post-grad, post-Peru, post-art-hiatus.

SO MUCH.

The 6-month window sans student loan bills began May 13, and since then, I went on a trip to Peru for some soul-searching/inspiration, and simply just to scratch the itch to travel and explore the world. My senses were flooded with new experiences, my emotional body was altered. Needless to say, it all took some time to digest.

Peru is: color and texture, handstyle bus advertisements, skate parks by the beach, floral skyscrapers, well-designed political graffiti, wild orchids, and mazamorra morada and churros and pisco and ceviche. Peru is old friends excavating dusty old comics and children's books on hands and knees in ancient used-book stores. Peru is drinking coca tea on a roof in Barrio de San Blas while admiring the protective toritos, and salsa dancing until 4am. Peru is four days of hiking, and waking up at 3 am to arrive at one of the wonders of the world by sunrise. And Peru is, hands down, home to the nicest people in the world (well, as much/little as I have seen of it). I was made to feel a sense of home, home with a completely different but equally comforting definition. I forged new friendships and tempered old ones. And I can't wait to go back.

I am finding my way. I am navigating a new sense of independence and responsibility, learning to manage a studio practice of painting, printmaking, and drawing around the hours of a full-time job. I'm slowly (but oh so surely) acquiring the [necessary] discipline, and [necessary] courage, to continue this path. I am discovering that worthwhile friendships present themselves as such while others fade (or sometimes abruptly vanish), and that that is okay. The storms are the test. I am appreciating more and more, each moment of physical contact in an increasingly digital/wireless/technological world. Our mortality is becoming more tangible every day, and priorities fall into place accordingly. I am becoming more... acquainted. To say I have fully gained my sea legs for life would be a brash exaggeration... I am merely taking my first steps onto the boat. I'm here in New York, trying to make it happen. This year is already a tough but interesting one, and we will just have to wait and see where it goes...

SO. MUCH. MORE. TO. COME.