Sarah’s Creative Journey

We actually haven't gone to a music festival - at least not yet. I'm sure it could still happen though.  Our biggest hang up is the cost in relation to how many people we actually want to see or might enjoy while we're there.  So for now we have decided to just spend money for concert tickets to people we really want to see. Last year was full of concerts: Walk the Moon, Dispatch, Frank Turner, Panic! at the Disco, and O.A.R. and Matt Nathanson. This year we saw Mumford and Sons and next year, I'm seeing  Celine Dion!  Each of them is preserved in my memory- on phone and computer, and maybe soon on paper if not already. Each time we go, I get lost in the moment and together with the crowd, enjoying the rhythm and flow of the evening. I drown out things I worry about and celebrate the community that comes to sing and dance their heart out. I love going because it reminds me of why I love making and recreating art. Or why I love live music and performances. 

Only this past year have I really started using Photoshop more. I still use InDesign and Illustrator, but only when a project calls for those. My main concentration has been teaching myself how to paint in Photoshop. Which is a bit easier than painting in Illustrator, I think.  I started by making a goal of creating one picture a month, and then sending it to my grandma. I thought it was a fun way to keep in touch, while also learning and practicing a new skill, and hopefully keeping me more on track. It has worked out fairly well, and if I miss a month or two, I catch up later.  I don't think too much of the pictures I have made so far, but I'm actually having fun! Which is a big feat for me since I'm working on a computer. Usually technology and I don't work very well together.  My process for accomplishing and continuing this goal:        -make small and time sensitive goals        -pick a topic or theme for a picture or multiple pictures        -maybe watch

As far as dancing goes, I basically have no rhythm (despite having actually taken a dance class in college), and just make things up as I go. I even used to be scared of dancing until my best friend showed me how fun and silly it can be.  The reason behind this goal was to try and learn a more formal type of dance, such as ballroom or salsa or something. So if I can actually remember the steps for the next time I dance in public, it would go pretty well. And it may one day, but in the meantime, I am okay with learning as life goes on. Because despite being terrible at it, it is usually something that most people are also terrible at. So in reality, we all look pretty weird when we dance. The point is that no one cares! It's fun! You're moving your body to the beat, loudly singing out lyrics, and socializing with the people around you.  This year, I have learned a portion of two different types of dance: salsa and square.  Salsa dancing took place at Therapy Cafe in Dayton