Today is April 21st. It is a Tuesday. 

The time is 11:50 a.m.

And the light has arrived! My thesis exhibition, 'INTO THE LIGHT', has officially opened inside the Grunwald Gallery alongside some really amazing emerging artists. Can I talk about how I'm feeling for a sec?

I am so, so proud of myself. I'm proud of myself for putting something together when a year ago, I didn't think it was possible. I am proud of myself for believing I could do it, even when I didn't feel that love from anyone else. I am proud of feeling at all. 

I first knew that the light would find its home here when I was back home for break this past winter, sleeping in my childhood room. The light shone through the blacked-out curtains in the early morning and revealed itself to me. I've spent this whole semester chasing it through bodies, through glass, through the dark. Really, though, the light has been all around me my entire life. I had no idea. It bursts through doors in July, it drips out of clouds when my brother’s team beats our high school rivals, it finds me in the center of the swirl. It will find me. Everytime. Forever.

In the art school, November of 2023. I sat watching Trystan work on her photo project, and an MFA at the time broke the ice on the “BFA”. I had no idea what it was or that it would be my future. Fast forward to being under the eclipse in April of 2024. I got that email, and the things around me started making real noise.

Tons to say. Can't say it all. I just want everyone to know how happy I am that I was believed in, or that you all let me do my own thing. I am already thinking forward into my adult life, my real art life. I'm thinking about light, still. I'm thinking about space. I'm thinking about that eclipse.

See you when I see you.

 Today is March 27th. It's a Friday. 

The time is 12:30 p.m. 

Thesis prep is in full swing. James, David, and the rest of the BFAs are looking for a big swing. YOU NOW... that's what keeps playing over and over in my head. Me now. My frames are in, too. They are this deep, beautiful brown. They look great with my work. I am really excited!

I have been really devoted and consistent in trying to capture the light around me this month and then sharing it. It's maybe a little promo-pilled for my show, but I am feeling it more as a mantra, or a ritual. I have been talking a lot about the light I feel all around me, and the way I look at my childhood differently with it bulging around me in every direction. In reality, that's what my show is really about, and what I want to communicate to people.

I don't think my critique groups are really getting that. And in reality, that's on me. I need to be stronger about communicating my ideas. That's why I started this blog.

I also started it so I could share what I'm listening to, watching, reading, playing, and doing. I have been wearing white tees almost exclusively lately. There's this lyric from Biking by Frank Ocean that I love: "Shirt in the breeze like I'm sailin'". That's what a white tee on a nice breezy day can do to you. It can make you feel powerful. I've also just felt more in tune with myself lately, feeling good about how I look and dress, etc. What summer does to a midwesterner! 

Recently, like VERY recently, the new underscores album has been in my rotation. Great album. Free by Deniece Williams, Remind Me by Patrice Rushen, and I'm Freaky by O'Bryan are also all great pre-2000 songs that I stole from Blonded Radio over the past two weeks. Great radio that should still be going. 

I've obviously been reading Dune: Messiah. I don't read enough books before their film adaptations come out, and I've got time before Dune 3, so I am gonna finish it for sure! I have also been reading, and really into Silence & Image by Mariko Takeuchi for my seminar. She's actually a friend of my professor's, and really has opened up a new concept about photography and silence. Definitely recommend.

Been to Florida twice this year. Once to Mount Dora, and most recently to Wilton Manors. I had a great time! Got to see some really gay shit. Leather bars, go-go dancers, getting honked at for some of the first times in my life.

Anyways, I'll be writing again soon once this thesis stuff wraps up. I can't wait to feel the light with you all! Feeling really good, on time, peaceful. 

Until then!