art
Artistic, musical, creative, and entertaining topics in Journal's workplace sphere.
Stitching Stories
When I first discovered embroidery at fifteen, I stitched on thin cotton with the friendship bracelet thread and safety scissors from my childhood. Then, as I grew in my abilities, my craft aged with me. When I picked up an embroidery hoop and clamped the thick, new, special fabric inside, my fingers began to push and pull the needle. I followed the threads, sometimes without looking or thinking, and created imagery with meaning. I never followed a pattern; the creations were of my own making. Embroidery is an act of repetition and precision, and sometimes, with the right intentions, it is elevated through symbolism. I soon realized that to engage in a traditionally domestic craft in a creative way is subversive to patriarchal norms and expectations of femininity and yet also honors the work of our foremothers. I thought about the ways craft is passed down through generations, and through hoops and scissors, too.
By Anastasia Kranz5 years ago in Journal
For the Love of Fiber Art
Like so many of us during the Spring of 2020, I had a lot of time on my hands during lock-down. I have always had a passion for creating, and because I was now working remotely, I decided to put my free time to good use. I had just created a new painting and it was by far my best one yet. However, creating my best painting required me to cut off canvas from other frames to use.
By Gabriela Navejas5 years ago in Journal
LoopiLasso
All my life, I have loved to design characters. Since I was a child, I have always been very artistically inclined. The first style of art I mastered, is paper cut art, which I began at seven years old. I am the oldest of four kids and I often held mini art classes for my younger siblings, teaching them my paper cut art style.
By Nicole Hiebert5 years ago in Journal
Paint It Black
“Sometimes, you have to get angry to get things done” - Ang Lee It started with anger. I was a blocked writer working at a day job that didn’t pay a lot but still paid more than anything I’d ever done. I had spent my life doing the bare minimum to please outer expectations while trying to pursue my own inner dreams. But somewhere along the line, those dreams got quieter and I got more tired. The only thing consistent was the guilt, screaming at me the whole time: you will be a total failure if you give up on art. Otherwise, what’s all this been for?
By Raistlin Allen5 years ago in Journal
Alaskan native art
At the mere age of 6, my first day of native arts class was spent learning the basic rules of tool safety, and being taught the pledge of allegiance in my native tongue, Tlingit. Since we were just kids with little hands, we started out carefully beading simple necklaces. After weeks of practicing with needle and thread, eventually we were given a pair of fiskars and felt fabric, to cut out the shapes that would become our first beading projects.
By Madison Dawn Nickerson5 years ago in Journal
Landscape and Portrait Female Artist, Elaine de Kooning
Elaine de Kooning wouldn't spend her profession under the shadow of her better-known spouse, Willem de Kooning. A craftsman in her own right, she took an interest in Abstract Expressionism and large numbers of the developments that followed. Her commitments to workmanship history incorporate a charged picture of President John F. Kennedy, a re-arrangement of customary likeness, and an immediate test to creative sexual orientation jobs.
By Jacob Walker5 years ago in Journal
My Grandma's Scissors
I like to think that my ancestors play a part in my newly discovered creative outlet. My last name, after all, is German for weaver. Though I've had this name my entire life, I only began to weave this past year, when, like so many, I found myself with an abundant amount of free time at home. I first began by researching and building my own frame loom, then collecting the necessary supplies: warp thread, yarn, wool needles, a comb to pat down the wefts, a shuttle, and of course, scissors. After teaching myself the basics and proudly completing my first project, I quickly became enthralled. I began weaving every day, trying to perfect my technique. The craft also became a way for me to mediate, helping me clear my mind and confront the ongoing stresses I faced during the last year. Weaving allowed me to be fully present and focus entirely on the activity.
By Nina Weber5 years ago in Journal
Waists of Wonder
As a mother to 6 kids, one being a special needs child, it is easy to lose yourself. So much time is spent caring for others, that it’s hard to find time to care for yourself. Between school assignments and doctors appointments, it is easy to become overwhelmed. That’s why self-care is so important to me. Self care is something I try to impart the importance of on others as well. Being a woman is a stressful thing at times. How can you adequately care for others if you are not caring for yourself? How can you pour into someone from an empty cup?
By Shatira Robinson5 years ago in Journal
