For Noni…

It’s the day after Christmas, and I was supposed to hang out with Kate today. I’ve been wanting to spend time with her and the family since I got home. She has been in my life since middle school and I consider her like a sister, her family like my second family. I practically lived at her house for a while. The Zeigler’s have done so much for me, including letting me use their basement to paint a 6ft canvas which her mom also helped me staple down to the frame, and I am very grateful for them.

I got a text message from Kate this afternoon which is when I knew something was wrong. I later got a phone call with the news. Noni died this morning.

I couldn’t control it. Instant tears streamed down my face. I can’t believe it. I didn’t see it coming. and I’ve never felt this way before. This is the first death of a family member that I’ve ever experienced and she wasn’t even my real grandma. I can only imagine what her blood relatives are going through… Both of my grandparents died before I was born on my moms side, and my dad’s side just wasn’t there either. It wasn’t until my mom got remarried that I’ve ever experienced what love of a grandparent could be like. Before, Noni was the closest thing to that for me.

I’ve honestly only met Noni maybe twice, and that was enough for her to touch my life. She was so full of joy, the cutest old lady I’ve ever met. With her humor, sensibility, and love that just radiated from her, there was no way anyone could NOT love this woman.

I distinctly remember something she said that still makes me smile. She had just recently gotten to the Zeiglers house from her travels and was telling us about her cat while she was packing. She said that her cat likes to get in her suitcase and her “cashmere turned into cat smear.” 🙂

It’s things like this that we need to think about. Rather than mourning a death, we must celebrate life. But it’s okay to be sad. You’ve just lost a grandmother, mother, friend… after all. She’s in a better place. Each of us from the day we are born are going through a cycle of life. We are born and then inevitably we will die. It’s all about how you spend the dash (-). I am happy that Noni got to go after living a long life, influencing countless others by her simple presence.

She was an inspiration. Always look at the bright side, find humor in annoyances, and love others.

I doubt she would even remember me, but I remember her…and I love her. I hope one day I could be someone who can influence others so simply that they remember me in return.

Rest in peace. ❤

I am a graphic designer.

Were in college. Many people still don’t know what they want to do with their lives, and I’m here with the same idea for the past 8 years. This is how it all started:

When I was little, people would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up and I would say, “I want to be an inventor!” I have always been creative and innovative! I would make concactions to roll tissues down from my bunk bed when I was sick and a multitude of other efficient devices. Were talking between the ages of 5-10 years old! I loved making things.

By age 12… don’t judge me… or do actually… I don’t care. Anyways, in 6th grade is when I made a myspace, and I began coding my own profile! I’d spend hours and hours and all night redesigning my profile, learning html code on my own, and making the best profile out of all my friends. I’d even offer to code my friends profiles during periods where I was satisfied with my own.

Middle school: I was awarded as one of the top students in my computer classes, and I helped with the graphics in our yearbook. This is also when I began to design my own album artwork for bands that I imported onto my iPod from CD’s my friends would burn for me. Again, I’d spend hours designing the album artwork just so I could have it on my iPod. This wasn’t for praise, it was just a pure joy (which btw I was only using paint at this point).

High school: This is where my graphic design sky rocketed! I designed t-shirts for practically everything. Was in yearbook again, also focusing on photography as well. Helped with Day Without Hate graphics. Got involved with an International, Student Lead service organization where I served creatively club level for one year and on the district board for two years. I first transformed their online presence with web design, then moved to the executive board as the head of public relations committee and did print materials, changed the newspaper to a full color magazine, other marketing, at least 5 t-shirts for big events, convention handbooks, pins, and everything else. This opportunity not only gave me a way to be a servant leader using graphic design, but it allowed me to overcome my shyness and fear of public speaking. I had to get elected to serve my position at the biggest district event of the year, and from there went on to teach workshops to kiwanians about social media and newsletters and other design/marketing things. Being in this organization (Key Club) is what allowed me to gain the confidence to preform slam poetry at my high school graduation. I also held my own art show and got one of my pieces into a gallery downtown right before graduation which I think is worth mentioning.

