Summer 2024
May...
Oh where to begin? How about we start at my favorite part— the end. Or maybe it’s the beginning, who’s to say? Either way, we lead this story with a graduation— my graduation to be precise. After four years at Laguna College of Art and Design, on May 17, 2024 I officially graduated with my Bachelors in Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting with an Emphasis in Illustration. Having worked 24/7 day and (many, many) nights, I am proud to say I graduated with honors in Summa Cum Laude 4.0 gpa. Quick timeline recap… I moved to Laguna Beach, Ca from Montgomery, Al in January 2021. Prior to moving, I lived in Orland, Fl in 2019 where I worked at Disney World. Then— of course— had the very popular, very unexpected Covid gap year in 2020 that led to my art school applications. Let me just say, LCAD and Laguna have so much of my heart, but seasons change and new chapters begin.
My final senior semester was to no-ones surprise, the most exhausting and trying time of my life! But so, so fulfilling. In a somewhat short summary, my last year at LCAD had me questioning so much about my life and my art practice. I had always been a very detailed person when it came to organization, painting precision, and the standard I held my work at. Because I went to a highly technical school and I had such high expectations for what I was to produce, and there was not a second of each week that I was not working. I barely slept, lost my appetite, and was constantly overwhelmed in a sea of to-do lists. I never lost the patience I had for my work, however I started losing motivation and simply finding an ounce of energy to paint. I began pulling all nighters to take advantage of the only time of day I felt inspired. Somehow, my most favorite memories and experiences painting was during those nights (in the dark with a flashlight mind you) when the world was asleep and the moon was my only witness. Paintings were completed and thus senior year was coming to a close.
Although four years goes in the blink of an eye, it feels so everlasting in my head. I made my bestest friends in this city, at school, and even at a Barnes and Noble. I moved 5 times and had 7 different roommates. May was the best close to this season of my life I could have ever asked for and you’ll never guess what I did after. I had two art shows, final-final critiques, my family in town from the east coast on the west. Said goodbye to my friends, mentors, roommates (and their cat), my studio, the roads I drove countless hours on, the beach and views from PCH, and parted ways with the 6 year old I was teaching drawing to. May 19th I hopped on a plane and instead of flying home to determine the next chapter of my life, I moved to the UK for 6 months.
June…
My first month in England was dare I say… astonishingly jaw dropping. Early summer was probably the best time of year I could have started this journey. I had never been to the UK before this flight, yet my expectations were- somehow- exceeded. Flowers bloomed absolutely everywhere. If you needed to find me I was most definitely in a forest somewhere. The family I was staying with bordered the coast and the river that led inland. So, naturally, every single morning I ventured off through them and frolicked in any field that became fell to my frolicking victim. I would walk to hidden coffee shops by the woods and water. The Beauty and the Beast soundtrack was on repeat as the sun filtered through the trees across the meadows. Safe to say, I was finally in the great wide somewhere.
On those other days not in a field, I was on a train. If only the US had the same transportation that England had… wow! It was way too easy to hop on a train and end up hours away. My first stop was Winchester. From my time in the UK, I still remember Winchester the clearest. It was by far my favorite city I went to. I ended up back there multiple times throughout my stay as it was decently very close to where I was living. The Winchester cathedral was my first experience witnessing architecture that old and grand. I was floored! The morning sun shown through the trees walking up to the big reveal and nothing coulee prepared me for it. I of course had expected this type of architecture, scenery, and ambience prior to moving, though the all encompassing feeling I felt as the breeze blew around and throughout it was life altering. My routine in Winchester consisted of coffee at Academy, Cathedral walk through, the bookstore connected around to the back of the cathedral that had the most perfect pug and their owner, a walk by the water and through the town, a sit in the park with sketchbooks and tea, and a visit to galleries where I met amazing people whom I am still connected with.
My perspective and perception of art grew city after city as I traveled across the south of England. After Winchester I ventured to Salisbury and Arundel. I toured cathedrals, castles, and gardens humming with life. I was meeting people with likeminded artistic mindsets who cared deeply about its history and the fulfillment it has on us. My first trip to London was with my cousin who I met up with. This weekend was not only astonishing for the great influence London can have on someone, but because I got to meet my favorite most inspiring artist. Ruth Speer, also known as septemberwildflowers on instagram, was showing with her Senior Show at Slade and little old me was able to finally see her work in person. I had been following and connecting with her since 2018 only to have her recognize me at her masters showcase. I visited the Victoria and Albert museum, Kensington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts, all the busy streets like Buckingham Palace, soho and Piccadilly, sat in an endless number of cafes and bookshops, and sat on the train with a variety of personalities.
June was also the month I lost my soulmate. Getting the call that my dog of almost 17 years had passed away was the most heartbreaking moment of my life. I had never experienced grief at this level before and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. My world felt empty. Surprisingly, I didn’t pass out from crying and although I didn’t get up from the floor for a few days, I ended up in Alton wandering around when I came across a cafe named Manny’s (my dogs name). As sorrowful as the day was internally, it was also tragically beautiful. I walked a few miles from Alton and into Chasten to visit Jane Austen’s house and gardens. Had tea at the cafe facing it and found myself yet another path through forests and fields behind it. The Emma soundtrack may or may not have fallen victim to this trip. I spent the last weekend in Cirencester where I stayed in a guest room airbnb. The host let me cuddle one of their small dogs as we connected over the loss and love we have for our pets. I left him a drawing of his dogs and was on my way.
July…
When July hit, living abroad started to feel real. I was slowly exiting the ‘honeymoon phase’ of moving and even though I wasn’t home sick, I could feel loneliness knocking. I have always been someone who can be alone for extended periods of time and not feel a thing but this felt different. Maybe it was the different country, the loss of my dog, or maybe the experiences I was having felt too grand to not be sharing with anyone. But nonetheless, I kept on! Back in London, I spent my first real, England rainy day walking the Millennium bridge with the hope of making it across before the death eaters came. Of course the Deathly Hallows playlist was blasting through my headphones, it would be a crime to not play it in that moment. I walked to the Borough Market, back down to the water, across Tower Bridge, through the city of London, into Leadenhall Market, by St Pauls Cathedral, back across Millennium bridge, toured the Tate Modern, across the London Bridge, took the tube to the Elizabeth Tower and Houses of Parliament where I ran all the way to Tate Brian for the John Singer Sargent— Sargent and Fashion— exhibition. Easily my favorite exhibition I’ve ever seen. He was already my favorite artist, but I had actual chills in front of these pieces. His art reminded me why I love painting.
Throughout July I stayed hidden under tress canopies where I met a lovely friend named Louise underneath them. I spent hot summer days at farms making bee crafts with kids. Englands European game against Spain was a fulfilling moment to witness as I saw a country really come together and root for the same thing. What was most prominent about July was my most anticipated birthday. Turning 24 on the 24th in 2024 had been the birthday I always looked up to as a kid. At some points it felt quiet, but the moment I found my one seat to see Phantom of the Opera at one of the royal theaters, I knew I was living. I got to see the National Gallery that day and have a walk through Great Scotland Yard. I journeyed deep into Soho and happened upon a street of only bookstores. Suddenly I was 24, the age I had always looked up to, and I had no idea what was supposed to be next. Perhaps August will tell me…
