I found this quote reading an interview on Shawn Reagan (Primary Ties). When asked for any advice for a designer starting out, Mr. Reagan provided this lovely snippet from one of his readings. It gave me a little kick in the rear to keep moving forward with my concepts and goals. 

“For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not... A lot of people never get past this phase; they quit... If you are just starting out or are still in this phase, you gotta know that it’s normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work... It’s only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as 

good as your ambitions.” 

 -Ira Glass

I've been on a semi creative hiatus. My brain of course has been in a constant state of imagining, and I've definitely taken to writing in the absence of photography, but I know that I've been lagging in the visuals department- my excuse is an incredibly valid one though!

I've begun my year of service with CYLA and in the past few weeks, I've been training, meeting amazing people, and taking in the cultural communities of Los Angeles. It's an absolutely amazing opportunity that is allowing me to work within the LA school system combatting negative statistics and making a positive impact on the graduation rate. The values that have been instilled in me within these few short weeks has taught me so much, and still leaves room for growth. I've been learning so much that I can take at the end of my year, back to Detroit, to help change my own community. Not only that, its been incredibly inspiring. I've never been in a such a state of wanting to do nothing but create. I can not wait to get into my healthy habits for this next year. I'm so excited to grow in so many ways, creatively, mentally, physically, spiritually... I'm in a really amazing place, and I'm going to make sure things only get better.

I started working on some font stuffs. I'm really pushing to make my next year's portfolio as original as possible, starting with the creation of my own lettering. Of course I've never made my own font, so this is very new, and quite difficult. Luckily for me, this little Wacom of mines is easy to use and I've got a clear idea of what my aesthetic is going to be, flowers and soft simple things won't be so hard. At least not now. 

Forgive the poor quality, its a growing/learning process. 

All the lovely things will come to light in due time. 

I was given the opportunity to photograph a lovely little friend of mine, we went on an adventure to the old LA zoo and it was amazing. The empty cages, forgotten paths, and memories of what once was, was incredibly cool and we even got to see a little Shakespeare in the Park. Armed with my camera, a homemade filter for my lens, and a plastic baggie (for the ghosty white washed images) I photographed a pretty important element in my life, dreaming.

My dreams have always been quite bizarre, probably due to my over active imagination and child like understanding of the very scary things in this world. Growing up, my biggest fear was being lost and alone in an unfamiliar place with unknown elements. It haunted my dreams, and even after waking up I always felt that dreadful feeling. Though now I find it as an adventure, as a kid I was terrified. Now, I possess bravery in the face of the unfamiliar and unknown, but sadly I still cower at the thought of being alone in this world. My dreams will always be dark and I will always wake up feeling that dreadful feeling until I conquer this fear. This shoot is a testimony, serving as reminder of what it is I must overcome.

Lianne La Doll is almost complete! She's one of five in my series of paper dolls that I soon hope to complete, cut out, assemble, and frame. Each artist I illustrate is for me an inspiration and representation of natural beauty. With each woman being an artist of my generation, I hope these paper dolls inspire little ladies to embrace every aspect of their natural beauty and grace.