welp

I finished my portfolio. It is now in the hands (digitally speaking) of some trusty critiquers and tomorrow, will be in the hands of strangers, from who I am, in a way, begging for a life. I have slowly been getting over this odd transition- going from a small, known, safe, motivating, encouraging art department who knows what you are capable of and asks you to participate, to a new city full of design, but no one making sure I am one of the ones contributing or giving me a job. That last sentence was not supposed to be full of gloom! Well, we shall see what happens after the true pursuit. It has been good for me to become aware of how important the motivation behind creating something is. I still enjoy design, and right now that is enough.

Part of me, well a lot of me was worried about how I would continue learning, now being out of school. I am planning on graduate school, but I was told to get some experience and decide what narrow part of creating I love, before I go spend money and time. But the idea of being removed from a learning environment where you are stimulated by the knowledge and minds around you is frightening to me. My entire life, through school or with people I met through school, I have gradually been stepping deeper and deeper into different disciplines, exposed to new ideas and old ideas and the discussion of those things. And now, do I have to stop? I won't have assigned reading or discussion boards or questioning in class.

BUT! What I am offered is a choice to continue that on my own. Taking the advice of a friend, I want to take a liberal arts approach to living and learning. Without homework in the evenings, I can use that time to read books of contemporary art and the creation of a pretty typeface. But not just that! Just as I could take a theology class and a welfare policy class amidst my art classes during my undergrad, I can read other things I know little about, but that will inform me and challenge me in a different way! After this non-fiction I am currently reading, I could read books about food, maybe Ron Paul's book about the constitution and how that can shape our today, or the background on Orthodoxy, or that book on the origin and meaning of Haikus that my friend read.

And not only will I attempt for my reading to follow a liberal arts way of thinking, but I hope in meeting new people (a fitting time for this), I will try to learn about the passions and pursuits of others, because there is probably something to learn from the reasons they have chosen to live and that makes them who they are.

As I was thinking about this, I realized I am surrounded by so many thinkers and learners. I am so grateful for you, and I am excited to hear about what you think as you read and experience and live.