Travels and Challenges

When moving to another part of the country, it can be terrifying and full of doubt. Life becomes a constant line of struggles and questions. Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Portland, Oregon was a huge risk. Without a solid plan, I was risking my tiny career and lifeline. While I was not able to successfully land a position in the design industry, I learned so much about the city and it's regional culture. 

Portland is a city of the laid-back and experimental, a huge ever-moving and never roaming neighborhood. The people are eclectic and the friends you make there are truly one-of-a-kind. The culture shock of leaving the hark-working, honest, grit of the Midwest to the hippie-chic, time surfing, lull of Portland, OR was a shock. the people seem kind but there is a feeling of every person living in there own little bubble as you walk by. Each person passes you and you nearly feel the fight of the repulsion of each individual's tiny orbiting galaxy.

With little to my name as a professional designer, applying for design work and design internships was top priority. Nearly 150 applications in, I was interviewed twice and with no luck. I know my weaknesses and strengths as a person. Being from the Midwest, whether professional or personal, I am honest. In better perspective, I am blunt honest. I know how to use tack but sugar-coating and stroking egos isn't how valued business should be earned.

When handling matters of business; honesty, truth, intelligence and value are the parts that truly matter. A paycheck is great, but, I want my work to matter. Advertising for huge companies like Target or Microsoft would be a great start for someone at my stage in a career but, my true passions lie in creating designs that enhance a product's meaning, aiding in teaching about important topics or illustrating the next book of stories for the newest dreamer.

Portland was a huge risk, it didn't end the way I had planned but, it did provide experience and the reassurance in myself and my character.

Here goes everything...

Hello again to all wanderers,

This week I'm going to be chatting about the idea of courage and discouragement. You see, for the longest time I have loved collecting and learning from every free web based source and art book on how to become a famous artist. Now, trying to copy the masters in traditional, classic art and contemporary art was always something I tried to accomplish. However, now being at the age of twenty-two, nearly twenty-three, I've realized that if I want to push past my current skills, I have to keep going. No matter the stress, the economic state my bank account is in or just the feeling of, "I'll do it tomorrow," always has the chance to throw off the game. If I want to become a batter artist, designer, whatever my thoughts are pointing to that day, I need to give it my all. 

The same goes for any young artist or older artist, you're no trying to become an artist - YOU ARE AN ARTIST ALREADY.

The idea of courage doesn't always come from the stories of heroes. There are friends, strangers, and family that support you. They may give you encouragement but, that true courage is only for you to take, if you decide to.

The same is said for discouragement. We all learn what this feels like when going through life. It may not be the first place title or trophy we hope for but, it's a lesson we learn. The only real thing we have to face is our own battles. 

In other news, the career hunt is still going, not strong right now but, I'm still pushing through. Also, I picked up my butt and threw my art into the mix for being considered a featured artist in the annual art book by Spectrum Fantastic Art. http://www.spectrumfantasticart.com/

This is one of those wonderful book series I will scrape money together for every year just to see the new works published inside. I have submitted two works, Duana and Stella Messenger. I do hope the judging committee will enjoy my work, even if not accepted for this year's issue.

So, my friends, I wish you the best and that we may all face our battles with the Goliath courageously, just like David. 

Long time away...

It's been a long time since I've put in so much work on this website and I feel bad for letting it be thrown to the side. Life has been hectic since I graduated. Oh yes, I graduated from university as of May 2014. My bachelor degree and transcripts are sitting in my room, hidden in a book. I've returned to living with my family until I can gather everything I need to build a home for myself out in the world. 

To keep the life updates on the short side, 2014 was a tough year for me. Senior year came and went, graduation, my grandmother passing, returning to live with the relatives and watching my little niece grow. 

The career search is still ongoing and will take time but, I know somewhere in the world there is a company, a HR or just a person who'd be willing to give me that one chance to prove I have the chops to make it as a designer.

The W.I.P.s series is still in the works, as I need to find and condense all of the old photos and finish up the new logo for myself. Life in my 22nd year has been challenging and entertaining, let's see what 2015 has to offer.

A Day at Hiebing...

My shadow day at Hiebing Advertising http://www.hiebing.com/ was something I've never thought I'd be prepared for. During Easter vacation, I drove up to Madison, Wisconsin to meet with my cousin, Jill. She works as a project manager to keep the team on schedule. 

I was given the opportunity to sit in on a meeting for designing a university's new information catalog and see a bit of the process involved. The company is housed in a refurbished church building and has an amazing layout. 

The Vice President was kind enough to look at my portfolio and answer questions I had. It was helpful to here from people who worked in the world versus assignments being given to students for a grade.

While my time at Hiebing only lasted four hours, it was one of the most beneficial and much needed experiences I could ever ask for. 

Nervous

Being nervous is never truly a bad thing. True, there are times when we feel as though our nerves are playing mental warfare with our bodies about giving a presentation or going in front of a panel of professionals. however, being nervous means you are there, in the place you need to be at the right moment. It's not going to turn out fabulous all of the time but, there is a difference from being scared and being nervous.

It just takes practice and time to remember to calm down.

Just like I have to remember to do the same with meeting professionals in the real world of design and advertising. It's just people who don't know you yet.

It's alive!

Revamping an entire site that is based around getting my brand out into the world is quite frightening, also exciting. Make no mistake, I'm truly scared of what the world will look like when I leave the dorm room behind. Life isn't going to be easy, but that's the ride I'm in for.

Who. What. Where. When. Why. How.

The many questions asked by every individual at some point in their existence in this timeline. I've decided to try to clarify these little pondering thoughts with visuals. We learn more through sights, sounds, and experiences rather than submission. My assignment is to illuminate what needs to be conveyed to the world. What you need, I will design to get the point across.