I initially thought “style” meant my outfit. If that’s what it means, then… I would totally have no idea. If I had to define “style”, I think it’s the collection of small decisions I’ve made throughout my life. The colors I like, the music I listen to, the films I watch, the outfit I choose, even the food I eat. I’m constantly changing, although I’m not a shapeshifter.
Back in high school, I wore the same red T-shirt so often that my friend eventually said, “If we ever make a fictional story, I’ll draw your character wearing this T-shirt.” I mean, I can go from a demure, mindful, dark, soft girlie look to an oversized, rolled-up-sleeves, boyish one, yet somehow both describe my personality (extra points if the style lasts). And once I’ve got the look I want, I’ll keep wearing it over and over in as many situations as I can.
When I write, I like it to sound like an actual person talking, I want you to be able to hear my voice. Not because I’m a siren, but because I don’t want you to just read, but to listen… through the words you read. I also like leaving a little room for contradiction, because I believe there are two sides to every coin. Hello, postmodernism, deconstruction, and Derrida!
In photography, I tend to take pictures that feel lived-in rather than overly polished. Maybe that’s why I like taking candid pictures and I’m a bit terrible at directing poses. Imma leave that to David Suh. I like imperfect textures and moments, things that carry a little bit of nostalgia when you look at them again.
In teaching dogs, I tend to be a disciplinarian who also loves to play. My dogs can get terrified when they hear my scolding voice, but they’ll come over when I ask, “Who wants to join?”
In films, I like the ones that observe people closely, even when their lives are uncomfortable or messy, something like Aftersun, The Florida Project, August: Osage County. Yeah, I’m not gonna write my entire favorite movies here, but… here.
In music, I think my taste has broadened from anime soundtrack and indie folk to metal and K-pop. So, I can’t define my music style anymore.
In drawing? Let’s stop here, because I guess I’d just ruin it.
I like softness without sweetness. Beauty without too much polish. Sadness that isn’t trying too hard to be sad. Humour in serious places or situations. Just things that feel carefully made but still retain some evidence that a person made them.
Maybe that’s how I describe my style in this era.
