Artist of the Week: Veron Ennis

Better late than never, right? For this week's featured artist, I decided to go with someone who really knows how to use color and an open mind in her work. Floridian artist Veron Ennis expresses herself through abstract creations with vibrant tones.

With an ever-changing color palette comes endless possibilities. Ennis proves this to be true with her usage of different shapes and designed accompanied by popping color schemes. The artist primarily works with flat paintings and cubes. The wooden cubes that she paints unfold to reveal eye-catching composition.

 

I have been posting these weekly artist profiles for a while now, which means that I have been able to write about and discover new artists along the way. I only recently came across Ennis, but I am finding it easier and easier to say that she has quickly become one of my own personal favorites.

 

The simplistic designs and beautiful gestures never fail to captivate my attention. There is something so intricate in each and every one of Ennis's abstract pieces that leaves me feeling so serene each and every time.  

Stories from Thanksgivings Past

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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Because the big day has finally arrived, I figured that I would write one more post in honor of the national holiday. I think that it is pretty universal that every family has at least one good story from Thanksgiving celebrations in the past. For my family, I do not even know where to begin.

Every Thanksgiving, I stay at my grandparents’ house in a small town in Pennsylvania. My aunts, uncles and cousins that I normally do not get to see come over on Wednesday and Thursday during the festive week. To say that we have some pretty memorable stories to tell from Thanksgivings in the past would be an understatement.

A while back, my grandpa needed to fix the hot water tank in the house so that Thanksgiving dinner could run smoothly. Not long after going down to the basement to fix what he needed to, a loud booming sound roared. Everyone heard it and was confused as to what had happened. When my grandfather had come back upstairs, it was hard to miss the singe marks that covered his green sweater. It was even more difficult to miss the fact that he no longer had any eyebrows. Ah, memories.

My grandma likes to make coleslaw as a part of our big Thanksgiving meal. A few years ago, my family was chowing down on what they had gathered on their plates during the feast, just talking and having a good time. After some of my family members had decided to dig into the coleslaw, they noticed something strange about it. It was not long before they noticed that someone had accidentally ground up some plastic spoons into the cabbage mixture. Everyone was okay, but I am still happy that I did not like coleslaw at the time.

One of my personal favorite stories happened just a few years ago. When your grandpa has five other siblings, the extended family can get pretty big. One of his sisters is married to someone who has a nephew in New York City (we will call him Freddie). Freddie has no relation to the Morral family, either. My grandma had apparently run into him at a wedding and said that he was welcome to come to their house any time, out of common courtesy. 

Thanksgiving morning rolled around, and word had started to spread among my grandparents’ house that Freddie was on his way from New York City to spend Thanksgiving with our family. Freddie had decided to bring cheesecakes and stayed until late that night. I think that everyone was just as confused as the next person as to why he was there in the first place. Needless to say, that was a weird Thanksgiving for everyone.

What are some of your best Thanksgiving stories?

Thanksgiving Travel Tips and Tricks

Traveling can be long and tiring, especially around holidays like Thanksgiving. If you are driving or flying long distances, it can also be particularly stressful this time of year. It is important to have some tips in mind to keep you from being cantankerous and to help you stay alert while traveling this week.

1. Caffeine.
You probably hear this a couple of hundred times a day (from both yourself and those around you), but caffeine is truly a lifesaver in any situation. Keep a Thermos of caffeinated coffee or tea at hand in order to stay awake at the wheel while simultaneously remaining attentive. If you are not a huge fan of caffeinated beverages, just half of a square of an AWAKE chocolate bar is the equivalent to one half of a cup of coffee. You can find them here.

2. Favorite playlists and/or headphones.
Drivers: Keeping a playlist of yours at hand that you can help you from being cranky or stressed and more upbeat. Use an AUX cord to plug in your media device so that the whole car can enjoy.

Passengers: If you find the playlist choice that the driver has chosen, I definitely recommend bringing along a pair of headphones. If you are flying, this is also a good idea to keep you from boredom overload.

