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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: drugs

Inspiration Photo Friday: You Rule Your Kingdom

22 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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change, choices, control, drugs, evolution, fear, growth, happiness, Inspiration, journey, kingdom, lessons, life, life journey, negativity, positivity

In life, only you can create your own happiness. When things get rough, toughen up and get through it. When sadness takes over, wipe those tears and appreciate all the good things you have. When devastation hits, take time to greive then get back on your feet. No one is as responsible as you when it comes to your life. This is why you need to rule your kingdom.

We all make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them. Otherwise, you will continue to run in circles and never get anywhere. Of course there are people that will help you along the way. They will inspire, intrigue, show you love, and support you on your journey. But they are not responsible for your true happiness. That is only something you can create for yourself.

It’s funny. There are people in my life that are doing great and expecting many amazing things in the future, some that are going through hardship and heartbreak, and others who remain stagnant and miserable. All these different types of situations have been caused by their individual choices. So in essence, they have created this journey, every step of the way, on their own. And because they are all different, each will find his or her way along a positive path or a negative one.

It always bothered me when people complained about things they have total control of. If you aren’t happy, just change what you need to. I know its not easy sometimes but you just have to be strong. Involving everyone around you and making them deal with your problems is selfish, especially when you aren’t taking the steps to change it. Eventually, people will keep their distance and not want to be involved, which I don’t blame. No one is a lost cause unless they allow themselves to be.

I have experienced a lot in my life and can proudly say that I overcame all the hell that came my way on my own because I am a strong person. As I got older, I continued to deal with curve balls and had to take detours along the way, but nonetheless, I succeeded and created my own happiness through it all. I am lucky to have such amazing friends and family to support me and they truly play a part in my life story. However, I am the one who lived it and I am the one who got myself where I am today.

Below is a photo of me at 16 years old. A total opposite of who I am today. At this time in my life, I was fearless. I consumed all sorts of drugs, were always around my friends, partied whenever I could, and recently dropped out of high school. I rebelled every chance I could because I was bored and uninspired. I wasn’t a bad kid, just wanted to see and taste the world around me. The one thing that wasn’t different was my love for art. This has been my one true passion all my life.

So, for me to stand here, a happily married woman, BFA graduate, homeowner, and business owner, you can say I am damn proud of myself. I could write a book about my life, seriously, oh the stories I could tell, and the fact that I evolved into the woman I am today just proves you can create a journey that is powerful and positive. I chose to not break down because I am worth so much more. I knew what I always wanted and I made it happen. I may have gotten there later than I planned, but I made it, with tons of lessons along the way.

The world doesn’t owe you anything. You were put here to live a unique life all your own. Be positive and stay strong, you will get there in the end. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel as long as you believe there is. Being the ruler of your kingdom is a tough job but one you are born to do. It’s the one job you have to do best. And once you truly realize that, you are gold.

Inspiration Photo Friday: You Rule Your Kingdom

Color in Films: Kids

04 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color in Films, Color Inspiration

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90s, aids, bully, Chloë Sevigny, club kids, color, color palette, documentary, drugs, harmony korine, Harold Hunter, hiv, Jon Abrahams, Justin Pierce, ken park, kids, larry clark, Leo Fitzpatrick, new york city, Rosario Dawson, sex, skaters, street life

I think when my generation first watched the film Kids, we felt like someone understood us. Although it a lot of people had issues with the context, it wound up grossing millions at the box office and becoming a favorite for teens all over the world.

Written by Harmony Korine and directed by the one and only Larry Clark, Kids gives you a sneak peak into the lives of a group of kids living in New York City. The story focuses on the rising HIV epidemic in the mid 90s and how young people continued to be irresponsible about sex. As nature takes its course, reality hits after one of the girls learns she tested positive for HIV and she searches for the boy who gave it to her. Watching this unfold through the characters gives you a sense of sadness and allows for a special kind of empathy towards this particular generation.

Filmed in a documentary type style, Larry Clark did an amazing job at capturing New York City street life and how kids saw the world at that time. I am personally part of this generation and know first hand the scene and style of the film. The characters were all played by first timers, most of which were just city kids with no experience, who we all know now to be rising actors in the field. Kids started the successful relationship between Clark and Korine, who have continued to work together on other films such as Bully and Ken Park.

The color palette for the film is pretty much as true as it gets. The dark neutrals of the city streets with the accent of nature inspired hues from local parks and greenery. The pops of color come through by the wardrobe of the characters and various storefronts in certain scenes. Exploring the everyday issues and hardships of generation x as well as the unbreakable feeling most of us felt when we were young in such a straightforward way was truly a sight to see. All in all, the film was a breaking point for story telling, giving all of us kids a voice to be reckoned with.

Color in Films: Kids

Color in Films: Requiem for a Dream

24 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color in Films, Color Inspiration

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addiction, beach, brooklyn, Clint Mansell, color palette, Coney Island, dark, Darren Aronofsky, drugs, fall, films, Hubert Selby Jr, hues, light, love, nature, obsession, photography, pills, requiem for a dream, seasons, shock therapy, split screen, summer, time lapse, tones, winter

Requiem for a Dream is in my top 5 favorite films of all time. I know it may not be the happiest of films but the story really got to me. Not to mention, the genius filmaking from director Darren Aronofsky. Debuting in 2000, the film captures the true essence of addiction and how it can destroy your life. I must admit there are scenes that are hard to watch but the thrilling anxiety and sadness one feels from watching each character fall apart just makes you want to see what is next. Sad but true.

The film takes place in Coney Island and focuses on four characters, Sara and her son Harry, Harry’s girlfriend Marion, and their friend Tyrone. Each of them have a dream but their personal additions and obsessiveness gets in the way and takes them down the wrong path. From drugs and prostitution to weight loss and shock therapy, the story unfolds as each character falls deeper into the hole they created, taking you on a ride of misery and beauty all at once.

Written by Aronofsky and Hubert Selby Jr., and based off of Selby’s original book, this film will take you on a ride filled with emotion and discomfort. The cinematic artistry with its various split screens, in your face close ups, and time lapse photography, helps to bring the viewer in on a personal level. You feel like you know the characters and even though your heart goes out to them, your ability to empathize slowly fades. Eventually, everything falls apart in the end.

With an amazing and talented cast, Requiem will surely throw you for a loop. The soundtrack by Clint Mansell is beautiful and haunting, one the best I have heard. The color palette is a combination of natural hues taken from the three seasons shown in the film, summer, fall, and winter, while darker, more deep tones exhibit the intense scenes. Darkness and light come into play a great deal as shadows embark each character throughout the film. This is surely a piece of work that will stand the test of time.

Color in Films- Requiem for a Dream

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