Hashtag Magazine 1 | Page 91

one of the country’s youngest bloggers at the young age of 14, started this hobby at the age of 7. Quite interesting since it is at that age you see little kids out in the play grounds or busy with crayons shading drawings past the lines. For Nina, it’s the opposite. Blogging became her way of expressing and showing other people her ‘talkative personality’. “I really like the idea of being able to voice out my own opinions on a website that is solely mine.” For her, it is the extension of her personality. Blogging is one way for her to cope up from being sad. “It›s a form of relief for me, to be able to put my feelings and thoughts into words and have other people share similar experiences or words of advice through the comments section.” a traditional artist herself known to social networking sites in the country, started quite similar but a bit more complicated. “I had this on and off relationship with art that started at a very young age. I only realized that it is my passion when I had tried to take another route and felt that something was lacking. It took me years to realize that art is no longer just an interest but already a passion. That›s when I decided to finally follow my heart.” The very description of art’s versatility and liberty made her become attracted to her passion that it did not limit her to anything at all but instead gave her the chance to identify what perfectly suits her. Specifically, Pawnee goes on the traditional type of art. When asked if there was any difference since people looked at art as generally creative and colourful she answered, “A traditional artwork is a one of a kind piece, it has texture, life. In some ways it›s like magic, breathing life into a blank canvas, and pulling up a creation from nothingness. It takes much more patience, skill, time, money and energy but it›s all worth it in the end.” another known digital artist himself all over social networking sites, looked at artistic activities as a kid as something he knew he would be doing for his lifetime. That interest as a kid grew into something he didn’t know he would be dealing with even years after childhood. “To me, there’s just really something, that feeling of freeing your hands just painting nto the canvas; the ‘salvation’ that I get whenever I start to draw or paint. The artistic urge to start drawing is just something that my soul could not deny.” Digital art, as compared to other forms of art, has all colors available and executes more accurate lines. Although traditional art may look more natural than this, digital on the other hand is less messier and easier to blend. Similar to these three young minds’ passion in their respective fields comes in the people who keep them going. Perhaps in passion, there are people, aside of the fact that it comes from within, who constantly drives them more physically. Nina looks at her mom and Zoe Suen of Fashiononymous as her constant sources of inspiration while both Pawnee, aside from her brother, and Vin, aside from his professors, look at several known artists like Vincent Van Gogh, James Jean, Rebecca Cairns, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Van Eyck, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Michelangelo Caravaggio as inspirations. According to goodtherapy.org, creative block is the inability to access one’s flowing stream of inspiration and creativity. It is those several moments in artists and writers that they feel that nothing comes in their minds to keep them going. For Nina, Pawnee, and Vin, creative block never stops them from doing what they really love. It may become a constant sprinkle of water to that flame but can always be withered. For them, the best way to cope up from this creative block is to do other things you normally can get inspiration from. As Pawnee said, “I take a break and find inspirations from books, movies, music, people and other artists. There are times that I just needed to seek solitude.” As what Vin does, “Go out, listen to new music, take breaks, observe peopl e, read books.” For Pawnee, the happiness that her passion brings is what keeps her and that flame going, while for Vin, it’s that dream to become a Pixar illustrator that keeps him moving. What keeps Nina going for her blog is that readers get to enjoy and get inspired from her, which is her main goal. However, their passion greatly affected their lives. Looking at the number of fans they have on social networking sites and making them being known around their environment. “I›ve met a lot of good people through my blog, and I›ve been given a lot of opportunities because of it,” says Nina. According to Pawnee, “It makes me feel that I have a purpose and sense in this world.” Vin simply answered, “My passion IS my life.” For young minds out there, you may have never found your passion yet but it is always never late. Hear it from these people themselves. “If you don›t give it a shot, that flickering passion will die out. The chance of it erupting into a beautiful flame would have passed by, and you›ll live your life wondering about the what ifs.”- Nina Pineda “Never stop practicing! The word PRACTICE should be your mantra…. Remember, Wala namang magaling agad. Lahat nagsisimula sa baba. Pawnee Ramos “Stop caring what people think and just do your stuff….Remember that the best tool you will ever have is yourself.”- Vin Quilop You may not become that perfect person others or you could’ve dreamed of, but hey look, passion will just get you closer to cloud nine. Nina Pineda: Sartorially Challenged, http://www. ninapineda.com/ Pawnee Ramos: http:// fourtrackmind.tumblr.com/ Vin Quilop: http:// vinquilop.tumblr.com/ 91