Flashbacks of Summer..

Here's a few glimpses of a mini photo shoot I did with my little cousin over the summer.




And here's to a spring break full of photography! <3

Don't worry ma'am, I'm a professional.

Dare I saw it? I feel as though I am now a professional photographer. I sold my first pieces on Sunday.

My psudo-sister is going to Haiti this summer with a program that is very near and dear to my heart. (I went to Central Mexico 2 years ago with the same program). On Sunday she put together a wonderful fundraiser dinner to raise support. Part of the event was a silent auction. I made the last minute decision to help her in the only way I knew how and ran and bought some frames and printed two of the tulip pictures that are in my last post.

And I couldn't be happier. I was able to raise more money than I could have ever hoped for for my lil sis! And I can also say someone has paid for my work, and I am now a professional! haha. In my dreams!


Oh, and I had some fun in my favorite weather the other day.. RAIN!

Tulips

Roses are Red...

This Valentine's Day my wonderful boyfriend gave me roses for the very first time. And besides their amazing emotional and romantic significance, I also immediately saw something fun and new to take pictures of. So here is what I have done with them so far. The petals are currently being pressed in my room for future art projects!

Uh.. WINNING!

I have awesome news!!

I'm a few weeks behind on leaking the news... But here we go.

Back in February I flew out to Newberg, OR to attend a scholarship competition at George Fox University. I was invited to come and interview for two different department and program scholarships. The first, was to interview to take part in the Friends Leadership Program at Fox, which is for Quaker students. The second was for a studio art scholarship.

At the time that I received the invitation for the two competitions, I had my heart set on FLP, but art was just a small, crazy thought at that point back in January. With the support of my friends and family, I submitted my portfolio (it was HARD to pick what pieces to show them, let me tell you!) and flew down and stayed another day past my leadership interview to go for the art scholarship.

They only give away three scholarships per department. They place you first, second, and third and are awarded these major-specific scholarships accordingly. I was SO nervous. What was the point? I've never had any classes or help. I had nothing to show for myself except what came of my wasting time with a camera. My boyfriend had to practically push me into the door for my interview. I saw no point in showing my face to this great art department. Luckily, one of my good friends from middle school was there interviewing for the same one to hold my hand!

I had to talk to five professors and presents the art that I had submitted about three weeks prior. I was crazy nervous, and they took it as excitement. I'm sure I looked totally ridiculous, but I figure I at least left some sort of memorable impression. And I felt like that interview couldn't have gone much better in the time allotted. I ended up having a lot of fun. And I hate to admit it, but I began to feel hopeful for placing even though there were at least 15 other people going for these 3 scholarships that was CRAZY talented. I have to admit I owe a few people a good 'ole you told me so, you were right.

And just two weeks later... I received an email.. and..

I WON! I received both of my scholarships against the odds. I placed THIRD for art! That is beyond what I was hoping for!

It was the confirmation I definitely needed that I CAN do art, and I CAN pursue this. And I feel wanted. What's better than being wanted by the direct path to your ultimate passion? What a great feeling. And oh man, let me tell you. I was giggling like a little girl when I found out.

The art department at George Fox is completely wonderful and perfect for me. I feel a sense of belonging and just... rightness for a lack of more intelligent words. And they agree with me that this is something I can and should do.

My love for art has been reaffirmed. And my uncle just let us borrow his crazy cool camera. I'm getting ready to have some real fun! Results to come!


Also since this whole ordeal.. I took my first trip to Las Vegas! Had a little fun with my camera while out on the strip... of course!

I would rather be doing art..

Here's one of my more recent endeavors..


I was messing around with a picture I took and then created about a month ago and added a quote for a new cover photo on facebook. It's one of my favorite pictures, and now it just fits me perfectly.

So here's the process of how this one came to be.The original... Boring, yes. But I still like it.

I fell in love with this new edit. Reminds me of a warm summer night. It just gives me the warm fuzzies.
And... Ta da! I have the perfect cover photo for facebook. Completely 100% original and fantastic!

My art story.