3. Bring chargers.
Before departure, make sure that everyone has the correct chargers for their phones and media devices. If the vehicle that you are in does not have a USB port to connect your charger to or your charger's cord does not disconnect from a block, try using a portable charger. Amazon.com has great deals on some here.

4. Read a book.
I completely understand if reading in the car makes you feel incredibly car sick (I grew up with that feeling before I thankfully outgrew it). However, if you are fortunate enough to be immune to that type of discomfort, why not bring along a good read? Pick up a magazine or check out The New York Times for their list of Best Sellers.

5. Pillows and blankets.
Visiting family that do not live even remotely close to you, so traveling takes forever and a day? Be sure to snuggle up with a pillow or two an a blanket for extra fluffiness and a more relaxing cat nap.

6. Take a nap.
This brings me to my next piece of advice, which is to take a nap. Doing makes the time go by faster, and it gets you well-rested before having to deal with the commotion that comes with being with family on Thanksgiving.  

7. Snacks, snacks, snacks.
Food can be expensive on the road, so bringing some food along is always a smart idea. Goldfish crackers, grapes, apples, pretzels, and almonds are just a few to munch on before the arrival of Turkey Day.

8. Keep your laptop at hand.
As a Thanksgiving traveler who will be making my way to my grandparents' house tomorrow, I know that I get antsy when I am in the car for an extended period of time. Because of this, I like to keep my laptop out so that I can draft blog posts and save them for a rainy day (or when I can connect to WiFi). Laptops with DVD ports also make watching movies an option.

9. Bring a notebook along.
Good idea to have on hand for my fellow doodlers and whoever likes to attempt to construct something out of random thoughts like I do. This also comes in handy if you still want to do work when/if your laptop dies on you.

10. Talk.
Being in a crammed car can cause patience between everyone to run a bit thin, but sometimes it is the best place to have enough time to talk with the family. Enjoy conversing between each other (but do not be too loud or obnoxious, or else you may get kicked out of the car).

Just A Few Things To Be Thankful For

I want to start off by saying that I am going to try and make this post the least amount of cliché that I possibly can. With Thanksgiving a measly three days away, I really want to highlight just a few things that I am thankful for in my crazy, beautiful life.

For starters, I am beyond blessed with my incredible family. I recently wrote a post for "The Odyssey" thanking my parents for everything that they have done for me, and I meant every word. I love my huge, wild family, and I would not want it any other way. Even though I might not get to see them as often as I might like to while I am at school, it just makes me cherish the time that I do get to spend with them a little bit more.

This brings me to the second thing that I am thankful for, my school. St. Bonaventure University is one of my favorite places in the world. It is not just a community here, it is a family. Exhilarating basketball games, buffalo chicken wraps from the RC and lifetime friendships are just a few things that I fall in love with every day while being here.

If not for my university, I would not have met some of the nicest people that I know. Great friends are hard to come by, but you guys have made it easy to find. I am also so lucky to have some amazing friends back home, including my very best friend. Overall, it is safe to say that I have a pretty swell support system.

I am thankful for the National Guard and my wonderful boyfriend who is training with them as we speak. Anyone who chooses to join something so honorable is extremely brave in my book. Thank you to every member in each branch of the military who have chosen to fight for and protect our country, keeping us all safe everyday. I am blessed to be an American.

Food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof to sleep under are the typical answers since childhood, but they never stop being true. There are so many people who do not have much of anything at all, and it breaks my heart everyday. I am fortunate to call myself privileged, especially given the impoverished circumstances of people around the world everyday.

This list could go on forever, but I want to end this one by saying that I am thankful for hope. Hope for brighter days, hope for a kinder world, hope for peace. If there is nothing that we can do about something, we can fight and hope for more.

What are you thankful for?

Bringing Back Snail Mail

For almost two months, my boyfriend has been in basic training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Training for the National Guard, he is essentially cut off from the outside world until Christmas time. Even after New Years, he still has to go back to finish out boot camp before beginning Advanced Individual Training (or AIT).

