paint away

So I had originally made plans to go to the beach with my friends. I knew I was going to have a little shoot for a post, but my plans got washed away. My friend suggested we go into the city, and I didn't have a problem with that since I needed to go get my watercolor supplies. So that was the first thing we did, and I was so happy to find everything in the store for so much cheaper than online. I really don't understand how that works out, but it did. I really wanted to start watercoloring because I just felt like I needed another creative outlet. I use this blog mostly for creative reasons, but sometimes I don't want to post so much because I feel like it would be so obnoxious to talk about me wearing clothes ALL THE TIME. I really also don't like the idea of having so many of my outfits on the internet. I decided to do watercoloring because I felt like it would be easier for me. I've tried acrylics and oils before, and I just feel like it takes so much color combining to get a specific color. I was just really attracted to watercoloring, it may be because I see so many beautiful watercolor pieces that are so abstract. I love that because I'm not a realistic person when it comes to drawing or doodling. I often just do a lot of different things and I'm satisfied with it. My drawing skills are not comparable to Leonardo Da Vinci (fact: I almost typed Leonardo DiCaprio which is semi accurate if you consider 'his" drawings in Titanic), to be blunt I'm not too good. Yet I see so many watercolor pieces that include drawings that aren't perfect, but the doodle effect that they portray makes sense. I just feel like watercolor can be so simple, yet when you include the color you create so many different emotions.

I think emotions are another reason I chose watercolors. I sometimes go through really strong emotions, and I don't know how to let them out. I've always envied people who could write, draw, or sing because I feel like they can do somethings so passionate with their emotions to create beautiful works of art. I've tried a lot of things to express my emotions, and most things just don't seem right sometimes. I mean fashion is something I use to express myself, but there's only SO MUCH you can do with fashion. That's why I wanted to take up something else, because I think it's so important to have more than one hobby. Watercolor pieces to me are so beautiful. I really like the way the paint and water come together to almost dance across the pages, using the brush as a guide. It's not like most paints that stay a certain color, watercolors change over time. When you put them on the paper, they seem so much darker and restless, yet as they dry they seem to settle down and lighten up in color. I just thought it was also romantic, yet the way the paint sometimes spills across the lines of a drawing is almost tragic and beautiful at the same time. I just really feel like I can put so many emotions into watercoloring, so it makes sense that I use something that portrays so many emotions to me.

I tried to take pictures in front of the gates of Maiden Lane, which is so beautiful to me. The Gates of Maiden Lane set aside an alley full of wonderful treasures. Maiden Lane is home to Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Prada, and so much more. It's almost like the gates of a palace. I also loved the way you could see the beautiful pillar/statue of Union Square. Of course the San Francisco fog wan't helping me take pictures. The pictures came our really foggy, but I liked the way they they make everything seem a little sad and mysterious. It reminds me of the old pictures you see of people in the city, it's a lot of nostalgia I guess.

Zara shirt, H&M pants, thrifted red shoes, thrifted bag

When I first saw this shirt, I fell in love with it. We first met at the Zara store in SF. I loved the scarf attached to it, and it just looked really chic. I didn't end up buying it until I saw it on sale online. I love wearing it, especially in the city. I love how it blows in the wind, and I love covering my face and feeling like I'm in a Middle Eastern desert.

I saw this wonderful Amy Winehouse memorial on Haight. They have a lot of these dedicated to artists who have passed away. I always wanted to take a picture, but there are always people around, but I finally got my chance. There is a plant in the middle, which I like because to me it symbolizes a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Here is my first attempt at watercoloring, I really liked the way the paper I used to sample the colors turned out. It reminded me of lipstick smudges on a napkin. The colors look really good together. I was trying to find the perfect shade of red.

Here's my first piece. I have always been obsessed with teeth and lips. I already knew that I was going to paint this even before I bought my paints. I just really wanted to do it, and I liked the way it turned out. I love the combination of white, black, and red. I am going to post more of my pieces, just to show you guys what I am working on...and so we have something more to converse about.

rookie meetup

So here is my collection of memories and stories that all have to do with the San Francisco Rookie Road Trip Meet. So it all started one day at my local Fro-Yo shop. There I was eating Lychee Froyo with my favorite topping, strawberry and lychee bobas. I was skimming through Instagram when I saw Tavi announced the dates for the Rookie Road Trip. I was ecstatic, and I envisioned myself actually seeing Tavi in real life. So as more time went on, the activities for each city were released. I was still ecstatic to meet Tavi in real life. So I hit up my girl Aimee and told her the good news. She was ecstatic to meet Tavi too, her reply through text said it all: "!!!". Time passed and me and Aimee planned our pilgrimage to San Francisco. I had dreams of how it would all be. The first one was of me, Tavi, and Aimee having a garden tea party, while Tavi handed us Smuckers Uncrustable sandwhiches...in grape flavor. The next dream consisted of Tavi standing in front of us, and we were just causally talking about how she has met Alexa Chung, and she then proceeded to call her and invite her to dinner with us (my dream ended before Alexa arrived). So the day finally arrived and I would finally live the actual moment when I met Tavi...in real life.

