If Johnny Cash gets to go everywhere I want to too.
I'm AnaSera. I'm 18. I'm from near London, UK. I like Art: facebook.com/AnaSerachambers
Right now; I'm staying in the USA for 3 Months to get inspired and learn lots about Art. I'm writing all this stuff down so I remember what I did because my memory is rubbish. Hopefully I'll go to other places too then this can turn into a worldly travel blog. This is a I'm-in-the-US-right-now travel blog. Mostly, It won't make sense, even though I write a lot I'm not much of a writer, but there'll be lots of pictures and smiley faces :)
WOW. It’s been 9 months since I got back from America. I got a proper job in May after coming home and have been saving a little money each month. I’ve sold art, and I’ve done some things I regret.
Next adventure is going to be: Europe
Amsterdam, I’m coming for ya, then I’m coming home, putting on some gigs, then going again to france, Hopefully on to spain and wherever the plane takes me for the cheapest I guess!
All in aim for AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND/ FIJI - my homeland and my dream destinations.
Middle of the night on a monday :) I really need to sort this blog out i keep just doing stuff then forgetting about it then trying to remember it and now this isn’t readable, really. The only thing that I can think that I have done is eaten ALOT of chinese food this week.
I basically did ART, tidying and all sorts of practical stuff, been having a whole lot of fun making cookies like there’s no tomorrow.
In serious prep for the cookie party we had this gone sunday. No joke, we have a million cookies in the house, this is basically an 8th of what there was! Everything went down a storm, my aunt is queen baker everyone is in love with her and the cookies, total honer to be her sous chef ;)
I love my baby cousin claire she is awesome. Emmas should be in this too but she was doing homework. hahaha.
Basically had quite the hectic week, been trying to get involved with a few organisations to help out the homeless, or any other charitable stuff I can do. It’s actually made me feel a lot better about myself, put my problems into perspective, even though I know I’m allowed to be sad about issues of my own to an extent I’ve thrown myself into helping others worse off using art and things that I love to do.
Something happened this week too, one of my ladies phoned me up on tuesday I think mightve been monday saying she’d put some art up online and a douche had ripped her apart, she was crying and I couldn’t believe it. Please think twice before you completely slate something that comes from the heart, as vunerable as art, and remember that you actually have no right to judge it.
Skints - On a Mission (Katy B cover)
This blew UP this week, and well deserved, I adore the skints and this is beautiful.
These are some of my gingerbread for the homeless/oldpeople/children;
Decorating like there was no tomorrow.
Tonight was fun, had the neighbours over for pizza, which is always a laugh. Justin and Jameson told me I can hang out with them whenever and kept telling me to get in his van. It started to scare me, but they seem like lots of fun. I always like meeting art enthusiasts and musicians and I got one of each so that was cool :)
Mischief Brew - Gimme Coffee or Death
Mischief Brew are my favourite and they liked my picture which was class. Also got on the radio again from NY to Guildford too much fun. I can now play and sing three ramshackle glory songs with piano ;) OOO and I did some lyric art for Harri
This blog is such shambles I’m gonna have to go through everything and sort it out so that it’s actually readable as a ‘blog’ I think it’s turning into a ‘notes about my trip’ instead of telling a story about how the culture is different
WE’RE MAKIN A GINGERBREAD TOWN, bottom is my cousins and uncles. top three is my house…. looks like a snowman got massacred and “Get Merry” is more of a threat but, that’s how I roll apparently.
AHHH I haven’t updated this in like a week, I think it’s going to have to become a weekly thing because I’ve been busy. The only thing that reminded me of it was this
BECAUSE ITS SO TRUE. ahahah she’s so angry.
I love travelling and flying on airplanes, it’s like, one of my favorites but the bitches at the airports are just like this.
Been doing a whole lot of lyric art because I enjoy it and it’s what I’m going to decorate my room with. hahah. I’ve sent some of it out to people in colleges and other artist to get reviews and I’m gonna post some online soon because I’m so happy with them! Like honestly, I sent them to get some constructive crit and help but I got nice things back so that’s nice. woo :)
Sent some to a guy and he’s asked me to put together a book eeeeeep
Donno if you can tell that I love pat the bunny hahahahah
Johnny Hobo & The Freight Trains - Only two of my best friends are actual people
I’ve been to art galleries, a trippy lookin’ Cinema to see “The Help”, had chinese food, babysitted for my cousins a whole loads, played quirkle, danced to grime, hung out with friends, drunk rum, danced to hip hop, done art, read books under trees, hung out at coffee shops, drunk too much coffee, bought more art stuff, done photography, decorated the house, looked at the christmas tree, planned my trip to New Jersey/ NYC, discovered new music, danced to ska, made friends with artists, watched the skints on skype, chilled with ruby listening to reggae, talked to my friends, organised everything online.
