Upwards of 17 million commercial flights ferry passengers across U.S. airspace each year. (It’s more than twice that, in total, worldwide.) Those hundreds of thousands of vessels share the sky with winged things that have been around way, way longer than airliners, but it’s not always an easy relationship. Through the work of people like Norman Smith at Boston’s primary international terminal, we’re learning more every day about a remarkable species and their evolving ways of life.
“The Snowy Owls of Logan Airport” is a short documentary about Smith’s extraordinary work managing unexpected avian residents. Created by Anna Miller, who also runs The Animalia Podcast, the film highlights the unique migration patterns of the largest owls in North America and why they flock from the Arctic to such an unlikely destination every winter.
Smith has been working with snowy owls at Logan Airport since 1981. “They fly 3,000 miles just to get here,” he says. “We don’t know why they come down to the Boston area. Logan Airport has the highest concentration of snowy owls in the Northeast that we know of.”
The birds’ choice to land at a busy transportation hub might not be as surprising as you’d think at first. It comprises 1,800 acres of open fields, which resemble something like the tundra they call home farther north, full of rats and mice to eat. And on three sides, water provides another ample source of food. It might be loud, but they don’t seem to lose a wink.
Programs like the one at Logan Airport have been in place for decades following tragic incidents in which jet engines ingested birds, causing the planes to crash. One particular event in 1960 in Boston prompted airports around the nation to implement programs that managed bird populations, especially roosting areas, around active airfields. And while shooting avian species has historically been one method of removal, Smith is committed to a much more humane solution: moving them to safety elsewhere.
Snowy owls are considered “vulnerable” to extinction, and their populations are dwindling as the effects of the climate crisis continue to impact habitats in the Arctic. While it’s harder to predict what will happen in the coming years, Smith is dedicated to giving the birds he encounters the best chance of survival.
So far, he has single-handedly relocated more than 900 animals, been instrumental in implementing similar programs across the U.S., and hopes his passion for conservation and the urgent need to save these incredible creatures will influence future generations to do the same. (via Kottke)
Casa Azul, the Frida Kahlo’s house in Mexico City: is it worth the visit ?
Located in the Xochimilco district, Coyoacán neighbohood of Mexico City, the Blue House is the home and studio of famous surrealist female artist – Frida Kahlo. She is the most known Mexican painter promoted across numerous art museums in the US. Frida Kahlo was an amateur surrealist painter, a feminist icon, and a wife of famous Mexican muralist – Diego Rivera whom she married in 1929.
Frida’s courtyard: a cobalt-blue house pulsates with the vibrant spirit of Frida Kahlo.
The Casa Azul (Blue House) was built in 1904, long before Frida was born. It became her childhood home, a witness to her joy, pain, and unwavering passion for art. Here, amidst splashes of cobalt blue and Mexican folk art, the house became a shared haven for the artist’s tumultuous yet creative partnership with Diego Rivera. The Casa Azul museum doesn’t display famous art by Frida but mostly exhibits personal objects, small art, photography, pre-Columbian sculptures, documents, books and furniture of the artist.
The museum is a living space, infused with the echoes of Frida’s presence. Temporary exhibitions inside the house weave narratives around her life and art, while well-maintained lush garden, once Frida’s sanctuary, invites quiet contemplation.
Stepping into Frida’s World: the studio
Stepping into the museum is like stepping into Frida’s soul. Her studio, one of the rooms in the house, displays art supplies, objects, easel and inspiration of the artist. The windows bath the studio in warm light and provide the views into green-blue courtyard. It’s impossible not to notice that this house with a studio is modest in contemporary terms but it was definitely specious and cozy for that time period.
In the “Studio” room the easel takes a prominent space, which was given by Nelson Rockefeller to Frida Kahlo. This picture also captures the artist’s table with art supplies, books and pictures.
A Tangled Triangle: Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Leon Trotsky
Both Frida and Diego Rivera were fascinated with the socialist ideology and supported its ideals via art. Rivera painted several murals with political messages. They both had a very close relationship with Leon Trotsky whose house was just a few steps away from theirs.
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera had a tumultuous relationship. Although they shared passion and love for each other, Frida weathered many infidelities by her husband, and entered into extramarital affairs herself. In 1937, Leon Trotsky, the exiled Russian revolutionary, found refuge in Mexico, courtesy of Diego Rivera’s political leanings. He and his wife Natalia Sedova moved into Casa Azul, creating an unorthodox mix. As Diego became increasingly disillusioned with Trotsky’s political stances, Frida and Trotsky were known to have a short-lived affair, fueled by intellectual connection and perhaps a desire for revenge against Diego’s infidelity. When Trotsky and Natalia moved out, the friendship between Frida and Diego fractured, and Frida poured her emotional turmoil into her art, most notably the poignant “Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky.”
