A sense of loneliness, feeling misunderstood by those around her

MunemiYou were away from New York for about a year. What were you doing?
MunemiSo the past year, you were away. Where have you been?

JudithFirst, I went to Japan for work, and during that time, I met with several peace organizations. Afterward, I also traveled to India and Thailand for a UN peace education program. Then, I recently returned to New York from Paris. Now, while continuing my modeling work, I've also become deeply interested in Eastern philosophy, medicine, and science. I'm studying the relationship between mind and body, as well as art and healing.
JudithI went to Japan for modeling work and also met with some peace organizations, then I went to India and Thailand for a Non-Profit, U.N. Sponsored Peace Educational Project. Now, I just returned to New York from Paris. These days, I am back to modeling in New York, and at the same time, I am very into eastern philosophy, physics and science, exploring the relationship between the brain and the mind, art, energy field healing, etc.

MunemiIs this your first time doing volunteer work?
MunemiWas this your first time doing volunteer work?

JudithI used to do it often before, but I never spoke about it openly. Living in a big, individualistic city filled with materialism and ego, I often felt a sense of loneliness, as if my desire to foster a collective consciousness was misunderstood by those around me.
JudithNo, I used to do it besides modeling, but I never really talked about it openly. Living in a big individualistic city filled by materialism and ego-based lifestyle, I always felt that I am very misunderstood and alone with my desire for a raise of consciousness on a collective level.

I had to find my own inner peace first

MunemiHow did you get involved in these activities?
MunemiHow did you get involved to it?

JudithBefore I started modeling, I used to paint and create art. One day, I was scouted to become a model, and I began working as a muse for photographers Ellen von Unwerth and Sara Moon in Paris, balancing it with school and my art projects.
My art was influenced by my frustration with my own powerlessness against war, hunger, human rights abuses, death, dishonesty, and ignorance. I was deeply moved by what was happening in the world and felt an urgent need to act. However, beyond expressing it through my art, I didn't know what else I could do, and I found myself just talking about it (ironically, this only increased my anxiety).
JudithBefore modeling, I used to paint and do artwork. I got scouted to do modeling, so I started to be as a muse of Ellen Von Unwerth and Sarah Moon in Paris between school and my artwork. My art was related to my anxiety towards the helplessness I felt about the wars, the starvation, violated human rights, death, dishonesty, corruption, ignorance, etc. All what was happening in the world was touching me a lot. I wanted to do something; I kept talking about it without knowing what I should do besides expressing it in my art (and ironically, I was only becoming more anxious!).

One day, an art director saw a collage I had made at my home in Paris and introduced me to someone working at the UN. From there, I met another person, and it continued like that. The people involved in peace and humanitarian work form a community where everyone knows each other, and through them, many doors opened. However, it wasn't as easy as it might sound. I first had to find my own inner peace, which requires a great deal of effort.
We often hear the word "peace," and it can sound more like a dream than a reality. But once you achieve inner peace, you realize that the dream exists not externally, but within you. Simply by having inner peace, the energy you can radiate to those around you, though it may seem small, is a significant contribution you can make. Whatever seeds you plant in the garden of the world will grow, so it's important to teach yourself to always sow good seeds with care.
One day, an art director saw one of my collages in my apartment in Paris and he introduced me to someone who works at UN, and from there it was one to another. People in a peace/humanitarian world is a community and they all know each other so many doors opened from there. But it was not that easy as it might sound: I had to find my own inner peace first, which takes a lot of work! We often hear about “peace” but it always sounded more like a “dream” than a reality. Once you have experience inner peace, you know that the dream is not on the outside anymore but within you! Already just by being at peace, you radiate it to others and by this little difference you are making an important contribution. What seeds you plant in the world s garden will only grow so this is how important it is to teach you to only plant good values and remain mindful no matter what.

I always wanted to combine this work with my art. Modeling was a way to save money for school, but I was doing a lot of editorial work, which didn't pay much, so I never managed to save enough for tuition. Time passed, and my frustration grew. Modeling is a wonderful profession; it allows you to travel and meet people from diverse cultures, age groups, and backgrounds. I've learned so much from it.
However, one day I realized that people often say things like, "I'll do it when I have time," or "when I have money," or "when this happens..." But I understood that this cycle of conditional thinking doesn't lead anywhere.
So, one day I left for India. I took a break from modeling and didn't return as originally planned. Looking at my life from a different perspective, the insights I gained were profound.
I always wanted to do this along with art. I entered into modeling to make money in order to be able to go to school, but then I have never been able to make enough as I was doing a lot of editorials and my finances were not blossoming. Then years passed and I ended up frustrated by it. Modeling is an amazing job because you get to travel and meet people from other cultures, from different age groups and life experiences. It has brought me a lot on a personal level.
One day I thought to myself that people would say, "oh if I have time or money I will do this or that..." Or "when I will have this...I will do this"... And I realized that this circle of limiting affirmations does not bring you anywhere, so one day I just left for India, left modeling behind and did not come back as planned. It is such a profound teaching you can give yourself when you step back and observe your life and where your own choices has brought you.

MunemiAre you involved in any other projects in Asia, Judith?
MunemiDo you have other project in Asia that you are involved in?

JudithI am a spokesperson for "Abundant Water."
This organization provides safe drinking water to villagers in Laos using clay pot filters. Additionally, we assist local communities in the production and distribution of these filters.
JudithAlso I am the spoke person for “Abundant water”:
“Abundant water” ( www.abundantwater.org ) is an organization committed to developing a system using clay pot filters to provide clean drinking water to ethnic Lao villagers. In addition to making the filters, the project will also conduct an education campaign to encourage local ownership of the filter production and distribution process.

MunemiI feel that "water" will become a significant issue in many ways in the near future, or perhaps it already is in some places. After watching the movie "FLOW," I felt this even more strongly. So, what you are doing here is wonderful. There are so many people in the world who cannot access safe drinking water.
MunemiI see “water” is going to be a big issue near the future, or it is already in some places. After watching the movie, “ FLOW” I felt that a lot, so what you are involved here is great. There are a lot of people who don’t have access to clean water in some part of the world.

Profile
Judith Bedard
Judith Bedard is a French Canadian model. Her distinctive beauty made her a favorite among top photographers likes of, Mario Testino, Peter Lindberg, Nick Knight and Ellen von Unwerth.
She has appeared in high profile magazines such as, Italian, American, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, German and Australian version of Vogue, V, Numero and ID, and has been featured in campaigns for Mosquino, Marciano, H&M, DIESEL fragrance, Sonia Rykiel and Yoji Yamamoto.
She is currently involved with several peace projects and humanitarian associations.

Judith Bedard @ BRAVO models

Judith Bedard is a French-Canadian model. Her distinctive beauty made her a favorite among top photographers like Mario Testino, Peter Lindbergh, Nick Knight, and Ellen von Unwerth. She has graced the pages of top magazines such as the Italian, American, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, German, and Australian editions of Vogue, V, Numero, and ID, and has been featured in campaigns for Mosquino, Marciano, H&M, Diesel fragrance, Sonia Rykiel, and Yoji Yamamoto. Currently, she is involved with several peace projects and humanitarian associations.