Let It Be

Sometimes, the inevitable comes knocking at our door when we least expect it. We are catapulted into the unknown before we have even a moment's notice to brace ourselves for the impending impact. Life happens, and there isn't always something that we can do about it.

Whether we choose to accept it or not, the path to happiness and success isn't always straight and narrow road. As people, we are guaranteed to experience failure, heartbreak, and uncertainty at some point in time. It's the way that we choose to deal with it that determines the strength of our true character.

As hard as we try to understand why some things happen or how they could possibly alter our lives for the better, we can't. We don't always have the answers and might not be able to find them, no matter how many years we spend studying for every possible class in our undergrad careers. Things might fall apart so that you can put yourself back together in the most important part of your life.

Life is a painful, mad, curious, beautiful thing to experience. Opportunities are everywhere -- it's just up to you to throw yourself out there, into the dark of the unknown and discover what lies ahead. 

Imaginative Spirit

A flicker of the imagination
can spark a wildfire among
the most creative of minds.

An enormous bundle of ideas
quickly turns into a mound of tinder
within the soul.

With a mere drip of fantasy,
the soul becomes engulfed
with the flames of wonder. 

Living for Yourself in the 21st Century

People often ask me what I want to do with my career in just a few years. I usually respond with a generic answer, based on what I am studying: "An art director for a magazine or a website." However, at other times, I find myself responding with three words instead of nine: "I don't know."

Truth be told, I can't say that I do know. I have a general idea in mind, but nothing is set in stone. I might only be four months shy of twenty-years old, but I have had big plans for my life for quite some time.

On a day-to-day basis, I have billions of little thoughts swarming within the four walls of my mind. I'd say that about a quarter of them consist of where I want to travel, what I want to do, goals that I want to achieve one day, and ways in which I want to live for myself.

Not that I stay cemented in the future by any means. I live for spontaneous decisions and jumping into any new opportunities that I come across, no matter how extreme (clever interlude into diverting your attention to my "Yes Man" post here after you finish feasting your eyes on this one). But when it comes to the rest of my life, I find it important to think about just where I see myself.

As a college student, I've talked to many of my friends and acquaintances about where they see themselves ending up. While many of them are in the same type of boat as myself, I've come across a few who say that it will be wherever their boyfriend or girlfriend decides, and that they will go from there. It doesn't matter if they have plans or goals of their own, because they have fallen too deep beyond the realms of infatuation.

What is there in life if you cannot live for yourself?

Keynote speaker Steve Maraboli once said, "When you are living the best version of yourself, you inspire others to live the best versions of themselves."

Throughout my life thus far, I've found that people come and go. People change, plans fall through and not everything is permanent. We can't always count on people, but we can sure as hell speak for ourselves.

Society today is pushing more than ever to stand apart from everyone else. No matter how close we might be to someone or how in love we are, let them do what they want while you pursue your own dreams. If things don't work out because you chose to live your own life, don't chase them. Let them go, because they obviously weren't worth your time anyways.

Think back to when you were significantly younger. What did you want to be as the years went by? (I apparently told my family that I "wanted to be a teenager" so I guess that I'm living the dream, but back on a serious note now.) No matter what your aspirations were, you knew that you weren't going to let anything or anyone stop you from getting to where you wanted to be.

The world can be such a vast and wonderful place. Take advantage of every chance you get, because the time doesn't stop ticking by.

For the Dazed and Confused

Lazy Sundays filled with listening to Vampire Weekend whilst drinking hot coffee and diving into books about modern art have instilled me with the inspiration to type out just what I have been feeling lately. Without further ado, here we go.

Lately, I've been stuck in my own thoughts more than I normally am. Bouncing back and forth within the four walls of my own mind, I've been trying to crack the code of what I truly want out of life. The only answer that I have come up with so far?

I don't know.

But do you know what else?

That's okay.

I'm the type of girl who enjoys the thrill of spontaneous adventures at two o'clock in the morning, but who also can't wait to be enveloped in the comfort of her own bed. I love to binge watch TV shows, but I also want to read for days at a time. I have aspirations to travel the entire world, but I can also be a bit of a homebody.

I have so many dreams that I want to pursue that I'm still unsure of what to place my finger on at the moment. Taking life on day at a time is one of the greatest challenges that I find myself continuously facing.

As much as I would love to have my life figured out by now, I'm also aware that that's not exactly going to happen. At nineteen-years old, I'm infatuated with the concept of having my future mapped out so that I have an idea of what is going to happen down the line. In order for that to happen, however, I need to have a solid grasp on what I want.

And right now, I'm not certain in what I want exactly because I want to experience everything.

I want to be able to live for myself. Do what I want, go where I want to go, and be who I want to without having to schedule my life around anyone else. I'm content with where I am right now, but there's also so much more that I want to get out of this short lifetime.

Dazed and confused is perhaps the best way to sum up my current predicament. I have a long journey ahead of me at such a young age, but I'm ready for it. I can't control everything and I will get to where I want to be in due time.

And if I do end up figuring everything out by some circumstantial one in a million chance, I'll be sure to let you know.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

Artist of the Week: Mars-1

Mars-1 is an artist that I recently came across online, and I'm glad that I did! His signature style is something that I think is rare, and that more people should appreciate.

Mario Martinez, or Mars-1, is a California based artist who has a distinct style that he carries out from piece to piece. His perfect use of color and depth is something that I personally envy. 

The above painting, "Transcendental Disaster," is remarkable in my opinion. The neon colors dance before the eyes like lights in the night. There are so many abstract and realistic images within it that it's absolutely mesmerizing.

 

You can find more of Mars-1's beautiful creations at mars-1.com/, where there are also prints and sculptures for sale. The perfect blend of imagination and detail, I can't seem to get enough of Mars-1.  

Artist of the Week: Audrey Kawasaki

Over the past few days, I've decided to dedicate one post each Friday to spotlight some of my favorite artists. Current or not, I'll be sharing some information and artwork on ones that I personally admire.

The first artist that I wanted to highlight is Audrey Kawasaki. Ever since my freshman year of high school, I have always admired her intricate work and how she creates her pieces. Honestly, she's probably become one of my biggest inspirations to pursue my interest in the visual arts. Her paintings intrigue me with the flowing movement, and have really pushed me into becoming a real artist myself.

A Los Angeles native, Kawasaki works slabs of wood and uses oil paints to bring her pieces to life. She is most known for her portrayals of young Geisha surrounded by beautiful wisps of floral designs. 

                    

I have always been drawn to Kawasaki's piece "Dishonest Heart" (pictured below) as one of my favorites. The portrayal of a young girl whose heart is in full visibility has a sense of mystery surrounding it. This is one of Kawasaki's more known works, and many people decide to get it tattooed onto themselves out of appreciation and admiration of the painting.

While I am certainly interested in all kinds of art, I have a soft spot for Kawasaki's. If you are a fan of her work as well, you can find some of her paintings or doodles and at www.audrey-kawasaki.com. There is true movement within each stroke of her paintbrush that she touches to every piece of wood.