Transitioning: I was eager to get involved with campaign for kindness and helped with designs related to this cause of ending bullying. I love doing graphic design for things I’m passionate about and my reach is only going further. Another thing I did was get an internship with Boomerang Marketing while still a senior in High School. I learned so much. I feel as though I have knowledge above many other college students and even graduates when it comes to the production process of design and the real world. For that I am very grateful and I think about the things I learned there all the time. Something I should mention here is that I took all the graphic design classes offered at my school to properly learn the adobe programs, which has helped tremendously when considering efficiency.

College: Already vastly ahead of my peers, I was very frustrated at CSU with the lack of challenge. The program is lame. They have only 5 specific graphic design classes and the rest of the classes in your degree are general art classes. Were talking 2 typography classed, 2 illustration classes, and one intro to GD class. WOW. How do they expect students to be prepared for the real world with no legit graphic design experience? One or two classes are not enough to gain good portfolio work. I have had several volunteer and internship experiences as a college freshman to know that and build my portfolio already. This year, I started off doing more district level serving in the same position of the organization I was last year, only for the college level. I quit shortly after to focus on my job and for a few other reasons. My job was another graphic design position at CSU. I can tell you I have gained so much professional development and portfolio pieces, friendship, and more. This job was my saving grace at CSU. It was the only thing keeping me sane as I couldn’t do ANY graphic design in the program here.

I’m just too impatient to wait 2-3 years into college to actually do graphic design. It’s a waste. It’s a complete waste. Everyone says the university route is better because you get a “full rounded” education… but that’s not necessarily true. If you’re an art major at a university you take painting, sculpture, drawing…. all these things that are irrelevant to your future profession if you are in fact serious about graphic design. You don’t need to sculpt… You won’t need science… Granted, there are some life skills and random knowledge you will gain that I’m sure no one will regret learning, but overall I believe you are better off getting an in-depth experience in your actual professional field. And it’s not like you don’t get any random knowledge at an art school. You still take the humanities and all of that. You just start exercising your skills a LOT sooner. Rather than waiting 3 years to take on the surface classes like typography, which will be just a minor thing any designer will use in most jobs, you take specific courses for package design, prototyping, layout, etc… things people don’t even think about… you learn in depth at an Art School.

I’m very excited to be going to RMCAD in just a few weeks, and the fact my schedule is as awesome as it is while I’m still a freshman? Heck yes. I’m already loving life. P.S. I got so excited I designed my own schedule, the one they gave me was a lot of boring text believe it or not. They also have it set up to where I will only be in 3 classes at a time; two on campus and one online, with their 8-week and 16-week courses.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is what I want to invest my career energy into: Graphic Design to influence my society in a significantly sizable and positive way. I’m an artist, and I’ve always been one as you now know. This is my passion. This is not just the easy way out for me. This is my future, and I have and will use it to change the world.

The Persistence of Routine

This final 3D Visual Fundamentals project is a piece that sets myself free. I wanted to use materials that one could find on any given day of their routine life; a serving plater, clock, branches, hamster wheel, pet fish. I took these materials and altered their shape and color in addition to harmonizing them into one single work of art. Oftentimes people get lost in routine. They overlook life, and sometimes I catch myself doing the same thing. I felt like a limited, isolated, impatient goldfish that just wants to get away from itself and explore the world. I aim to portray a sense of that feeling though this work of art.

 

The metallic serving platter exists as a reflector of both good and bad. It reflects light, as well as all the chaos happening around the fish in addition to the fish himself. The hamster wheel below the jar is a symbol of potential. The subject (in this case the goldfish) seeks to accomplish more and because of the transparency of the plastic used to hold the glass jar, the fish can see the wheel below him. I would hope the viewer would see that the hamster wheel shows to symbolize that sometimes what you desire is not always meant for you. Even if they fish could escape its circle swimming within the jar, it would just continue circles in the hamster wheel…and die. This idea plays hand in hand with the twitching clock above the jar. With the haunting imagery below the fish of his inability to escape the isolated routine and clock above, it intensifies the uncomfortable sentiment. The clock compliments the work conceptually through that intensification and reminder that time is only growing shorter.

