I am perfect, just like everyone is…i.e. none of us are.

So this is a blog about getting out my opinions and ideas, and part of that is sharing who I am. So I have been a smoker for many years now. I picked it up in high school, as a way to unwind from a lot of different things happening at that time in my life. I never really perceived it as a “disgusting” habit, my main attitude was “fuck you”, to anyone who thought it was, and still kind of is. Anyway once I got to college there was a serious smoking ban, and it became a lot harder to just enjoy a cigarette. So I gradually quit, and didn’t touch a cigarette for 4 years or so. However upon getting out of the college life scene and being more on my own I picked it back up again, but it just didn’t have the same sort of de-stressing factor it did in previous years. That’s when I realized that I didn’t need the cigarette to help me calm down anymore, I had grown up enough and figured out new ways to help myself in that area. However now it was my choice and decision to continue smoking. I knew that I needed something different, I didn’t like the smell, especially how lingering it was, and how I hated being outside to smoke. That is when I stumbled upon these things. I love the Blu cigarette. It’s vapor, so I can smoke it indoors, and there is virtually no smell. I’m a fan. Some people can choose to see my “habit” as gross or disgusting, but the way I see it, everything in moderation, and guess what, everyone has something people, so let me be, and let yourselves be.

-Pearl

(I’m painting today, so you can see some of my supplies in the photo as well. Also my pajamas all visible. It’s a snow day in Denver, no judgement.)Image

New School…Sort of.

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So I if anyone has read my about me, which is a long shot. I have just moved back to Denver from Pine Ridge, SD. I was teaching on a reservation school up there which I loved, and I miss my students so much. However I had some personal and family issues arise, and I had to move back to the city. I received a new job very promptly, but my classes do not officially start till next week! So the other day got to see my new art room today. It’s so crazy to me that I’m now teaching high school art at the elementary school I attended! Remington Elementary School in Denver, CO is now a building used for overfill classes, which are mostly high school level. I forgot that Remington had these awesome wall murals all over the school. Growing up in the Northside of Denver, I maybe didn’t have the “best” education in the traditional sense but being able to learn in institutions that allowed me to celebrate and continue to learn about my two cultures was a unique and amazing opportunity. I am truly grateful that I get to continue that cycle and progress knowledge and expression for all.

Beginnners

Well there’s always a first time. I think a little introduction to myself would probably be appropriate. My name is Jessica Pearl Salas. I usually go by J.P. or Pearl. Jessica never really seemed fitting, I think my mom even knew that after naming me…it’s a long story. Anyway, I am a freelance visual artist, and videographer. I also teach art part time for a high school. I’m Yaqui, Navajo, and Chicana. I’m 22 years old currently, soon to be 23, and I can’t even describe how often my life changes, but those seem to be the basics. This blog will mostly be about things happen in my daily life, with can range, to my art, my video work, my students, my hair (it changes a lot), my outfits, my culture, my inspirations, and all things that seek to make my heart soar. Basically whatever.