National Parkin', a Dream

You will learn soon enough that I am full of dreams, and while dream #1 will always be getting published- that is, having both my writing and illustration out there in the world- another significant dream of mine is to travel.

Stopping (sans backpack) for some beautiful views on Hermit Trail inside of the Grand Canyon.

I have a specific interest of seeing natural lands and the biomes that make regions unique. To zero that idea down even further, I have a particular pull to see all of the US national parks. While that is a hefty wish to fulfill, I realize it can be done. So far, I have seen three, my first being Acadia National Park in Maine on a family trip back when I was ten or so. I actually do remember the trip very well, it was incredible. We stayed in a cozy lodge and much to my delight, had the chance to see my favorite animal, a moose! My next national park trip would not be until this year, where my university offered a once-in-a-lifetime spring break trip of camping and backpacking inside of the Grand Canyon. I signed up on a whim and it was one of the best decisions of my life. The backpacking was strenuous and camping was not at all glamorous since Arizona is hot and dry even in March, and running water was not available at the bottom of the canyon (unless you qualify a few streams and the Colorado River), but that didn't mean much to me as I was over the moon to even be there. 

Me and my BFF Katie, goofing around at Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah. 

Just last weekend, my best friend Katie and I decided to go to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, which was also amazing (I don't really think you can go wrong with a US national park, unless of course you despise nature). The park itself is situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a range that is a part of the larger Appalachian Mountains. The name comes from the mountain's hazy shades of blue, I believe it has something to do with the chemicals the trees release, but nevertheless, in August, there were a bounty of green leaves and plants and from a distance, the mountains really did appear blue. Katie and I spent Saturday hiking Old Rag Mountain, the park's leading attraction, and while hiking, we came across two bears- one was digging, the other was eating berries (it was really neat to see them interact with the wildlife), a fair amount of ravens at the mountain's summit, and also a rattlesnake, which I almost stepped on while walking on the trail, but to be fair, I had no idea it was there and it didn't hiss, rattle, or make any noise even as it slinked off.  She and I want to visit more parks together, which I am absolutely game for. We're planning on going South to see Congaree in South Carolina and Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee/North Carolina next year. It's beautiful to see all of nature and what God has created for mankind. 

A couple of people I know that are into national parks want to visit them in one big road trip, which would make sense if you head out west where the majority of them  are clumped together, just look at a map. One day I'd like to do something like that, but I also like the way I've been visiting them in special week-long or weekend trips. By travelling that way, I can really experience the individual park and not have my memories muddled together of all the places I've been.

I'm glad I have my best friend as my adventure buddy, and hopefully in the future, my future husband (wherever he is) will be into US national parks, although if he's not, I'll be questioning why I'm married to him. I do wish I were situated closer to some of the parks; the nearest one from my current home is Shenandoah, and that was 3 and a half hours away by car, but again, the joy is in the journey, and I wouldn't mind road-tripping out west in an RV, van, or Airstream. It's a dream that'll come true with time, patience, and of course proper budgeting. 

Inspiration: The Beatles

As a writer and an artist, I take much of what I see and process it into my own understanding and perspective. A huge factor in my inspiration field comes from music, I couldn't live without it. So to anyone out there who knows me on a more personal level, you probably have heard me talk about The Beatles at least once, and even if I don't talk about them, there are still hints that I love them (posters, listening to them via laptop, phone, or car CD, singing in the shower, etc.). But I don't know if people quite understand why I love the Fab Four so much; it comes down to more than what the surface can show. 

The Beatles are undoubtedly the greatest band ever, but it wasn't until I've grown up that I realized why that is. As a kid, I remember taking long road trips to visit family, and in the car my mom would play the more recognizable Beatles songs from their greatest hits album. Over the years, I've become more curious about a wider range of their songs, and whenever I have a question regarding them, my classic-rock-loving mother is there to be my guide. I will say, if it weren't for her, I'd be finding a lot of the music I love much later, or possibly not at all.

But on a more personal level, I find the reason The Beatles were so successful is within their innovation. In the 60's, they were pioneers for new sounds and new ways to explore music in the recording studio, and they were responsible for starting many things that are still used today. Think of the deep experimentation of infusing Eastern music into Western pop and rock. George Harrison was key to the band's involvement with Indian sounds (think "Norwegian Wood" and even more so in "Within You Without You"). Ringo Starr utilized drum hooks and beats that weren't loud or flashy, but instead memorable and everlasting (my personal favorite, his drum solo in "The End"). Orchestras and choruses were brought into songs like "A Day in the Life" or "Hey Jude," and other aspects of sound were brought into the studio, from animal noises (The White Album) to playing with tape loops and using unconventional instruments (Revolver).

But perhaps what I find most significant to the overall artistry of the band is the Lennon-McCartney songwriting team. Their lyrics were and still are incredibly meaningful, especially for men under thirty, and they captured themes that are much deeper and contemplative than what many songs have. In other words, they didn't just write about the go-to theme of love and relationships, and even when they did, they did it with a sense of surreal beauty. I think I am so fond of their music because they have the perfect incorporation of sound and meaning, something that I look for in good music. I often listen to them when I'm creating something.

I would have to say that my favorite album by The Beatles, even though it's hard to choose, would be Abbey Road. A lot of songs in the sequence bleed into the next one in this album, and I notice that is something many classic rock albums include; I think it's fantastic, it makes the songs seems like one long composition, creating a sense of connectedness. I wish albums of today would do that.

I could ramble about The Beatles all day, and I'd probably end up talking about how magical it was for them to even be together, despite them being a band for only a decade. There is so much music out there that I find inspiring, there are a lot of creative minds out there, but what I think is most special about the musicianship of The Beatles is their ability to convey timeless messages in such an artistic, inventive way that really makes listeners think, and that's what I want to create in my work.     

Welcome

Hello there and welcome to my online portfolio! While there is plenty of room on the site for my illustration and design work, I wanted to create a space that showcases my writing, and a blog seems to be the most suitable place. I am, after all, a writer and an illustrator. For me, words and pictures go hand in hand. 

As someone who writes, draws, and daydreams a lot, creativity and imagination are what inspire me to do what I do. Sometimes I wish I had talent in another, what I see as "more practical" subject like mathematics or science, where the focus is on objectivity and finding answers. Ironically enough, I do not always like subjectivity, I find it can complicate discussions and I miss the comfort of clear answers. But as complex and mystifying as the arts can be, I would not trade my skills and passion for it for anything else.   

So as far as this blog will go, it will act as a sort of journal for my at-the-moment thoughts, recent happenings, or nostalgic recollections (I have plenty). Usually my notes are full of fragmented dreams, a few unfinished stories, and lots of poetry, mostly bad poetry, but some decent poetry (but mostly bad). I keep a journal near my bed for jotting down quick thoughts I have; many of my ideas for writing come at night while much of my ideas for illustrating and making art come during the day (more on idea catching later, that's what the blog is for).

I'll be updating my site on the basis, making art and squeezing in some blog posts, so check in if you think you are interested enough to hear what I have to say!