Is T.S. (Tinty Sun) inspired by T.S. (Taylor Swift)?

This music video was released a few months ago, but I've been waiting to bring it here!
Welcome to guard my site like protective jewels. But for real, I loved this music video.

I don't get tired of the Cinderella theme and variations of it. Especially after having had the misfortune of dealing with treacherous beings similar to those at the beginning. Loved the colorful clockwork dance, the castle with the dragons, that beautiful yellow gown with the T.S. hairpins, and basically everything in it!

If you're new here, you may not know my history of frequently posting relatable Taylor Swift stuff everywhere I go. It started with the irony of my life turning dramatic beyond what I was used to, but then it became a habit. To the point where it was as though I was often living a small-scale version of her songs. But that's one of the many things Taylor Swift excels at; she has a song for almost every kind of heartful or heartbreaking situation.

Yet, although I won't deny that I appreciate Taylor Swift's work and resonate with it, the initials (T.S.) matching is merely coincidental. I picked the name in the year 2012, maybe earlier, and noticed the match but didn't make a big deal out of it and kept it.

That said, at this point, it is fair to say that I am indeed inspired by Taylor Swift. I grew up with Britney Spear and NSync as my favorite pop artists and, ever since, haven't quite been anybody's hardcore fan (anticipating releases, following closely, getting merch, etc.). Yet, I keep coming back to Taylor Swift when something new is out. So, in this house, you may or may not stan Taylor Swift, but we certainly respect her!

Quite honestly, I'm glad that it is her who is dominating in music. I don't expect her to be Mother Teresa, but I've always applauded how she has stood for women, anti-bullying, and more. I think many people gloss over that when they decide to attack her. But it would seem that, at her core, that's who she is. Plus, she can be so quirky and modest!

On top of that, she is an extraordinary example of going against the odds and overcoming adversity. The amount of criticism and opposition she has faced is something I do not wish on anyone. Most of it is completely unmerited. With people missing the point, ignoring context, or expecting artists to cater to their every whim. Not to mention, the typical hate for whatever is popular. Makes me sigh, roll my eyes, and shake my head. But to each their own.

Personally, I've lost count of all the songs by her that have a special place in my heart. Either because they helped me through something difficult (life is easier with background music) or because they put lyrics and melodies to cherished moments and people. Or both. They may even be gateways to points in time and space. For instance, New Romantics takes me back to something I never want to forget. And talk about castles again!

Chances are I will keep posting T.S. She'd have to descend from the heavens and tell me to stop 'cause I'm embarrassing her or something! Yet, rest assured, Swifties and whatnot, that I do it with appreciation. ♥

Family & Friends’ Support

Speaking of pursuing, I’m about to officially begin a new cycle of my life, one in which I embark on taking on more challenges and getting closer to my dreams. And although it may seem insignificant on the outside, it is actually one of the best things to ever happen to me and I rejoice in that fact.

I honestly would not have made it to this point without the support of my family (by birth and chosen) and my friends (in person and online). And I’m not ashamed to admit that! In the past, I was the type to be proud of accomplishing goals without anybody’s help, but that burnt me out and I realized that it’s not how I wish to live. Today, I feel fortunate beyond words to be able to count and rely on people that care about and for me - which I cherish. Not only does it help in what they personally do and give in contribution, but also in fueling me to continue to be kind throughout it all even when I am tempted to turn cynical and give up.

You all know who you are (if you read this). You would also know that you can, likewise, count and rely on me for anything I can contribute. This is a period of my life in which I am mostly filling my cup rather than pouring from it, but your generosity will not be forgotten and I look forward to when I can give back as much or more.

I have been given a safe and comfortable space to stay in while I study and work. Monetary donations that brought me much relief and wiggle room. Paid classes, courses, and books relevant to my interests. Electronics that make possible and facilitate my tasks (wider monitor, tablets, phones, microphones, headphones, etc.). Instructions and assistance in setting up, enhancing, and fixing things. As well as other priceless gestures such as being there for me when I am down and bringing me back up.

I honor all of this and am deeply grateful for it! So I get especially mad at myself (and at others) when I am distracted or delayed for no good reason. Regardless, I also have to thank them for their patience while I pulled myself out of a dark place and took my time figuring stuff out. For believing in me despite it all. This has allowed me to focus on my long-term plans and finally stop putting off what I wish for the most.