So I planned my outfit WEEKS in advance, but of course the weather wasn't on my side and I had a slight cough...so I had to re-plan my outfit that morning. I chose my sea horse shirt because it was cute and appropriate. We arrived in SF early, and we proceeded to walk through a bad part of town..and of course I looked over dressed and I was afraid people would believe I was lost and rich and kidnap me and then my parent's wouldn't be able to pay the money they asked, in order to set me free. We finally reached a hip and trendy part of town and I felt a little safer. We went inside Bi-Rite Creamery about an hour early. The picture above is of that moment. We met the marvelous Maria, who was a worker for the ice cream shop. We explained how there was going to be like 60+ people coming to the shop to fan girl over Tavi. She asked if they would be as well dressed as us and I blushed and responded, "hopefully". She let us sample all the flavors and helped us make our decision. We then saw some fellow Rookies outside the store and we went to go socialize. We may or may not have been intimidating because nobody wanted to be our friend, until we met a charming young lady by the name of Katy. We talked about Tavi and all that Rookie stuff. Soon everyone started arriving, and it wasn't long until we saw Petra saying that Tavi was coming. Everyone just stood there a little confused, so I grabbed Aimee and Katy and we walked to wear Tavi would be walking up to. So when Tavi arrived, she approached us first and I died a little bit.

Tavi was wearing this colorful floral dress with a monarch butterfly clip. She was so shy and timid, and it was so cute to see how delicate she seemed in person. She introduced herself to our group and she talked to us for a little, and I told her how Aimee and I would always talk about her in math class, and she joked and said we had gossip sessions in which we talked shit about her. 

She made this face when I told her I was taking creeper pictures of her. After she moved on to the next group, Aimee suggested we go in line to get ice cream. As we stood there looking for the line Maria came out and directed everyone to where the line was...we found ourselves in front of the line...and standing next to Petra, Anna, and Hazel the rest of the Rookie crew. We talked to Petra for a little and I gave them some bracelets I made, which are pictured below. They were shocked to find out I made them and seemed really grateful. I gave Anna one too because I thought it would be mean not to, and she was so surprised since she isn't a writer for Rookie (she's Petra's sister). She thanked me and and Petra said to her, "I could see you eyeing me with jealousy". Then Petra and I proceeded to giggle and I told her about which flavors I liked the most. Maria yelled at me, "Victor! Bring your friend (Petra), to the front!" I felt a little happy that Maria thought Petra was my friend. After paying I talked to Avery, Petra's boyfriend, about all the interesting flavors (including some little mixture that included olive oil, that Maria had let us sample). We soon sat for a little and conversed with Anna about the whole trip and the upcoming Rookie Yearbook. Petra soon came and took us outside to talk to her.

Here are my bracelets, I made the Rookie crew the same ones, just different colors. Pictured is also the ring I wore to the meet (I ended losing it, but later found it at home...so it never made it to the meet) along with an assortment of other rings I didn't care to photograph. Outside, Petra, Anna, Avery, Aimee, Katy and I talked about San Francisco and hobos and all it's wonders. We also talked about food and how Tavi has an accent. Then a hobo complimented Petra on her glasses and she said they were from Urban Outfitters, which Avery then joked with her for "promoting" UO, who is a sponsor of the Rookie Road Trip. After talking for quite a while with Petra and her sister and boyfriend, we walked together to Dolores Park. On our way there we talked about Lana Del Rey and how I almost met her, but didn't, and how we all wanted to meet her. We talked about Lana for most of the walk there. When we arrived to the park, Tavi was sitting on the grass forming a big circle. Petra came in and suggested we all just huddle since we had a big group. She walked inside the circle towards Tavi and while everyone sat there confused I took the opportunity to follow Petra, grabbed my friends, and I sat right next to her...AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF TAVI.

Now I was I was just living in the moment, so I didn't really realize how lucky I was. I mean I'm not saying all of this to sound egotistical, but after seeing pictures other people took of the huddle we were extremely lucky to be sitting so close to Tavi. Others just saw her from afar, because the group was so big. I turned around and saw everyone just huddled around Tavi, Petra, Aimee, Katy, myself, and a few other people. I mean you could say I was just in the right place at the right time, and I was really astonished by how Tavi has this cult-like following. I'm really happy that I was able to sit so close to her, and really just take in how humble and kind she is.

