OBJECTIVE:
Lessons in the Lyrics is an ongoing personal project of mine and it is how I began my journey into mixing my art skills with my passion for music. This volume was the first in the series and was completed in 2023. The idea is that each piece of work takes a lyric from a song, I then pull a life lesson from it, and finish by creating an illustration that ties the two together. My intention was to push myself as an illustrator and storyteller while finding my style. Each piece in the series was required to take me a minimum of 20 hours to complete. This gave me the time to really explore and expand my creativity.
PROJECT SCOPE:
Create a series of work
Develop a creative process
Fill gaps between clients
Work with limitations
Share useful life lessons
001 - Planned Obsolescence
Song & Artist: Big Three Killed My Baby by The White Stripes
Lyric: Don’t let them tell you the future’s electric, ‘cause gasoline’s not measured in metric
Lesson: The future is always changing and uncertain at times. Stay focused on where you are now and how to reach your goals!
002 - Prescription Metrics
Song & Artist: Lonely by Marlon Craft
Lyric: Buzz buzz goes the sound of the anti-depressant notifications, I'ma need me three grams of some mentions. Tell me you like the online me so the real me don't feel so lonely
Lesson: Social media can be a drug, especially when chasing after the high of numbers. Some people get so lost they forget about the good things/people in the real world.
Don’t focus on the numbers. Instead post because you love what you have to share, not because you want recognition. Growth will follow!
003 - Inner Child
Song & Artist: Feral Roots by Rival Sons
Lyric: Though your body may grow old, in your mind you must remain a kid.
Lesson: In life we all get older and move further from the younger version of ourselves. Fantasies get replaced by realities and we trade true happiness for society’s version of success.
Don’t cut off that child’s voice inside you. Instead use it to drive your motivation and inspire you when things get difficult!
004 - Beyond Means
Song & Artist: By God by Houndmouth
Lyric: Working for a nickel down at the armory, trying to support my dime lifestyle.
Lesson: Financial hardship is something many people face, especially in present day. The weight of our spending has us feeling trapped doing the same tasks day in and day out just to survive. It limits our ability to reach the next opportunity!
Don’t let money be the deciding factor on how you run your life. Make realistic changes, build a savings, and set yourself up for the future you want to have!
005 - LoFi Love
Song & Artist: Too Easy by Lawrence
Lyric: It’s not too easy, when it’s clear to me you mean the world. Yet I feel like the A-side for a B-side kind of girl
Lesson: Forming a great relationship can be very easy and rewarding but at the same time it can fall apart just as fast.
It is important to identify people in your life that add value while removing those who bring toxicity. Even if they once brought you happiness and were the closest to you.
006 - Broadening Horizons
Song & Artist: Time by Pink Floyd
Lyric: Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day. You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way. Kicking around on a piece of ground in your hometown. Waiting for someone or something to show you the way…
Lesson: Life is full of opportunities. You can either choose to wait for one to come knocking or go on a journey to seek them out. There comes a time when we are all faced with this decision. Ultimately it is this choice that shapes who we are as people.
With the new year fast approaching, are you happy with life or is there something more you want to be?