LOTS A STUFF.
I’m really really 50/50 with the whole going home thing, but I’ve got 4 weeks left and I’m loving it :)
Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010)
I would recommend this documentary :) it’s sick if you’re into stuff like street art and rebellion because it shows the commercial side and the non commercial aspects of art. ooo and I would recommend the film “The Help” it’s basically like, about racism in Jackson, if you’ve read the book you’ll know. It’s pretty emotional though, the oversized guy devouring popcorn in front of us was balling his eyes out. He was quite dramatic though. It’s pretty funny too.
Just started doing some more art for other bands, this is a cute new band from Alton www.facebook.com/MostAgreeable they’re not quite up and running as they say but I’m looking forward to hearing some of their covers :) and hopefully their own stuff soon!
First Dec. I think this is day 40. I could be wrong. 1.20AM USA 6.20AM UK
I AM G PLZ TEK ME SERIOUS
The days have been pretty uninventful and I didn’t think anyone would want to read more about me sitting around on the laptop doing artwork that no one will get to see and drinking copius amounts of coffee in a desperate bid to stay awake. I have been so exausted over this week that I needed a few days to relax, and that’s what I’ve had. with the occasional trip out and babysitting my cousins I can truely say that by this morning - I was ok again.
Chunkymark. this is fucking hilarious. Best thing is, its so funny, but he makes some sort of sense in most of his vids.
Over these past days I’ve been skyping a whole lot, a four hour one with Asher and Jordan was great, Catherine, the gig tonight, my mum and a couple of other people. I didnt get to see robin for two weeks, he’s on call bc he’s in the navy. :( but I get to see him when he gets to florida.
:)
Rum Rebellion - Drunken Sailor
TONIGHT has been, amazing! SO much fun with my aunt, Debbie and Jessica, what was meant to be a glass of wine at marios turned into a feast and rum at bar. which I’m fine with. Yes I got away with being 21, I don’t know how, got hit on by an arrogant dick’ed who got put in his place by fearless Debbie. We discussed anal bleaching, freegans and justin bieber in peru and it was generally the biggest laugh i’ve had in ages, too good. I wish that I could stay here actually, I’m just getting to know everyone and I forgot to take pictures so hopefully we’ll do it again. Me and my aunt took a detour on the way to the bar for an hour to look at all the open house stuff on art walk. it was good all the cool mix media stuff and glass. There were some right pompus art freaks there which i HATE but it was good all the same. It was packed where we were but we managed to consume so much food before we even got a table hahha.
I like rum
I’ve missed rum
So, I can’t be bothered to update this more because I’d like to enjoy having rum in ma belly :) night x
Missed out a few days due to feeling ill or just not remembered what I did!
Yesterday I basically sat in my pjs appreciating folk punk and played ramshackle glory covers on the piano because singing and music is good for the soul. When youre bashing out chords on the piano singing ramshackle glory in america you should always close the window though. Some man defiantly clapped everytime i finished playing. What a sweetie. I went outside looking like a leopard and a parrot had kicked my face in to take a picture of the fairy lights and got caught. Scared that boy. Look how pretty our house looks thoughh.
In my quest to find all the folkpunk bands I ever listened to and listen to them again and see if I still am in love with them, I found out that I am. Especially Andrew Jackson Jihad, Flogging Molly, Ramshackle Glory, Dropkick Murphys, Johnny Hobo and the fright trains, Chris Burrows, Great Cynics, Gaslight Anthem, Against me, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, Wingnut Dishwashers Union, Ghost Mice, Gogol Bordello, Captain Chaos, Patrik Fitzgerald, Anorexic Olsen Twin, The Riot Before, Mischief Brew, Spoonboy, The Tossers, Chuck Ragan, Tom Gabel, Jaacko and Jay, Sydney City Trash, Even Robot Us, Sam Russo, Ash Victim, Toby Foster, Pipes and pints, Harrison Wilde, Paddy and the Rats, One Night Stand In South Dakota, Taxpayers, Mutiny, Crywank, Sloppy Folk , All These Wasted Nuts, Frank Turner, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, Rum Rebellion, No Target Audience, Filthy Thieving Bastards, Mallory, Shane MacGowan, Evan Greer, Tom Frampton, Chapter Eleven, Pedels on Pirate Ships .
I’ll probably try marry them.
