Creative essay

“This grand scene needed that special lighting. On day eight, Mother Nature revealed her glory.  I stood in awe right on the edge of the amphitheater, watching the clouds gather, and a stunning reflection on the river below.” 

-Peter Lik

Unlike my landscape photography hero Peter Lik, I did not camp out eight days to capture my image of the horseshoe bend. But in a way, I’ve been camping out my whole life to capture that landscape. It has been a preparation that I’ve done since I heard of the place and Lik’s inspirational experience. 

I think people get mixed up with the fact that people can improvise their art. I say that because I don’t believe improvising to be an actual thing. Originality itself isn’t an actual thing. When an artist improvises, it isn’t like they are taking random things from the air to use them. Actually, when a great artist performs, they take what they can from their past and create what they can from it. The deeper they go within their emotions, there is a better quality of work that comes out with it.

With that in mind, one can see the reasons behind why I feel like I had been camping out to wait and prepare myself to take the photos I did of the horseshoe bend. To me, the photos I took there reflect my life’s journey up until those moments running excitedly from rock formation to rock formation. The adrenaline rush from that excitement and inspiration fueled by my aspirations to feel like Peter Lik felt when he was there make me feel like I had golden wings to fly. I say golden because of the way it felt, golden like I was in first place, a champion achieving one of her lifetime goals.

Kendal Clawson

Ever think if the color or type of lipstick that you wear somehow defines you in a way? I have (obviously). If I hadn’t thought about it, I don’t think I would be writing this right now and you wouldn’t be reading this. I have a theory I’d like to run pass you. You, yes you reader. Tell me, do you think lipstick reveals personality or do people just choose the colors that they choose because of their skin tones? (I don’t know myself, maybe it’s both?) I think it has to do with our perception of the world. (Wait. Is that too deep? Nah. Let us dive in.)

I think personality can be reflected in the clothes we wear. There are certain colors that some women do not believe is publicly acceptable to wear, but I think that is their own insecurities talking. Sure, maybe people will stare if you wear a certain bright or unusually obscure color, but who cares? Expression is a human brand that allows us to be different, if you got it, flaunt it, as that one guy said.

If people use lipstick when it comes to creating and picking out their outfits then, is lipstick clothing? It is something that we accessorize with to an extent. I wonder if there are women that plan their outfits around their lip color? There has to be. Someone told me a little bit ago that they planned their outfits around their shoes. I thought that was interesting. 

With all this in mind I guess I wonder what my lipstick color and type says about me. (I for one like to make meaning out of all the things in my life and I guess being literary does that to you.) In my opinion, my lipstick collection is impressive, I’ve got different shades of pink, some purples, and a red I don’t really use, but they’re everywhere. I like to think that because I have so many different kinds, shades and textures that I myself have different shades and textures in my personality, but who knows, maybe its just me.