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La Chiquilla: Story & Interview

My “story” is quite long and complicated. A childhood torn asunder with all kinds of abuse and neglect, and later dealing with the foster system and learning to set and accomplish goals. I had set my “life” goals by age of 10 and surprisingly have almost met all of them.

1: Get a job (met: waitressed in a Mexican restaurant starting in 2003, also learned to speak Spanish there! As well as have maintained some type of full-time waitress employment to help maintain my family since then. Currently a waitress/bartender!) 2: Finish high school at the top ( met: 2007 graduating class salutatorian). 3: Go to college (met attended Arkansas Tech University in August of 2007, Baptist Health Schools July of 2010). 4: Graduate college (met first time December 2012 B.A in Spanish minor in psychology, currently working on the second degree of nursing and will graduate with that this degree in June of next year! Quite possibly followed by a Doctorate of Nursing. Practice degree, but too soon to tell πŸ™‚ 5: Build a family (met: had my beautiful daughter in December of 2008 and met my wonderful boyfriend in July of 2010!). 6: Get a house (met: July of this year we got a super deal on a home which we are currently fixing and remodeling little by little as time money allows πŸ™‚ Currently I’m at a crux where all of my driving goals are fixing to have been met and I’m creating new ones!

About modeling: I never dreamed I’d be a model, I have always been a big girl (due to depression and eating what I could when I could… I’ve been without and it wasn’t fun…) I went to over 15 schools during the course of my childhood an foster care, I was picked on for my weight and my intelligence… it had its effects… But I finally grew out of it by 16 (mainly from all the hard work I did on a farm to help raise, train, and breed Arabian Horses for my last foster mom who owns My Lords Arabians in Gassville Ar!); however, by then I had a fat kid mentality in a “normal” person shape… It wasn’t until September of last year (2012) when I was searching for ways to make more money for my family’s upcoming Christmas (it was a slow time for my restaurant) that I discovered an add-in Craigslist for people who have been told their beautiful to try being a model… I’d always been told I had a pretty face and was beautiful by random people, but I do this. Today have trouble believing or accepting these compliments… old habits die hard I guess… Anyways, I went to that first shoot with my best friend and had a great time and made a little bit (only 100 for 2 hours), but It was easy And fun.. plus it was less work than working 6 or 8 hours in a restaurant hoping to make the same thing! So I kept on checking craigslist trying new things… I met super chill people I have worked with and have learned a bunch along the way. In December, I signed with an agency here, but that proved to be a big flop! They essentially did nothing and allowed me to do nothing… we parted ways in May of this year (thankfully) after that I found the IT Works Body Wraps introduced to me by one of my fellow models. It really helped me to trim up some of my least favorite areas and helped give me more confidence. So I began modeling more on the weekends only ( Saturday morning is the only official time I have available unless I sit down with my school schedule a book random times during the week).

 

I also began sending some of my work for submission! And ya know after 23 No thank you’s, I got one yes, please! So I sent, first one didn’t go so well. I purposely try to keep my model stuff apart from my personal stuff… mainly because I see my model as my alter ego and I’m usually a quiet introvert πŸ™‚ sadly that first mag published everything from my personal page and it created many annoyances, but still dealing with those a did nothing for my model page πŸ™ however since then I have been published in two more magazines an have had 3 more say yes to some of my future works! I still have setbacks and frustrations, the current one being when I post to groups people sending friend requests and wanting me to add them as opposed to them going to “like” my page. It’s small I know, but I am trying to increase my visibility so that someone might see and I might get a deal that can really help out my family in some way. I’d really love to pay down some of the massive debt I’ve created by being in college this long a having taken out more in loans ( fun fact: I currently owe more in student loans than we owe on our new house… yikes! πŸ™‚

So I guess after all the long and short answers about me are that I am determined, goal-oriented, and persistent… I have spent my life proving people wrong and I hope to continue to do so for a very long time. I’m currently 24 and have been a full-time waitress for 10 years. In a short while, I will change my level of service to nursing where I hope to help many people out of some of the places I’ve been in πŸ™‚ I have a funny crazy daughter who I want to learn some of what I have, and I want the best for her that I can provide. I have a wonderfully supportive funny boyfriend who has encouraged me along the way, and I have a God who has looked out for me for a very long time now.

What does fashion actually means to you? I enjoy how different it is from my other jobs, I love working with photographers to produce their vision in a photograph! I like to think of myself as a muse!