The Costs & Rewards of Pursuing Art

Whether or not you are willing to accept the trade-off of pursuing art is something to ask yourself before too long!

Art can be intriguing and fascinating. Enticing and enchanting. So meaningful and significant. It is rewarding, but it comes at a cost. At many costs, actually.

However, both the rewards and the costs are quite proportional to how much you put into it. If you’re only putting a 1% into it, then you don’t have to worry too much about costs (but don’t expect great rewards either). If you’re putting in more than 20%, though, I’d suggest paying attention to what you’re signing up for.

And no, when I say costs and rewards, I'm not referring to only those regarding fame and fortune - those aren’t guaranteed and there’s much more to it. Generally, regardless of area, art can cost and reward you in several ways. And many of these are just different sides of the same coin (i.e. you can’t have one without the other). But as you pursue art, and what it implies and entails, you will obtain capabilities, get opportunities, and increase your chances to make it through to what you set out for. Then on and on as you continue pursuing.

Pursuing art can cost you one or more of the following, depending on how far you go with it and how you go about it:
- Time & energy.
- Money spent on supplies & resources.
- Money spent on classes & courses.
- Money spent on events, works & merchandise.
- Peer approval & understanding.
- Mental & emotional simplicity & permanence.
- Ignorance & indifference.
- Complacency & conformity.
- Playing it safe.
- Steering out of hard, difficult, and unpleasant reflections and confrontations.
Etc.

As for rewards:
- Impressive and bewildering knowledge & skills.
- Outlets for thoughts, feelings, sensations & more.
- Ability to materialize ideas, bringing imagination to reality.
- Making healing, empowering, and inspiring contributions to self and others.
- Alignment with your true self, your unique gifts, and your untapped potential.
- Developing and evolving views with nuance and literal or metaphorical accuracy.
- Broadened and deepened perception and comprehension.
- Spiritual awakening and advancement.
- Possibility of more than sufficient recognition and/or profits.
- Mastering your inner world.
Etc.

Artist: Visionary, Crafter, Performer, or Director?

Do you fit the profile of an artist? What even is that anyway?

Typically, when we don’t know any better, we form narrow and closed views about what makes someone an artistic person meant to become a great artist. We might go to the concept, often portrayed in fiction, of the extremely artsy person that is impulsive, uninhibited, emotional, and so forth, but that is only one way to get to art.

I’ve come across people concerned that they were never going to get far with art because they didn’t have these traits, that they were never going to be artsy enough because they were more logical or calculated or restrained. At one point, I was concerned, too. However, art can be tackled through different approaches and still turn out outstanding. In fact, there must be different approaches to it or much would never be done. Whether these traits are possessed or not is not completely indicative of the quality of the art.

The way I view it, there are 4 main categories in which you can fall to as an artist (or person involved in the arts): Visionary, crafter, performer, and director. You can be in one or more of these to different degrees, with more aptitude for some than others or in some kind of balance. You may be able to be more than one (though still choose a focus or switch between them) or be so clearly into only one that delegating the rest isn’t even a question.

Visionary:
Imaginative and transcendent. Often revolutionary. This is where novel ideas are born. It isn’t about following trends, but about foreseeing them or setting them. Visionary folks might be ahead of their time, their notions overlooked if not downright rejected or even mocked by their short-sighted peers. But they have a knack for spotting potential and figuring what things could become beforehand, before much or any proof is available. If they have faith and get their timing right, they can make a difference.

Crafter:
Dedicated and resourceful. Often meticulous. This is where skilled works are shaped. With time, effort, and attention to detail, possibly immersed in the pursuit of perfection (or at least something close to it). Crafters are in their own bubble during the process, pleased to tune out from everything else while they are at it. The result matters, but also how they get there. Whatever medium they use and whether they are more industrious than sentimental about it, what they produce becomes their signature. Hence, they strive to meet high standards.

Performer:
Engaging and impressive. Often charismatic. This is where splendid proficiencies are shown. There is more than meets the eye, however. They can make the difficult seem easy for how graceful they are at it. Unknown to most what amount of preparation went into it, how many times they got it wrong until they got it right, and how much practice it took to not only get it right, but be unlikely to get it wrong. It may be talent but chances are an admirable level of discipline is behind it too. 

