My Experiences Here at NHIA Pre-College (So Far!)

So, as many of you who care enough to read my blog, I am currently in Manchester, New Hampshire for New Hampshire Institute of Art's Pre-College Program. This experience is here to give me a glimpse into what college would be like here at NHIA, to build my portfolio, and get feedback on my current portfolio and work I am currently producing. This experience so far has been different for me, given that I am naturally not a social person and that I am currently hiding in my room while everyone is hanging in the lounge. Yay! But for reals, I am not a social person, however, I am enjoying the experience I am getting here at NHIA. My RA, Shannon, is super chill and sweet, and so are the rest of the RA's that guide us around campus. I am currently taking a visual storytelling & narrative illustration class, along with a painting course called "painting on the edge of abstraction and realism". Both I am thoroughly enjoying, and I really like how my style is somewhat speaking volumes. My style is definitely different than may of the artists in the program, for a lot of them create or replicate animated characters and are really into the sci-fi-fi realm. But one thing that is so great about art is that it is okay to be different. At the end of the day, different does not mean bad: it is just different. And honestly, I love that my style and interpretation of various assignments and things are different than others, because that is what may make me stand out later on in my art career. And while it ma be scary (really scary) sometimes, at the end of the day, I am making art. I am creating something to make someone feel something. I am making something allows interpretation and emotion. I am creating.

Summer Playlist!

Every season, I typically make a playlist for that season and or time period of my life. This makes me reminiscent on different seasons and time periods of my life each time an old song reappears in my everyday life. It also is super fun! So here is my summer playlist for 2017. I hope you can enjoy this playlist, or at least give it a shot on your way to the beach this summer. 🏖🐳🌊

• Rollin' by Calvin Harris 
• Seasonal Affective by Everyone Leave
• December (again) {Feat. Mark Hoppus} by Neck Deep
• May I Have This Dance (remix) {Feat. Chance the Rapper} by Francis and the Lights
• Houdini by Foster the People 
• Drown by Front Porch Step 
• Trouble Adjusting by Miya Folik
• DUCKWORTH. by Kendrick Lamar
• Cherry Bomb by The Runaways
• Happy Judgement Day by Neck Deep
• No More Bad Days by This Wild Life 

College Number One on the Art College Tours = Success.

This past weekend, I had visited Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts. This was an exciting experience for me. High School has been a nightmare and a half for me. Personally, high school has been the lowest and worst part of my life. So moving onto college is a very exciting thing for me. I had an art teacher, whom I am still very close to, go to this school and thrive. This made me excited. Maybe this school would be the fit for me, too!
After a two hour drive up to the small town, three blocks from the ocean, only train stops away from Boston, I fell in love instantly. The area is small, artistic, and quaint. The school is small, with each graduating class being around 100 people. I see myself here. I see myself thriving here. Right now, this school is on the top of my list, along with the New Hampshire Institute of Art, which I will be doing a Pre-Summer Art Intensive at for two weeks this summer. There is still so much to see, but right now, this is where I see myself being. Cheers to future progression and to moving forward onto much better things.

My Work Space

Hello, all! I am writing to give a little glimpse into the space where I am and work from (90% of the time). This space is something that has become sacred to me, because it is practically where the I spend the majority of my time. Last summer was an extremely sad, hard time for me. I rarely left this space. It was where I felt safe, where I felt most myself, whoever that person was. This is vital in making influential, new work, along with creating somewhere you can let your creativity form around you as you work. I love this space and what it has done for me, and now I can share it with you, too! I hope you enjoy.

High School Art Show Update

There are several things that run through my mind as I reminisce on the Art Show that was this past Thursday at my high school. A lot of emotions. A lot of hatred and heartache. A lot of sadness and disappointment. Most of my artwork was created in response to the school and various others putting me through hell.  Me not being listened to. Me not fitting in in all sorts of different ways this school year. Practically all of my artwork had come from the heartache and the suffering that people, faculty who lied and spread rumors about me, in that school had created and abused me with. Now this artwork was displayed, in that very building that had tried to break me. That had harassed me and made fun of me until I practically almost gave in. But there was something rather empowering within all of this also. I got to rub artwork, successful artwork, in the face's of all of those who had hurt me. I had felt whole. I had felt like I had accomplished the greatest revenge on those who had tried to hurt me: success. So on that note, I can only be so disappointed with the artwork that was put out for all to see at the art show this past Thursday evening. I did not necessarily put out my best work, but I am highlighting a few of my favorites, which are shown below.

While these pieces are not entirely successful, they are successful considering the circumstances. I am overall happy, because it shows me in even the worst of times, you can still create. 

April/May Update - My Outlook on Goal Setting

Hey, Peeps! I apologize for being away from the keyboard for a bit, school and life have been so hectic. I would like to do a month in review recap, and reflect on various things that were successes and my goals moving forward. I love the idea of short term and long term goals. They're rather great. They push you towards the future goals that you want while doing so through various little goals. SO cool, right?

Some of my short term goals are listed here.
1) Read more. - ☑️

2) Deeply spring clean car and bedroom. -☑️

3) Create business cards to promote commission pieces and to go with existing pieces. -☑️

I am happy to have done all three things in the past month, for I feel like they have helped me become a better, more driven me. Anytime you accomplish a goal, you should feel proud. And while long term goals are the ones that are the hardest to rationalize and make happen, if you keep working for them, it will either pay off or you tried your best to make it happen. These goals, among others, are ones to keep in mind. Cleaning should be important, but so should be getting your own apartment someday or having a solid career. While many of us see just things in black and white, there are so many things to look forward to if you work towards all of the little and large goals.

 Even if these goals are as little as reading a new book, like me (American Gods is honestly amazing so far btw. I say 10/10!)

And even as little as making yourself feel professional with little business cards. 

Lastly, as far as my room and car go, I will be showing my spaces and give a further glimpse into my little life in my next post(s). SOOO, please stay tuned! 

💋- Grace 

March Playlist!

Hi! coming to you via math class. But since I'm sitting here typing this instead of doing math, I figured I'd let you know what I'm currently listening to! 
     Once upon a time, I used to make playlists for the month, season, etc. But I really found myself listening to old playlists, friend suggestions, or just having my playlist fail so bad I just delete my new one entirely and give up the hope for a successful one ever. But there are a bunch of songs I listen to, like, 24/7. These go to's are listed here:

• Amelia // Tonight Alive 
• 
  
• Better Than This // Everyone Leaves 
• 
  
• Bulls on Parade // Rage Against the Machine 
• 
  
• I Hate Myself and Want to Die // Nirvana 
• 
  
• Seven Wonders // Fleetwood Mac
• 
  
• Taking Over Me // Evanescence 
• 
  
• Summer Sickness // Safe to Say 
• 
  
• I Fall Apart // Post Malone
• 
  
• This Beautiful Life // Colony House 
• 
  
• Pepsi Coke/Suicide // Elvis Depressedly
• 
  
• Make You Better // The Decemberists
•  
• Hollywood // The Cranberries

And here is one of my favorite music videos, which is for Make You Better. Enjoy, peeps.