Having only gotten two calls from him, sending letters back and forth is the only way that we have been able to communicate with each other. It seemed odd to me at first, but it has turned into something that I look forward to each and every day. I find myself going to my mailbox every day of the week in hopes of a letter from the love of my life.

If you had asked me one year ago if I would have expected to be where I am now, I probably would have said that you're crazy. I anticipated things to be so different, but I'm not so sure that I would change them.

Writing letters has proven to be so much more meaningful than sending a text message. A simple "What's up" has turned into "How is life? What have you been up to? What's new in school?" and I am not sure that I would trade that for anything.

Receiving letters from my favorite person excites me more than I ever could have imagined. While this form of communication might not be as immediate as I might like, it is so much more personal and really gives me something to look forward too.

I know that he enjoys receiving letters from me as well, and I absolutely love writing them to him and just thinking about his reactions upon opening them. ( I might be biased as a writer saying this, but I am nerdy and it is the truth.)

Although our circumstances brought us back to "snail mail," I have found myself rekindling my love for conversing via the postal system. If anything, I feel as if it has made our relationship stronger. Being able to be completely open and express emotions in such a raw manner through pen ink scribbled onto lined paper is such an honest concept. Whenever I open a letter from him, I feel like I am holding a piece of him and what he has to say.

This experience has really drawn me closer to the notion of writing to people more often. My younger sister has even asked me to write to her even though we talk via text message on a daily basis, and I am appreciative of that. I am afraid that the younger generations will lose touch with writing letters because they are so connected to the digital world.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for the technology of today and talking virtually. I just fear that letters will become a lost concept if the digital world becomes a main source of communication for everyone.

Buy a sheet of stamps. Pick up a box of envelopes and some lined paper or stationary. Take your best pen and scrawl your heart out onto the pages for those that you love. It may take a second to send a text message, but it takes a couple of business days to make someone really smile.

Artist of the Week: Zio Ziegler

Last week, my sister was taking a look at my blog and suggested an artist for this week. She introduced me to West Coast artist Zio Ziegler, and I'm super excited that she did.

Ziegler's abstract lines and shapes come together to make phenomenal creations. By using both black and white paint as well as color, he is able to showcase his talents in an imaginative way. Ziegler typically does graffiti murals on buildings, which are splattered over the San Francisco area.

 In fact, Ziegler's work is so impressive that he has designed his own line of Vans shoes that are
colorfully and intricately created. He also decorates vehicles with paint at times.

 

(To be honest, I think the only reason my sister mentioned Ziegler's name is because she likes to think she is the biggest fan of Vans.)

Regardless, I'm thrilled that I get to start following Ziegler and his work now that I know about him, and that I get to share him with those of you who might not have known about him before reading this! 

 Here's a look at my favorite Ziegler creation to wrap things up. Stay tuned for next week's author!

5 of the Best Blogs to Follow

I'm a sucker for a good blog. Motivational blogs, instructional blogs, fashion blogs, you name it. If it has good quality and content, they have my full attention.

These days, I've been coming across a lot of gems. Rather then keeping them all to myself, I want to take this time to share a few of my favorites with you.

Granola Soul 
Great name, and even better content. Blogging team Tim and Melissa Morral share their views on life, while simultaneously tying in current events when it fits. Offering "crunchy" tidbits of their personal take on life and spirituality for you to ponder, you don't want to miss out on what the duo has to say. (I might be biased because they're my parents, but the blog is so great I would be a fan even if they weren't.)

As We Stumble Along
I mentioned this blog in one of my previous posts, "The Perfect Morning Routine." Blogger Courtney shells out advice in her posts that is directed at women in college, which is ideal for me. Definitely worth checking out!

Live Bold and Bloom
This blog is suitable for anyone stumbling through this crazy ride called life. From finding your passion to learning to let go of a relationship, there are different posts for everyone.

