Behind the Scenes with Ella
9-17-2022
It has been a whirlwind of life's main events over the last two weeks. On labor day, Monday, September 5th I spent time with my daughter, future son-in-law and grandson, Max. They were visiting Wisconsin from California and preparing to be married on Friday. I was the first to ever to swing Max on a swing at the playground! Then on the very same day, I received a call from my sister that my Mom had passed away. We celebrated my daughter's marriage on Friday, September 9th and we morned the loss of my Mom at her funeral on Tuesday September 13. Bittersweet moments. As I drove to school on September 14th, a poem came to me. I turned on my voice memo and began to record. I hope these words bring you the same peace they brought me.
"Peace in the Seasons" by Lisa Reshkus aka Ella Miss 9-14-2022
Even when the leaves fall
Safely to the ground
Dried and withered
I'll still be around
Whispers in the wind
Love to you in sound
Winter Spring Summer Fall
Finding peace in them all
Hear the raindrops falling
Gently on the roof
All the rhythms calling
The music is your proof
Within every season there's a time to dance
Listen for the melody
Sing at every chance
Whispers in the wind
Love to you in sound
Winter Spring Summer Fall
Finding peace in them all
This week I was inspired by the piano lesson assignment, Jill Scott's "The Way"
Changing the Narrative by Lisa Reshkus aka Ella Miss July 30th, 2022
Touch me, hold me, kiss me
Tease me, please me, feel adore
Right now inside on the floor
Leave your number before you go,
I’ll call you
Spreading the Frosting,
Changing the Narrative
Touch me, hold me, kiss me
Tease me, please me, feel adore
Right now inside on the floor
Leave your number before you go,
I’ll call you
Spreading the Frosting,
Changing the Narrative
July 24th 2022
The filming of "Sweet Fire" by Dagon feat. Ella Miss
During the summer of 2021, my dear friend George Georgalas, artist Dagon, invited me to collaborate on a beautiful song he wrote called "Sweet Fire," to which I enthusiastically agreed. A year later, I filmed some footage for a future music video.
While on a shopping trip to a local art store to buy stencils and chalkboard wall paint, I was amazed by the custom wall designs and furniture Kim Marden, the owner and interior artist, of The Sailor's Wife Interior Art, created. On impulse, I inquired if she would allow me to film a music video there to which she agreed. After a few months, and some procrastination on my part, I went back into the store for some art supplies and scheduled a date for filming, to force myself to no longer put it off.
It was set, July 24th, 2022 from 11-2. The week of July 24th ended up being one of the most challenging in my life, with my adult son experiencing a life trauma and the feeling of helplessness I had as a Mom in the moment. Then my Mom going into the hospital. Then my sister, who our family designated to be my Mom's caregiver when the time came, became sick with Covid. Needless to say, I spent the majority of the week in the hospital with my Mom. When not there, I was home in tears, exhausted. I wasn't sure if I should keep the date or not, but thankfully, I did because creating the look and filming the video was the most therapeutic experience. For a few hours, I was alone with my character in the song, thinking about how I could best frame the shot to tell the story. It was a needed escape from the realities I had faced all week. I'm not sure when the video, "Sweet Fire," will be released but when it is, I will always remember how art momentarily rescued me from one of the most difficult times in my life.
Here are some sneak peak scene shots from, The Sailor's Wife Interior Art, in Delavan Wisconsin.
July 16th, 2022
You Gave Me Joy - Ella Miss
Lately the nights are long
it's so hard to sleep
lying awake thinking
I pray
Wanting to protect
alone in the dark
I couldn't in the night
far away
But in the morning,
you made me laugh
you gave me joy
when I was hopeless
if only for a minute
But in the morning,
you made me laugh
you gave me joy
when I was hopeless
if only for a minute
Lately the nights are long
It's so hard to sleep
lying awake thinking
Will you lie next to me
stay?
Wanting to protect
together in the dark
We couldn't in the night
far away
But in the morning,
you made me laugh
you gave me joy
when I was hopeless
if only for a minute
today
Sometimes I don't understand
the ones who are hurt
for them I pray
The chord progression used in this sound design was provided by Davion Bottz from Bottzworld Studios as my piano lesson assignment for July 13, 2022.
July 14th, 2022
In an effort to promote my upcoming single "Ride the Waves" featuring, Alexander Nox, I created a look and took some photos. Here is the process I usually take when doing a makeup look. The music track is an unreleased collaboration with Alexander done in the summer of 2021 called, "Summer Dream." Enjoy!
Getting Ready with Ella #2
July 9th, 2022
Today I went to my favorite art store down the street, The Sailor's Wife, to purchase some paint for my studio chalkboard wall. On a previous visit, I had asked the owner if it would be possible for me to film a music video there and she said yes!! Some time went by and I got busy and didn't film but now, as of yesterday, the date is set for filming, July 24th 2022.
Here is where I will film, "Sweet Fire," a song made in 2021 with my artist friend, George aka Dagon.
How could I resist that wine cabinet? Every music studio needs a steampunk themed wine cabinet!