🌿 The Beauty of Side Quests
In every quest, there are places you stumble upon that feel secret, carved out just for you. This moment, barefoot in a coral dress, holding a mirror to stone dragons reminds me that my side quests are not distractions. They’re discoveries. Each detour, whether it’s a photoshoot, a film experiment, or a teacup ritual, adds another relic to my inventory. I am both the wanderer and the world-builder, finding treasures in the cracks of the map and carrying them back to the main story.
In every video game…
the main quest pushes you forward. But it’s the side quests the odd jobs, the hidden villages, and random characters; that give the game its soul. Life works the same way. My artist journey is filled with side quests: film, photography, modeling, writing, tea-making, even collaging flowers into skies. Each one feels like a tangent, but really, it’s treasure I carry back to the main quest.
🌙 What Side Quests Teach
People often dismiss side quests as distractions. But what if they’re the secret curriculum? The little “extra credit” assignments from the universe. Film taught me how to frame stories. Photography sharpened my eye for light and intimacy. Modeling taught me presence, aura, and the art of becoming my muse. Tea-making taught me the value of ritual and patience, showing me how creation begins with stillness.Flowers taught me symbolism, how even the smallest bloom carries an epic of its own. None of these were throwaways. Each was an ingredient. And when I return to my canvas, I carry all of them with me.
🌸 Life’s Unexpected Detours
It’s not only in the studio. Life itself hands us side quests:
• A spontaneous trip.
• A conversation with a stranger that lingers.
• Motherhood moments that shift your pace.
• A heartbreak that blooms into self-discovery.
Each detour bends the light in a new way. Each one gives us a tool, a scar, or a song to bring back to our main quest.
🌹 Why Side Quests Matter
Side quests are where you learn resilience without pressure. They prevent burnout from chasing one goal too hard. They’re where you unlock hidden parts of yourself you didn’t know you needed. Without them, life is just a straight line. With them, life is a constellation.
✨ Returning to the Main Quest
The main quest gets you to the destination, but it’s the side quests that make you unforgettable when you arrive. Without them, the story isn’t half as rich. So here’s to the detours, the experiments, the unexpected blooms. Try something just because it sparks curiosity. To build worlds within worlds.
They’re not distractions.
They’re not wasted time.
They are the soul of the game.
🌿 Your turn: What side quest are you on right now, and what treasure is it giving you to bring back to your main story?
Photo by Cynthia Penter
The Secret Language of Flowers in My Art
Flowers in my artwork are more than decoration—they’re storytellers, each carrying a unique meaning. From roses symbolizing love and passion to dandelions embodying resilience, every bloom is a piece of a secret language woven into my creations. Discover the deeper symbolism of blue poppies, forget-me-nots, and more in this short guide to reading my art. Let the petals reveal the stories behind my work.
Flowers have always been more than just visual elements in my work—they are the words of a secret language I use to tell deeper, layered stories. Each bloom I include carries its own symbolism, transforming my pieces into narratives rich with meaning. In this post, I’m excited to share a short guide to reading the flowers in my artwork and what they reveal.
Roses 🌹
Roses are the poets of my work. They stand for love, passion, and romance, but they also carry a darker edge, signifying death or tragedy. When you see roses in my art, think of them as the duality of life’s beauty and heartbreak—a constant push and pull between joy and sorrow.
"MBDTF” Mixed Media Collage & Photography
Blue Poppies 🌌
Blue poppies are dreamcatchers in my creations. They symbolize nighttime, sleep, or the dreamy, surreal moments that feel like a whisper from another world. Sometimes, I even paint them as if they’re little birds fluttering through my pieces, adding movement and mystery.
“Running Away Is Easy It’s the Living That’s Hard” Mixed Media Collage 2023
Forget-Me-Nots 🌸
Forget-me-nots are my storytellers of memory. These tiny, delicate blooms may seem insignificant alone, but together, they hold immense power. They remind us to remember—to cherish what we hold dear, even if it feels small or fleeting. In my work, they form the backbone of collective strength and remembrance.
“Don’t Forget Me” 2022 Mixed Media Collage
Dandelions 🌼
Ah, the dandelion—my emblem of resilience. This flower, often dismissed as a weed, symbolizes strength and endurance in the face of adversity. There’s so much beauty in its misunderstood simplicity. When you see dandelions in my art, I hope they remind you to see the extraordinary in what others may overlook.
“The Ebony Dany” 2024 Mixed Media Collage
A Guide to My Work
The flowers in my pieces are never random; they’re there to whisper secrets, evoke emotions, and tell stories. I hope this guide gives you a new lens to view my art, inviting you to read between the petals and uncover the layers of meaning behind every bloom.
What do flowers mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment or share your favorite floral symbolism!
The Power of Memory: Why Forget-Me-Nots Bloom in My Art
Discover the deeper meaning behind Asia Armour's artistic journey with her article, "The Power of Memory: Why Forget-Me-Nots Bloom in My Art." In this piece, Asia reflects on the significance of forget-me-not flowers in her work, exploring how they symbolize memory, connection, and legacy. From large-scale pieces like Blackberry Lemonade to her public art projects, she shares how her art celebrates growth, transformation, and the beauty of lasting stories. Dive into the article to learn how small, meaningful details can inspire big conversations.
As an artist, I’ve always been drawn to symbols that carry deep emotional resonance. Among these, the delicate yet powerful forget-me-not flower has become a recurring motif in my work, representing memory, connection, and legacy.
Forget-me-nots hold an almost magical quality—their small, unassuming blossoms remind us that even the smallest moments or gestures can leave a lasting imprint on our lives. For me, they symbolize relationships, dreams, and how we hold on to what matters most, even as time progresses.
Forget-Me-Nots and My Creative Vision
In many of my pieces, like Blackberry Lemonade, I use forget-me-nots as a backdrop to larger narratives. These flowers create a canvas of remembrance—a space where stories of growth, transformation, and resilience can unfold. They’ve appeared in my work as a tribute to community bonds, celebrations of joy, and even as metaphors for cultural legacies that we cannot and should not forget.
One of my most recent projects using forget-me-nots is “Remembering MLK,” a digital art piece honoring Martin Luther King Jr., a trailblazer in black history. By incorporating these flowers into the design, I sought to remind viewers of Martin’s contributions and the power of art to preserve memory and inspire future generations.
Digital Artwork “Remembering MLK” 2025
Why Memory Matters in Art
Memory is at the heart of what I do as an artist. Art, much like the forget-me-not flower, has the ability to preserve, connect, and endure. It can hold space for the people, moments, and ideas we cherish. My goal is to create works that resonate with viewers on a deeply personal level, encouraging them to reflect on their own connections and experiences.
Forget-me-nots remind us to honor the past, live fully in the present, and plant seeds for the future. Through my art, I hope to create a similar ripple effect—a space where stories bloom, connections deepen, and legacies flourish.
A Call to Reflect
The next time you see a forget-me-not, take a moment to think about what you cherish most. What stories do you carry that deserve to be shared? How can we, as creators, leaders, and community members, use our unique gifts to honor the memories that shape us?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—what role do you think memory plays in creativity, leadership, or community building? Let’s continue the conversation.
“Le Parfum!” Digital Art 2023