The sticks create the largest portion of the work. The creative process behind this portion involved carving each branch as to shape the tips in addition to carving the the full length in order to produce more angular shapes. This decision compliments both the desired antler look as well as the way light reflects off of them. I added aluminum rectangles to further push the reflective nature and unify them with the silver base of the work. It is fairly evident that my color choice consists of mainly silver and gold. These colors create unity and a glorifying beauty which in return plays a role in contrasting the uncomfortable reality behind the work of art. To further explain the process of shaping the antlers, I was both additive and subtractive to the found branches in order to produce a balanced and semi-symmetrical outcome. My decision to create this imagery again ties back into the concept of found objects within ones routine life. The hanging deer head on walls are often haunting as they stare at you and you are not emotionally occupied by something else. When alone, as the goldfish is, the animal on the wall can potentially urge self-irritation through ones own conscious. This idea plays heavily in the desired concept behind The Persistence of Routine. 

I want the viewer to experience both a sense of comfort and discomfort. I want them to find beauty in the metallic nature of the work and fear in the fragility. I want the viewer to, not necessarily understand my intentions 100%, but gain a sense of feeling trapped and isolated. Above all I want this piece to provoke the thoughts of my viewers about how they are living their own lives.

Are you limiting yourself with routine? Does it even bother you?

P.S. No fish were harmed in the making of this project…although he looks like the goldfish version of grumpy cat.

Winter Fog

 Tis’ the season to be observant and emotionally reflective. There is something about fog this season. I think it’s the most beautiful thing. The fog in nature, and everywhere else. Hopefully I’m about to bring to light something you commonly overlook which will become something beautiful you notice from now on. 

    

When the temperature drops below the dew point, you can see your own breath. Have you ever just walked through a crowded place watching people breathe? I’m a people watcher and I love the winter for that reason. When you can see your breath, you can now see the rate at which everyone else is breathing. Your breathing rate changes for several reasons. By making an effort to observe the fog coming from people around you, you now have a window into their existence. You realize that everyone on this planet is connected in some way. They are people; they breath…and it’s beautiful.

The other thing fog related is that I’ve been noticing a lot more people smoking. Lighting up a cigarette as they walk to class… social smoking in the dim-lit parking lot as I walk home from my night studio course. Just an observation.

    

13 things

Half of 26, Katie’s favorite number.

1. This is a list of things about me of which I am writing
2. I don’t like long lists.
3. I always make lists to keep myself sane. This list is harder than others.
4. After I make the list I typically don’t look at it again
5. When I wake up, the first thing I want to look at is the sky
6. When walking strutting to class in a leather jacket and eating an apple, I feel like a bad ass.
7. I truly don’t care what you think about me
8. I will never turn down a seriously spontaneous adventure invite
9. I love to people watch, especially in the city. I like to imagine where they’re going, what their family is like, and what they do for a living.
10. I collect old photographs from antique shops because I like to imagine about those people too.
11. I don’t like to talk about myself. I much prefer listening to people talk about themselves.
12. I am currently seeking an opportunity to serve on an international level.
13. Bearded men are better, and I bet I’m going to melt a lot at my new art school.

BONUS FACT : I have my motorcycle license and tattoo and I love concealing that awesomeness because people don’t expect it from me.

I’m an open book

I am one of those people who will openly tell you anything you want to know, and yet… people know so little about me. Thats because they don’t ask.

Well, I think it’s time to write about something real…something that I try to forget, however know it is very important to remember: my childhood, which explains a lot of why I am the way I am today.

This is how I remember it: An angry, drunk father. My mother trying so hard to protect us from the evils of the world. A sister who I loved and grew apart from as times got harder. Two little brothers who I wanted to protect as if they were my own. We packed up the house because we couldn’t take it anymore. Slowly our belongings started to disappear. Each night as I lied awake in bed I could hear the fighting grow louder as more and more of our things would be moved to the new location. I remember a simple exchange of $100 between my parents in an envelope…and finally, we disappeared.

I stopped using the word “Dad” at age 7. I’ve been to 5 elementary schools. My desire for change is ever present because that’s all I’ve ever known. Different places…different people…and I’m okay with that.

My moms’ best friend took us in so we wouldn’t be on the streets, and I can tell you…her family changed our lives — they changed my life. We went to their church regularly, and I loved it. They did so much for us that they didn’t need to out of love. They just radiated with the love of God and spread it to not only us, but everyone they met, and I will forever admire that. I can honestly say that their acts of love are what planted the seed for my relationship that I have with God today.

