Zoie Parker

                                                                                    Rationale (portrait)

My piece has an array of symbolic pieces. Such as both girls, the girl pushing on the door represents one half of a person trying to move forward and get through this door looking for a more desirable or beautiful way of life. The other girl keeping the door closed is a symbol for the other half of someone such as their insecurities, laziness, depression, or any other debilitating traits people may have. She represents how you are keeping yourself from a better life. You close figurative doors on yourself when you don’t do something because you believe you can’t, or don’t have the motivation to let yourself try something new. While the girl on the other side is trying her best to get past this door that is being held shut by herself, she doesn’t know this of course. This can also be a metaphor for how your darker side, if you let it, can be stronger than or at least really make things difficult for your side that wants the best for you. The dark room she is trying to break from mainly represents her past and the message of the drawing in its entirety is that you are the one holding yourself back, you’re letting the dark side of you take over, you can’t break the door down without all of you working together.

                                                                                Rationale (flash fiction)

My flash fiction describes how we aren’t aware that the biggest obstacle to getting to a better, happier life, is ourselves. That you’re self-esteem among other doubts about yourself hold you back in a way that is very detrimental. The piece explains “Some would have you believe fate is what ties you to the end, your destiny. This is an illusion far stronger than any hallucinogenic” stating that it really is only an illusion and you can do whatever it is you desire, breaking down that metaphorical door. My piece explains how there are many choices people make even before they make it to the door such as turning around or braving through the unknown. Making it an accomplishment even getting to this door, reaffirming how tragic it is to spend all this time getting there, just to hold yourself back in the end.  The most prominent point being that it isn’t anyone else, conveying that it is not your situation, not the cards you get dealt that are keeping you from reaching your goals. Showing that you decide whether you get through that door or not, and only you.

                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                   The person behind the door (flash fiction piece)                                       

Some would have you believe fate is what ties you to the end, your destiny. This is an illusion far stronger than any hallucinogenic. There are many doors you will come across during your lifetime. Some choose to walk through them not knowing what’s on the other side. Others choose to back away unprepared to face the unknown. In some cases there may even be a person on the other side bolting the lock, for which you make the decision to either break down the door, or walk away. There are a plethora of beautiful sights, experiences through these doors, rewards, and unfathomable surprises.  So what is the draw back? For what reason do so many people smash into their doors, rattling the hinges, loosening the framework, just to fall back, and turn around. Why? Because we didn’t realize that there are two sides, two personalities to every human being on the planet. You didn’t realize that the person on the other side of that door, Was you.