Warning! Unlikely
Inspiration
A Portfolio of Creative Selections by Christopher John Bales
At twilight, nature is not without loveliness, though perhaps its chief use is to illustrate quotations from the poets. -Oscar Wilde I don’t personally see my work as being dark. What interests me is a balance between light and dark. -Carter Burwell One person’s crazyness is another person’s reality. -Tim Burton
Foreword Over the course of this semester, I have tapped further into my creative pool than ever before. Thanks to the help of Marlys Cervantes, I have been able to challenge myself in ways that I have never before thought possible. She has pushed me to not only think outside of the box, but to even go as far as shredding the box into tiny bits of cardboard confetti, throwing it onto the ground, and dancing on what other people would call traditional thought. Thanks to the creative writing course, I have been pushed to explore the deepest recesses of my mind and analyze what is there, and then bring it outward in the form of artistic expression for those around me to appreciate it. I have made many personal discoveries during this semester, some of which have surprised me, confused me, and downright frightened me. Above all though, I feel that I have come closer to understanding how I think and what inspires me to learn, right, and create. I have discovered that my greatest inspiration comes from the abstract and ethereal. Anything otherworldly seems to immediately grab my attention and pull me into its strangely attractive realm. For this reason, the romantic style of writing has become one of main influences in my own works as well as how I have come to view the world around me. I have not only rediscovered my passion for writing this semester, but I have also delved into the world of still-framed imagery known as photography. By pulling on my photographs and the photographs of others for inspiration, I have discovered my own personal well of perpetual inspiration. As you read this digital collection of my works, I hope that at least one of the underlying themes of unconventional inspiration comes to find a place in your heart.
The Poet and I Eye to eye, the poet and I are locked in a heated discussion. His heart to his chest, and mine to mine, are models of rhythmic percussion. He is obsessed with his nature, and I with finding my place. The poet and I are two different men, yet he and I share the same face. My mind gives form to his thoughts. The poet’s soul is my inspiration. His words flow through my pen, while his heart is my motivation. Together we share similar views of the world - his, slightly more artistic than mine. Whereas I see the world through a 35 lens, He sees the world through rhyme.
Model: Aubrie Denney Camera Model: Canon Eos Digital Rebel F-Stop: f/5 Expoure Time: 1/200 sec.
Model: Kalon Jade Steinaway Camera Model: Canon Eos Digital Rebel F-Stop: f/5.6 Expoure Time: 1/320 sec.
iWrite Fiction The pen hastily scratches across the surface of the paper in minute, effortless strokes while the mind escapes the binding chains of this reality and escapes into another world.
Into the Glass
The rabbit’s path twists and turns as the future is shown. Hold fast for now!
Models: Aubrie Denney, Rachel Curtiss, Kalon Jade Steinaway, Bonnie Thieme Camera Model: Canon Eos Digital Rebel F-Stop: f/5 Expoure Time: 1/320 sec.
E R I P S IN Great
Model: Bonnie Thieme (below) Camera Model: Canon Eos Digital Rebel F-Stop: f/5.6 Expoure Time: 1/200 sec.
Model: Rachel Curtiss (above) Camera Model: Canon Eos Digital Rebel F-Stop: f/5 Expoure Time: 1/160 sec.
tness
As You Sleep
In your mind lies a dream just waiting to find its way into this world.
As You Sleep Confined in his mind He tries to find peace. Recalling the memories In his heart. Subjecting himself To the call of the pen he Openly shares his art. Perhaps this is His only chance to find Everlasting and truly fulfilling Resolution. But alas he can not Awake from his dream. Lying still he Enjoys the peace. Savoring every moment.