In anticipation of the new year, I have decided to stagger my Paris posts and instead take the evening to reflect on some of my favorite moments of 2011. Click below to see more— this was so much fun!!
This week I returned to Los Angeles as the all-grown-up version of myself that arrived here in early June, 2007, with two gaping suitcases mostly filled with shoes. Although anticipating a two week stay and corresponding internship, those weeks quickly turned to an entire summer-turned fall semester-turned year and a half where I never left the city and frankly, never had a reason to.
Two years in LA was the ultimate complement to the college education that I received on either end of my stay. I arrived as a photography student riddled with the dilemma of a regard for visuals disproportionally greater than my patience for cameras. Skill or ability was not a factor; this circumstance was solely determined by interest. Of course I knew how to set up and operate a camera, but how quickly I was lured from the Mark II bodies tethered to Macs when the world of art directors, stylists, beauty teams, and production designers were suddenly by my side and at my disposal to learn from. I was instantly hooked and to this day my initial excitement has only intensified with each creative pursuit.
Today seems like an appropriate occasion for introspection, as Monday, February 14th marks exactly one week since my arrival in Los Angeles. I spent all of yesterday working in the art department on a shoot at LaChapelle Studio, and today, on a considerably quieter note, I find myself recalling past experiences and at the same time, envisioning new ones. I was working for someone whose work I admire and respect tremendously and so yesterday was filled with an excitement to be learning as much as I can from her.
Below is a picture from my first week in LA. What I have lost in hair I have gained in life experience. I will never forget how it felt to enter this world at the age of twenty, nor can I articulate how it feels to return now, four years dated from my arrival, armed with the combination of my previous time spent working in LA, the completion of my college degree, and the succeeding 2 years pursuing my own creative projects in NYC. Today I feel confident, inspired, and unabashedly ecstatic to take on this crazy beautiful city.
First week in LA:
Second week in LA:
Last week in LA before returning to school:
Up next: current!
Partially in order of precedence and then in many ways, in no order at all….
1. I have returned to California! I made the move on December 30th and am currently residing with my boyfriend in San Francisco as I prepare to officially relocate to Los Angeles. Goodbye, NYC, and goodbye snow blankets:
2. New Years Eve was wonderful! We went to a Sergeant Pepper’s themed costume party at the Foreign Cinema followed by an evening of dancing equipped with mini polaroid pictures of confetti and noisemakers.
3. The next few days were spent in San Diego at the Del Coronado Hotel. 
I walked on the beach every single day, and our stay was perfect— however little did I know, the night we returned to San Francisco—-
4. — I would become sick with mono! I have now been in bed for 2 weeks.
5. This bed rest has given me the opportunity to be extremely productive and I’m spending my days writing, emailing, and making plans for upcoming projects and collaborations. (and watching Madmen!) Although still in progress, an update to my website: 
6. Have you picked up the Winter edition of Whitewall Magazine? I have two articles published within, and just finished two for the next issue! Please see the previous posts for scans.
7. I’m looking for writing jobs and inquiring throughout the west coast. Also, accentuating the angle of being familiar and connected in several major cities. Mollygottschalk@gmail.com for work inquiries!
8. Currently collaborating with a certain Los Angeles director and a certain NYC musician on a music video that is going to be wonderful. Right now it is a multi-city dialogue of images and ideas that keep evolving every single day.
9. Also collaborating on a video that will bring me back temporarily to NYC in early spring. We will cast this project soon- if you are a dancer in New York, maybe you should let me know.
10. I’m working on my book! My goal is to finish writing it by the end of 2011. It is musings mixed with nonfiction. It means everything to me and I am really motivated to work on it at the moment.
11. I am shopping for a car! I’m sorry NYC, I never learned to love your subway system. I’ll miss you very much, but I miss my VW even more. I’m aiming for safety and practicality but secretly all i want is a white Jaguar, 1967 or the like. Just sayin’.
12. We are going to Coachella!! This is my first time ever and we found the most amazing house!!! These poolside daydreams are highly effective toward my recovery from mono. April really is coming very soon…
13. I have finally tackled my list of movies I’ve been intending to see for years. Send me something Italian or Brazilian or French New Wave that I haven’t seen. I dare you and I’ll love you!
14. Pen Pals take note: email me your address for handwritten correspondence!
Big x’s and o’s,
Molly
http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/nick-cave-at-the-folwer/
I was truly honored to interview such a talented artist and delightful coffee companion.
Kime Buzzelli’s pictures are magical and her spirit magnetic- please read my article for Flaunt Magazine below!
