Illustrated Lessons

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Comfort Zone This in fact is the last post, at least for now. I have come to realize that this whole project was out of my comfort zone. Sure, there are some pieces I did go back and change, and some I did over and over. Art needs room for experimentation, so I left others in their original form.  I was practicing from my intuition, to which I believe, if you don't use it, you lose it. I really care about the work that I've done. Sharing it - even if it's ugly, off, or weird.  This project was done simply out of the idea of play and being more subjective in the work. It took time, I was patient, it allowed me explore. Besides the experiments, everything that I've displayed here on this site, are things that I'm practicing in life because I feel they hold tremendous value. I'm practicing to stay aware, attentive, and to be a student from everything I experience.  See you soon.

- Trevor

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Let Go

This is a lesson I hold very highly. 

It's tied heavily to forgiveness. 

Not just forgiveness of others but forgiveness of self. 

Taking baggage forward, serves no purpose for growth, in any aspect of life. 

I heard this story Charles Bronson told about the floods in Oxford (UK), years back. A boy got his foot stuck in a grate and eventually he drowned, despite people helping to get him out. Charlie professed, "That would never of happened to me! Because I would of told them to cut it off now! Sometimes you have to cut a little piece of yourself off in order to grow; in order to move on."

I created a list of things that I have learned to let go of: 

  1. Not good enough to be a designer/artist/teacher 

2. Hurt from other people and situations

3. Hurt caused by myself 

4. Not smart enough

5. Trying to please everyone 

6. Beating myself up over mistakes 

7. Not trusting myself 

8. Comparing myself to others

9. Not valuing my thoughts, my feelings, and my heart  

10. The Past

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Get In Touch

Being in touch with people who anchor me is of massive importance.

Social Media is lovely as it has enables me to stay connected with very important grounding forces- such as, James & Laura Victore, Chris Thompson, Timothy Goodman, and more. Through their work, they make me rethink what "home" means. 

I remember as a kid how elated I used to feel when I would get things in the mail. This sparked an idea to send my friend's special postcards, especially the ones I haven't talked with in some time. So if anyone wants a little postcard, email me your mailing address with the subject, "Get in Touch", [email protected]. 

Let's get in touch- old school style.

-T 

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Narcissism Destroys

No lesson here. This is obvious, and there is a simple cure for this - empathy. 

-T

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Stop Running 

I stopped running a few years back. Let me explain. A few years back I was living in my hometown of West Palm Beach, FL - for years I had been having the urge to continue my life somewhere else. I had outgrown my hometown and signs from the universe kept saying, "stop being a chicken shit and move on". I thought maybe this premonition was the escapist in me; so I ignored it. 

I had always felt New York was a place to for me. Not to make it big or any of that silliness, but to grow as person, designer, and artist. 

  I looked at it as grad school for life. 

  I had no idea how I was going to get there. Practical ways like applying for a job and graduate school didn't seem to be working in my favor. With frustration and time, I realized the move had to be drastic. 

In 2011, I saved my money, quit my job, sadly broke up with my girlfriend at the time, gave away most of my belongings, and waved goodbye to my friends and family. Words cannot express how difficult that was to do, yet it was one of the best things I've done for myself. 

  I've met, befriended, and loved. Exchanged words with people I greatly admire, respect, and honor. It was worth it. I am worth it. 

  Anyone who is faced with a similar challenge, you are worth it.

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Socialize

For those of you who don’t know, I am an introvert. Every time I go to mix it up with the rest of humanity I have to muster up the guts to show up and be present while I’d rather be in a cave, with a candle, reading a book. On the other hand, I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to keep myself connected to humanity. I need this. We all do. I feel when connections happen in socializing, unconsciously, I'm trying to build a tribe of people who are unlike me, yet individuals who are one hundred percent in their soul. People who are truly comfortable with their perfect/imperfections, and have an acute awareness that most lack, possessing an understanding that they themselves are evolving everyday, in every moment. I’m looking for the God in people. I have shared moments with my people where I have seen God in them.  I am thankful to them for keeping me grounded in conversation, in friendship, in love, and in life.

- T 

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Form Connections

Months ago I walked out of a buddy's art show and ran into a street peddler. As any other New Yorker would do, I went into ignore mode…but then something happened. A gentleman that goes by the name, The Voice, began to perform melodies in a chipmunk-like voice; from the Snow White theme to Frank Sinatra. I enjoyed very bit of it, but the enjoyment turned into a serious moment. 

He said, "I sing for people for the smiles and for a slight chance, before they ignore me, I can help them forget about anything terrible." He continues, "In return, I'm happy. It keeps the negative thoughts away about my life and my situation. I use to get really sad." I was moved. Before I felt my eyes water, I gave him whatever I had in my pocket, which wasn't much. He gave me something in return as well; connection. 

I didn't ask for it, I just simply listened. True empathic connection to another human being is the only connection worth a damn. Forget small talk, I like to dig right in with my connections. It is because I really care, and I want to hear about their passions, ideas, and fears alike. It makes us less like strangers. So if you happen to be in the LES and run into a guy with a high pitched, Oompa Loompa-like voice, open your wallets and get ready to smile. He depends on it.  

[Video of The Voice]

- T

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Look Less Ahead and Less Behind

Jiddu Krishnamurti, (which I recommend reading) says fear is the movement of thought and time. Firstly, fear keeps us from avoiding the hurt because of what has happened in the past. Second, the fear of the future has us hoping for a better one which in return keeps us from being present. 

This was a tough one for me to learn. Myself and maybe most of us- get caught in this fog of thought. Even to this day I tell myself "be here now, not later" when I'm at a function or at dinner with friends and family. I will never get these moments back or hope for a better one. I realized if I'm not careful this fog could stretch throughout my entire life if I allowed it to. That's not fair to my family, my friends, and myself. They deserve me like I deserve them. 

- T

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Self Preservation

This lesson has been a savior for me. First off, I have high anxiety. When things have gone haywire, my first instinct is to get the hell out of dodge or just succumb to the implosion. Basically, I've done everything to not deal with confronting it. However at some point I realized this solves nothing. What I do realize now is that keeping myself intact and composed when a category 4 hurricane of crap comes my way, has been my life boat. Over time I've gained strength in my patience and focus with my work and people, also there is a deep sense of bliss knowing that whatever happens, it will all be okay. 

Furthermore, self-preservation is accepting who I am including the flaws and treating my work, my thoughts, and my body as a temple. Practicing this has led me to put my attention in the right places, keeping my shit together, and punching confrontation square in the face. 

- T