She talked for a little, and then led us in a Norwegian lullaby her mom sings to her. She then told us all how stylish we all were, and how she didn't expect such a big turn out. She then told us to mingle among ourselves. So we all stood up and walked around, many walked up to her to wait for a picture, and a moment to talk to her. I would say about 80% of the Rookies were huddling to meet Tavi. I only imagined being Tavi in that moment, and I wondered how wonderful it must be to meet all these people that have always wanted to meet her. Some of them were so creative and kind, it just made you realize how much of an influence Tavi has.

Meanwhile, I took pictures with people that were so kind and friendly and with such amazing clothes. I also took a picture with Colleen (left in the picture above), who I had seen preform her poetry twice. She knew two of my classmates, and I believe she recognized me. Colleen is so incredibly talented and was surprised to see her, yet I was happy we had something in common. She introduced me to her friend, who was best friends with another poet I knew. I met so many more people, with interesting stories and lives. I was really honored to be given that opportunity. 

After a little wait, a lot of mingling, the crowd around Tavi had diminished. Katy, Aimee, and I approached her and she received us with hugs. Aimee gave her this beautiful zine, and then I gave her a bracelet (like the one I gave the other writers) in a mustard color, and I explained how I knew she liked that color. She remembered that exact moment I was talking about and told me she loved it and how I got the color right. Katy gave her some patches and a crown on behalf of her friend that was in Israel. I then gave Tavi some things for a little shrine she was building, and the articles had importance to me and Aimee, it was a Les Mis button and a bracelet she made me. She was so delighted and asked to have a group hug. We then each took pictures with her, mine came out super dark (hence the editing), and she then gave us each another hug. We then said talked about future things she was doing, and her art installation in LA she was making with Petra. We then left her and went to go socialize with more people.

Here is a picture of me and Petra, who I found so incredible. She had a rock star vibe to her, maybe because of the coat she was wearing, but she was so down-to-earth and friendly. We took sunglasses pictures because she said she felt prettier with them, I said I did too because I tend to look derpy in pictures.She later said on instagram that this picture was sassy, which made squeal of delight.

Hazel was so kind too! She joked a lot which was really fun, and she was so bubbly yet cool. I mean her aura was like a pink bubble gum pink, with a sudden dash icy blue. She was so adorable in person also. We spoke a few times, and I am not going to lie...I jumped up and down in my head every time she remembered my name. MEMORIES: Greaselightn'.

Hanne, who had an incredible flower crown took this amazing picture of us. Katy is on the far right, Justina (who I talked to online a few times, and was happy to meet) is next to her, and then Aimee was camera chopped on the left, but her wonderful scarf jumped in the picture enough to be partly photographed. 

And we also met a sweet girl from Beijing, she was American but lived there. She had a nifty new Polaroid camera, and took a picture of us...and then gave it to us. It was very nice of her, Aimee kept it but I had to take a picture for the MEMORIES.

So that was really most of what happened. I was so glad to be there and delighted to meet so many cool people. I know I must have come off as fanatic to the Rookie Crew, but it was impossible because you admire these people and their work online so much that you are just so delighted to meet them. In the end I don't regret my fan girl moments because they were sincere and truthful. *wink and smirk*. I was also happy to see us on a couple of posts. One post on the Rookie tumblr made me realize how I was one of the few boys at the meet up, and my manhood is recognized in the post. I really appreciate them admiring my clothes, considering how I had to change my original outfit. It was really all worth it when Tavi complimented my shirt, and loved the seahorses. A lot of people really liked it, so I was glad I went with it in the end. My head also makes a cameo in this post by Hazel. Look for me in the picture of the group huddled around Tavi.

Aimee took this picture of me with an amazing mural after finally leaving the event.

Thrifted jacket, Zara shirt, Levi jeans, sunglasses were a gift from my brother.

The shirt has a story, I wanted it as soon as a saw it in the store. My friends told me I should wait since I had some other things I was already buying and my total was racking up. So I did, but after not buying anything in the SF thrift stores, I went back before Zara closed and bought it. I MEAN IT HAD SEA HORSES AND VERSACE VIBES.

In the end I had a lot of fun, and made new friends. I also met many people I admired which was so surreal and such a treat. I could never thank Rookie enough for this opportunity. So amazing, and I will remember it forever.

the hills

My parents are self proclaimed joggers. They love jogging and hiking and all that fun and outdoor exercise. Most of the time I was dragged along; sometimes even forced to join along. I would try just to get it over with and enjoy the outdoors. While I walked up and down the hills, I would always get really inspired by the nature around me. I loved the sway of the tall dry grass, and the view was impressive. I knew I always wanted to make a blog post with pictures set on these hills. I never had the opportunity before because no one would come to my picture (I know it is a sad world). I knew that if I ever did get the opportunity to have a shoot here, I would wear my tribal vest; I found it appropriate seeing as the hills I was so inspired by were home to a native tribe. 

