19 Influences at Age 19

One of my most recent inspirations has been my Tuesday night class, Art Theory. This class dives into the philosophies, theories, and complicated ideas that surround the constructs of art. Simply put, it is a beatiful class that I look forward to each week. The following is an assignment I completed for Art Theory, and I felt a moment of passion to share it with you. As a way of further introducing this post, the premise of this Art Theory assignment was to draft a list of the top creative influences that have shaped our lives...

1. From a young age, water and my love for water has always played a vital role in my life. I love drinking water, the feel of swimming in water, the concept of water, and the life of water. Rain, waterfalls, and the ocean captivate my mind and influence much of my creativity today. Also, I’ve always been drawn to all variations of the color blue and to the sounds that water creates.

2. The movie I grew up watching, and can now quote word by word, is “Ever After.” This lovely 1998 film gave me my first fictional role model, Danielle de Barbarac (also nicknamed Cinderella). In one scene, Leonardo da Vinci paints Danielle from memory, and I have always been mesmerized at how the effortless, yet intentional, details capture Danielle so perfectly. Also, Danielle showed me how to be courageous during moments of fear, compassionate, thoughtful, and to wonder at science and philosophy.

3. The second movie I grew up watching, quoting, and falling in love with is “A Walk to Remember” from 2001. The below photo was from my most beloved scene where Jamie goes to her telescope located in the middle of a graveyard at midnight to view Saturn. It is in this scene where Landon Carter, the popular bad boy, and Jamie talk about suffering and pain. Jamie taught me to smile at the wind, marvel at the sky, and to love unconditionally.

4. One of my most vivid memories, is of my Dad reading me “The Boxcar Children” before I would fall asleep at night. I loved imagining the mystery plots play out in my mind and being utterly shocked at the turn of events that were most likely very predictable to my ever-wise Dad. Also, the design of the book cover brings me such nostalgia and thoughts of pure childhood.

5. As a born perfectionist, art class in elementary school was the cage that encouraged freedom. I wanted so badly to paint and draw like Monet, Michelangelo, Frida Carlo, and I specifically remember this painting by Monet. My fourth-grade mind was enthralled by the odd blues, the water, but especially the orange sunset. The closer I observed the artwork the more I saw the intentional imperfections, the subtle purples and greens, and the unfolding story of “Impression, Sunrise.” I learned that imperfection is not a flaw but a freedom.

6. With my fascination of water, comes my fascination of marine animal wildlife and conservation. When I saw “Free Willy” for the first time, I was amazed and enchanted by orca whales and the deep intelligence of the mammal. To this day, the collecting and caging of large marine animals enrages me. My greatest hope is to one day experience many peaceful ocean dives with orcas, dolphins, sharks, whale sharks, blue whales, humpback whales, and migrating stingrays to observe a glimpse into their unfathomable home.

7. Lois Lowry is undeniably the most influential writer in my life. “The Giver” introduced me to the worlds and concepts of utopias and dystopias which I greatly enjoy reading and researching. Also, I have always had a heart for the elderly, the wisdom age brings, and the age at which wisdom is sometimes unexpectedly learned.

8. Ah, Coldplay! In my life thus far, no music has ever compared to that of Coldplay’s sound and lyrics. The first time I heard “Viva La Vida” and watched the music video I was blown away by the oddness and artistic value the epic song shared with its listener. Also, Coldplay’s immaculate album covers are treasures of art in my vinyl collection.

9. Then…enter Pocahontas. Even though the movie does not depict historical accuracy, I have always been fond of this movie’s animation style, movie score, and the rawness of Pocahontas as a character. She’s simply an inspiration! Also, the way the film moves around nature, making Earth her very own character in the story, only increases my love to protect and connect with the natural world.

10. I hope to never grow tired of seeing the moon, experiencing sunsets, waking for sunrises. This image captures for me my love of education and the knowledge that will never be known. There is a balance in this image, a natural contentment that demands nothing but a single, present moment of stillness (and maybe “Liz On Top of the World” by Jean-Yves Thibaudet playing softly in the background).

11. “What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.” – Corrie ten Boom

After reading “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom, I fell in love with this simple yet powerful quote. Prayer was Boom’s weapon during the Holocaust and the horrors of World War II, and this quote inspires me to use prayer as my freedom and my guide.

12. “…there is no virtue in fighting for a belief unless that belief is itself virtuous.” – US v. Lindh

For one of our assigned brief readings in Literature and Law, I was introduced to John Philip Walker Lindh’s notorious case. The premise of his case was about his involvement with the attacks on 9/11 and whether or not he knew about the terrorist attacks before they were going to happen. This quote leapt from the pages of that case and reminds me to examine if what I am (or am not) fighting for is virtuous in the sight of God.

13. “Ah! Sun-Flower”

Ah Sun-flower! weary of time,

Who contest the steps of the Sun,

Seeking after that sweet golden clime

Where the traveler’s journey is done;

Where the Youth pined away with desire,

And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow,

Arise from their graves and aspire,

Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.”

– William Blake

What I enjoy most about this poem is the abstractness of the entire poem and the contrast between the two stanzas. Sunflowers are so beautiful and to think that they can think, feel, and wish gives life and depth to an otherwise surface level symbol of a sunny disposition.

14. Isaiah 43:1b-3a (NASB)

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior

My forever favorite worship hymn to sing is the above passage titled Isaiah 43. The first time I heard this hymn I was sitting in all white with my fellow cabinmates singing at Sunday night vespers. These verses and the unforgettable melody bring me comfort when I’m overwhelmed with worry and peace when I’m burning with angry want.

15. "Für Elise" by Ludwig Van Beethoven

How I love this alluring piano song! I attribute the hopeless romantic in me to this captivating composition, and I will forever hold tight of the 90s music box that brought me this romance.

16. The difference yet closeness between the body and soul as explained by René Descartes.

I am the furthest from naturally understanding and comprehending Philosophy which is why I am so intrigued to learn about the subject. Descartes was one of the first philosophers I studied, and I was floored about his realization between the closeness yet separateness of the body and soul. As a Christian, I fully believe that God created our soul and body to be separate but to work and function together toward our Creator. This belief inspires me and gives me hope day to day.

17. “Less is more.”

Simple yet true. It seems like sometimes having a mindset of “less” has a negative connotation; however, I feel more and more complete and inspired the less and less material worth and unnecessary consumption I hold one to throughout life. (But please do not hold against me my nightstand drawer with all my collected treasures from my life!)

18. Learning how to tell time and learning the boundaries of time.

And then, there was time (or lack thereof). I will never forget when my Dad taught me the logical step-by-step process of reading and telling time. That yellow and red clock with the black, bold numbers is etched into my mind. I remember so vividly my desire to understand time, its boundaries, and how it behaves in certain circumstance…goodness, how I am still learning.

19. The art and randomness of the radio.

A pure classic in my mind. One of my earliest memories is growing up listening to the radio in my room and always listening to the radio when riding with my parents in the car. I learned the “radio touch,” how to always find a good song on the radio, and I know the little jingles for my top ten favorite stations. Ah, the glories and inspiration of music.

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Psalm 32:7 "You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance"

Nebula - any of numerous clouds of gas or dust interstellar space