The Orchid: Eat. Sleep. Create.

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At the beginning of this year, I was determined to make the most out of myself, my tools, my talents, and life itself. I felt the urge and need to commit and let myself be inspired by anything that ever moved me to become a better creative. As the introvert type, any form of art has always been by best tool for communication and expression, but it doesn't mean its always easy to do. I've shared before that I'm a perfectionist and have always held back of taking risks. It's part of who I am. My tendency to overthink has been my worst enemy, and all my life it has affected the way I've made decisions. However, all throughout this 2014 I've helped myself mature on this, and although its been a rough and slow process, I've finally pushed myself ever than I have before. The best part is I've actually moved! After a long process of getting my ideas together and setting up real goals and aspirations, I decided to act upon a vision that I could actually work for to make true. Even though this is still walking in baby steps, the goal is to do more of everything I have a passion for, because ultimately, it makes me happy. 

Late summer I started doing some serious thinking on the topic,. When I was finally able to put a finger on the exact idea I wanted to give chase to, I started working for it almost immediately. These past few months have been tough on me, because I was worried I would let the plan slip again (as I almost always do with everything else), since I didn't really have the time to work on it. Its all been a crazy juggling of tasks between college and personal assignments, which up until last week had me feeling frustrated and extremely stressed. Even so, I didn't let myself give up even if it cost me the fatigue and not give my best performance at everything else. Talk about determination! I deserve a pat of the back alright.  

Anyway, with a simple idea in mind and a slight (but assured) drive, I decided to meet up one by one with several people who I knew share the same love for art and who I admire for their talents and work. Thats really when The Orchid started. I kept thinking to myself, I am constantly surrounded by and meeting people who have exceptional talents but for some reason aren't making the most out of it, and audiences don't really know what these people are able to create and do with these skills. Most young creatives in Honduras are sitting still just like me, not knowing how to do more of what they love, share it, earn deserved profit, and be helped by others who share the same passions. So, inspired by the countless other creative communities that exist around the globe, I decided to start my own. The purpose is to build a community of young Honduran creatives who are like-minded and share similar -but in their way unique- styles in their skills towards the modern art forms. The concept? To offer our culture different and new-fashioned alternatives in services in these areas by bringing together filmmakers, photographers, designers and other creative types to share ideas and help each other create freely.

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The first meetings were somewhat informal gatherings with some of my close friends and career colleagues, where I introduced the idea of The Orchid and what the goal was into starting it. It was still a blurred vision but they all became enthusiastic towards the concept I had then and building something as a team, based on our friendship and previous successes of working together in other projects. I let them know I trusted their abilities and felt committed to help keep pushing ourselves further and into better artists.

Then I remember the impulse of texting Michael and calling up a meeting so we could talk about this idea of mine and see if he was interested in being part of it. Michael Vilorio is a graphic designer and a dear childhood friend of mine. I hadn't really seen or talked to Michael in about three or so years, and I still had no idea what I was really doing but I was doing it. I had been admiring his artistry (or "messy work" as he defined it to me) on his Instagram feed for some time and I sort of fell in love with the simplicity, cleanness and style of his work. It'd been quite a long time since I knew anything about Michael, but every time I saw a new post on his feed it just made me glad to see he had developed such a beautiful talent in the visual arts. His style doesn't go along the same lines we're used to seeing in Honduran designers, and that's what caught me. Eventually, I couldn't help myself but want to know more and feel eager to work together in some or any way. 

Michael Vilorio, 2014

We met at a café and it was funny the first thing he told me was how frustrated he felt. He had just attempted to print his business cards at a local printing service, and the printing quality was terrible. I was immediately able to relate and I said in shame, "Si, aquí es difícil". Welcome to Honduras. Hence, I knew I was about to get into business with someone who had high standards for himself and his work style, and that's exactly the kind of people I wish to start this team with. I shared my general idea with him, and asked to know more of what he was doing and his plans now that he just graduated college. It was also probably the first time I said out loud that I was truly interested in pursuing photography more, focusing on portraits and weddings. Sharing all these ideas and plans with someone new was also a breaking point for me in the starting of The Orchid and my personal aspirations. I was really doing this. 

After a long and developing talk about plans and hardships of doing what we do, I think we both felt glad to find out we were on the same page and willing to help each other. I knew I had something right the moment Michael said, "I'm actually really glad you're telling me all this. I didn't know there are people like you here who appreciate the style and recognise the struggle. Everybody's used to the same old-fashioned ways in design, and people are scared of taking risks." To be honest, I felt relieved and excited. Michael didn't hesitate to take part in this little project and also agreed to create The Orchid's logo design. I knew I didn't have to think twice to trust him with the job, and in the end I wasn't disappointed. The logo was crafted with Michael's original handlettering and classic taste, and it well resembles the vision of The Orchid's style.

Feeling that we were on to a good start, I kept searching for inspiration and opportunities to get myself and the team out there. As a result, I've been shooting more portraits and getting better at my editing and composition skills. The idea of doing portraits has always intimidated me, because working with skin and lighting on people is a mastered skill that doesn't happen fast nor easy. As a self-taught photographer, this is an area that challenges me greatly, and I have yet to explore deeper and learn more of. Even so, I am eager to keep giving it my best and slowly but surely gain the experience I need. In addition to my own photography work, we've already engaged in our first couple of wedding photo & video projects working as The Orchid. It's been a huge learning experience for the team members involved, and it keeps getting more exciting!

Whats left is say thank you to all the people who have been involved in this process and to all those special people who keep supporting me and the rest of the team. To my readers, keep waiting on several other blog posts that share about our projects and happenings. They will be coming real soon. 

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This 2015 The Orchid will become its own blog/website, but for now be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram for project updates and contact information!

xx, J.