A Film by Sebastien Zanella
Words by Ben Giese | Photography by Sebastien Zanella
Our long time friend Todd Blubaugh is a professional photographer who has worked with us on several projects including a feature with the California’s Cycle Zombies and a portrait of Ryan Cox and his beautiful 1939 Harley-Davidson. Todd’s creative pursuit began in junior high when his mother, also an artist, acquainted him with his first camera. His father introduced him to the freedoms found on a motorcycle, and over time these two objects would provide substantial meaning to Todd’s life.
One week before he was scheduled to leave on a cross-country motorcycle trip, Todd was faced with tragedy when both of his parents were killed in an automobile accident. A whirlwind of anguish and disbelief presented an entirely new perspective on the upcoming trip. Todd spent six months on the road with his motorcycle, searching for a sense of inner peace, understanding, and deeper meaning in the wake of loss. Lonely conversations with the highway and the nothingness of the open road were a crucial part of healing and self-discovery. The connection shared with his machine and the solitude found during this displacement would be the key to his recovery.
Upon returning from his trip, Todd published the book Too Far Gone, a heartfelt narrative driven by beautiful images of the intimate moments experienced during his time on the road. A series of unsent letters addressed to people encountered along the way tell the story of sadness and healing, friendship and love. The project served as a lesson for Todd to keep the wheels turning and always stay in motion. A concept that has guided his life to this day.
Then came Nicola.
The two unlikely characters met on set filming Lotawana, and through that experience have become inseparable. When this video was filmed, in the beginning of their relationship, Nicola was dancer living in New York City thousands of miles away from Todd’s outpost in the California desert. As anyone who’s done a long distance relationship can tell you, it’s not easy. So close yet so far away. Alone together. A feeling many of us can relate to right now with the current COVID-19 lockdown.
Since the filming of this three years ago, the two have gotten married and Nicola moved out to California to start a life with Todd. Creative expression brought them together and the wheels keep turning as the pursuit of freedom guides their happily ever after.
