WHERE MY OWL FLIES FREE AND THE LION ROARS WILD: January 2008

Thursday, January 31, 2008

waiting for Lass

Waiting for Lass and the shooting for the cover of his next album. At the background his brother holds the instrument Lass plays: a kora. A traditional instrument built from a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin. It has a notched bridge with 21 strings, eleven played by the left hand and ten by the right. It sounds as sweet as a harp but also like a spanish guitar.

FBI, the manager, waits close to the door where the african sun shines bright and warm. Lovely weather in this time of the year!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Sigil collection

Clothing © Sigil - Photo © 2008 Ana Yturralde
model: Sira

This is the introduction to Sigil new collection. Two days of shooting and a lot of pictures to process, edit and prepare. Sigil is growing fast with Cheikha and you can feel his style of life through his clothes. Mbollo moy dolé.

Now I'm changing realities. And I'm confused about it. Today I have a whole day of work with two new assignments for a magazine. Just in a second, snap my fingers and I'm totally in a different world. But not sure if this is reality or not. Confused, confused, confused... but alive. Maybe tonight I find out where I am.

Remember that the only constant in life is change
(Buddha)

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

the dark side of the moon

There is something in Africa that keeps you always aware, big lights and big shadows and you can jump from one to the other in just few minutes. Here you face the rawness of life in every corner. An evolving life where sometimes darkness restores what light cannot repair.

But what I pretend with all my work here is to bring some light to the dark side of the moon. They need it, and they were very grateful with my work. Hope it brings the light they need.

By the way, beautiful full moon we had the other day....

Monday, January 28, 2008

breakfast and dance

The best way to start a day. A good and relaxing breakfast. No hurry, just enjoying the first moments of the day eating, singing and dancing (and Cucu imitating Steve Wonder. So funny!). I'm gonna miss these mornings so much.....

and it is time to lend a hand to life

Photo @ 2008 Ana Yturralde

it's true we'll make a better day
just you and me

Photo @ 2008 Ana Yturralde

Send them your heart
so they'll know that someone cares
and their lives will be stronger and free

we are the world, we are the children

we are the ones who make a brighter day

so lets start giving!!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Shining Africa

From reality to dreams. Because Africa also have dreams and they should become true.

In the last two days I've been shooting in a hospital for one of my assignments. Had a long talk with the director about all the things they need and how they work without medical equipment. The few machines they have don't work anymore. They work in very hard conditions but they still do. While waiting to start the report, a young woman suffering malaria fell down to the floor just in front of me....

A whole morning living such a raw reality where people still have dreams...

But Africa also shines and last night my next shooting took me from the reality into a shiny dream.

Africa already has my hand and heart to help their dreams come true.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Rose's place

A filosophy of life. Baye fall. The african soul is already in my blood, and now I'm just learning what sharing soul means. An easy living way of life... Last night the 'baye fall' concept brought tears to my eyes. It was a soul with the same freedom dream that told me about this way of life with a voice that came from deep inside.

Following this concept, people here share their energy in order to survive, in order to feel, in order to live. They share work, food and earth without asking for anything. They give their heart and soul, they give support. They always have a hand ready to help, ready to give. Baye fall. And that makes them strong.

I just love the feeling that Rose's house transmits. Because what you feel being here is all her soul. Just the perfect place to share some drinks and talk, watch a movie, drink, smoke and laugh with friends, no matter what time it is. We can spend all night long here and the feeling remains the same.

Dieuf dieul (you reap what you sow)

Monday, January 21, 2008

the landing

Happy landing. Could not process the picture from this laptop so it is like it is :D Needed a couple of days to slow down the european rhythm but now I'm totaly in the african mode.

Breathing here has a different meaning. All is about feelings....

Kisses from Africa!!

Pd: I wrote this yesterday, but you know in Africa sometimes things stop working. Relax. That is the concept.

Friday, January 18, 2008

escape

From nowhere's land, already flying through the sky in my way to the place that made me held my breath right from the window plane, when I saw the most intense red lines scratching the most pure darkness night.

'and with glasses high
we raised a cry
for freedom had arrived'
(Pink Floyd)

run for freedom!

day One

Ok. Let's go.... for a while. In a few hours I will be flying. Will keep on posting (I hope) but from a different place, closer to the stars where an owl keeps his unkempt hair smelling of freedom... yeah!. Please, stay tuned. I'll be around!! and will love to have you close :-)

My camera bag (with the camera in) and my bag's flag: a lion. I only need those things to be free around the world!!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

the return

I hit the trail to Africa again. That sensation of vertigo and freedom at the same time, that makes you feel kind of dizzy, kind of nervous, kind of excited.... all at once.