Made a load of these:
Today was good, got up at quarter to 8 and left at 8 for the start of the installation competition. Its christmas themed. Its not hard, basically have to make the health complex look fucking beautiful. It already does, got til fridayy to be judged. Me, my Uncle, Jen Stephanie and ohfucki’veforgottenhernameventhoughshessolovely made everything look bloody pretty and we should win I reckon ;) hahah
Then I was at work with my Uncle and he’s a public defender so we did a load of exciting stuff like look for witnesses and talk to security. well he did. i drew this:
Theeen we went to the art store and got loaads of art stuff which was fun :)
My cousin was on the tv so we watched her be part of the pirate toy fund.
Forgot to eat dinner but we had like, the biggest pizza of my life for lunch so I’m not hungry.
I’ve done a lot but nothing that I can be bothered to type out beautifully so I might just leave this one and improve on it later :)
I really need to bulk up that part of my portfolio. Im gonna apply woo.
Day 37 8.45PM USA 1.45AM UK
Anorexic Olsen Twin - I Guess This Is What Brains Look Like
This morning I woke up and literally felt like crying. It’s not often that I let having cfs/m.e get to me but this morning I just couldn’t even move, my body felt exausted and the worst thing? i’d actually slept a lot. I felt sick and headachey and sorry for myself but I pushed through it because I count my blessings. Popped a load of pills slapped a smile on and went and ate an apple.
Gecko - I got time
The day got progressively better, went to another art fair which was pretty cool, a lot smaller that most that I’ve been to but there was loads of cool pottery and wooden toys and paintings. There were loads of childrens book illustrations which was really cool to look at, especially the massive pop up books of Alice In Wonderland. So cool. Met a girl called Elanor James who did some beautiful paintings. Got her card ;) I have a ridiculous amount of business cards now. I’m designing my own. It was in a really big private school, there was a pond in the reception area.
with golden koi in.
that’s posh.
Did a lot of art yesterday, some for Jordan because while listening to his music I get really inspired. I love the way that music and art can go hand in hand and I’m hoping to work with some other artists too.
Stared at this for so so long haha, he seemed keen on it though so I’m not too worried. Asked like 4 or 5 peoples opinions and they seemed to like it but I can never tell whether people are just being nice and when it’s to represent someone ELSE well, it’s just kinda important to me. I’m getting more confident with it though. Looking forward to doing a lot more posters and flyers. Exciting.
So my cousin threw a strop this afternoon, like a full on hysterical crying shame and flew out of control so we havent done that much this afternoon,
Shakira Vs Danzig - Hips don’t lie
There has been a lot of mexican/spanish/latino music happening in our house today.
Today started early, half 4am, got up and got dressed, smudged make up over my face as I do and me and my aunt got in the car, herbal water in hand, handbags empty apart from money and coupons. So many coupons! Got to eastview at around 5am and as we expected the carpark was almost full, everyone obviously got to JCPenny really early for the 12am opening sales. We started in Lord & Taylor. I love it in there even though it’s mostly desginer but my Aunt loves it so we looked at the shoes and the jewellery and everything. Most stuff was 50% off, and coz we were early enough we got the $20 card which was amazing.
Just put my coat on to listen to this. P.Diddy - Badboy4lyf
I got a pimpin coat. It deserves a paragraph of its own because its amazing. I put it on and it was like a HUG. a fat massive hug and I am in love with it.
Got a coffee (of course) then an ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE COFFEE THING.
Mostly because of the name and the fact that shopping that early actually makes me dehydrated as well as mental haha. Got some new tights, loads of presents for everyone back in the UK and watched the sun rise by the fountain while being on the telly ha, and looking at the boys outside Abercrombie… they werent half bad to look at mm. I was also half on the news by accident because I was walking past this looking confused and excited.
Circa Survive - Living Together
So after a mental morning of shopping and having a laugh with my aunt we came home at 10am, ate some breakfast, I watched eastenders on youtube and had a nap, woke up at 1ish, ate a ketchup sandwich and we went out the door to go and see the Nutcracker Ballet. Got all dolled up and everything… even if I’d only just awoken ha.
DJ Opaix - Sugar Plum Fairy Remix (The Nutcracker)
Nutcracker was siick, I like ballets they’re pretty good. I loved the theatre, it was beautiful. Keen artist I am, I liked the decor. Excuse the shitty picture, You’re not allowed cameras in so I was like AHHHH quick then I regretted it. But look at how good our seats are!
Then we trekked to Macaroni Grill (where you can draw all over the tablecloths?)
Me and my cousins then went and hung out in Bed Bath & Beyond with our dresses and heels on. It was hilarious. This picture sums it up:
and they were two days that I’d quite like to remember!
