“we come from a long line of spiritual women – indigenous Mapuche”

I was born with red glazed dark brown hair, and eyes colored both profoundly black and red-ish brown. Born in the land of the blond and blue-eyed giants that is, which in itself made me pretty unusual to most. I don’t really remember the first time that I realized I was different. Sadly so, others did make sure I would feel different starting at a very young age. But there is more to me than meets the eye. Both my unique features are only visible when the light hits me. And only if you truly choose to see me. Many people that know me usually tend to find my hidden bits of eccentric, after quite a while. I then, to them, become a mystery they are not able to unsee.

In a way I have always felt different. I have always felt like a part of something more. When I was a child my grandmother used to tell me that we come from a long line of spiritual women – indigenous Mapuche women, of south-central Chile. She told me of Machi, a spirit of great wisdom and healing power. And I was told to carry a guardian soul, touched by many other souls before me. My eyes made me believe that they were a mark of something great, something particular. It’s my grandmother’s gift and it defines me forever.

To be honest I have many stories to tell. My childhood was hard and lonely at times. So I created my own world with fairies, unicorns, heroes and dragons. I have always been drawn to the mythological – fantasy and creativity run through me. Surely I could not imagine my live to be any other than extraordinary. Eyes sure are something special aren’t they? I just love to look people in the eye and discover their story, to see the history of people and explore their remarkable pieces. I believe that there’s something truly mysterious and alchemistic inside each and every one of us. Something beyond our imagination and the capabilities of science as we know it today.

I proudly tell people I am the woman in this picture. But boy was I surprised to actually see her looking back at me so fiercely beautiful and unique. It took me a long time to accept me for who I am and I must admit – even to myself – it wasn’t fully the case, until seeing my essence being captured like this. So raw and true. I am different. I am special. I am a solution finder, when no-one seems to be able to see a way through. I am the dreamer. A game changer. My vision goes beyond the tangible and the known. My eyes conceal a mystery, they are my very own confirmation of magic. My gift. And I embrace my uniqueness as a blessing.

“Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts” – Albert Einstein