Auntie

I love being an aunt! I love playing with my nieces and nephews. They don't care that I'm silly and strange, or that I still act like a little kid. They make me smile and laugh on my worst days--even if they pee or poop or puke on me. I think being an aunt is my best physical feature. I honestly never thought being an aunt would be so much fun! 

I wish I had a picture with baby William, but he's ten zillion miles away from me. Poop.

Nature, yay!

Sometimes I’m amazed at how much time I waste every day. When I’m not in school, and my job only takes up half of my day, I spend a lot of time wondering, “What should I do today?” More often than not, my bed gets a nice visit from me. Sleeping is easier than thinking of something to do that is worthwhile. I see all these people going to far off places, graduating school and finding awesome jobs, going on fantastic adventures, etc. And I sit around day after day, not doing much at all. I paint a lot, and I clean a lot, but I’m sure I could find much better things to do with my time. I’m not always so lifeless, but when my diet is as nutritious as toilet water, my energy and motivation go down the drain. However, there is one thing that always gets me up and going, and that’s a trip to the mountains. Another thing that would get me going is a serial killer chasing me with a rabid mongoose and  a sawed off bazooka.  

If I had my way, I’d live in the mountains, in a cozy little cottage far away from civilization and humans. It would be well hidden, so no gung-ho adventurer could stumble upon it and ruin my solitude. My house would interact with the environment around it—not unlike Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water. I’m talking trees in the house, large windows, architecture that mimics nature, etc. Living in the mountains would be spectacular. Hiking, exploring, snowshoeing, tree-climbing—the possibilities are endless! Wasting time would be impossible. I would spend nearly every waking moment outside, crunching through leaves, climbing up cliffs, wading through streams, and bushwhacking to my heart’s content. Then, after spending so much time outdoors, I would create. I believe there is no better stimulation for the creative mind than running around in nature. It’s almost as if the crisp, natural air lends clarity to the brain and emotions. To me, the mountains represent freedom and unbridled passion. As cliché as it sounds, I feel so invigorated in the mountains, like my body and spirit are awakening from a long, cold hibernation.  

It seems like a lot of people have a connection to nature. It’s interesting to note that the first humans on this earth did not live in a rooftop dwelling—at least, not at first. Before Adam and Eve were cast out from before God’s presence, they lived in the Garden of Eden, where all creatures and creations were united in God.  It makes sense, then, that many people, myself included, feel closer to God and the spirit world when they are surrounded by the natural beauties of this earth. I believe that the joy and freedom I feel when I’m in the mountains, surrounded by trees and rocks, comes from the fact that this earth is a creation of God’s hands, and that nature is a window into our previous home. Think about it: A house without decoration is boring, drab, and horrible. But once it is occupied, it becomes filled with things that make it home-a comfortable, familiar place to be. When God created us, His greatest creation, He didn’t send us to a drab, lifeless place. He sent us to a place that He had decorated beforehand, filling it with things that would remind us of the home we were sent from—familiar, beautiful things that would make us feel more comfortable. I think our spirits have the ability to recognize that, which is why the pull of the natural world is so strong.

One day I’ll find my own hobbit hole in the mountains. Hopefully I’ll become a crazy hermit who only comes out of hiding once a year to sell squirrel jerky at the farmer’s market. Once I find my paradise dwelling, I’ll load up a trailer with millions of books, tons of painting supplies, tools, some necessities like food and clothes, and my ukulele. I realize a life in the mountains wouldn’t be any easier than the life I have now, nor would I necessarily be happier, since I can be happy now. But it’s my dream. And I’ll work hard until I achieve it, gosh dangit! 

Sterrence: Series 1

Phinger Phish

This is my fish! 

I made him using gouache, acrylics, and mixed media. Instead of using brushes, I used my fingers/hands/arms to lay down the paint. It was a pretty messy process, but I love how it turned out. This is one of the few paintings of mine that I actually love; which is odd, because I'm not a big fan of fish. I love the color and texture of the piece. It looks a lot cooler in person, as per usual. It was a lot of fun to do, and I feel like I'm FINALLY getting closer to finding my painting "style." Wazoooo!