From there, the faith my family now shared all together and so strongly is what brought us back onto our feet! So many miracles happened that need a blog post of their own! I used to be angry when I thought about the childhood I had verses everyone else. I’d tell myself that there is no way I will ever put my kids through that, but now I’m okay with it. The experiences I’ve had are what made me who I am today. I love people because I am loved by the man above who will never abandon me, and my heart breaks whenever I see stories similar to mine.

That brings me to tonight, I don’t know why but I decided to browse all the people looking for a place to stay on Craigslist. I came across this family.There are a lot of similarities but a lot of differences I see here. The husband has so much pressure put on him to provide for his family, and the difference is that he didn’t have the people we did to take us in without hesitation. I couldn’t resist but to write back and tell him my story.

Here is part of what I said:

“In the hard times your family faces, I just wanted to encourage you with my story. You are never truly alone, God is watching over you and he wants to be a part of your life, you just need to accept him. Talk to him, because he’s there. Ask him what to do. Ask him for comfort and understanding. He will always be there for you, just as he was for me. I got the tattoo Mathew 6:25-28 so that I could always remember the same thing.

Which is ““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Are you not more valuable than the birds? Don’t worry, because your heavenly father will always come through! The key is faith.”

I felt like that was a really important email to send tonight, and I hope he takes my advice. There are going to be bumps in the road, but they will make you who you are. I am proud of the woman I have become, and I owe it all to my past.

The Wanderer — my blessing

Everyone has a goal of how they want to influence the world and people around them, and I am more than honored and happy that Katie views me exactly the way I aspire to be. I just don’t really know what to say except thank you.

Free Flowing

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about just how influential we are in each other’s lives. As the saying goes, “they were either a lesson or a blessing” and that is the basis behind these words. When I met Miranda back in August, I had no idea just how much of an influence this tiny Egyptian girl would have on my life for the next few months that will carry on for the rest of my life.

I must first begin by describing Miranda as I see her. To me, she is a pure soul. Happy, individualistic, artistic, a wanderer; she is everything that I am not. She is traveled, she is happy within her own skin, she is deeply and beautifully herself.

Miranda has taught me that I need to enjoy life. I need to take the time to break my routine and to do things that satisfy the…

View original post 158 more words

MANIFESTO

The thoughts of Miranda Samon on art and art making:

• Art should be done without pants. Pants are something often utilized to please society. Don’t please society. 
• Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. Strike the viewer emotionally. By doing this, you know you have created a memorable work of art.
• Art should strike a balance.  A balance between heavy and light, between happy and sad, between representational and non-representational.
• Trust simplicity. Just because it’s simple does not mean the concept behind it is simple. White or negative space can be very important and powerful.
• Let it erupt from the world around you. Take the things you look past on a daily basis and create based off of those things. Don’t be selfish and make all the art about you. Consider what you love and hate about the world.
• Art should be done after a nap. Sometimes the best ideas are the first ones that enter your mind. Cleanse your mind by meditation or sleep.
• Mess up your sleep schedule. The lack of sleep does beautiful things which can ultimately help you reach places you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Another positive impact of a messed up sleep schedule is the time management that comes of it. Consider time as each hour, not as days. Be more creative and productive.
• Art should be cruel. Everything you ever wanted to say about the world should be spoken for. Don’t sugar coat negativity.
• Art should be enlightening. You learn something everyday; share those truths.
• Art should be cheesy. Put cheese in your art. Put milk in it. Put bird poop in it. Put whatever the hell you want in it and break all the rules.
• Use art as a gift to the world. In whatever you do, do it in full awareness of the power that lies behind your creation. Use that influential power for good.
• Don’t constrict yourself within your own mind. Forget the rules, because oftentimes you put them in your own head, and they poison you.
• Art should cross lines. It should also get so uncomfortably close to crossing that line, yet only teasingly hover above it with safe tension.
• Art should kick butts.
• The artist should be honest. Be honest with yourself above all else and your intentions. Why you are making the work will correlate directly to the outcome.
• Environment is everything. You should be in a comfortable environment that is neither too hot nor too cold. There should be no one who annoys you around, only the best music should be playing, and no distractions. Also, food…there should be food, but only food that is motivating and won’t ruin the art.
• Don’t be afraid to wing it. You don’t need a solidified plan 100% of the time. Artists are visual people and it’s alright to make a bunch of pieces, then see how they come together to form the end result. If you don’t like it, you can always redo it. As a matter of fact, when winging your artwork it is expected and important to go through multiple attempts.
• Art should do nothing. Not all art needs to have underlying meaning.
• Art shouldn’t be forced. When given an assignment, let it guide you, not force your end result into something that reflects more guidelines than your own ideas.
• Art should be free, and set people free.
• Look at the stars and know deep down that your mother never loved you. Every artist needs to embrace the fact that there will be people close to them who are displeased with their art making decisions. However, every artist needs to look past that and appreciate the light around them.
• Not all art should be finished.  Don’t listen to your art teacher. When you’re done you’re done. You can come back to it later…but only if you feel like it.
• Artists should listen. Consider the people and world around you. Listen to the wind, the trees, the Earth, and let it inspire you.
• Have courage. Don’t resist change nor hesitate to try new techniques.
• Art should be an intimate product of body and mind. Invest yourself fully. Give it your physical existence, and let it radiate with your spirit.
• Art should speak for itself. Sometimes words simply can’t do it, and they shouldn’t have to. When you can’t think of the right words to say, and even when you can, it’s time to make art.
• Art should produce silence. Silence because the viewer wants to stand there and stare for eternity. Silence because of all the thoughts that are now swarming their mind. Silence because you just changed their life.
• Chase the moon. Chase knowing that you can’t catch it, and advance towards your artistic dreams in perfect “unachievable” bliss.
• Touch it. Touch it with your face.
• Be the art. 

