesy of hotelier Previn Patel who doesn’t believe in ghosts but does believe in destiny. He feels that his ownership was simply meant to be, and if true, would mark the first time the property had seen such serendipity…..
FAMILY TRAVEL
4 ways to revitalize your holiday travel (Marriott Travel Club)
TRAVEL ITINERARIES
There is nothing quite like mornings on the Riviera Maya where the exotic meets intention. Where peace can be found among ruins. Colorful reefs and culture, dramatic beaches and ancient customs breathe you back to life.
Nothing is more promising than waking up in New York City, where anything goes because anything can. Fortunes have been made and lost, lives have begun triumphantly and ended tragically and yet, the city never sleeps. She’s always there for you, whatever your mood. Art is the heart of New York City and you are about to fall in love through the eyes and work of Banksy, Basquiat, Jackson Pollock.
A local’s guide to Seattle’s Pike Place Market
PERSONAL ESSAY
A visit to Dracula’s castle in Romania (The Los Angeles Times)
Brazilian bikinis & mango shrimp (OneCityRoad.com)
Roll-on wisdom, motivation and compassion –– Girltripping (ghostwriting)
5 must-haves for women world travelers (the best $60 I ever spent)
Ultimate dream dinner destination–Phuket, Thailand
Bali’s Nyepi & the power of silence
THE ARTS
CORPORATE BRANDING
Whether you want to drive an Aston Martin DB11 through Tuscany, spray paint a New York city wall with a famous graffiti artist, make homemade vodka with a local farmer in a Ukrainian village, freedive with sharks off the coast of Florida, or take the ultimate photo of an Anaconda in the Amazon rainforest, we design your ideal journey into a unique adventure fueled by your passions and interests.
Life isn’t about surviving it’s about thriving––living out loud, in color.
Unwrap one of life’s great gifts, the discovery of your authentic self. A path where you no longer need to settle or be afraid. You Only Live Once (YOLO) will help you step out of your known world into the unknown. To a world of beauty and surprises where one day finds you saving sea turtles in Sri Lanka, another cycling over the Golden Gate bridge, and yet another wearing a ball gown or tux to the opera––rocking the perfect accessories, of course.
Wherever you go today, YOLO will take you there joyfully.
Life is short and we don’t have much time to look fabulous or feel extraordinary. We’re here to help you find joy by freeing your spirit. Our products help you define your authentic self and redefine the possible.
SPIRITUALITY
El Señor & Seville, Spain–learning to trust and obey
God, me, the pelican and the sea
A Dios, the meaning of life and the miracle chicken
HARD NEWS (MULTIMEDIA)
Phil Spector’s fateful evening
History of AIDS timeline
ENTERTAINMENT
Illustrations/Multimedia Production Hollywood terror tour of LA–a virtual tour of the cemeteries of LA with video clips of the celebrities laid to rest
Movie review & Interview with the cast of THE NEW WORLD–including Christian Bale (John Rolfe), Q’Qrianka Kilcher (Pocahontas), and producer Sarah Green
Movie review and interviews with the cast, director and producer of HOSTEL–including Eli Roth, and Quentin Tarantino