Kali Ma - Neck Deep / neckdeepofficial
I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to post! If you guys haven’t checked out Neck Deep’s new album, Life’s Not Out To Get You, you need to do that ASAP. Their best album yet if you ask me!
Tropical
My first attempt at a “pattern” using Micron pens and Prismacolor markers (which I am now addicted to)
Not quite a lyric drawing, but I thought you guys might like it anways!
Going to be a very very late birthday present to one of my best friends, it’s a surprise so don’t tell her…
While I was gone…
It has been one hell of a summer, but school is back in session and it’s time to get down to business and accomplish the many goals I have for myself this year. What I’m saying is… I’M BACK!
Thank you all again and again for sticking around with me. I didn’t post nearly as much as I had hoped this summer and I feel that I owe you an explanation for it. So, here goes:
This summer….
I interned at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival within the signage department. We, our team of five, were responsible for nearly every sign you see at the festival - vendor, informational, directional - which is over 1,000 signs. We worked a minimum of 12 hour days for 2 weeks straight and let me tell you… it was AWESOME. I got to see the festival from start to finish, from empty to packed with 90,000 attendees. It was the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life and I LOVED it. Plus, I got to enjoy the festival and even see Twenty One Pilots front row center!
I got to shadow Pierce the Veil’s tour manager for a couple of days on Warped Tour! There are a few stand out moments in my lifetime, but this one takes the cake. Not only did I learn a boatload of vital information to help me in my endeavor to become a tour manager myself, but I literally got to straight chill with my favorite band. You can catch a few glimpses of me in the video at 1:49, 1:57, and 3:09!
I turned 21! I spent it partying ever so responsibly with my favorite people in the world and woke up on the living room floor, so I think I did it right. And my best friend got me a mimic Harry Potter cake…. even if my name was spelled wrong (shhhh).
And finally, WE GOT A HOUSE! The process was definitely one of the most stressful and let me tell you, you learn a lot about yourself when you spend 3 weeks “homeless”. But we are in and slowly but surely making it our own. Thank you to all of you who thought of us during this ordeal, it’s time to make things happen in this fantastic new environment.
Those were the big moments of my summer, but this year is going to be bigger - for YOU! I have been promising that big things are coming, and it’s time to deliver on that.
First off, I am back to my weekly post. I will be posting a new drawing every Saturday, so send me your lyric requests!
And in the next couple of weeks be prepared for a launch of something exciting. Senior year isn’t going to know what hit it.
I love you all, thank you for your unwavering support. LET’S DO THIS!
Hey loves,
Not to make too personal of a post, but my roommates and I have been relentlessly searching for a house to live in/rent and it’s been very stressful! We found a place today and applied for it, so if you pray, please pray that it works out.
After we’re settled I promise I have big plans for this year! Lots of art and other fun stuff.
Thanks for your patience and prayers!
xxx
Salvation by Soylent!
I meant to post this earlier… I learned about Soylent ( soylentme ) from Pierce the Veil ( piercetheveil ) and Adam Elmakias ( elmakias ). It kind of tastes like liquid bread, but I was oddly inspired by it! It’s used as a meal substitute and is really good for you. Check it out!
antonoff: Hey Marissa! I saw that you said your goal was to work in tour management and I was wondering if you could share a bit more about that? Just the steps you've taken to move in that direction and how you're continually working towards it? I'm looking to find my niche in the music industry and I love hearing from people who are currently working at it as well (:
Yes I would love to!!
I currently attend UCF and major in event management (and graduate in spring!!). I think the best lesson I’ve learned about wanting to work in the music industry is that while an education is great and I am so glad I’m getting one, it is NOT enough. If you want to graduate and head into a job that you want, you have to do your own work to get to that point.
Networking is key. Ask anybody in any sort of event/hospitality industry and they will tell you that. Don’t be afraid to walk up and introduce yourself to a person in a position you see yourself in - that’s how I got to shadow Pierce The Veil! Just remember that they are people just like you. Approach them calmly and professionally at a time that they are not running around busy and have a question prepared, e.g. “I want to be a tour manager someday, what is your best advice about becoming one?” and then have a business card to give afterwards!!! Maybe nothing will come out of it except for some good advice, but you never know. Like I said, you could end up shadowing your favorite band!
Other than that, experience is vital. How do you get experience when you’re young and no one will hire you? Do it yourself! I have put together and tour managed a tour with a local band I am friends with. It was a tiny little tour, but it gave me a taste of the responsibilities a TM has and also what it’s like to travel in a cramped van with a bunch of other people. I loved it all! And it’s much better to figure out whether or not you love it now rather than later when it’s too late.
Oh, and be a good person. Work on being a better version of yourself always. Good character goes a long way in this industry… and in life.
Overall, it takes putting yourself out there, organization, planning, hard work, and motivation (that’s the hard part… for me at least!). Being at UCF and surrounding myself/working with people who want to accomplish their goals just as much as I do helps with the motivation part and is definitely one of the biggest benefits about attending university. It’s a great feeling to know that you can do whatever you want and make a living off of it. It takes a lottt of work, but it’s work that you are excited to do!
That was a bit of a novel… If you (or anybody else) has any other questions please feel free to ask!!
xx
disc0ntented: Hi! I saw your post about meeting Pierce The Veil and your art is SO COOL. I wish I could draw like that! I love how you interpreted the songs so well and illustrate the lyrics!
ahh thank you thank you!! xxx
freddymercurysstache: I love your art and the lyrics, do you only do certain genres?
I’m sorry I’m answering this so late!! thank you so much and no not really, I draw whatever inspires me :)
@missealikestodraw I love it and hope you do too!
getting to see my art permanently on somebody else’s body has to be one of the coolest things!! thank you so much, Ashlynn! xx
The Divine Zero - Pierce The Veil / piercetheveil
As promised, I will be doing a drawing for every new released PTV song! Excited to show them this at Warped this weekend!
I’m back!!!
Bonnaroo was a fantastic experience and I’m sooo inspired by it, time to get back on my drawing game! Expect a weekly drawing (at least) from now on.
Thank you guys for sticking with me! Always feel free to send me your suggestions or just say hi.
I love you all xxx
Hey all! My posts will be sparse these next couple of weeks as I am currently interning in Tennessee on Bonnaroo! I can’t post any pre-show photos, but let me tell you this place is awesome and I am drinking in every second of it. Follow me on Instagram for more updates! @missayyj I am so thankful for this opportunity, but let me say it would not have been possible without hard work! I don’t want to sound preachy, but all I’m saying is that if you are passionate about something, you can make it happen. xxx