BREAK THE FRAME

Break Reality. Build Your Own.

I started writing this on the train to Paris, at the beginning of a trip that would take me through three countries in ten days. That morning, I packed my bag in my London hotel, took one last look at the bridge while waiting for the car, and headed toward the Eurostar.

It occurred to me that I had once casually set the intention for this and then forgotten about it. Now, it was coming to fruition.

In November 2024, I covered my walls with a lace tablecloth and set up my camera. On the table sat a bowl of citrus fruits, a bottle of wine, dominoes, and an assortment of flowers. I was heavily inspired by Dolce & Gabbana advertisements, particularly Madonna’s SS10 campaign and the Dolce x Skims collaboration. I love a good grainy photograph and wanted to create something with a similar essence.

While the final outcome of my images felt more inspired by Spain, Italy was the original source of inspiration.

Note: The Skims campaign was filmed on a set inspired by the streets of Italy.

For the past twenty or so years, I’ve taken a photo on or around New Year’s Eve and another on my birthday to symbolize what the year ahead will bring. I’m intentional with these images, often thinking about my goals, travel plans, and other experiences I want to focus my energy on throughout the year.

Around Christmas last year, I received a call from a friend asking if I’d like to join her on a trip overseas. Her first suggestion was Ireland for ten days, with the possibility of adding Amsterdam. Over time, the itinerary evolved into London, Paris, and Rome.

I had forgotten about the photos I took in 2024 and again for the New Year in 2025. In just one year, I had forgotten how much change can occur—how life can lead you onto an entirely different path and into a new version of your reality.

Early May at Sacro Bosco, a place I’ve dreamed about going to for years. I celebrated my birthday early here.

This brings to me to the current moment. I’m currently offering a four-week class BREAK THE FRAME where we’ll dive into the many realities that exist within us. I’ve always felt that photography and art can rewire not only your thought processes but also open doorways you may not have realized were available to you.

Using photography, cut-ups, self-mythology, ink, and paper, we’ll create a body of work that allows you to uncover these pathways within yourself and the world around you. No experience with art, writing, or photography is required. We’ll be experimenting both during class and throughout the four weeks.

The welcome letter will go out this week, and you’ll receive the first class sheet a few days before we begin on June 21.

IN THIS CLASS, YOU WILL:

• Cut and reconstruct images into unexpected forms

• Use randomness to unlock new creative directions

• Explore identity, alter egos, and self-mythology

• Create work that challenges your current narrative, breaks through mental blockages, and propels change.

• Build momentum through creative experimentation

• Hear from creatives who use these exercises in their own work

WHAT YOU’LL CREATE

By the end of 4 weeks, you’ll have:

• A finished conceptual photo series

• A written “personal mythology” piece

• A Rorschach-style art journal for flow + idea generation

• A repeatable creative process you can return to

• Practical tools to break creative blocks and stay focused

HOW IT WORKS

• 4 live classes (2–3 hours each)

• Demos, exercises, and real-time feedback

• Pre-class PDFs with prompts + homework

• Class recordings provided after each session

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• A camera (phone is perfect)

• A journal + pen

• Paper, paint, or basic art supplies

• Printed images (or digital alternatives)

• Editing apps or Photoshop

Optional: tape recorder, tarot/oracle cards

Please see the complete course description for a breakdown of each class.

When you realize that life itself is a cut-up—the television we watch interrupted by commercials, the films we view consisting of months of work edited down into a few hours—you begin to see this pattern everywhere. Our thoughts themselves are cut-ups, with one thought randomly leading to another. Even the way we structure our days involves blocks of time cutting into one another.

One of my greatest passions in life is understanding this process and recognizing how images and writing can truly change the trajectory of your life for the better. I’m fascinated by how much power we possess to reshape our own lives and realities. If you are interested in learning more the link is here.