Music And Why It's My Best Friend

     Music. To me, music is like an overly attached friend or pet who never leaves me, because you will never see me without my ear buds in my head. Over the past few years, I have learned just how much I need music to get through the day- it's pretty much an addiction of mine now, but there's something about music that one can't pick out of the top 40 on the radio.
     Let me elaborate: I'm not into pop music (except Demi Lovato). In fact... I'm a metal head. Actually, I'm in to rock in general, but metal is my favorite. I'm also a huge fan of rap music- usually throughout the year I'll switch in between the genres quite a few times. Right now, I'm in my rap phase, which I shouldn't call a phase because over the past year I've pretty much gravitated to rap more then rock, but that's okay. A lot of people put rap in a box, they think it's all about gangs and violence and other bad stuff, but it isn't. Rap is all about success. There's something about it that a lot of people don't hear- yeah it's fun to listen to when you're having a good time or on an ego trip, but it's very complex and creative. The beats are so intense that you can't listen to it without your headphones on full blast. Some of my favorite artists are: Childish Gambino, ScHoolboy Q, Tyler the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt, Drake, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Mellowhype and so many more. It's something you can listen to whenever, it can be calm, or it can be crazy and I absolutely love it.
     As for rock... don't even get me started. Rock has shaped my life for the past four years in a way that I can't explain. The amount of time I have put into the genre, and the number of concerts I have been to wouldn't do me justice. Rock comes with a community, with a gateway to unforgettable memories with people you meet right then and there. The music, to me, is the best genre out there. It's music is so layered and detailed that you could listen to a song ten times and still find new things about it. The lyrics are so meaningful and personal that anyone can't help but relate to them. I could go on forever about the positive affect it's had on me, but I want to go into my favorite bands which are: Pierce the Veil, Parkway Drive, Bring Me The Horizon, Balance and Composure, and The Story so Far. My all time favorite is Pierce the Veil, though. I don't want to sound crazy, so I'll leave the explaining to a sentence: I would not be who I am without their music.
     Music is the love of my life. Whether it be Gambino one day, and Parkway Drive the next, nothing sounds as good as an amazing song feels. Never judge a genre by it's fanbase, and never go a day without it. Personally, I'm not sure what I'd be doing with my life if music wasn't keeping me as happy as I am.

My Route To Happiness

     Today, I'd like to share with you the part of me which I cherish most. I am an artist, by definition, by appearance, and by mindset. Everything I do is in the name of art, and my life has been heavily influenced by it. I have no problem saying that I would be nothing without art, just like some of you would be nothing without your passions as well.
     I can't explain how it feels to be an artist, but I can show you.

     I drew this in seventh grade- I remember working six hours on it, and being so proud. A few weeks ago, I decided to recreate it in color, just to see how much I've grown. This is the result:

 

     I am truly baffled, still, that I even drew this. To me, this represents not only artistic growth, but emotional growth as well. I can look at the first piece and remember where I was in my life- who my friends were, and even how I thought about everything. It was as if my life was black and white, just like the piece. When I look at the bottom picture, I can't predict anything about me because I am so much different. I am living and breathing in color. I am alive- more alive then I've ever felt, and whenever I see this, I remember how much better it is from the first one and I smile, because it feels as if I'm marking the beginning of a new chapter with a piece of art. I have a few more pieces I want to show you as well. I used to use a lot of human body parts as metaphors; I pulled these from my earlier books: 



 

     To you, they seem abstract I bet, which is why I will not tell you much about these. I want you to see what you see, because that is what art does. It shows people what they need to see. To me, these have very different meanings, each of them. To you, they might be relatable or irrelevant, and I don't want to change that.

     Each of these expresses my feelings in a healthy, beautiful way. I also paint as well. I paint my furniture when I'm bored, and I'm in love with how therapeutic it is. Art is the love of my life, some days I'm set that my future is going to consist of me in a little apartment just creating all day and all night. It's my backbone, my safe haven, and I wish that it wasn't taken as lightly as it is. I feel like if art has changed my life, imagine what it could do for the world.

     Art is a powerful tool. Whether it be a coloring book or a canvas, even an instrument, I encourage you to create. One of my favorite quotes explains what I'm trying to: "Last year I abstained, this year I devoured- without guilt, which is also an art." Art is all around us, in the trees, in the sky, and in our blood. Before I go on forever, I'll end this post saying one more thing, which is cling to your passions. They can give you wings.