I'm not looking for anything as I'm not feeling lost. I know the path, I only have to follow the stars. Have some assignments to do, but no goal. Just to open myself up and allow me to be free... one more time. It is time to return to the wild...

countdown: 1

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

and sail

This is the beautiful skyline of Mbour. I missed a good fishing shooting as I was sick, but I could breathe the feeling of this place just enjoying the horizon.

We all have songs that remind us of our childhood. Besides what songs remind me when I was little (that are many), some of them just came all the way long with me until now. That is the case of the music of The Beatles and the music of Pink Floyd (yes, despite I like Cracker, Supergrass or Wilco now, my origins were 'classical'). But the other day I woke up singing to myself one of those other songs that I used to sing when I was a child and it made me smile. Now some of you will laugh with this....

The lyrics:

Un velero llamado libertad - Jose Luis Perales

Ayer se fue, tomó sus cosas y se puso a navegar
una camisa, un pantalón vaquero y una canción, dónde irá dónde irá
Se despidió y decidió batirse en duelo con el mar
y recorrer el mundo en su velero y navegar laylala navegar

Y se marchó, y a su barco le llamó libertad y en el cielo descubrió gavioootas
y pintó estelas en el mar
Y se marchó, y a su barco le llamó libertad y en el cielo descubrió gavioootas
y pintó estelas en el mar

Su corazón buscó una forma diferente de vivir pero las olas le gritaron vete
con los demás laylala con los demás
Y se durmió y la noche le gritó dónde vas y en sus sueños dibujó gavioootas y pensó hoy debo regresar

Y regresó, y una voz le preguntó cómo estás
y al mirarla descubrió unos ooojos laylala azules como el mar
Y regresó, y una voz le preguntó cómo estás
y al mirarla descubrió unos ooojos laylala azules como el mar

Y se marchó y a su barco le llamó libertad
y en el cielo descubrió gavioootas y pintó estelas en el mar

countdown: 2

well run

For sure, if you have something to show, it will be seen. And that is what happens with Nico. He is the "can do" type and always works hard following his heart and intuition. And he does it. He combines his dreams with realistic ways to make them come true.

Sometimes after all the effort and hope, there are circumstances that puts you in a slump. But then, you have to breathe, sake all the discouragement off and be sure that, sooner or later, all the energy invested will see the light.

This Social Center is one of the projects Nico is involved, with the colaboration of Arquitectos sin fronteras from Spain and the Mouvement DYN Femme from Senegal. A project that started in 1999, eight years ago, and that just came true. It is the result of a town twinning between Joal Fadiouth and Fuenlabrada, a center focused on exchange, on culture, on art, and above all, on women. Last october 6th was the official opening in Joal Fadiouth.

With the satisfaction of a big work done, I'm sure Nico will achieve everything that comes from his heart. And I will see it!! ;-).

Well run... and keep walking under the african sun...

Sonríe la sencillez... this is for you :-)

Song © La Voz de los Nadie

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

after-work scenes

The most pleasant moment of the day. The sun goes down and the heat gives way to fresh air. Time for relaxing, talking, laughing, drinking, smoking.... in the "after-work" place, where, as they say, most of the best ideas see the light. An easy going mood fills the atmosphere while distant echoes of prayers sound across the air and then you feel so comfortable letting time go by that you don't need anything else.

Everytime I think of those after-work moments, my good friend Posita comes to my mind. So I want to dedicate this post to her because I know how she loves easy going moments and how she would enjoy Africa. She will come with me one day... as I've seen the african spark in her eyes. She just have to spread out her numb wings.... and fly!

From Cary to Marilyn, and from Marilyn to Africa. Will wait for you, Posita!!!

Catch that kiss on the fly from the last picture and will send you more and more and more. Muack!

after-work portraits

countdown: 3

Monday, January 14, 2008

in a blur

I overslept. That was the beginning of this rainy day. Running and quick breakfast. That's why I just had a glass of fruit juice with muesli and chocolate, hmmm.

I love rainy days, specialy when I don't have any responsability and can stay warm at home. But today I am feeling kind of blur. Don't have a specific reason, just that I am feeling in a cat's mood and would love to be stroked or just have a friendly and quiet conversation with someone hearing the rain through the window (ok, it is not raining anymore but I still have that feeling).

And then I started thinking of my life, moments lived, people, pictures.... Sometimes you give special importance to something and have very sharp and clear images of it and then you realize that it is not so important for the world around and that all they will remember is just a blur of quickly moving images.

