Life Archives - Tiffany Joy

February 2021 Monthly Update

by tiffanyLife March 18, 2021March 18, 2021No Comments

Yes, I am super delayed in posting the February 2021 monthly update to the site. I did post it on time on YouTube, but it fell through the cracks for posting to the site. It’s better late than never right? Hopefully, that is the case.

The main update is that in February I started to look for an outside job to support my art business for a bit. Due to this shift and planning for my future I realized that I need to narrow in my focus with my art business stuff too.

For my writing I will be focused on book publishing. This means I will be focused on novels and poetry books, rather then blog posts, articles, and freelance writing.

With my visual art, I will still be painting. However, I’ll be more focused on creating catchall bowls and working on a new side project with NFTs. I will be using another name for the cryptoart/ NFTs.

Here are a few examples of the catchall bowls I’ve been working on.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up-to-date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

Wow, This Is My 500th Post!!!

by tiffanyLife February 5, 2021February 10, 2021No Comments

I can’t believe this is my 500th post. It started in 2012 and has morphed as my life changed. At some points, I was writing up storms. In 2014 I wrote 107 posts, and in 2015 I wrote188 posts. However, most years ranged from 6 to 75 posts in a year. It all depended on what was going on in my life.

My first Series

My first post was “The Start With The Best Project.” I was going to use my blog to review the 328 best movies. I had the list and was going to watch each one, then write reviews. That was going to be my blog. I should say that was the first plan for the first 6 years. Yes, I would post different things, but for 6 years I would review movies.

I wrote 2 reviews in “The Start With The Best Project” before I added “Story Time With Pink-Sunshine.” This was going to be a short story series that fictionalized my adventures of moving to California with my friends. It would be a fun way to dive into a big important project but still have small shareable writings regularly.

“The Start With The Best Project” lasted about a month before I got distracted with other writings. “Story Time With Pink-Sunshine,” only had 2 posts. I then posted poetry, which I still do post regularly. Life updates, random ramblings, and visual art pieces soon followed.

DreamWard Bound

In 2014, I started my blog series “DreamWard Bound,” which ran until 2019. It first focused on my desire to work in the entertainment industry as an actor or producer. It morphed into how I was becoming an artist and writer. No matter what “DreamWard Bound” was about me reaching for my dreams and working to become a full time creative.

Over the years and Now-a-days

Over the years I wrote short stories, more poetry, reviews, life updates, visual art write-ups, and a few other non-fiction blog series. One thing remained consistent throughout the years and with each post. This site is a place where I share my creativity with the world. In reviewing my older posts, I am seeing just how diverse my writing has been.

One thing that has been pretty constant is my poetry. Poetry is something that I typically need to write to express something or sort through some feelings. It is something that just comes out of me, and I haven’t realized it until recently. However, it has always been true. At least it has been true for as long as I have written this blog.

Thank you for reading my 500th post and stay tuned for the next 500.

Oh and if you want to see what I’ve done outside of this site check out my YouTube channel or Instagram account.

Coming Soon! A New Poetry Book

by tiffanyLife, my creative self January 29, 2021February 13, 2021No Comments

My next book is coming out soon. It is my next poetry book and it’s called “Garden Of Poems.”

It should be out early in February as long as everything goes as planned so when I say coming soon I mean it. The proof is on its way to me and I should be able to give the okay on everything as soon as I review that.

“Garden Of Poems” is a 40 poem book of poetry from 2013 to late 2020. A lot are unpublished and the few that have been posted to my site have been heavily edited. I am so excited about this book. I cannot wait for you to read it.

Want More?

I do have my poetry portfolio and I do post rough poems regularly onto this site. I also have a couple of books on amazon. They are Growing Poems and To Love. If you want to just listen or watch some readings of my writings that are available on YouTube.

Let’s Look At My Artistic Background

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 23, 2021January 7, 2021No Comments

First don’t I look all put together and professional in this picture.

Now, as we start the new year, here is a reminder of where I’ve been and the background to my creativity. If I was all put together, this would have been the first week of 2021. At least in the first month.

