I have worked in food, film, TV, and publishing, but eventually found my place as a freelance writer and "TV human". I am equally right and left brained, which is surprising for most when they see that I am creative, but have a keen business sense. 

On a personal level, I have a deep love for people, and believe John Donne when he said that if you never travel, it is like reading the first page of a book and never reading further. Henry Rollins also says, "You don't know until you go." Wise words. I have had many travels, and will continue to travel and write and photograph places across the world until I am too old to get on and off a vehicular object, or lift a camera or pen.

        And then there is food. I have a profound relationship with food and those who prepare it. I do not believe one can truly understand another culture without eating its food. I also believe you do not really understand another person until you have shared a meal with them. A meal is a place of peace and harmony, and this is what I try to give to others when I cook for them, or when I humbly accept a meal prepared for me.  

Finally, a reflection on art and life:  I believe an artist's job in the world is to surpass frontiers, show a mirror to society, and build a bridge of understanding between different ideologies. The former two points are pretty self explanatory, but let me expound just a bit on the latter.

What does it mean to cross a frontier? Where are these frontiers? They are borders between regions and countries in the world, yes, but I see frontiers daily in the lives of people coming and going in their existence: Shame, timidity, defeat or just plain old reserve. Not everyone has the countenance to be free, to express themselves, to release pain or joy; but for an artist, this is built into their being. An artist will allow themselves to be the vessel, to carry a message to an observer, or live out or depict something that another human being does not have the countenance to express. It is this kind of frontier that I hope to traverse in my creative work, and it is this kind of work I enjoy nurturing in other creative people across the world.

To those able, and to those unable to be this emissary:  Carpe Diem! For like the cherry blossoms, life is quick and fleeting... Say yes to your dreams; do your best work; and share it with others.

---Elise McMullen-Ciotti

Along with the plethora of answers I could give about what I "do", the other question inevitably asked at any social event in New York City is "Where are you from?"

In a city of millions, one rarely stands out as unique, yet paradoxically, what makes New York City so fascinating is that it is filled with an intricate collage of people.  To lose this collage to sameness, I believe, would cause New York City to fall. 

I was born in Colorado with white skin, but I'm not  a "white". I am truly an American, since I am Native American, but most Americans and Europeans alike say that I'm not "American" at all. One friend said it best, "You would rather have a small portion of something really good, than a large portion of just-about-anything." This is seen as very non-American. It's good to not fall into a stereotype and be able to get along with just about anyone from anywhere, but I'm proud of where I'm from and am thoroughly thankful for my upbringing.

I grew up in Texas, and my need for a good spicy salsa and real (and I mean real) tortillas are the only cravings I seem to take with me when I travel abroad. And although I never quite fit in in Texas, I am proud of what it taught me. I know as a woman how to be tough and kind at the same time... and southern women have this aced.

I am also bilingual... almost trilingual. I speak English and French fluently, with functional Spanish...  and if I ever can conquer Italian (particularly since my husband is Italian), I will. I have spoken French for so long in my life that I honestly do not think and dream in English alone, but French as well. To extricate this language from me, would be like pulling a tooth from my soul.