All about the author

Introduction - who's the author?

Now then, how's it going? They call me Becky. Or Becks. Or ginger. Or Yorkshire pudding depending on who we're on about here. To be fair they call me many things. But basically.. hi I'm Becky. I'm 21 years old, and from Leeds, Yorkshire - hence nickname presented above. I currently study in Manchester, and I am in my final year studying Illustration with Animation. Sigh, yes I am your typical art student. I spend most of my time going to gigs, watching Youtube, being creative in one way or another, finding funky garms and spending time with my lovely pals. I've decided to put my interests in little categories - but I'm sure by reading my blog on a regular basis you'll get to know more about me.

Self Expression - what do I look like?

I've always kind of presented myself in my own individual way and I like to think I have my own style. I love vintage clothing and collect a lot of secondhand stuff - I like to have quirky items that not everyone has. Saying that though, I do shop at ASOS a lot - sue me. But also, I feel my style is a combination of a few different tastes. For example, one day I can look artsy and vintage (by wearing one of my many funky pair of pants or jazzy shirts). The next, I'll be dressed in band tee's and all black - looking more alternative and grunge. There's too many wonderful clothes out there to restrict myself - so I wear what I want. When I want. And never care what people think. Basically.

I also have some (maybe a few) (maybe quite a few to others) body modifications. I have 12 tattoos in total, which I'm sure to share on here somewhere. And I have 6 piercings (ears, daith, septum and nose x2). I'm definitely more of a tattoo girl than a piercing girl - but obviously I have both. Also contrary to people's belief - yes I'm a natural ginger (though it's more strawberry blonde) - and yes, I do have a soul. 

Music - what do I listen to?

I love all kids of music, especially as I get older. It's one of the biggest parts of my life, and it always has been. I've used it as a coping mechanism without even realising and my music taste has definitely took part in shaping who I am today. I am an advocate for rock and metal music and all the little weird n' wonderful genres that partake in those. But nostalgic music also makes me happy. Particularly the 80's (my favourite era for many reasons). It's weird because I wasn't born in the 80's but the music still has a nostalgic vibe for me and I love it. I also love the nineties and the noughties because you just can't go wrong really. I struggled to even begin writing down some of the music I like, especially the bands. So at some point I'm going to link a playlist here - a right good mash up of everything I enjoy.

Gigs - how many do I go to?

I've been going to gigs since I was 13 years old (yikes - almost a decade now). Gigs are like a tradition for me - I was hooked after the first one and here I am at the grand age of 21 still seeing most of the bands I was seeing as a teenager. I used to go to tons between the age of 13 and 16 (by that I mean, one a week at least). As I got older, more responsibilities got in the way - as you'd expect. As I did my A-Level's and such I didn't have as much time to spend on gigs - but to be fair, I still went to around 20-25 a year. That has gone down more since I've been at university - but admittedly, I'm not as on it with gigs as I used to be. Nowadays, I'm in a position where I've seen pretty much (and extremely grateful for) everyone I could wish for. And a huge chunk of these, I've seen multiple times. So nowadays I often prioritise bands that don't often tour, or bands I don't see as often as others. I don't feel like I'm missing out because I've been there, done that.. for the last 8 years.

Festivals -which ones do I attend?

Similarly to gigs, I've been going to festivals since the beginning of my teenage years. It started with Slam Dunk festival 2011, a festival that I have now been to every single year after (yeah.. I didn't even miss one year). I have been to Leeds festival most years since 2011, give or take maybe 3 of those years. It used to be a tradition like Slam Dunk, but the crowds got worse (no offence intended) and the line-ups changed. Not saying I won't go again, because I'm sure I probably will one year. But my favourite festival of all is of course, Download festival. You can't beat it. (I mean, maybe you can - but I haven't been to a festival that has yet). I've been going every year since 2013, and seen some of the most amazing bands there (such as Iron Maiden, Rammstein, Guns n' Roses, Aerosmith, Muse to name a few). I'm extremely grateful for every band I have seen there because it completely changed festivals for me - a lot of people that go to Download say it's their 2nd home. Because it's such a lovely and welcoming atmosphere - full of people that all genuinely love the same music. 

Travel - where have I been?