My Artistic Background.

I am super grateful for my mom and her support of my creativity. Growing up, she really nurtured my creative side. She enrolled me in dance when I was 5 and it seems like my creativity snowballed from there. I started musical theater when I was 10 and wrote endless narratives around that time too.

After high school, I went to college for Theater. I graduated from college in 2009 with a degree in Theater and Dance with a concentration in Acting and Directing. All throughout that time I wrote, drew, and painted. However, after college, I explored different career options. I stayed creative in my free time, while I had my survival jobs. Those jobs include job coaching for developmentally-delayed adults, 3 roles in web security, and a lead salad bar prepper. I love how random my jobs have been, but nothing seemed to fit, because nothing was creative enough.

Writing and art have always been my first passion and in 2018 I left my salary job to pursue my art business more. After a year and a few months in a kitchen job, I devoted most of my time to my art business. I became full time with my art in 2020. I do still love my part-time job as a church admin, but my art business takes up most of my time.

It is true this art business of mine has morphed and changed over the years. My energy with being creative has ebbed and flowed over the years, but I am delighted that I can spend more time creating. This past year really taught me who I was and what art means to me. I believe writing, painting, drawing, and helping others is what I am made to do.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

All My Wonderful Forms Of Creativity

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 16, 2021January 15, 2021No Comments

Having multiple creative outlets is a balancing act. If you didn’t know I write, paint, draw digitally, and do other things when I have time. Some days and weeks I feel put together with everything well balanced. Those weeks I have planned well and no outside forces have negatively affected my schedule. More often than not I am in a good habit of resting and recharging. Those weeks are great.

Other weeks are a bit of a different story. It can seem one area or another starts slipping from my grasp. It’s like my plate gets bumped and jumbled up. Things don’t seem to fit into place those weeks.

Then they are weeks where I don’t know what’s going on and just hanging on. I feel a bit crazy those weeks. It’s like I’m on a rollercoaster in the dark and just have to do what I can until I can reset my focus.

I would not trade all the crazy, stressful, or upside down weeks for anything though. Being creative is who I am. Each aspect of my creativity reflects a need of mine, and each outlet helps me differently. Writing poetry helps me explore emotions that I need to understand. Painting helps me express emotions that I need to express and feel, but may not need to put words to. Telling stories, whether they are fiction or non-fiction, helps me share truths and entertain at least myself. Drawing and working with clay or paper mache helps me think through things.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

To Love Was Not Written Alone

by tiffanyrandom ramblings, To Love Updates January 14, 2021January 8, 2021No Comments

The craft of writing can be a solitary endeavor. If you have a day job and a life outside of writing, like most authors, writing a book can also be a lengthy process. Personally, it took me five years to complete my book To Love and a lot of alone time.

I had people helping me

However, I did not write To Love in a void. Yes, I wrote and edited a good chunk of the book in my room or alone at the coffeehouse. There was also a good chunk of time that I wrote with a friend. He worked on his project as I worked on mine. This helped me stay focused and motivated, especially in the beginning.

I also had my sister, who is a fellow writer and my editor, as needed support and help. I could turn to her to talk about aspects of my book and get early feedback.

It was with all my friends and family members that I wrote, illustrated, and published my memoir To Love. Even though writing is a solitary hobby or career, it goes smoother if you have other people to help you achieve your goals.

I had God on my side

Another thing you will need is faith. You need to believe the book you are writing needs to be a book. Your story or knowledge needs to be out in the world for others to read.

I write about the faith it took to write To Love in the book. I talk about the journey the book itself is on. The book changed and morphed from a collection of thoughts into a memoir focused on love. With every change I had to have faith, it was what needed to happen. At points the faith I had faltered, which was okay because it always came back.

One reason I regained my faith in writing the book was because I had faith in God. I was confident He called me to write this weird book. Being a writing is who He called me to be, and this book had to be my first proper book. It was just how it needed to be.

With To Love I learned a lot, grew as an author, and God taught me a few things. It was tough, but I am grateful that I had God and my loved ones on my side.

Want More?