My name is Lyssa, and this is my art journey. I have made the decision to write the next chapter of my life with art. I am graduating this spring and will be attending George Fox University in the fall and will be studying as an art major. Even though many may say I'm throwing away "massive academic potential" my heart is set on following my passion. My entire being thrives on art and this is only the beginning. I have never taken a single art class or had any formal instruction and I'm just itching to start. My specialty is photography thus far, but I'm psyched to delve into all mediums in the future such as painting and pottery. On this blog my hope is to document the artistic side of me as it grows.

I've named my blog "ArtLyss" because this is going to be about me only concerning things of art, so it's the art Lyss. Not the (Insert other Hobby) Lyss. Haha, and it happens to be a pun of "artless" which I thought was clever and puns are my favorite.

So I might compose a post soon about my art starting from a few years ago (when it wasn't so great) and work up to what I've been doing lately. And then as time goes on I'll be able to share everything I'm doing in college and what I'll be continuing to do on my own!

So this is my "art story" beginning now! Enjoy!

Art has always been something I've enjoyed, ever since I was little. I remember in elementary school mom's of my classmates would come in and lead art projects about once a month and it was my favorite part of school. But I would always dread it and trudge through it at the same time. I hated being confined to only creating what 35 of my friends were creating also and I always loved another kid's work over my own. And if I messed up what I was told I was supposed to do, everyone would see it. And the strict instruction was just irritating. Seems immature, yes, but give me a break. I was 8! But even so, it was the thing I loved taking home and looking at and dreaming of what else I could do with it.

Ok, confession time. I love creating, and it has made me somewhat of a hoarder since I was really young. I see what random materials and junk could be and I imagine the countless ways I might be able to use them. I kept everything that had a tiny chance of being used in a creation sometime in the future. I used my supplies sparingly also, and wasting them on pointless things really got to me. So when it came to my art supplies, I didn't exactly play well with others. To another kid, they wanted to just use them then and now and go crazy with it. And for me... talk about an anxiety attack! Art was precious to me.

Then in middle school I was trudging through school but always had a project that required creativity. And while all my other classmates were complaining I couldn't wait to get started. I loved designing posters and drawing things. But color sheets were the devil, let me tell you. Coloring inside the lines has never been my thing. I'm really skilled at it, but whats the fun in conventionality and boundaries? Yeah, none. Coloring books are not my thing. I feel as though they are implements for the artistic wanna-be's in the world.

After I consciously discovered my tendencies for creativity, I began picking up my parents camera. Partly because digital cameras were amazingly cool when we first got one, and partly cause it was just fun. I didn't really know anything about photography or even that it existed as an art. I just liked taking cool pictures. And I found I was decent at it. And it was a nice pass time.

Then starting high school, I got my very own camera. I was so excited even though looking back it was basically a piece of junk. But I went nuts taking pictures. Half of me and my friends, but I starting getting into taking what I resorted calling "pretty pictures." They weren't great, but it came naturally, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Here's a few of my favorites from back in the day!















So then for Christmas '10 I got a camera upgrade. I was blessed to have my family find a GREAT camera on a doorbuster deal on their very first black Friday experience! It's a Nikon Coolpix L110. And I love it, it's my baby. It resparked my interest in photography and gave it another nudge toward becoming a full blown passion and my realization that art may just be my gift and a piece of my life's calling and purpose. But being a student in an honors high school and community college, I don't get out much. My photography has been greatly limited to whats here at home. I have made do just fine. But my plans for a photography field trip always get pushed aside. Most of my photographs consist of nature, but I've been eager to try portraits. I had the opportunity to do my baby brother's homecoming pictures, and I'm ready for more and looking for experience. Here's a few pieces that I have done in the last year and half.
















I have also taken to creating further than just snapping the picture and changing a few small things. They are outlandish and obviously overdone, but I enjoy it and like the results.


And that's a "brief" version of my life's story concerning art. I'm on my own and all my work is currently coming from pure and raw skill and intuition. And now as I enter college I get to watch it grow!

T00dles!