Day 33 + Day 34 (Thanksgiving)
SO, I forgot about this a) because I was too busy looking after my cousins
and
b) because I was too busy eating food
Sharks - It all Relates
Wednesday was mental, had tea parties and played a princess game on the wii that I can only describe as amazing. We built a rocket out of snap things and played tanks and operation. For our picnic tea party we had apple cider and what was meant to be mac and cheese but the cheese incident happened and it ended up as pasta with pasta sauce. The cheese looked like something someone threw up. Or a cat threw up. No one was eating THAT for a nice picnic that’s for sure. We ate candy and watched the rescuers movie. After my aunt and uncle came home we watched crap on youtube and we listened to adele.
Claire sang adele at me until she went to bed, we read some book about a creepy elf stealing eggs. Then I watched thanksgiving fest on TV :)
Then in the morning, Claire was singing adele.
On the way to Canandaigua adele was on the radio.
Then we went to Gary and Nancys, she put on adele.
We went to the buffet and in the room we were in, guess who was playing? adele!
Fucking rolling in the deep.
Flogging Molly - Drunken Lullabies
Thanksgiving was so nice :) I have a lot of things to be thankful for so it was cool to celebrate that by eating as much as I could. ;) I’ve had an interesting year, one of those ones that I’m gonna class as a ‘life changing’ one.
Rancid - Fall Back Down
A terrible start, feeling my lowest and my highest, turning 18, being ill, boys, coffee, rum, pubs, friends, london, MUSIC. some of the best gigs. I’m really lucky! The weather was beautiful and it was a perfect day by the lake.
We spent the day with Gary, Nancy, Nancys girls and their children, Bevin, Ric, Connor, Donovan, Mckenzie and obv my aunt Shauna, Uncle Paul, Emma and Claire. Which is some of the most distant fam I have but doesn’t mean we’re not close :) I love family times, my cousins are two of my favourite girls in the whole world.
I wish I could remember these days in detail hahahah
I definitely drank too much coffee today, I overloaded my coffee machine with vanilla filters and drank three, and that was before I’d even ventured out. Couldn’t stop dancing or buzzing around the place, what was annoying for me: I couldn’t find my shoes to go out in. So I spent around 2 hours listening to various songs that probably shouldn’t be danced to in the way I danced to them, but it happened anyway, and thinking about where my shoes were. They were under the bed. Yes I did go out like this:
I don’t whether it’s because I’m hilarious or what, but when I put this outfit together it did make perfect sense to me. Sunglasses because it was really sunny (and they make me cool obviously…) and hat and scarf because it was freezing. Only when I got home and took this photo did I realise how truly good I looked. That’s not even sarcasm.
;)
Went to Pittsford Plaza today, saw Chrissy vaguely in Barnes & Noble, then went to Michaels, got my sketchbook and pens (thank god) and went to the finger lakes coffee cafe thing place. I love the guy that works in there he’s so cheery and amazing at multi tasking. He used to be a barman. He got me my cinnamon coffee… of which I forgot was cinnamon and PUT cinnamon in it so it was actually disgusting but I drank it anyway. Got the shakes. Ate a cookie. Went on the wifi, wrote a bit of my story - I haven’t done that for ages but I thought I may as well. It’s my back up. If I find myself in the gutter I’ll send it off to publishers and try and get it published and make a name for myself. Haha.
Because I knew it would only get colder I went home, via wegmans ofcourse. Nearly got run over like twice but didn’t. Listening to acoustic Streetlight Manifesto on the way because it doesn’t use as much battery as music with more instruments ha
Streetlight Manifesto - Dear Sergio (Acoustic - AP show)
Barely got home when everyone else piled in the door and we made our way BACK to the Plaza hahah. It was raining something shitty so I was glad to be in the car and warm. Didn’t wear the right shoes for wet weather either so as soon as we stepped into the colour-me-blind place (where you paint ceramic stuff? yea?) my feet felt like they were drowning. Fittingly I decided to paint a mermaid onto a plate, the people who run it came over and were all impressed which was nice of them. Really cool ladies actually I’m gonna go back to finish it so hopefully I’ll get to speak to them again.
My cousin did a reindeer ornament thing, she gave it a tattoo of my face on its arse. The thought that counts. It was special.
Ate out at the Plaza, it was goood, I had a greek style wrap. I like greek. Came home, played Battlefield 2 Mortal Combat on iPad, watched Walking Dead and now I’m in bed :)
Probably won’t sleep because of my unhealthy addiction to caffeine that has resurfaced worse than ever. Addictive personality :(
Wish I was addicted to something useful like, cleaning and tidying or fruit or something.
