Things are flying together!

Today was another huge day!! I have been in interaction with a few more CouchSurfers talking about a cross country trip for a couple weeks now.  Today we met at a cafe and chatted about it. So......! Here's what's gonna happen. I'm departing LA on Friday July 13th to do a cross country trip. It seems like the CouchSurfers have the same plan as me. That is; to get from LA to the east coast. We're all open on where we stop, where we sleep, camping, winging it and having a great time along the way.  I am yet again VERY EXCITED!  I now have a departure date!!! Lucky Friday the 13th!

Before I leave I feel it's necessary to go see my cousins in the Sacramento area. As well as my long lost, amazing brother and nieces I've never met in Oregon! With that being said I guess I'm leaving the LA area on Tuesday to go visit the fam. While I'm gone I need to wrap up my work visa, travel insurance, some other paperwork and buy the necessary supplies including: a tent, a new backpack and a faux wedding ring to match the one on my right ring finger.

Yikes! It's all pulling together so QUICKLY!     :D

I write this as I drink a vintage bottle of my favorite kind of wine, the Shiraz.  Compliments, and of course, with the permission, of the person I'm house sitting for. Bummer!! This whole "homeless" thing sucks! Haha! Cheers! Soon I'll be drinking Shiraz in it's homeland while working on a farm!

Nighty night amazing, beautiful, big world.  Positive vibes to all y'all.

- Nicole 

Me: Jumping for joy and enjoying God's beautifully crafted canvas in Santa Barbara, CA.

LA update

The last few weeks have been kind of crazy! I became a part of the CouchSurfing community online. I began hanging out with them to get a feel for what it's going to be like on the road. With that being said,  I finished moving out of my apartment last Thursday. That was a little nuts! Even though I thought I was making good progress getting stuff out there was still A LOT to do! My mom was a huge help along with a random CouchSurfer that I hosted the two night in my apartment.  He was out here for an interview at a hostel and would have otherwise had no place to go. His presence helped keep me calm and get me through the whole process. For him, what I was doing was not just normal but he reminded me I was being petty without saying a word. 

Friday was a bit interesting. It was my first night without a place to stay.  I thought I had my sleeping situation figured out for the night. Then showed up to find that I was completely wrong.  My assuming did exactly what they say. That is, it made an ass out of that person and me.  After realizing I was wrong I took a minute to gather my thoughts about what to do next. I called a friend a little hysterical and asked to sleep at their pad. I showed up in tears thinking about what not having a place of my own was going to be like. It felt so foreign. When I arrived I was then greeted by hugs, warm wishes and a beautiful woman/friend watching TV who happened to have a cozy chest for me to sob into. (I wonder if she realizes that's what was going through my mind. I don't think she would mind anyway.) I was so exhausted I instantly fell asleep in her lap while she watched a marathon of TV.  In the morning I was greeted by a hangover and the cutest, most ugliest mutt dog you've ever seen jumping all over the couch. I figured this was an amazing start to the beginning of my homeless adventure.

Last Saturday was my art show. It was a success! (Thank you to everyone who came out and supported!) Almost all the art pieces sold along with some of the jewelry. The rest of the jewelry I'll be taking on the road in case I get in a bind or need a present to give my future CouchSurfing hosts.  It seems crazy to me that it took me going on this kind of adventure to finally have my first solo show.  Talk about a kick in the pants and putting all doubts behind me.  There is no time or place for doubting myself or my adventure.  I must make things happen!



As of yesterday. I finally got a response from the cousins in Sweden! I wrote them the same day I decided I was going to have an art show but hadn't received a response. I guess my mom finally called and made contact with them. It sounds like I'll have a guest house to myself. Apparently I have two younger cousins there. One is 24 and one is 18! My reluctance has subsided quite a bit and the excitement has returned.

My living situation is currently awesome! I was asked to house sit for a friend who has the cutest dog ever. He's very protective and scary at first but he has the sweetest demeanor and literally won't stop licking me. HA! Who needs a boyfriend! I took him for a hike today.  Tomorrow I'll go run/skateboard and bring him along as well. I think this will be a good idea. Especially since I've been eating everything in sight for the last few weeks due to stress and nerves. I'm blessed to have this place to myself for a few days so I can chill and work on getting things ready for my trip.

