Well it is July, and despite heatwaves all over, we are still hitting 44 degrees sometimes in Cyprus.  Its almost too hot to do anything at all. 

So this month starts off with an exhibition by Nina Nazarova, an Arkin University student (it was actually end of June).  I popped along because it looked interesting and it was.  It is titled "Your Life Calendar" and was thought provoking.  There was also a movement workshop by Bekir Flows who I came across a couple of years ago at Art Generation. I am not sure he recognised me. You can find out more with the instagram links below.  I actually don't know Nina, but I have seen her at Open Mic nights by Open Spaces, and I actually bumped into her at the very next open mic night.
@ninart.ge @bekirflows @sevdaorrstudio

Next up is a photo of a friend I affectionately call Sonson.  She is an artist and an actress and we have hung out a bit because of being involved in a short film project.  If you read my blog carefully you will have heard a little something about it before. That's right, I will be in a short horror film.  Anyway I can't say anything about it now, but there were a few sessions at my apartment.  Here with a little quiet moment between takes.

So finally, after another venue change and a short break because of exams and stuff, Open Spaces happened again, and this time there were many parts to the evening, including the excellent old school Hip Hop DJ, @dj_hass_e

This time around we had poets, as well as artists, and musicians.  I also met the lovely Pilar, an english teaching student, who came for a shoot the following week.

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

So again if you have been reading past blogs, you will have seen Iolanda, who this summer, before leaving the island, is doing showgirl work with a company called Via Event Cyprus.  I asked if I could tag along one day, and Iolanda sorted it out with management, and I went along to the Merit Hotel to meet them.  There was a lot of waiting aroound and the heat was mad, but the costumes were worth it.  You might recognise Annastasia from previous blogs too, but I didn't at the time,  until she spoke.  The last pictures are of the girls without head pieces, sitting in the shade between performances.

Next up is the lovely Fotini Michailidi Artist
I met Fotini last year whilst photographing the Diverse It Arts Festival. She struck me as a vibrant person, very interested in connecting with artists and she was just a lot of fun, laughing and smiling. I have been keeping an eye on her instagram, and she has been up to lots since the festival. When I saw her 100 sketch project was ready to view, I got in contact and made an appointment. I went there today and what can I say? Fotini impressed me even more this time. She is authentic, and doesn't mind tackling difficult subjects. We had a brilliant conversation, and I found myself telling her things I didn't mean to. And she is so effortlessly elegant. I loved watching her movement while we talked and I got this excellent capture of her which I love.

Anyway, I hope to collaborate with her in the future. I bought a sketch, which I absolutely love. Fotini even packaged it beautifully and signed it for me. Its a really special thing and I will treasure it.

Her website is well worth a look too, its linked in her bio on instagram. @fotinimich_

Next up is Pilar, who I had a good conversation with at the open mic night.  She is studying teaching English and is from Turkey.  We texted a bit that week and organised a shoot for the following Friday.  Pilar answered all my texts and turned up ready to work.  We actually got quite a bit done but I won't share all the photos.  Just the best ones in my opinion.  I had a lovely time with her, her English is great, and she was really interested  in different posses and the whole process.  Hopefully she will come again. 

So lastly my great nephew is over from the UK and he had a little birthday party.

He has so much personility its great.

So for those of you reading last month, I am still thinking about output for those two shoots I mentioned.

Many many more photos in the monthly album, and full events for open mic and such now in Cyprus events, via the events tab.  I didn't mention that sadly this month, two people died, a family friend in Cyprus from cancer, and and old unversity friend with mental health problems.  Life keeps going. 

Sometimes it doesn't seem fair.  RIP

Thanks  for reading