art
Artistic, musical, creative, and entertaining topics in Journal's workplace sphere.
Piece by Piece
The idea of Happiness today seems to exist as the goal, the endpoint, and the hope. For Most, it is not a state of being that rules our everyday life but instead exists only when the work is done, the bills are paid, and the world is still turning. Happiness and future happiness have been in my thoughts daily, as I am a recent graduate of the University of Texas and the only question people know to ask me these days is: What's next? For so long, I have pictured happiness like a chocolate cake at the end of a marathon. Once I finish school, once I have a steady job, and once I finally have money, then is when happiness kicks in. Then is when I can binge eat my cake and put the proud '26.2' sticker on my car. However, there was a wrench in my plans when life didn't go as expected and for worse or for better: a pandemic happened. We all know the effects of Covid-19, but the one that looked me straight in the eyes was employment, and the lack of options I had as time ticked closer to graduation. Not only do I already hate running, but nearing the end of my race it felt like I was zip-tied to a bag of bricks on my last several miles, and at this point I am so hungry for chocolate cake. But in times like these when the reality of this short life hits, it makes you think: why suffer through a marathon at all? As for my life, I'd rather be on a stroll, dropping the weight of each expectation tied to my back - brick by brick - and that's where scissors come in.
By Blaire Kaufman5 years ago in Journal
This lady is an artist...
This lady is an artist. She never had any formal training, but she loved and searched for beauty — in her life, in her relationships, in her faith. She saw tiny details that others didn’t notice -- the intricacies of a fern, the different colors of green in the spring, the adorable fuzz on a bumble bee. She wore “interesting” clothes that others didn’t always understand. And she brought colors and flowers and joy into her small home, inviting beauty into her space and her heart.
By Elizabeth Kay5 years ago in Journal
Uplifting the Artisans practising Dhokra Art through Coshal Art
Uplifting the Artisans practising Dhokra Art through Coshal Art Today, we have with us Mr. Ankesh Banjare, who, along with his partner Mr. Abhinav, is working on the upliftment of the artisans in Chhattisgarh and the revival of Dhokra art form through his start-up Coshal Art.
By ABHISHEK KUMAR BHANU5 years ago in Journal
A Pair of Scissors and Some Yarn
2014 was the year everything really started for me. I started college in February for a BA in Media Arts and Animation at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division. My dad was the one that paid my entry fee so I could get in! He was very excited that I found a school that would advance my skills as an artist. I absolutely loved these classes, and it confirmed that I wanted to do art for my career long term. Not only did school work keep me busy, but any spare time I had, I committed to doing bigger art projects that I had never really dared to do before. I know it sounds silly, but crocheting was my idea of intimidation because I had never done more than a chain stitch before. I remember mom teaching me a chain stitch when I was a toddler, and I'd make a row of chain stitches so long it could lap our house...at least that's how I remember it! To teach myself stitches and patterns, I turned to the trusty DIY videos on YouTube. The very first hat I ever made was a cute Hello Kitty beanie with braids. And, yes, I still have it! As artsy as I was, I didn't have a lot of art stuff, yet. Just a lot of paper, a bunch of crayons and pencils, and a pair of safety scissors. My mom also had some old metal crochet hooks that had been forgotten over time and tucked away in a drawer. I loved doing crochet projects, and wanted to be even more daring and try to sell my work at events. I did some research and started setting everything up to officially start my business in July 2014. Crocheted themed hats and toys and accessories were getting pumped out for some upcoming events, and friends and family were booking Christmas commissions already.
By Samara Lesage5 years ago in Journal
The little joys of making.
When I was a kid, nothing excited me more than stationery ... and lollies. Lets be real here, we are talking about a child who used to eat sugar cubes from the cupboard when mum wasn't looking. And yes, they were so bad for my teeth, but they were so delicious! Sometimes, on the way home from a family outing, my mum would have to stop to buy milk and bread at the local corner store. She would let my sister and I go with her, and to my delight she would let us buy some of the sweets in the glass cabinet filled with tubs of lollies of every description. One by one we chose lollies until our little white paper bag was full. We felt like we were in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, if it were run by a overweight greek man, and his wife. These were some of the best days of my childhood. Okay, I'm sorry, I have digressed. Let me tell you about when my love story with arts and crafts began and in order to do this, I take you back to the beginning.
By Karen Stokes5 years ago in Journal
Reflecting on James Baldwin’s “The Creative Process” and My Own
At 20 years old, I wrote my first poem and rediscovered the blissfully frightening feeling of starting something new that I knew nothing about. I write about love and music and not much else, but somehow these subjects reveal so much about myself to me. The closing line of a poem ties up loose ends; it gives me the closure others could not. The nuances of a comma or an indentation make all the difference, placing space to reflect at the precise moments and demanding attention at others.
By Hannah Rothbard5 years ago in Journal