Think Simple Now
A personal favorite of mine, this wonderful group of bloggers come together to offer uplifting material. Splattered with inspirational quotes and how to overcome obstacles, I highly recommend looking into this one.

Life Hack
This one is a fun one to read! Life Hack offers tips and tricks for an array of things, from money to lifestyle to productivity. Who knows, maybe you might find the advice that you've been looking for!

Artist of the Week: Alexey Adonin

As I sat in a coffee shop earlier this week thinking of a new artist that I could highlight this week, I came across artist Alexey Adonin. I was immediately awestruck at the way that Adonin uses his pieces to allow the viewer to see what they want to see. His images take on a life of their own from what he is able to envision, and the results are nothing short of extraordinary.

From Jersusalem, Israel, Adonin uses his incredible painting talents to captivate the eyes of anyone who views his work. His art is truly mesmerizing through every oil paint stroke on canvas he makes. The varying hues and undertones present in his pieces makes it easy to stare at for a rather long time. With nothing too vibrant or too soft, his palette conveys the perfect color scheme in his pieces. Each color works together to make something so intricately beautiful and unique.

From what I've seen in his work, Adonin creates an escape from reality in his abstract techniques. I can't help but create stories in my mind and imagine different things from what Adonin is able to bring to life.

To learn more about Adonin and to see more of his striking work, visit http://www.saatchiart.com/adonin.

How Iggy Pop Stands for the Youth of Today

 

Iggy Pop: iconic, influential, outrageous, and unpredictable. Even if you cannot put a face to the name, there is a good chance that you've heard it at some point.

I might be biased based on my adoration for punk rock, but that does not change the fact that Iggy Pop has created important sets of footprints for the youth of today to follow in. Known to many as "the godfather of punk rock," he has set an example for numerous alternative musicians, including Nirvana's front man the late Kurt Cobain.

As one of the greatest innovators of punk rock and front man for The Stooges, Pop has been known for a number of things as a musician. From rolling in piles of glass on stage to singing duets with Kesha, he's a man who can say that he has left a wild legacy throughout his life.

It seems like there is a new celebrity each day who decides to pull some type of dramatic stunt to get a rise out of the media as an attempt to save their careers from drowning in the infamous abyss of has-beens.

Iggy Pop, however, has the mindset of someone who could care less of what anyone says or thinks. Paying no mind to opinions, he has paved the way for the aspect of doing what makes you happy at any cost.

I tend to touch upon the topic of taking chances in my posts, and I feel that Pop is the best person to use in order to reiterate myself. Ever since he stepped foot onto the music scene in the early 1970s, he has been a part of shaping people in every generation, in both his music and his actions.

Spontaneity, as Pop has proved time and time again, often leads to success. No matter how hard you try, life does not follow any particular agenda. It just happens, and it is as simple as that. 

In one of Pop's most popular (and one of my absolute favorite) songs "The Passenger," he sings about relinquishing his control as a driver and taking a step back for a change. In essence, rather than trying to direct his own life, he lets his life guide him for a change. After doing so, he is finally able to realize the beauty instilled in everyday life.

In today's world, it seems that criticism can be almost inescapable. Situationally depending, when all eyes are on you, nerves might begin to crash in fear of messing up. Living for others begins to seem all too familiar and it can be an exhausting cycle to get wrapped up in.

This is where I think Pop comes into play. Even though he might have been a great influence for punk rock in past decades, he is an even better example for the youth of today. Turning dreams into realities and living for himself made him into an iconic character. If we cannot learn to accept our mistakes and live for ourselves, then what are we doing?

As Iggy Pop himself once said, "The embarrassment quotient has been going down for a long time, and the fond amusement has been rising."

Why Shia LaBeouf's #ALLMYMOVIES Is A Phenomenal Concept

Shia LaBeouf is at it again, and this time, he's doing something brilliant.

In the more recent past, LaBeouf has been pulling some edgy stunts in his career. No longer the goofy and carefree character of Louis Stevens in his breakout role on the hit Disney Channel show Even Stevens, his career has taken a more artistic turn that I appreciate more than anything.

