Relationships are an essential part of any human beings life and almost all individuals can say that they have formed a bond with at least one other person. What intrigues us to form these relationships, how or why do they work? What does the relationship look like? This past week these are questions I began to ask myself about my own relationships.   
      
          This week I did a lot of journaling in an effort to decide which one of my own personal relationships I would start to explore more. I decided on four specific relationships that all can be characterize in completely different ways: 


The first relationship is with my boyfriend. 
We share a bond that people are always looking for. He is my best friend and the love of my life. I have started to explore our relationship more and looked at our individual personalities. We have a lot of similar characteristics and interest but there is also so much that is different and sometimes can be frustrating. It is interesting to start to visualize how this bond looks to other people and how it can be portrayed visually. 


The second relationship is with my mom.
We share a bond that is both biological and personal. She is someone that I know will always be there and we can laugh together and be serious. I've realized a lot of times we don't get along or get frustrated with each other but we are so much alike. Everyone says I look and hold a lot of the same personality traits as my mom so it is interesting to try and portray this idea, yet still keep hold of the difference we do have.


The third relationship is with one of my old friends.
This relationship is very interesting to me. Lindsay and I are only a few months apart and growing up were inseparable. We hold so many memories and have many similar interests. Once we both hit high school and went in different directions we slowly began to drift apart. So it is interesting to look and see how our relationship has changed over the years. Even though we do not see each other that often right now, when we do we can talk and hang out like nothing has changed even though so much in our own lives has changed. 


The fourth relationship is with one of my first roommates at college. 
This relationship is also very different than the previous ones I have started to look at. This relationship was not a good one. We were two completely different individuals that were in a way forced to live together and get along. Looking back at it all i could describe it as an arranged marriage that went bad. So for me it is interesting to see how this relationship was viewed by all outsiders and how it really felt to be in the relationship itself. Also It is interesting to compare this relationship to any of the previous ones i have stated.   

Beyond this exploration I have started to dig deeper into these relationships and start to describe the actual relationship in ways that I could start to illustrate them. I have started this by describing the relationship in just a few words. For example the relationship with my college roommate i described as fake, forced and sometimes distant, while in comparison the relationship with my boyfriend i described as being stable, fun, true and sometimes frustrating. Also another thing that came to mind it the number of years that I have been in this relationship and if that factor can or will play a part in my final piece. 


In relation with my research and journaling I have started to sketch to try and help my get a better visual of what these relationships actually look like. I will have some of these sketches uploaded soon. I have also started to think about what I want the audience to get from looking at these pieces and I want to spark a sense of curiosity not only about my own relationships but I want them to start to think about their own relationships. 


As for the coming weeks I still have a lot of research and exploration to do. I am going to continue journalling and sketching. Also I plan on doing a few studies using color to try and visually demonstrate a feeling that these relationships evoke. Another thing that I am excited to start doing is getting into the print studio. I want to start to turn some of my sketches and ideas into small prints to explore mediums for my final pieces.