Director:
Communicative and decisive. Often strategic. This is where complementary contributions are assembled. The director is there to guide and correct, encouraging and pushing people toward accomplishing the common goal, which is to make something bigger than its parts. They have the overview and at least a bit from everyone else’s point of view. Strict yet accommodating, and something of an outsider, they leave the spotlight to others but their role in making everything come together is essential for the extraordinary. 

Is Art for You?

Maybe you’re more fated for art than you currently believe. Or maybe not?

There’s this myth surrounding art, that only those rare few showing to be outstandingly gifted at an early age are meant for art and justified in pursuing it as, otherwise, it would be a waste of potential. But the path of art doesn’t have to be so all-or-nothing. Furthermore, being born a “prodigy” isn’t the only thing that determines competence and success (in fact, prodigies frequently fall off).

Many, many artists will tell you that, as they developed, they often heard “you’re so talented” or some variation of this from others. Meant as a sincere compliment but one that didn’t always land so well (you’re safer complimenting their art in terms of what you appreciate about it instead until or unless they respond to the intention behind it and bypass the rest). Because talent is only a fraction of what got them where they are and it would be inaccurate and dismissive to attribute all the work to talent. Some may not even consider themselves talented but they devoted and committed themselves so much to art that they eventually caught up and passed as such.

So if I were to pick a quality to determine whether or not art is for someone, it wouldn’t be talent. It would be Interest. How interested are you in absorbing, comprehending, producing, and polishing art? If you are strongly and actively drawn to this, it is worth at least considering. As a main career, as a side activity, or anything in between.

Artistic talent gives you a headstart and speeds you up, but an art interest moves you and keeps you going. Then, from devotion and commitment to learning and practicing, you gain artistic knowledge and skills. Which increases your chances of achieving results with your art that go beyond the satisfaction and fulfillment of making it. Although there’s nothing wrong in making art for the love of art either. Especially if you have the resources, which is another matter.

You can see it like this. If you have one or more of the three (talent, interest, resources), art is at least a bit for you. And if you have all three, it’d make no sense for you to completely ignore it. The overlaps between just two could also tell you something about where you stand with it. But again, I’d deem interest as the most important factor.

It can also be seen within the spectrum of artistic inclination. Some of us just happen to be more inclined toward art than others. And if we were fortunate, were also able to dedicate our lives to it. Regardless, art remains a human need inherent to most. How much is enough to sate you would then be a relevant question. One that would lead you into identifying how invested you can or should be in it.

In any case, alike other fields, there are different roles for artists to take and different levels in them. You might have to explore and experiment before finding what best suits you. Maybe it is in literature, music, or painting. Maybe it is in the culinary arts. Or it spills and spreads onto almost everything you do. Maybe you’re the poem and not the poet, or maybe you’re both.

What is Art?

One of the first questions one would ask themselves when getting into art would be what is art. But there seem to be so many different answers to that.

Definitions for art abound. In the dictionary, in encyclopedias, in textbooks, and as takes, from artists, art enthusiasts, and art critics. They may be contradictory or appear to be so. That’s because art is not something simple to define. It can even take philosophizing to do so.

When defining art, it can be looked at objectively or subjectively. When you view it objectively, you essentially look for attributes that can be valued and measured externally in the external realm. Such as how it relates and compares to other things around it or even how it influences them. When you view it subjectively, you essentially look for how you, personally, value and measure it internally in your internal realm. What meaning and significance it has to you or how it holds up to your own taste and preference. Neither way is wrong. They are merely different dimensions that aren’t necessarily separate.

Typically, though, there are standards to be met before calling something “art”. And these can be anywhere from quite strict to quite loose. But basically, these standards can be in regards to skill mastery (where it must show dedication and genius), genuine involvement (where it must serve as expression and transformation), cultural impact (where it must address and affect important matters), and by sales and recognition (where it counts how demanded and acclaimed by people it is). I happen to lean the most into the genuine involvement category and the least toward sales and recognition, but that’s just me and there is undeniable merit in all of these.

Here is how I like to define art, with a more widely encompassing definition: “Art is both the means by which life is manifested or portrayed and what results from it, through the individual or collective use of knowledge, ability, tools and/or other resources, regardless of technique and style.” And 'life' here, also being widely encompassing and referring to anything in life or coming to life.

But there are other ways to see it that I also appreciate.
For example, here are three of my favorite celebrated quotes about what art is:

• “Art is the lie that enables us to see the truth.”
• “Art is the bond between the material and the spiritual.” 
• “Art is the signature of civilizations.”

So, do you make art?