Although he may have had altercations with others in his early twenties and had a somewhat confusing allegation against another woman at his 2014 art installation #IAMSORRY, he seems to be back on track with things. The actor's expressive mindset allows so much room for imagination and creativity, and he's proving that right now. 

As I write this, the unpredictable actor is sitting in a movie theater watching every film that he has ever been in in reverse chronological order, and will continue to do so for roughly three days. Since Tuesday Nov. 10, LaBeouf has been watching the movies consecutively with very limited breaks, and will continue to do so until he has watched every single one. While it is free and open to the public to those who are able to get there, it is also available to anyone who can't (unfortunately) be there on livestream here.

While many might not understand LaBeouf's antics, I for one appreciate him. He's willing to take risks that not many other actors would dare to, regardless of how the media portrays him. From wearing a paper bag over his face on the red carpet to art installations featuring solely himself, he dares to be different. He lives freely through his own artistic interpretations and expressions, which I strongly applaud him for.

So why is the fact that he's sitting in a New York City theater watching all of his movies in a row such a big deal?

Such an intimate setting allows the audience to live with LaBeouf and gaze upon his reactions to his own films as he watches himself on the screen. In a sense, I feel like he wants to be his own art piece with this. He's making it an installation of himself, because he knows that people want to watch him both on and off the screen when he's right there - so where will they look?

Shia LaBeouf is a person. Yes, he is a part of Hollywood, but he is still human nonetheless.

And that's exactly what he wants you to remember.

Finding and Following Your Passion

Ever since I can remember, I have had a distinct attachment to writing and the arts. I have always been attracted to the aspect of being able to make creations from ideas that I have in my mind and being able to bring them to life.

Even though I always knew that I had a passion for art and writing, I was always very timid about sharing some of my work with other people. For a long time, I lived in a constant state of thinking that what I had was not good enough in comparison to what someone else might have to offer. 

In high school, I was especially wary about my own writing until my AP English teacher encouraged me to enter myself into a regional writing contest. I had written a personal narrative on the harms of fracking from my family's experience, and she loved it. Hesitantly, I took her advice and submitted my piece. Two months later, I found out that I was a winner.

More often than not, stepping out of your comfort zone is the key to finding success. As Hunter S. Thompson once said, "Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing."

If you love to do something and find yourself getting excited about it, follow it. Don't let it die out or give up on it by settling for something less. There are opportunities to pursue what you want to do all around, whether you think so or not. Start by looking for them, even in the unlikeliest of places.

Take risks, be adventurous, and don't hesitate. Give it your all, and nothing less. You might be surprised at how happy you are in the place that you end up.

8 Current Buzzfeed Posts You Need to See Right Now

I'm a Buzzfeed addict. It's my guilty pleasure, and I can't help but find myself on the site constantly (especially when I'm procrastinating and have mounds of homework in front of me). They're funny, relatable, delicious, and inspiring.

 So, for a change of pace, I want to share some of my current favorite posts from the site with all of you. Enjoy!

1. 17 Subtle Ways To Wear Your Love Of Disney
Because who in their right mind doesn't love anything and everything Disney?

2. I Survived A Suicide Attempt
One of the most inspiring videos that I have watched recently, no matter who you are.

3. 27 Gifts Every Book Lover Should Ask For This Year
For all of my fellow bookworms out there who aren't quite sure of what they want for Christmas yet.

4. Spray Paint Nail Polish Exists And Your Life Will Never Be The Same Again
Quite possibly the most ingenious thing to come out since sliced bread.

5. The Ultimate Guide To Getting Published In A Literary Magazine
A little bit of help for any of you who have a passion for writing as great as I do.

6. 22 Things All Messy Couples Know
If your relationship is anything like the one that my boyfriend and I have, then you can relate 101%.

