I need some ink.

I have been wanting a tattoo for a little bit now. I keep looking at different ones and I keep coming back to this one for some reason. I just really like it. Only thing is..will it be something I want when I'm 40? If I did get this one I think I would put it on my shoulder. I think. I just want one!! ahh.

Champions By Design Scholarship

About a month ago, the students of Ai Indy were given the chance to enter to win a $2500 scholarship and a chance to have our artwork hung in Lucas Oil Stadium for Superbowl 2012. The theme was "Champions By Design," which was very open to interpretation. When I looked up the word "champion," this is what I got:

champion |ˈ ch ampēən|

noun

1 a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, esp. in sports : [as adj. ] a champion hurdler.

2 a person who fights or argues for a cause or on behalf of someone else : a champion of women's rights

"A champion of women's rights," for some reason got me thinking about individuality and got me on the track of how we are "the champions of ourselves." I'm not sure how my thought process went from women's rights to individuality, but it did. I originally wanted to do a shoot of 3 different people's eyes and capture the lighting just right so that there was just enough reflection in their eyes, and then I was thinking of putting that persons' passion in the reflection of their eyes; three passions that somehow tied together in an economical way. Based on the thought of, "Together we are the world." I thought about it for a while, and then realized that I was unsure of how to execute it in a way that would get my idea across. So I ended up doing a few head-shots of my sister and two best friends. Across their cheeks I wrote the words, "I am." This idea was based on the fact that we are the champions of ourselves. Around their shots I wrote different things like, "I am power, I am unselfishness, I am generosity, ...etc." Things that make up the individualities of that person. We all are unique, and I wanted to get that across in a way that was creative and obvious by having them pose in a way that displayed their separate personalities. I guess I interpret "Champions by Design," is that we are all unique and are made up of different "designs," if you will. I just really wanted to show the beauty of the uniqueness of a person. And so, this is what I ended up with.

First studio shoot

Thankfully, I have a sister that I sucker in to helping me out. First studio shoot, just to mess around with lighting and such. Thought it went fairly well.

Recently.

Faith

Flight #24 was a major turning point in my life. Never before did I know there was someone who loved me just the way I am. Or that no matter where I go, I am not alone. I knew about God, and I knew He gave everything for me, but I never fully understood that idea. He gave His LIFE for ME. I had heard that a million times, but never actually thought about it. I never realized that He loved me exactly how I was-no need to change. With all that I've done wrong, He still loves me. And I know this may be a little late (3 1/2 yrs. to be exact) but I've never thought about how monumental this time in my life has been until now.

Since my flight I have been working on my relationship with God and I've learned that it is not an easy thing. It takes work and it takes lots of faith. I've been through some "rough patches" in my life that made me angry with God and really put my faith to the test. I tell Him when I'm mad, when I'm happy, sad..etc. I talk to God like I talk to a friend. It shouldn't be a formal thing. He doesn't want us to have "guidelines" when talking to Him. I guess what I'm getting at is that without a relationship with God, you can believe all you want but you will never truly have that connection. It's a continual work in progress so don't lose the faith.

"I'll be by your side wherever you've fallen, in the dead of night whenever you call and please don't fight these hands that are holding you."--Tenth Avenue North

Mirror Mirror On The Wall.

Took this today (Nikon D80)

Pure Ignorance.

Everyone always asks, "Well how hard is it really?" And it irritates me every time even more than the last. Being an artist is more than just creating a pretty picture, and it irritates me to no end the people who cannot see that. Those who assume that just because I chose to be an artist, that makes me illiterate, or that because I chose to be a graphic artist it's, "not as challenging as other majors." This just shows to me one's true ignorance on the subject. Being an art major is just as, if not more challenging than any of the others. (I dare you to bring up this topic with Jacob Dobson.) Art is deeper than what you see on the surface, and some people simply cannot seem to fathom the idea. When someone asks me that dreaded question, a little part of me inside wants to just scream! It's not just an easy thing, and it isn't something to "just get by with." It takes a certain type to understand not only the aesthetics but the THEORY, and technique. I wish people could understand that it is more than what meets the eye. I find it sad that there are people who really don't see things in the same light. As Jacob Dobson so eloquently says it (though he always seems to find the perfect way of saying things), "We've become callused to the point where our society doesn't feel anymore." He is so right. It's the sad truth that people have become zombies-not being able to feel what it's like with art and meaning and depth to something.