Does it matter?

I’m really struggling today. I am overwhelmed with stress, due dates, papers, projects, transferring to a new school, finals approaching, work transition, and maintaining enough social balance.

This week is especially tough with time management. I have four papers due, a manifesto, and one of which is 50% of my grade in the class…that one was due today. Walk into class…this was news to me. I distinctly remember him saying it was due next week. Needless to say I didn’t have it done and chose to leave class before it started to go work on it. I was unable to concentrate because of everything on my mind. When I’m overwhelmed with tasks, typically I sit there doing nothing.

As I was sitting there trying to write, no words coming out, I felt the need to stop and pray. I sat there for a good five – ten minutes praying. I had some peace after that. I figured since I wasn’t in class and I wasn’t being productive out of class I should just go into work.

On my way walking through the plaza, these were the thoughts going through my head, “I hate this school. Two more weeks. You can push through it and come out with the grades you want. If you quit you will look back and be disappointed with yourself…” I was self motivating myself basically, and I know the look on my face was very sad. This girl was looking at me as she walked and stopped to ask me a question. Normally since I was heading to work I’d say I was in a hurry and not talk to her, but I felt like she had something worth the interaction.

She asked me what my religious beliefs were and I told her. She seemed pleased with the answer and asked me a few more questions which I answered. She then agreed with me and said yes, “Jesus isn’t just our savior, he is Lord. He loves you unconditionally, more than anyone ever could, and we need to live our lives for him because he gave his to save us.” She started to tear up! She was so passionate and happy to be sharing that with me, I almost teared up! and it’s true! Whenever my life isn’t on track with God, I go through so many trials. When I put my joy and faith in God, everything falls into place. He has a plan, and that to me is reassuring. I really needed her, at that exact moment in time, and she was there.

So then the question is, do all of my school concerns even matter? Why am I stressed? Ultimately it goes from lack of time > lower grades > lower GPA > less scholarships. Well guess what? CSU screwed me over and didn’t offer me any when I had a 4.2 and was heavily involved. All I really need to do is pass to get the credits. So NO…it doesn’t matter. I’m transferring to RMCAD and because I’ve only been in college for one semester, they will take my High School GPA for scholarship consideration and it will be like I’m starting new. Thats kind of like starting a new life after you put your trust in God. I remember what it felt like to be a new christian, and I will never forget the passion and joy. I still have that faith and desire to please God, it’s just easier to fade from that goal when under so much pressure. One thing I will keep in mind, is that God wouldn’t put his toughest solders through the easiest battles.

We are never truly alone.