7. 26 Pictures That Show Just How Hardcore '70s Punk Really Was

To me, punk is about being an individual and going against the grain and standing up and saying, 'This is who I am.'" - Joey Ramone

8. This Is For Everyone From Upstate New York
This one is for all of my Rochester family. Representing Flour City and our undying love for garbage plates.

Artist of the Week: Megan Geckler

A native of Los Angeles, artist Megan Geckler masters the technique of installation art. Colorful patterns fabricated through three-dimensional techniques capture life within each one of her pieces.

The vibrancy in the materials that she uses captivates viewers, especially when combined with the intricate patterns that she creates. By using thousands of strands of flagging tape that combine into a plastic ribbon, Geckler is able to create pieces that really do stand out from the crowd.

"There is an inherent immediacy in the materials that I use, and in the manner in which they are crafted is obvious and deliberate," Geckler says in the About section of her website. "Generally, a gesture is repeated over and over until the area is completed."

 

To learn more about Geckler and her extraordinary creations, visit her website at www.megangeckler.com. 

 

Finding Your Inner Wanderlust

Beloved author of mine Jane Austen once said, "If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad." I've been thinking about this quote a lot lately, and it has played a role in influencing my mindset.

Austen's thoughts triggered my own mind to reflect back on my personal urge to explore. I know that I have the need within myself to break the mold and find my own adventures. To try new things, meet new people, to have the experiences of a lifetime. I want to make my own happiness.

The term "wanderlust" means  "to have a strong desire or urge to wander or travel and explore the world."

I know that I'm not the only one who carries the wanderlust trait. Many do, but might find themselves suppressing it because of routines in their lives that they have gotten caught up in. So, how does one acknowledge such a desire to break out of it?

To give in to the wanderlust mentality, you have to understand that nothing has to be permanent. You might feel trapped in your current situation, but you have the power to change anything that you want to.  If you can change your hair, clothes, jobs and relationships, why not change your life?

Being fearless is a quality that goes hand-in-hand with the feeling of being wanderlust. Instead of dreading anything that could go awry in your adventures, think about every amazing opportunity that you can seize.

 Imagine the possibilities that lie within taking chances and journeying where you feel the biggest pull. Gravitate toward the places that you know that you need to be, and find a way to get there. Even when it seems like an impossible concept, you won't know until you try.

Be spontaneous. Dare to be bold. Venture out into what you do not know in this vast world, because you never know what you might find.

5 Things That Happen When You Stop Stressing So Much

It can be a difficult task to stay on track with things, especially when you have a crazy schedule. The pressure adds up, and the overwhelming stress might begin to feel constant.

 Eventually, all of those hectic days and hurried deadlines will get you to where you need to be. From what I've learned through my own experiences, here are five great things that happen when they start to pay off.

1.) You start to become more and more productive.
I have definitely had the tendency to procrastinate when it comes to important tasks and due dates for my responsibilities. Lately, I've (thankfully) been a lot better about staying on top of everything that I have to do, and it feels nice to be so productive without feeling like I'm procrastinating my life away. This is definitely one way to lessen stressful thinking.

2.) Stress doesn't last forever.
Even when it seems like it won't ever go away, the stress will end eventually. Once everything evens out and the mounds of work and deadlines decrease a bit, things start to get a bit better and you get used to the work. If you're in a position where you really don't think that you can handle everything, it might be time to let go of some commitments.

 3.) The path for your future becomes clearer.
Everything that you've been working so hard for will come together when it's meant to. If it doesn't seem like it they will right now, give it time. The future becomes a much brighter place when you achieve enough goals to shed some light on it.

4.) You start to feel a lot more comfortable with everything.
If you had asked me a few months ago how everything was going in life, I probably would have referred to the picture that I added as the image for this post. However, somewhere along the way, everything began to fall into place and became a lot easier.

5.) It pays off.
Getting everything on the same track and getting used to overcoming stressful situations can be a rocky road, but ultimately, it's rewarding. When all is said and done, you can look back and remember how hard you worked to get where you are.