I absolutely love travelling and seeing what there is to see out there - I wish I could do it more. I haven't been to a crazy amount of places compared to some. But some of my favourite places I have been to are: Rome, Paris, Barcelona, London, Edinburgh, Palermo, Lanzarote and Tenerife. I love architecture which, is probably obvious through half of the places I just mentioned. I'm obsessed with pretty buildings, fancy ceilings, gothic cathedrals - the lot. I also love going to art galleries and museums - I can get lost in them for hours. I do actually, and wander off from the people I'm visiting with (i'm sorry). Some of the biggest museums I've visited are: The Louvre museum, the Vatican museums and the Natural History Museum. As well as architecture and museums/galleries, I love nature. I love a good walk with an overlooking view into the distance. I find walks very therapeutic though I don't take them as much as I'd like (kind of hard when I'm in Manchester a lot). I'm also completely obsessed with the sky, and it's sunset's and sunrises. Some of the places I'd love to visit one day are: Switzerland, Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam, America, Australia, Japan - to name a few.

Photography - what I take photos of?

I have always been that one in the friend group that takes all the photos. It started in high school when I was taking photos of everyone in our year on our breaks and lunchtimes. I used to be that girl that took loads of photos where ever we went - be it annual picnics, or random parties. I took Photography in school - very briefly. It was an after school thing so I didn't take it too seriously and didn't decide to peruse it at A-Level. It was definitely more of a hobby for me. But I've always taken photos wherever I go (I mean, quite evident on Instagram). Some of my proudest photos are, surprise, surprise, taken of a musician at a gig, or taken while travelling. I've recently got myself a new DSLR after not using one in years (my brothers old one) and it feels good to take some high quality photos again - instead of using my phone and my multiple digital cameras (which I now neglect). I'm looking forward to getting some good shots that I can use to influence my artwork.

Art - where am I with art now?

Pretty self explanatory really. I've always loved drawing. I didn't really realise I was good at it, nor did anyone else probably until GCSE art. I used to do it all the time before regardless though, because I enjoyed it. I did A-Level Art and then did a Foundation before my current Degree in Illustration with Animation. I never thought I'd actually be where I am today, at my first choice university studying this course. I'm proud of myself but I definitely have a lot more to figure out in where I want to go with it and who I want to be. Never the less, it's always been a passion of mine. It's therapeutic and I love seeing the outcomes and challenging myself. And it's nice when you're like, 'hey, that would make a good drawing'. Don't get me wrong - it's not all sunshine's and rainbows. Being an artist definitely means at least one regular breakdown on your style or practice every now and then. And, I'm still learning how to not be a perfectionist... jeez, will I ever learn.

TV / Film - what do I watch?

I don't really know where to begin with this because I really do enjoy all genres. As evident by my Edward Scissorhands tattoo and Alice in Wonderland tattoo, I'm a huge fan of Tim Burton. I've seen the majority of his films and love the lot. Though this isn't to say all his work is my favourite. I also love fantastical stuff such as Lord of The Rings, The Hobbit, Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter - any excuse to let my imagination run wild. I of course, love Disney films - I love the nostalgia because they make me feel like a little kid again. You can't beat Tangled. Speaking of nostalgia, I love 80's films such as The Breakfast Club (what I'd do to have grown up in the 80's). I love comedies such as Pineapple Express and Role Models. I enjoy some of Studio Ghibli's work because the art is beautiful and inspiring. And I also sometimes love a good documentary about animals, space - anything that will make me think 'wow'. I go to the cinema quite often so I'm sure I'll be talking about other films I like.

As for TV, I'm going to give a list of what I've watched reasonably recently, or things I am currently watching and enjoying: How I Met Your Mother, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Ru Paul's Drag Race, Riverdale, Stranger Things, American Horror Story, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, The Haunting of Hill House, Black Mirror, Disenchantment, to name a few. I'm also always watching Bob's Burgers because it has a special place in my heart.

Youtube - who do I watch?

I watch a lot of everything really, there's all sorts of stuff on Youtube isn't there? Though I watch Shane Dawson and co, a considerable amount. I just love them all. And you can't beat his conspiracy theories. I also watch Jeffree Star, the alien himself. He's just always got tea, hasn't he? And his make up looks are killer. I also watch a lot of tattoo and fashion related videos. And I, nerd alert, watch a fair amount of Sims videos. Because they're just entertaining to say the least. To be fair, I also watch a lot of travel vlogs too - forever wishing to somewhere else, but nope - bring on 6 months of rainy Manchester. 

Games - what do I play?

Now I wouldn't be one of those girls that's like ''I'm a gamer girl!" but I have always enjoyed playing games. I think I got it from my brother growing up (I just wanted to be a mini version of him). The games I still play a lot are Sims 4 and shock alert.. I still sometimes even play Runescape if I want to be nostalgic. Life is Strange is one of my favourite games, and I recently completed the prequel Before The Storm. I'm always open to new games, it's just I find it difficult to find the time nowadays.. with everything else I'm up to and enjoy.

-x.o, B.E.J