I had chosen two other pictures to show today. But following my mood I just changed my mind with this one. Blur or not blur, stay around and purr.

countdown: 4

Sunday, January 13, 2008

worlds

Every corner hides a unique world and every person owns a full universe inside. And even in the same moment and place we can find so many different worlds and stories...

The anecdote of this photo is that, while I was on the floor taking the picture, a goat started to nibble at my arm and clothes tickling me but I was so immersed in looking through the camera that I almost didn't notice it until the picture was shot. What does photography have that when I'm shooting I don't feel cold or hot, hungry or even tickles!!! :-D

countdown: 5

Saturday, January 12, 2008

made for walking

A couple of days ago somebody asked me to keep walking as he was learning from my images. Just this brief comment made me think that all is about walking, finding and learning. And sharing our ways of seeing and feeling with the people we meet on the road will make us richer in our inside and our work. We will get higher if we keep our eyes and heart open, soaking up the best of every small thing we find.

Keep walking, keep moving... no matter the shoes you wear, and hope to meet you on the road.

One year ago I wore these boots for the first time and took that first self-picture with them. Right in the moment I was unwraping the present I knew these boots were made for walking, and I knew they were going to bring me to Africa. And they did it. I love my boots and all they mean to me. You can't see it, but they've got wings!

In the second picture, stepping shells in Joal and, in the third, climbing the roots of a Baobab. Shells, Baobabs and my boots ;-)

Keep walking!

countdown: 6

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Yadi's Batik artwork

Batik is the word that refers to a wax resist dyeing technique used on textile, so the cloth decorated with this technique is also called batik.

As far as I know, the painter draws the designs and applies wax to the fabric making each batik unique.

And this is the artist Yadi, a calm and pleasant guy, and his personal piece of work, unique and with an intense african taste. A sweet combination!

countdown: 8

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

balance

It is said that we should find the middle course for balance but I wonder if I could be happy with a perfectly balanced life. In that stage there are no big emotions and, to tell the truth, Life is made of big and small things, ups and downs, happiness and sadness.... And yes, somebody may tell you that everything is about balance but..... do you know how suggestive is to climb a mountain, get really high and sit on top of the world to enjoy the great view? those moments are really worth it, even if you end up falling down like in a roller-coaster....

It was Einstein who said that life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.

Moving... keep on moving..... and maintain your balance flying high and living as much as you can ;-)

countdown: 9

Monday, January 7, 2008

you have the right

2008 is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60th anniversary. And 2008 can be the year that individuals as you and me, not just governments, sign the Declaration. These are the first six points, but you can read the full Universal Declaration and sign it here.

1. When children are born, they are free and each should be treated in the same way. They have reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a friendly manner.

2. Everyone can claim the following rights, despite

- a different sex
- a different skin colour
- speaking a different language
- thinking different things
- believing in another religion
- owning more or less
- being born in another social group

3. You have the right to live, and to live in freedom and safety.

4. Nobody has the right to treat you as his/her slave and you should not make anyone your slave.

5. Nobody has the right to torture you.

6. You should be legally protected in the same way everywhere, and like everyone else.

(.........)

------------------

and you have the right to follow your dreams...

Peace :-)

countdown: 11

Sunday, January 6, 2008

presents

The best presents are the most unexpected ones. And even on a day full of presents -like today in Spain- it can happen that you receive something that comes from your little planet and makes you smile :-)

This little girl also smiled when I gave her a candy. A very small present that made her eyes shine. That spark in the eyes is the best reward!

countdown: 12

Saturday, January 5, 2008

fantasy

Every child in the world has dreams of fantasy and they blindly believe in them with an innocent heart. Everything is possible in their worlds...

As they grow up, they start losing their dreams on the road. But, even when discovering the truth, everybody should keep part of them in the heart. I do... and believe in pirates, fairies and magic.

"I believe in everything until is disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?" (John Lennon)

Maybe the scenario is different, but in our world we also have princesses and dragons as in the tales. They just changed their disguises.

countdown: 13

Friday, January 4, 2008

Beautiful People

There are many words to describe the people I met in Senegal, but maybe beautiful expresses all the feelings "all in one". Beautiful in the outside, beautiful in their hearts. As little Nico and Calixta. Sweet and beautiful people :-)

countdown: 14

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Action!

Action. Those bubbles you feel inside when freedom runs into your veins, when you move forward, when you make steps being brave, getting rid of all of your inhibitions... when you go a bit crazy....

As a good "non-plan oriented" person, I act spontaneously, recklessly, passionately... instinctively.... and it usually takes me into very amazing situations and unforgettable moments. Like this fashion shooting in the streets of Dakar.

Such a fun and intense day! As you can see in the 'making of ' picture, they asked me to wear some of their clothes for the shooting... :-D

countdown: 15