From art, travel and food, blogging is something that I have adored since Instagrams debut. I kickstarted my blogging career with my personal art account @Ki55_of_art which has since been rebranded. Soon to emerge were @gennorris_travels, @paperkitedesigns and (my personal favourite) @piggyportions – whilst my various accounts have only had relative success, my persistence and enthusiasm has never faltered.
Having recently graduated from the University of Nottingham with a first-class degree in English, it is fair to say that I enjoy reading. After years of analysing and pulling apart texts, I have become increasingly attuned to the world around me – I am more conscious of meaning in art, have a heightened appreciation for haute couture and a greater respect for the artistry in cooking. Whether or not my opinions are shared, I would like this platform to welcome dialogue, debate and perspective – a blog which is informative, considered, and most importantly, open to everyone.
Food & Drink
Setting up @piggyportions in 2016, I began to formally share my love for food. Forcing my friends to refrain from eating until I’ve taken a photo, before harassing them for reviews when they finally get home, piggy is certainly not to be trifled with. Jokes aside, I probably have the most supportive friends for my foodie endeavours, and am regularly being sent recommendations and photos from their own dining experiences. As a group, we have explored Nottingham, Dublin, Barcelona and London, in search for good food and a good time – I’ve been raking in recommendations for over five years now, and I cannot wait to share the wonderful places I’ve had the pleasure of visiting.
Art & Photography
Creativity in all its various forms is something I have always been passionate about. I am typically the designated photographer on group outings and am incapable of travelling anywhere without capturing every other second on camera. Much to my 79 year old dad’s disdain, he forcefully averaged 20,000 steps a day as we manoeuvred through every alleyway, every museum and every shop in Tuscany – finding the perfect photograph is always high on my list of priorities.
As previously mentioned, art is a skill which I have been fostering for a very long time – whilst I am perhaps hyper-critical of my own artistic ability, it has always been received with positivity, and I have even managed to commission a few pieces through my Instagram account @gennorris_art. My most recent hobby is painting beer-pong tables, tailoring them to different interests and themes (my brother is still waiting on his birthday turned Christmas present, which is still a work in progress).
Perhaps my affinity with art and photography has made me so enthusiastic about the work of others. I have no bias when it comes to the latest exhibition and will happily appreciate renaissance, modern, surrealist or abstract work. One of the first exhibitions I remember encountering was Damian Hurst’s Mother and Child (Divided) (2007) exhibit at the Tate Modern, which completely distorted my preconceptions of art. I think it is amazing how boundless the walls of artistic possibility are, and I look forward to sharing the fantastic imaginations of artists as I explore the latest exhibitions.
Fashion & Lifestyle
Style is a major part of identity and individuality – it’s no surprise that fashion retail is one of the most profitable industries worldwide. I am a notorious clothes addict, and spend a large amount of my free time checking out trends and browsing clothing – however, I am incredibly conscious of the environmental footprint this is leaving behind.
Sustainable development is a hotly debated topic, from global news to passing conversation — the scale of the problem seems out of our hands, and tackling these issues is even more daunting. But making small, daily alterations can make a huge difference. Cut out meat once a week, keep on top of your recycling or opt for oat milk in your coffee every once in a while, we can make a BIG difference together. I have recently volunteered to write informative pieces on sustainability for my local magazine, and am eager to continue to educate myself and others about the little differences we can all be making. As I continue to progress on my sustainable journey, I hope to inspire, update and offer insight into the wiser choices we can make.
Calendar Girl 