Now I finally got the opportunity to accomplish my idea not too long ago, when my friend told me that she knew a friend that had a sister that wanted to expand her portfolio. When I heard about it I was like "why not?! wouldn't hurt". So here I am modeling, while somebody takes my picture...you know no biggie. The day was so nice and the pictures came out nice in my opinion.

 

I remember the time I bought this vest. It was my first San Francisco thrifting experience. I believe it was my first purchase of the day too! It has a little sentimental value. When I was debating on getting it, all the workers from Buffalo Exchange were like "OMG that vest is sooo rad, I wanted it so badly". To some it didn't fit, or others had just procrastinated in picking it out from the racks. However, when I saw everyone drooling over it, I knew it had to be mine. It also made my parents FLIP when they saw it. I really don't know what it is about this vest that makes people...so weird. When my parents saw it for the first time, they questioned my sanity. They told me I was turning into a hippie, and they just ranted about how bohemian I was. I remember my mom said to me once, "DID LADY GAGA WEAR SOMETHING LIKE THIS!!? IS THAT WHY YOU WANT TO WEAR THIS?!?" and I said "NO MOM! IT IS WHO I AM GOSH!!!!". I once wanted to wear it to church and she told me 'I don't want you wearing a costume to church". I'm not going to lie, these days were one of the hardest days of my life. I was trying to express myself through my clothing and experiment, and my parents were my biggest obstacle. 

I remember the first time I wore this to school too. It was junior year, my debut year of the fashion diva of the school, I was getting off the bus (when I got off the bus it was always a catwalk, it was when I got my first stares of the day and really when I felt most self-conscious). I saw my friend Aimee and she was so almost in a cardiac arrest over my vest, but in a good way. I wore it with my moccasins, which I don't know if it was a good idea, because I got called Pocahontas all day. I liked the way the vest looked with my moccasins though, it may have been really theme-y, but I felt like it was appropriate. The vest always gets a lot of attention, but I mean it is for a good cause. 

 Here are some behind the scene shots that my friend took, while she tested her iPhone filter apps.

Abby was so nice and she said I was so photogenic *blush*. I am really happy that I finally got to do this shoot, it is one checked off from my list.

From the sidewalk to the catwalk

This is extremely late, but I was trying to get all of the pictures together before I posted this. So I went to the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the de Young and it was just beyond unforgettable. Ever since I heard about JPG setting up an exhibit, I was just so excited and my little heart couldn't contain itself. I had to wait such a long time to go because I was so busy and just didn't have the time to take the train into the city. However my time came and I am just so content with it. I had these amazing expectations for the exhibit, and they were fulfilled and even more than I had expected.

I mean JPG has been one of my favorite designers even before I really got into fashion. I had seen some of his pieces online and I was marveled. It was just amazing being able to see these pieces that I had once admired online, in person. There is no glass between you and these clothes, so even though you aren't supposed to touch...I will not judge you if you do. The pieces seem to be from out of a storybook of magical dresses and gowns, that almost seem to come alive. As soon as you walk in and see the blue lights on the entrance pieces, you are just overwhelmed with beauty. The mannequins have projected faces that blink and talk, which includes one of a talking Gaultier with his infamous accent. I really did feel special in the exhibit because I knew that Gaultier had probably touched mostly everything there. As weird as this may sound, I felt Gaultier in that museum. The power of his pieces are just so great, because he leaves an imprint on your mind and really inspires you. So here are some of the pictures of the exhibit, but I do recommend anyone who is in San Francisco to visit the de Young and this exhibit.

 I took my picture with my girls Maria Carla and Lara, because I also felt like they were there with me.

 This wasn't in the Gaultier exhibit, but it was in the de Young and I loved it. It is a Cathedral made out of guns and bullets. The Gaultier exhibit didn't offer very good lighting to take a good picture of myself, so I took this piece as an opportunity to pose.

I wore a thrifted Afghan vest with a mesh hoodie under it. I paired it with white pants and thrifted boots. And look at my little Prada-esque glasses that my brother got me for graduation.

 I'm a fan of collages so I also enjoyed this piece. I saw a couple of important figures like the Virgin Mary and Blake Lively.

I really do hope I can visit this exhibit more than once before it is over. I need to go back and just take my time with every piece, since it is a little crowded and there is so much to see that you can't possibly focus on just one thing.