An Unexpected Journey

Walking around a corner doesn’t typically bring huge surprises. Streets look like streets and buildings like buildings. I'm caught off-guard when I walk by someone out with the BIGGEST DOG EVER (we're in New York...where do you keep it??) or I see someone I know out of context,  but a little bit of strange is normal, right?

And don't get me started on the things you see on the subway....

"So THIS is a wardrobe..." Thanks, Lucy, for demonstrating an expression of magical wonder.

"So THIS is a wardrobe..." Thanks, Lucy, for demonstrating an expression of magical wonder.

Gotta love the strangeness of public transportation. I didn't take this particular picture, but click on the pic for some Buzzfeed entertainment! 

Gotta love the strangeness of public transportation. I didn't take this particular picture, but click on the pic for some Buzzfeed entertainment! 


However, sometimes there’s another kind of surprise. It’s more of a “I just walked into the wardrobe and found a magical land…” moment.  These aren't as common.

Recent life has had a strange assortment of those moments.

Less than two months ago, I went to New York City by myself for (basically) the first time. I took a summer portrait painting workshop at Grand Central Atelier. I assumed that after the workshop, I would return to Minnesota, finish my final year of art school at The Atelier, and continue life as usual.

My entourage of belongings--4 a.m. on Aug. 31st, the day of departure to NYC! For better or worse, pre-travel all nighters have become a habit. BUT I was ready to go! 

My entourage of belongings--4 a.m. on Aug. 31st, the day of departure to NYC! For better or worse, pre-travel all nighters have become a habit. BUT I was ready to go! 

That is not exactly what happened. Fast-forward to present: a series of events (much like the tornado in Wizard of Oz) finds me on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, NY for a few more days–HUGE thanks to the Kurtz family!—and I’m about to lease an apartment. I’m now attending Grand Central Atelier’s full-time art program and living out of a suitcase (…kind of. ;)

After I got back from the NYC workshop, there were all sorts of fun things that happened in a three week span—applying to Grand Central, finishing out my waitressing jobs, packing up and moving out of my apartment and studio, finishing a half-done painting, turning 22, getting together with as many people as possible, trying to plan living arrangements for NYC, and... putting together two art shows that I hoped would generate revenue to help with tuition (which they did!)

Thank you so. so. so. much to everyone who helped make this happen, and all the amazing people I've met since moving to NYC!

Thank you so. so. so. much to everyone who helped make this happen, and all the amazing people I've met since moving to NYC!

All of this was done with the unbelievable support of family and friends who, rather than telling me I was crazy, rallied around ready to do whatever was needed.

August of 2014 will forever send my mind reeling. (And all summer I thought it would be a quiet month--ha!) The future has become both less certain, and strangely less scary--something like learning to enjoy the adventure in the midst of it. I'm becoming less certain about the world around me, and yet more certain of the peace I can have, no matter the circumstances.

More to come on that... :)

I’ve included a few links to articles that were written by my hometown newspapers:

I’m greatly honored that they considered my story worth sharing--if you get the chance, I hope you enjoy reading them! 

Also, check back soon--I’ll be posting:

·      Pictures from the July/August week of the workshop

·      A recap and pictures from “Along the Way”

·      Pictures of what I’ve been up to--at school and elsewhere!!

·      The concept behind the name “Adrift by Design”

After that, the rhythm will be posts every-other week. I would LOVE to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to comment below or send me a message!