What do you think, Is it important to attended fashion modeling courses? Do they really help newbies to get a foothold in the Fashion Industry? I’m a freelance model and haven’t had any classes on modeling. Everything I have done is what comes naturally, what I’ve learned from photographers, and from looking at other pictures πŸ™‚ it might be good for some people though, we all learn differently πŸ™‚

How you communicate with other netizens? Are you patient and polite? How often you reply to them? I always reply it may be short as I am usually at school, at work, or with my family. I believe I’m friendly and patient when I reply. I try to be helpful a put thought into every answer πŸ™‚

How you distinguish a good model from a bad one? And what distinguishes a good photograph from a bad one? I’m not sure, I know some things are more visually pleasing than others. Some poses, lighting, and pics look better than others:-)

Tell me about your favorite models & designers? I would but I honestly don’t know many.. its an important industry but I believe in balance in everything it helps to keep me level. πŸ™‚

What has been your best fashion look? What was your biggest fashion mistake? I’m a small-town girl, I like things to look nice and go together well…

Is there anything you dislike about modeling? I dislike how many people are unprofessional about keeping appointments and conducting themselves appropriately!

How you prepare yourself for a modeling shoot? Wax face, eyebrows, nails, pedicure, shave, pack a suitcase with all the possible clothes, shoes, and accessories I can the night or a few days before..the day of I do my hair and makeup then drive to shoot! πŸ™‚

Any ultimate goal to fulfill as a model? How do you see yourself? Eventually, it would be nice to have a steady paying gig so maybe I can put muy kiddo In dance or something..

What kind of shoots would you like to work on in the future? I like creative, fun stuff a pin-up:-)

Tell me something about your city? I really like Little Rock ARKANSAS. Its perfect combo of the city and country like me. I especially love the parks!

What do you like to do for entertainment? Lol, well when there’s time…( isn’t much) I love to read fiction, play tennis, go to parks, swim, and have got together with my friends.

What is your perfect day? One that’s fun and productive. I dislike stagnant times and enjoy helping others as well as my own! My perfect day changes so I try to make each day worth it. πŸ™‚

Please describe your style? What’s your beauty regime? My style is comfortably classy ( when I’m not in my scrubs or work tux). Ex-foliate a lot! πŸ™‚

Do you eat nutritiously? Tell me about the diet you follow on a regular basis? Is there any food which you avoid eating? I do my best. I am a vegetarian with a side of seafood ( pescatarian) but veggie pizza an ice cream πŸ™‚ I usually eat a banana or apple with my eggs. Or an omelet with cheese spinach mushroom a bell pepper.. oh veggie quesadillas or vegetarian Shepard’s pie, or veggie pot pie.. mm I love to cook and create.. also love seafood gumbo, yummy!!! Moderation in everything seems to Work well πŸ™‚

How often do you exercise or go to the gym & workout? I incorporate my “workout” into daily life.. crunch before exit bed, go up to my stairs often as possible at home and in the hospital, do squats out of bed a shower.. dead man lifts over laundry… balance in all… and I use a body wrap every few weeks πŸ™‚

What do you think to be the easiest way to look pretty and glamourous? Confidence and happiness.. be content, it radiates!

Tell me about your favorites. My Favorite Color: blue, red or white πŸ™‚ music I like an eclectic collection Bach, reggaeton, classic rock, karunesh, sting, Michael bubblΓ©, Wisin y handle, Aventura, Lana del Rey, Florence, and the machine, Adele, 2cellos, Santana. I’ve music for almost every emotion and it goes with me daily…Italian, French, Mexican, creole… I love food and cooking it πŸ™‚ and I read voraciously.. at least I did before nursing school. :-/ soon though πŸ™‚

How you access the Internet? What device do you use? What according to you is a more comfortable, quick, and easy device for web browsing? My phone that my wonderful boyfriend got me I use for everything business and school, work and play! Love android.

Do you own a domain? Do you blog? I post mostly on my Facebook page. And some on the Modelmayhem page. But again I post new stuff often (usually at red lights and stop signs as I’m very mobile!)

Your ultimate message to netizens? Never give up on what makes you happy and what gives you joy! Persistence and determination will get you far in life! Besos!

Photo Credits: Photographers include McOwen Photography, JTillman Photography, Desirable Images photography, Personal Images photography, DS Hathaway, Ruben Medina, and Kevin Stewart. In no order πŸ™‚

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