The details about exactly how I'm going to get to Sweden are still being worked out.  I think I may bail on Sunday or Monday to go visit my other Swedish cousins in the Sacramento area. Perhaps I'll even make it up to see my brother in Bend, OR. I haven't seen him in almost 14 years, nor met my two gorgeous nieces.  None of these people know I'm even contemplating this yet.  I think it will be a nice surprise if it happens!

Beside that, my phone has been blowing up for days! Everyone wants to hang out! I feel very loved and appreciated. I am really going to miss the amazing people in my life today. I guess sometimes you have to make sacrifices to conquer much more.  I wish I could have my cake, on this one, AND eat it too.  I don't care about my belongings.  I'm going to miss these amazing people.

Now to go enjoy some wine, hang with the doggie, watch some terrible TV and pass out at a semi reasonable hour.  Yay me!

 

"Symmetry" - Venice Beach, CA

I used to often feel like this sail boat. Quiet and alone in the distance.

It never mattered to me if no one else noticed I was really on a mission.

All that matters is that I was true to myself and my purpose.
Sail on my friends!

Let the adventure begin!

The time has come! I've decided to take a backpacking trip around the world! I'll leave LA, either fly or take a train to Ohio, drive to NY then start my European journey in Sweden. I'll keep moving south through Europe, head to Italy then decide whether to go to Africa or the middle east, stop in Australia, Thailand and move through Asia. Depending on how my journey has gone I may stop home and say hi or I may just fly to the tip of south America and head north til I get back home to LA.

With that being said I've begun raising funds by selling everything I own one piece at a time and having an art and jewelry show/party 23rd. I will be launching kickstarter campaign to raise $20,000 in 30 days to help pay for the main expenses.  Anything left over from that will go towards volunteering around the world.

I'm looking forward to meeting new people around the world and sharing laughs. I can only begin to imagine how much of a different person I'll be when I get back. I will be posting updates to this blog about my location and my experiences.

The difference between being loved and FEELING love is huge...

Do the ones you most care about know and FEEL your love and well wishes for them?

Do you know and feel love and respect for YOURSELF?

Deep down are your intentions for people around you pure, loving and selfless?

Think about that for a few minutes...

Think about how they reflect on each other.

Think about how sharing true positive engery will vibrate through every aspect of your life.

Life seems so simple yet it can be so complex..

Spread some love, positive energy and good will today. You'll be doing YOURSELF a favor.

     "The woman who stole my heart" 

Jewelry Box - Traditional Fine Art Photograph by Kajsa Blix - Original, "Symmetry - Venice Beach, CA"

This 7.5" x 7.5" jewelry box has been hand crafted for you from raw materials.

It was finger painted by the artist with three coats of a special water based metallic paint, a clear top coat was applied for ensure durability while still allowing the natural wood grain to show. This image of the Venice Beach horizon was exposed with film in a specific manner to create this magical image. A photographic print was made, inserted and sealed into the box with a touch of glitter for a sweet touch of sparkle. Foam was then inserted into the inside of the box to cushion the real leather lining that was then hand cut and added. An elegant latch was then added to finish this fine creation.

View my website by clicking here.

On happiness...

Life is literally what you make of it. People need to make the choice to be happy. With or without the cards they were given. It's an outlook, not something you can touch with your fingers. It's finding one small thing after another that makes you appreciate waking up every morning. It's not taking the fact that the sun will rise the next day for granted or overlooking the beauty around you. It's figuring out how to be passionate about living!

'Tis the day... Rejoice and be glad.

(The image above is of a lady in Jalisco, Mexico doing laundary.  

She and her two beautiful daughters didn't have running water, 

floors, windows or a front door. Her transportation = donkey. 

She was the happiest and kindest lady. You could tell she 

appreciated her life and the people in it. )

Etsy.com!

new items are up on my etsy.

stop by and check them out! ♡

http://www.etsy.com/people/KajsaBlix

they are all made by yours truly.

Jalsico Dreamin'

new photos are up on my facebook page from

the amazing trip I took to puerto vallarta,

jalisco, mexico. enjoy, please.

first of hand made items to come

...needless to say i am pretty excited! on this particular necklace i have cut out and layered the photographs to give it more depth and spice it up a bit. i then added a touch of fine glitter to help emphasize the dreaminess of the image and sealed it with love.

i hope you like it.

