So after ages of neglecting any artistic qualities I actually happened to have, I seem to have found a muse. I had a big think about WHY oh WHY I would push something that made me so happy, that opened up doors in my imagination and just felt "nice", to the back of my life. I finally realised it was all about self-acceptance and criticism. You're so afraid to fail or fall short of your ideal self that you never even bother to try. I know I'm probably never going to be as amazing as some of the FANTASTIC people that submit their work here, but I'm sure as hell going to try.

It took a long time to convince myself I didn't need the classes, the fancy pens, the expensive moleskines and all the other tit'n'tat that I thought were going to magically transmute me into my ideal artist. It's all bollocks. There's no reason for me (or anyone) to postpone creating. If it doesn't come out as you wanted, so what? Tear it up and make it a part of something new, something even better. Take the leap, keep trying, put down your thoughts and images into the physical world. Screw what you think anyone else will say or even what they actually do. Critics are overrated.

In summary, the time is nigh to jump up and do what we never thought we could do.

Lookout for some terrible sketches. Promise. <3

I'm still alive.
Went back to America for five weeks.
Returned to the land of the Scots.
Desperately searching for a job.

<3

Why hello there.

It's been a fun last few months. Settling into the UK was easy as pie. I'm blissfully happy and quite content with how my life is going at the moment. This newfound bliss has given way to creativity. I have been painting, oh yes. Traditional stuff this time 'round. Complete with messy paint spills and 'rinsing water' that looks the colour of sewage by the end of my watercolour of the week.

And lucky you. I'm going to share it here.

I still need to research some lighting techniques so my works don't look horrible before I can get around to submitting. If anyone has any tips on how to photograph art with nothing but 'energy saving bulbs' and the little light that British weather grants me, they would be much appreciated.

I also received a tablet for Christmas. If you don't happen to have Corel Painter X, I highly suggest it. Get it. This very moment. (By any means necessary.)

<3 Look out below!

Vrai

She's at it again.

Hello my lovely friends.
I'm back once again for a simple journal update. It seems that far too much has happened since I wrote that last one. It was over a year ago. As anyone who's had the chance to hop through a bit of life knows, a year can contain quite a splendid amount of experiences. The sad thing is, this lovely textbox has neither the height nor the depth in which to accomodate the lush stories that I have to tell.

So I'm afraid we'll have to sum it up like this: '...'
Wasn't that fascinating?
In other news, I'm leaving America. Should be in Scotland by the 4th.

<3 Cheers

P.S: What the hell are you still doing watching me? Am I suddenly more addictive than crack? I never submit anything. I suppose I might have to give you some piece of random art sometime soon.
That's right. Vrai knows how to keep you hooked.

Love,
Vrai

_{…The universe tends to unfold as it should…}

So graduation came and went. I finally moved away from that..place. I finally got out. It doesn't help they everyone keeps trying to drag me back, but I'm free now. All they can do is reach out with their words and try to grip.
It won't work. I'm in control of my own life now. Finally.

With graduation came many changes. For one, a love lost. Everything comes to an end eventually. I keep telling myself that it just wasn't meant to be, but you know how my mind wonders. Someday I'll find someone who's truly meant for me. For the summer, I'm willing just to live.

I've decided money is the worst invention known to man. You can't live without it, but you can't live with it because it consumes your life. Everything comes at a price. Everything. No exceptions.

List of new things:
-Nose piercing (for no one but myself)
-New home (nine hours away)
-New car (1988 Eagle Premier)
-New job (Market Research -_-)
-New problems (every time I turn around)
-New joys (few and far between)
-New friends (they keep me afloat)
-New state of mind (hopefully I learn something this time)

I'm off to Seattle in August. I'm hoping things truly settle down by then, but I have a sneaking suspicion that things will become more complicated. I'll deal with things one day at a time and someday everything will calm down. I won't be caught up in this whirlwind anymore.
Someday.

Q & A:
Why are you going to Seattle?
-School. I'm going to study massage therapy.

Why did you get your nose pierced?
-Because I wanted to. No other reason. No stupid rebellion. No one coaxed me into it. I love it. It's magnificent. A piercing is an experience everyone should have. Well, almost everyone. Those who are afraid of needles might want to stay away from that experience.

Why don't you ever come to DA or submit anymore?
-I have a life. I have bills. I have things that need to be taken care of. Once upon a time the internet was an escape, but slowly it turned into a burden. Now it's a simple piece of entertainment. I don't have time to draw or write or mess around with photoshop currently, so no more submissions for a while. I do still dabble in photography. I might submit some photos once they pass the perfection tests.

Will you be my friend?
-Yes.

Do you love me?
-Possibly.

Why are you doing this stupid Q & A section?
-Partly to fill space. Mostly because the voices told me to.

Are you out of unimportant questions yet?
-Yes.

Love, live, laugh, learn.
<3 True