I’m an artist living in Los Angeles. A romantic. A Pisces. I’m originally from the midwest. Living here, now, has made me love and appreciate the ocean and mountains— two things that were lacking where I grew up. I thrive on the relentless sun and fresh produce. I fantasize about and spend time in many other cities but I have a feeling, deep down, that I won’t function as well long-term anywhere else.
Every day, I start with coffee. Most days, my boyfriend makes us espresso while I’m still in bed. I can’t get him to bring it to me in bed, though. He knows me and uses it to lure me out. Then, I write. I go on Instagram. If I’m on schedule to shoot something, I get started before I get distracted. I wake up early but I stay in bed for a long time so I’m a little manic by the time coffee is ready. I hate to leave the cat.
Creativity is central to my life. It’s the ultimate goal for me, every day; to hit some sort of creative point or peak or break. I think everyone in my life is a creative, so I’m so fully steeped in the creative experience that I don’t realize what normal people are like.
It’s these people— my beautiful friends —who have shaped me most. The people I have chosen to be with in my life, or maybe I interjected myself into theirs. I feel very strongly about people when I meet them. I love at first sight and I’m never wrong. Well, maybe once. These people bring so much to my life— their taste, their desires, their diverse background. I feel very in love with each of them. Also, my boyfriend has played a major role in shaping who I am. He’s a genius and he holds me to that same level; he pushes me to be better and smarter.
"My advice, until the end, is to be weird. Love deeply. Appreciate the grey area. Tell people you miss them. Keep your mind in the moment. Do your research. Pay attention to nuance."
I wish I had known years ago that vulnerability is strength. Now, I’m letting go of a pre-conceived idea of what an artist should be. I’m reading a lot of Pema Chodron again, letting go of the concept of safety. Being in the moment and being uncomfortable. I feel most alive when I’m in a riveting conversation. Or in a sauna. I feel most beautiful when I wake up in a bed of white sheets. When I get out of the shower or pool. In low light behind a glass of wine.
In the applicable sense, my beauty regimen consists of an oil-based cleanser and P50 for a little burn, every day. I also exfoliate with the LESSE Refining Cleanser and apply the Bioactive Masque a few times a week. Then I use the tiniest bit of the Ritual Serum on my face, and then slather it all over my décolletage and arms. Vaseline on my lips and brows.
This year, I’m trying to cultivate a better workout ethic. Better concentration all around. More play. Maybe an apartment in Paris. Five years from now. I hope to still be in the same place physically. But emotionally? Who knows. I just ride the waves, as long as I have my cat and my boyfriend.
I hope to forever give and receive love and affection, and make some beautiful things along the way. I hope all of us can get smarter. Gain some common sense en masse and very quickly. I think we need to make the best of what time we have left; it’s not infinite. My advice, until the end, is to be weird. Love deeply. Appreciate the grey area. Tell people you miss them. Keep your mind in the moment. Do your research. Pay attention to nuance.
Self portraits by Kayten Schmidt.