- kajsa

nostalgic day

exactly one year ago on this day i stood in the garden of one of the most pompous kings in history. later, i climbed the eiffel tower stair by stair in the rain. it was there, in paris, on this evening one year ago when i received a text from the u.s. about mr. michael jackson's death.

i sit here today in remembrance of michael and the year that has passed. i confidentially say it has been a year of much progress and many necessary lessons. i would like to think that michael has had an amazing year too. i am grateful for being alive. i am honored to surrounded by many amazing people.

make sure you live life day by day and you MUST stop to smell the roses.

death valley excursion

I took a lonely hike to the very top of a

gargantuan mineral. It was a magical place, away

from any path, overlooking hundreds and

hundreds of miles of isolated desert where

thousands of souls rest. Only there I found desert

fields of miniature daisies the size of a dime

nestled in the ancient rock formations untouched

by human kind.

a mosaic canyon in a valley of many deaths

High speed winds roared ferociously up this

twisted canyon picking up added amounts of

black pebbles and propelling them with all its

might at next visible subject. Mother nature had

no sympathy, not even for us.

getting amped for palm springs photo festival!!

the palm springs photo festival is an intense week-long event for professional, emerging and serious advanced amateur photographers. we are dedicated to providing a rich program intended to inspire, educate and instill or reignite passion for the art and commerce of photography. attendees are encouraged to arrive on sunday, March 28 in order to enjoy our open portfolio review and opening reception.
connect 2010 offers the opportunity to meet top photographers, curators, art directors, editors, gallery directors, ad agency creatives, educators and industry leaders in the spectacular desert environment of palm springs, california for this year’s palm springs photo festival. show your portfolios, study with legendary photographers, attend cutting-edge seminars / symposiums and ENJOY evening projections by world famous image-makers. network with the master photographers, industry insiders and your contemporaries at several great evening parties and enjoy the warm palm springs weather. Most importantly, we promise you won’t have more FUN at any other photo event. Walk away with a renewed passion for the art of image making. our one-on-one tech consultations with our resident Tech Gurus cost only $30 per 20-minute session!

participation in a new group show

newest piece conveniently called "reverie" will be on display as well as for sale. join us this saturday for original art, spirits and live music:
"reverie 13" unites the creative vision of 13 brilliant photographers, including the works of don baird, nicole cooper, micki hassemer, diana jeong, baret lepejian, joshua liberman, christopher anthony mcelrath, erin mcguire, marisa osollo montellano, astor morgan, michael sanville, evan walsh, and kelly wrage. musical stylings provided by the very talented christy marshall.
2414B w magnolia blvd. burbank, ca 91505
www.galleryhfurniture.com

friendship

inspire, encourage and be honest with the people in your life. help them understand themselves precisely so they can be the person they want to become. infuse them with love and confidence.

don't allow their potential to go to waste.

eventually you will become the people you surround yourself with too. choose wisely.


much love,

Kajsa

Bienvenido . 歓迎 . Välkommen . مرحبا . Bienvenue

in this blog i plan to discuss the struggles and successes that cross my path on the journey to artistic self realization. i will write frequently as long as i am inspired.

a thing or so about me:

my day to day name is nicole cooper. in the recent month my brain has brought to my attention that my birth name is too common. i have decided to attach my professional identity and talents to the name 'kajsa blix' pronounced kai-suh blicks. i chose this name because it is easily internet searachable and comes from the swedish quarter of my DNA that i identify with. kajsa is short for the name katherine who was known for being tortured but also known as a symbol of purity -and blix which means joy or cheer.

i currently reside in the city of los angeles where i find it quite impossible to find a true friend and a loving lifestyle. at the same time i take it as a challenge to change people's thought patterns as well as my own. i look to find the best in what i consider a lousy situation. i love being alive.

people know me as a photographer. i enjoy glorifying a city that forces upon me heart ache, longing and emptiness. i love to capture the most marvelous masterpiece and depict it as something worthless and unsightly as well as the opposite. hence, my work.

i am taking this opportunity to open my life up to the world and see what it has to throw my way in return.

thank you for reading.

be back soon.

- Kajsa