A Few of my Favorite Things
I am a nature girl, through and through. I love being outside. I love living slow when I can and watching the breeze rustle the trees while butterflies and birds dance around flowers and leaves. I love when the sky is blue and the clouds are fluffy. I love lounging on a blanket in the middle of the grass and looking up, soaking up all the rays the sun wants to give. I’m a Leo, born in summer, radiating fire, bold colors and fierce looks. Give me all the sunsets, sunrises, mountain tops and beachy views.
Sometimes I take myself on solo dates. I go to the park or the beach, I bring a quilt I made, lay out with my iPad or sketchbook and just draw while I listen to music. The fresh air fills your lungs as you breathe in deep, the sun twinkles on your skin as the leaves dance around the rays, listening to birds chirping and bees buzzing by, slowing down enough to be able to notice and appreciate it all, Life. Then I zone out, sketching this and that, flowers and rainbows and butterflies, clouds and stars and magic.
I go on walks a few times during the week. I pass through my neighborhood and find little glimmers all over. The house down the street has roses that are the color of orange sherbet, another one a few blocks away has the biggest backyard that I envy, the one on the corner has the most beautiful garden. It’s lush and contains such varied foliage, from succulents to lily’s, trees and bushes. An older lady lives there who we called Baxter’s girlfriend. My dog who passed away a few years ago loved her, he was always real excited to visit her on his walks. Every time I see bright magenta, gold and orange Lampranthus blooming I have to stop and take a couple pictures.
Another one of my loves, music. I think music is in my blood and my soul. My biological grandfather was a famous ukelele player from Hawaii. My biological father serenaded my mother on a beach when they first met. My father (my mother’s husband who raised me) has an amazing voice, was in band and was in a musical group with his friends when he was younger. I was in choir during middle school and a couple talent shows during that time.
I remember when my friend and I did a talent show together in 7th or 8th grade. We chose to sing Christina Aguilara’s “Fighter”. I was so frickin’ nervous, I’ve always hated getting in front of so many people with all eyes on me. (Leo’s supposedly love being the center of attention, not this Leo! lol) My friend sang her part flawlessly and then it was my turn. I opened my mouth and things were going well, I got the first 2 lines out until my voice cracked! Aghhh! But you know what, I kept going, I didn’t stop despite my mess up! Proud of you for that little Lani!
I also recently got into reading, Growing up I never liked reading. Every time I would pick up a book, 10 mins in, and I’m yawning uncontrollably. But now, it’s one of my favorite things to do. I wish I had more time for it, but it’s hard for me to have quiet time long enough to get into it fully, how I like. Ideally, I’d be alone with no distractions. I’d light a candle that smells like tropical fruit on a gloomy, rainy day, drinking something warm, wrapped in my favorite cozy blanket with snacks nearby, phone on “Do Not Disturb”.
Everything I create relates to the things I love. I make bracelets with glass beads that are shaped like flowers, pineapples, rocks, stars, moons and anything else that I love. I make little stories that you can wear with colors and shapes. My goal is to portray a feeling of wonder and cuteness, something unique and original. Referencing nature and helping ease anxiety a bit by helping wearers to stay present. I currently use stretchy string and toggle clasps on my infinity necklace, which doubles as a bracelet stack. I love that it offers a little bit of give when circling it around my wrist, plus it’s not too stiff to where it’s uncomfortable. Each bracelet and necklace has a random selection of patterns and beads that I intuitively create while designing. I source beads from a variety of places, from vintage stores, flea markets, small businesses, my own personal collection, craft stores, Facebook Marketplace, I’ve even had many findings gifted to me! When I make something, I want it to feel like your best friend made it especially for you. I want it to feel like the nostalgia of spending a fun afternoon with your bestie, making friendship bracelets for each other and blowing bubbles in the garden, just a little bit more elevated.
I draw and create digital graphics that are hippie dippie, psychedelic and have a nod of nostalgia. I’m sure it’s quite obvious that I smoke a bit of weed while making these arts, lol, but I live in California where it’s legal and I’m a hippie and weed is natural so don’t judge me. *Side note: How amazing would it be to have a bunch of artists collectively listen to great music, get high and do art together? like a BYOW (Bring Your Own Weed) paint and smoke night? I meannnnn, I’d be there haha, plus to be able to see what everyone creates while listening to the same thing would be very interesting I think. * I definitely think it helps the creative flow though. I have alot of references to nature-for growth and life, eyes- since they are the window to the soul, hearts- for love, and hand drawn typography. I always include a lot of detail which means my pieces can take weeks or months depending on how much time I have to work on them, and how often I get stumped on what to do next. There’s 2-3 layers of shadows, as well as highlights. I love to add little sparkles at the end because everything is magic.
I’m a trained textile designer and have a great love for textiles and patterns, especially anything vintage. I’ll take myself to the vintage shop or flea market and pick out unique textiles that I find interesting. For the most part, I’m drawn to color first, then pattern, then texture. I design quilts for a living and love putting different colors and patterns together. When I was younger I made a few baby quilts for my cousins when they were pregnant, so it’s funny that now I design them for the mass market. I actually really love quilts too, which seems like a funny thing to love, but handmade quilts are so amazing to me. They can be huge and hold some of the most amazing craftsmanship, but they also hold stories. Vintage quilts were made from old textiles, maybe curtains or old clothing that wasn’t wearable any longer. Some of the patterns they created could be so intricate and time consuming and beautiful. Being Hawaiian, I also have such respect for Hawaiian quilts and their makers. The vibrancy, beauty and intricate applique of these pieces are top notch!
Safe to say, I love a lot of things, and this is just the start lol.
If you got this far, thanks for reading a little bit about my soul. As my yoga instructor says, “The light in me sees and acknowledges the light in you”
Until next time!
Love, Leilani
