Who am I? And what is this blog about?

My name is Ariel.  I live in the mountains of North Carolina, and always hope to live in the mountains of North Carolina.  It’s where my soul feels relaxed.  I grew up near Raleigh in several different places in the Triangle, but grew tired of the bustle and the dull, flat landscape.  I’m currently a student at UNC-Chapel Hill. 

I’m an artist and a writer.  I’m happy to work in just about any medium…I make origami, French-beaded flowers, things out of Sculpey clay, pop-ups, and jewelry, among a plethora of other things.  I’m happy to draw/paint with any medium, too, but painting in soft pastel is my overwhelming passion.  I love to portray ordinary things in extraordinary light, or in other ways that make the mundane exquisite.  I try to do the same in my photography.  I write both poetry and short fiction.  My poetry is in a similar vein with my art; I try to make the ordinary seem extraordinary.  Almost every moment is worth recording from some aspect, however insignificant it seems.  Most of my short stories are set in the place I know best: the South. 

I also love to read, hike, and listen to music.  My musical tastes are incredibly eclectic (ask me about them sometime).  I’m handy too.  I know carpentry, and you can find me under the hood of a car sometimes. 

This blog is a place for me to share my art, writing, and photography to hopefully garner some helpful criticism.  It’s also a place to discuss elements of craft in writing.  Occasionally, it’s whatever happens to be on my mind.  In any case, leave your thoughts, because I’m eager to hear them.