Portrait, beginning to end

Here is my newest painting. I think the process of painting is cool, so I've included pictures of each stage of this painting. Enjoy and stuff.

Sterrence Sneak Peak

I'm working on a series of illustrations about a lad named Sterrence. It's a simple series, but I'm hoping to convey a certain sense of quirkiness. Anyway, here is a sneak peak. Let me know what you think!

Random Inspiration: Totem Poles

Totem poles have always sort of scared me. A ton of creepy half human, half animal faces stacked on top of each other = geeeug. But today I found some really cool stuff relating to totem poles, and I actually did some research into their history.

Totem poles have a lot of different meanings, depending on the culture to which they belong. They can be used to recall legends and traditions, celebrate certain individuals or events, act as mortuary structures, represent spiritual beliefs, or simply be forms of artistic expression (all this according to totem-pole.net). The poles were not, however, used for idol worship. Since totem poles are almost always made out of wood, they eventually rot and decay, which is why there is no existing pole prior to 1800. 

Apparently there are two main styles of totem poles. There is the "Northern Style," which is characterized by red, black, and turquoise color schemes. The "Southern Style" is more intricate, employing black, red, green, yellow, white, and turquoise, as well as carvings of crest figures and detailed thunderbirds. Cool, eh?

Now for pictures!!!

The following is my very favorite find. Designers Tine Winther Rysgaard and Trine Maja Kristoffersen released a fashion collection in Copenhagen inspired by the totem pole. I think the collection is genius. Here are just a few pictures from their show.

Next up: cool stacking mugs, furniture, and interior totem design.

Aren't those some crazy chairs? I think they look pretty uncomfortable. But the structure is cool.

If I had to have a totem pole in my house, I would choose one like this. Small and simple, but still cool and rustic looking.

Well that's it for today's random inspiration! Lesson learned: totem poles are cool.

A Lesson in Art

I love art. The history behind it, the techniques, the way certain pieces can evoke powerful emotions, the diverse styles--I love it all. I love the burst of inspiration that hits in the middle of the night, the way a brush feels as it scratches along the canvas, and the smell of oil and turpentine. When I'm creating something, the world slows down, and everything comes together to make sense. My thoughts become ordered, my emotions become streamlined, and all that matters is what I'm creating. I've recently figured out that it doesn't matter how my work turns out in the end. What matters most is the process of creating. It's the process, and not the final outcome, that creates order in my chaotic universe. 

According to art historians, "artwork" did not come about until around 30,000 BC. Some of the earliest paintings and sculptures come from Africa, during the Paleolithic era. From that point on, art evolved from rudimentary carvings and cave paintings to the art of Ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantium, the Far East, and Medieval art. Cathedrals, altars, life-like statues from Michelangelo and Donatello, incredible architectural facades from Bramante, Alberti, and Bernini, realistic and intensely emotional paintings by David, Delacroix, and Goya. Classicism, Neoclassicism, Realism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Modernism, Expressionism, Postmodernism, Neo-Expressionism---the list goes on and on. 

Art has been a part of this world from humankind's humble beginnings, and that's not an accident. The urge of mankind to recreate the world around him, to express himself using a medium other than language, is a reflection of our previous life, and a foreshadowing of our life to come. Our Father is a creator who installed within each of us the ability to create. He created this life for us, that we may learn, grow, and experience happiness. If we make it through this life and are able to return to our Heavenly Father, we will have the opportunity to create worlds of our own. Creation is happiness. 

President Uchtdorf explained this so much better than I ever could. He said, "Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty..... We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. ⁴ Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things."

Our opportunity to create is now. We have to put aside the fears of imperfection and failure, and just do what we do best: create!
I'm always looking for inspiration when it comes to art. Today I found an awesome site that has a lot of crazy art prints. Here are some of the cooler prints. Enjoy!

This one is my favorite!!