Warning!Unlikely

Inspiration

A Portfolio of Creative Selectionsby Christopher John Bales

At twilight, nature is not without loveliness, though perhaps its chief use is to illustrate quotations from the poets.

-Oscar Wilde

I don’t personally see my work as being dark. What interests me is a balance between light and dark.

-Carter Burwell

One person’s crazyness is another person’s reality.

-Tim Burton

Foreword Over the course of this semester, I have tapped further into my creative pool than ever before. Thanks to the help of Marlys Cervantes, I have been able to challenge myself in ways that I have never before thought possible. She has pushed me to not only think outside of the box, but to even go as far as shredding the box into tiny bits of cardboard confetti, throwing it onto the ground, and dancing on what other people would call traditional thought. Thanks to the creative writing course, I have been pushed to ex-plore the deepest recesses of my mind and analyze what is there, and then bring it outward in the form of artistic expression for those around me to appreciate it. I have made many personal discoveries during this semester, some of which have surprised me, confused me, and downright frightened me. Above all though, I feel that I have come closer to understanding how I think and what inspires me to learn, right, and create. I have discovered that my greatest inspiration comes from the abstract and ethereal. Anything otherworldly seems to imme-diately grab my attention and pull me into its strangely attractive realm. For this reason, the romantic style of writing has become one of main influences in my own works as well as how I have come to view the world around me. I have not only rediscovered my passion for writing this se-mester, but I have also delved into the world of still-framed im-agery known as photography. By pulling on my photographs and the photographs of others for inspiration, I have discovered my own personal well of perpetual inspiration. As you read this digital collection of my works, I hope that at least one of the underlying themes of unconventional inspiration comes to find a place in your heart.

Eye to eye, the poet and Iare locked in a heated discussion.

His heart to his chest, and mine to mine,are models of rhythmic percussion.

He is obsessed with his nature,

and I with finding my place.The poet and I are two different men,

yet he and I share the same face.

My mind gives form to his thoughts.The poet’s soul is my inspiration.His words flow through my pen,while his heart is my motivation.

Together we share similar views of the world

- his, slightly more artistic than mine.Whereas I see the world through a 35 lens,

He sees the world through rhyme.

The Poet and I

Model: Aubrie DenneyCamera Model: Canon Eos Digital RebelF-Stop: f/5Expoure Time: 1/200 sec.

Model: Kalon Jade SteinawayCamera Model: Canon Eos Digital RebelF-Stop: f/5.6Expoure Time: 1/320 sec.

iWrite Fiction

The pen hastily scratches across the surface

of the paper in minute, effortless strokes

while the mind escapes the bind-ing chains

of this reality and escapes into another world.

Into the Glass

The rabbit’s path twistsand turns as the future is

shown. Hold fast for now!

Models: Aubrie Denney, Rachel Curtiss, Kalon Jade Steinaway, Bonnie ThiemeCamera Model: Canon Eos Digital RebelF-Stop: f/5Expoure Time: 1/320 sec.

INSPIREGreatness

INSPIREModel: Rachel Curtiss (above)Camera Model: Canon Eos Digital RebelF-Stop: f/5Expoure Time: 1/160 sec.

Model: Bonnie Thieme (below)Camera Model: Canon Eos Digital RebelF-Stop: f/5.6Expoure Time: 1/200 sec.

Greatness

As You Sleep

In your mind lies adream just waiting to find its

way into this world.

As You Sleep

Confined in his mindHe tries to find peace.

Recalling the memoriesIn his heart.

Subjecting himselfTo the call of the pen heOpenly shares his art.

Perhaps this isHis only chance to find

Everlasting and truly fulfillingResolution.

But alas he can notAwake from his dream.

Lying still heEnjoys the peace.

Savoring every moment.