To Love is sold on Amazon and if you would like to read more excerpts you can go the To Love Updates section of this site. I also created some fun promotional videos on Youtube.

I want to love all

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 9, 2021January 6, 2021No Comments

It doesn’t matter who you are or who you love; I want to love all. What that means is that even if I don’t agree with one aspect of your life, I will treat you how I want you to treat me and come alongside you to support you. It doesn’t matter if you follow different rules in your life or act differently than me. You are human and deserve my respect and love. We each have a different path to walk and we each need love and support on that walk.

Yes, I believe in the God of the Bible and try to imitate Jesus as much as I can. That is partly why I want to let you know that I will love you no matter who you are. Jesus loved those that society said he shouldn’t and showed kindness and respect to those forgotten or rejected by most.

Loving God helps me love others, and the second greatest commandment is “love your neighbor.” To me, everyone on this planet is my neighbor, so I’ll love everyone on this planet if they let me. It is as simple as showing others the respect and kindness that you want them to show to you, even if they are not acting the same way. Sometimes love is understanding that someone’s trauma or brokenness is preventing them from loving. That doesn’t mean you should stop loving.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

3 Fun Facts About Me

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 2, 2021December 17, 2020No Comments

You may have noticed that about once a week I post somewhat random posts to this account. I call them my wildcard posts. I mean them to be fun insights to who I am. This week is no different. I want to pull back the curtain, so to speak, and show you a little more of me. However, this is going to be more direct.

I am simply going to share 3 facts about myself that you may not know.

I have been in 25 musicals and 4 straight plays.
About 11 years ago I became a Christian.
I have 7 siblings

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

Reflection on a weird year

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings December 31, 2020December 21, 2020No Comments

As the year ends, I like to reflect on what I’ve learned this year. We can all agree that 2020 has been a unique and challenging year.

If I knew a fraction of what was to come in this year, I may have thought differently about starting my art business in January. Of course, I am happy that I have worked more towards my ideal life in big ways.

I keep forgetting how much I’ve done this year and the good that this year brought me. I have been focusing on the craziness that has been happening and pulling me done.

This year I’ve published my first book (To Love) and really started promoting my poetry along with my visual art. I’ve experimented with different styles in digital art and different things to post on social media. Also, I’ve fine-tuned the focus on my art business and creative projects. This year has really been a year of growth for me in a lot of areas in my life. I am farther ahead in my art business. I am in a better mental health state since I’ve had so much time to journal and I have spent a lot more regular time with God too. Even with all the struggles, worries, and challenges this year, it has been a good year.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

My Wonderful New Tattoo And Tool

by tiffanyLife, other updates December 26, 2020November 18, 2020No Comments

One of my sisters has a tattoo machine and has tattooed herself a few times with it. She isn’t looking to change careers; she is happy being a nurse. The machine was her husband’s before he passed last year. The first tattoos she gave herself was ones that reminded her of him.

Well, in August I went on a vacation with my family. In between the actual vacation and my flight, I stayed at her house. This was so she could tattoo me. The original idea was a simple tree on the inside of my upper arm. It would be a remembrance tattoo for my brother who passed last year. (Yes, there were multiple deaths in my family in August 2019.) As we discussed it she mentioned that it would be the first tattoo she gave someone else. It was quickly decided we would start with an easier and less painful tattoo.

Now, it wasn’t like I just came up with my new tattoo on the vacation. I have a list of tattoos I want to get. My “love boldly” tattoo was just going to be after Chris’s tree. However, things didn’t work out that way and I got “love boldly” before the tree.

When I first painted this symbol something clicked, as though my eyes opened in a new way. This is what I need to remind myself daily. This is what I need to focus on. I need to love boldly. For me, that means to love without fear or holding back. Jesus loved the world boldly and I should try to imitate Jesus, right?

My “love boldly” symbol gives me permission in a way to free myself from myself and just love those around me. It reminds me that sometimes I need to get out of my own way and just help people or love them in whatever way they need it. Now it’s on my arm, so I guess I have to make sure I’m always boldly loving those around me. What a wonderful tool.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”