Curls and Coils in my Mind
This project combines elements of realism and surrealism to create a visual display of how our dreams grow and evolve into a perceivable reality. It highlights the importance of keeping our younger selves’ dreams alive even when we are older. Understanding that the evolution of thought expands as we grow in life. The clouds represent my afro hair, metaphorically as dense and as light as a cloud. However our heads are not in the clouds, it is simply always reaching for stars while we remain grounded in who we are. It doesn't matter when you start following your dreams, or how long it takes you to make them a reality. Our dreams are as much alive as we are and will grow as we grow. This is a self-portrait photography piece, the use of set design and Photoshop were used in its creation.
About the Piece
“Curls and Coils are Intertwined in my Mind” - No longer dreaming I am becoming. This project combines elements of realism and surrealism to create a visual display of how our dreams grow and evolve into a perceivable reality. It highlights the importance of keeping our younger selves dreams alive even when we are older. Understanding that our minds are our successors or the cause of our own destruction, and that the evolution of thought expands as we grow in life. The clouds represent my afro hair, being metaphorically as dense and as light as a cloud. However our heads are not in the clouds, it is simply always reaching for stars while we remain grounded in who we are. The moss and flowers coming out of the skin shows the growth we must do within to create a solid foundation. To ensure that no matter how far we go out into the world, we can always come back home, back to who we are. The floating clouds were made of teddy bear stuffing and were hung using invisible string. They represented the spirit of community. We may feel alone at times but we are never alone. “ We are never the only cloud in the sky”. I wanted to add more clouds however blank space is always a good thing, it leaves room for the imagination. Our imaginations are an eclectic array of our deepest wants and needs combined into a passion for living our best life. I wanted to show this in the facial expression seen. These expressions are not the main attraction however every little detail makes up the visual story. Originally I was inspired by the evolution of thought and the saying “Aim for the moon, but shoot for the stars”. As well as the saying “the sky's the limit”. By mixing and fusing both statements I was able to create a grounded yet elevated look, while also leaving empty space for the imagination. As a ‘one woman’ team I used mainly set design to create the overlook of what I was going for. I prepared the hair piece, and did my own makeup which was subtle with hints of moss and flowers coming out of the skin. Once I finished photographing myself, I took to my computer to start editing and adding the surrealist touch of photoshop. Building sets to me are like painting a picture, I am continuously adding things that didn't necessarily start with the main vision, some may call these mistakes. The props used, which were the children blocks and the long staff represent age and time. The weight of each is different but that does not mean they are not equal in value. The blocks are a child-like spirit or a stepping stone towards emotional maturity. The staff represents the emotional intelligence and balance of the mind. It is supportive but is not a crutch. The two side profiles seen on either side of the frame represent the dual perspectives of the left and right brain. The left being more logical and the right being more optimistic and creative. Both looking in, being attentive and aware is true balance. They work better together when we trust in our intuition. One of my biggest inspirations are my little sisters. They were present the whole time as I built the set in our basement, to when I began taking the pictures. Their lively presence is the reason I need to keep going after my dreams no matter how scary it may be. They love to be around me or be involved when I am creating even though they may not admit it at first. They reminded me that I am still very young and my story is just beginning. Overall the project's visual display shows the value in going after your dreams and the rewards in the sacrifices you make to get to your final destination. It is all worth it in the end. It doesn't matter when you start following your dreams, or how long it takes you to make it a reality. Our dreams are as much alive as we are and will grow as we grow, never leaving us fully just adjusting to our new perspectives. Hence the title “ Curls and Coils are Intertwined in my Mind” - I am no longer dreaming, I am becoming. A solid affirmation we can all use to begin our journey.
About the Artist
My name is Miss Daisy, and I am an eccentric, eclectic, expressionist. I am a creator using objective and subjective reality to tell stories through editorial photographic imagery that heals and inspire. I am a woman of many talents but I am mainly a creative director, set designer, model, yoga teacher and entrepreneur. I was born in Mississauga, ON, and grew up with two younger sisters. I believe my strong willed spirit came from my Jamaican background with both parents having a lineage as far as they can remember in the small island of Jamaica. I grew up surrounded by a big and loving family, always being encouraged to never give up and to love failure, as it always came with a lesson learned. My mother was and is an amazing painter, now a teacher that was always encouraging when it came to art projects and presentations that needed a physical component. My father was/is an engineer that had a way to keep everything organized and clean by creating routines. As young a child my sisters, father and I would do science experiments together and go see plays at the local library. I wasn’t always a creative director, I actually wanted to become a lawyer. I dedicated two years to Wilfrid Laurier University to learn more about that passion. I wanted to help fight for justice in my community, which I felt was needed within the community. However there was always this feeling of wanting to be free. Which birthed the thought of becoming an entrepreneur. Which then led to becoming a model and now a creative director that does all three. My heart has always desired to constantly evolve and try new things. This desire has allowed for the various hobbies of roller skating, pole fitness, painting, reading and writing. Nothing has stopped me from achieving my dreams and I will continue to create stories using photographic editorial imagery to help heal and ignite inspiration in others. My accomplishments are as diverse as my talents such as walking major runways in Canada such as Fashion Art Toronto, and African Fashion Week. Teaching a yoga class on behalf of the Red Maat Collective at Lululemon in Toronto, as well as nearing my competition for her international yoga certification. My editorial works for both clients and my personal endeavours have been published in magazines such as Flanelle magazine and Gmaro magazine. Recently I facilitated a workshop to help teach and mentor vocal artists with creative expression and organization during music videos and photoshoots. I have successfully creatively directed various projects such as music videos, visualizers, clothing brand campaigns, product photography and photoshoots. Some of which were recognized by RBC music. My biggest accomplishment was the release of my editorial print collection in 2021 marking the compilation of over 30 plus solo projects since my creative debut in 2020. Today I am working and preparing for my first ever solo exhibition in 2024 called W24EVER. This is going to be my most intricate work to date. As I expand I find that my dreams are ever expanding with me. There is no telling what I could do next. I move with the wind and the wind moves me.