A Tribute to the City that Helped me Redefine Myself

Welcome to My First Blog Post – It’s Been a Long Time Coming!

Honest disclaimer: I was going to kick things off with a spicy take on how the Gateway Arch is the most overused symbol in local branding. I had receipts—logos galore, a well-structured argument, and a persuasive case against slapping the Arch onto every business design in St. Louis.

But then, as I sat there, gathering “evidence” like some kind of branding detective, I caught myself just… staring at the St. Louis skyline. And I had to admit: the Arch is breathtaking. Every time I approach downtown and see it rising above the city, my heart does a little happy dance. I’ve seen it numerous times, and yet, every time I see it, I grin like a kid seeing fireworks.

You see, I’m not originally from here. My childhood was cradled in Moldova—a tiny country in Eastern Europe that most people politely nod about while secretly Googling. I moved to St. Louis to marry my husband, who was born here. This city gave me the space to reinvent myself, find my creative voice, and build a life I love. So, instead of doubling down on my anti-Arch stance, I decided to embrace it. Because honestly? I get it now.

A Minimalist Take on the St. Louis Skyline

To celebrate my love for this city, I created a minimalist interpretation of the St. Louis skyline—a blend of clean lines, negative space, and subtle texture, all coming together in a piece that feels both recognizable and unique. I brought this vision to life in Illustrator, focusing on:

✔ Precision in line work – balancing structure with flow.

✔ Minimalism – because sometimes, less truly is more.

✔ Dark and light variations – each evoking a distinct mood.

Of course, I couldn’t resist flexing my color theory muscles. I created two diametrically opposed versions to showcase how color influences mood. Both images are identical in composition—one was simply inverted from the other in Illustrator. But oh, what a difference a color swap makes!

☑ The black background version: Bold. Dramatic. Mysterious. The white lines pop against the darkness, creating an urban, modern aesthetic. It’s striking and demands attention.

☑ The white background version: Soft. Serene. Timeless. The sepia-toned lines and subtle texture give it a warm, vintage feel. It invites the viewer to linger and appreciate the details.

This project was a fun reminder of how design— just like perspective— can completely shift with the right lens. Maybe the Arch is overused. Or maybe it’s just that good. Either way, I’m happy to call this city home.

You can purchase a high resolution version of this artwork for a nominal fee. Please, visit my Etsy store for details.