“Casa Azul” presents a collection of personal mementos, books, pictures, traditional Mexican crafts, pottery, etc. There is a display of medical corsets and costumes that reveal the depth of her struggles. Further down in the museum you’ll find a wall display of Frida’s crutches, corsets and medicines the artist used after her numerous surgeries.
The Artist’s Bedroom
The artist’s bedroom is modest with the mirror that her mother had put into her room after the accident. Unable to move for almost a year, Frida began to paint in her bed.
Kitchen
Kitchen space at the Frida’s house-museum. While the rooms are specious, you can see modest furniture, pottery, artifacts, folk art and personal items of the artists reflecting Mexican culture of that time period.
Frida’s dresses
A collection of Frida Kahlo’ dresses. Saint, muse, lover, victim and survivor. Frida Kahlo is the very model of the bohemian artist.
“Writer Carlos Fuentes described how Frida’s arrival at the Palacio de Bellas Artes would be announced by the sound of her jewellery and how the architectural grandeur of the palace, its paintings and the captivating music of its concerts would be instantaneously outshone by her striking presence. Some of her closest friends have described how Kahlo would take special care in choosing each one of her garments, styling herself from head to toe, with the most beautiful silks, lace, shawls and skirts, some of which can be admired in this gallery. On the street, children would ask her “Where is the circus?” and she would just smile graciously and continue walking.
October 1937 marked a major step for Frida’s future influence in the fashion world, when Vogue featured her for the first time in the pages of the magazine. Later, in 1939, André Breton organized Kahlo’s first exhibition in Paris. It was called Mexique and her Tehuana dress became an instant sensation among European elites. It is said that star designer of the day Elsa Schiaparelli created a dress in her honor that was named ‘La Robe Madame Rivera.
It was the Tehuana dress that Kahlo chose as her signature dress; to define her identity and to portray her cultural heritage and political beliefs. Her wardrobe is mostly composed of Mexican traditional pieces from Oaxaca and other parts of the country. Nonetheless, there are also ethnic garments from Guatemala and China, as well as an interesting collection of European and American blouses. Kahlo used to combine these pieces to style herself and her favorite colors were red, green, blue, black and white. The development of her distinctive style as a blend of traditional Mexican and European fashion, as well as the fundamental effects of her disabilities, is represented through this selection of Kahlo’s most iconic looks. Kahlo as a bohemian artist, a Tajuana, a hybrid – representing her own mixed European and Mexican blood.”
1. Carlos Fuentes, introduction to The Diary of Frida Kahlo, New York, Abrama, Ine, 1995, p. 7. 2. Hayden Herrers, preface to Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo, United States, Harper Perennial, 2002, p. X
Transforming Grief into Legacy:
Frida Kahlo is a symbol of female empowerment and artistic defiance in art history of the West. Her story, whispered through the cobalt-blue walls, continues to inspire artists and dreamers alike. Frida died in 1954. Grief-stricken, Diego Rivera set about creating a lasting tribute to her life and work. He transformed the house into a museum, officially inaugurating it in 1958. It was his way of keeping her spirit alive, sharing her story with the world.
Is it worth your visit?
While the museum has a historic value of course, it’s rather small in today’s terms, crowded, and doesn’t have as much art as you may think could be found there. It also requires advanced purchase of tickets stamped with day and time. So if you plan to visit it, you must purchase the tickets before traveling to Mexico. Personally, I didn’t find the house fascinating but the Rivera’s Pyramid- museum was really interesting and definitely worth your visit! The Blue House ticket price includes the visit to the Anahuacalli. Be aware that it’s located in a different part of town and we used Uber to go there.
Anahuacalli: A Temple of pre-Hispanic art rising from Diego Rivera’s passion
Diego Rivera pyramid museum or ANAHUACALLI MUSEUM in Mexico City. The Museum houses more than 45,000 pieces, 2,000 on permanent display. In 1941, Diego began building the Anahuacalli, an architectural blend of modern art and pre-Columbian culture. The artist bought the land to build a cultural destination for artists and art enthusiasts alike. Each corner of the building has four elements – the goddess of corn and earth- Chicomecóatl; the god of wind and air- Ehécatl; the god of fire-Huehuetéotl, and the god of water and rain – Tláloc.
The eruption of Xitle, in the year 400 BC, created a landscape of layers of lava that, when solidified, formed an ecosystem of desert plants. The architecture of Anahuacalli was integrated into this biosphere, thought by Diego as a sacred receptacle in connection with the underworld.
from the museum’s website
Rising from volcanic rock, the Anahuacalli’s name, derived from the Nahuatl language, translates to “house surrounded by water”. Throughout his life, Rivera amassed a vast collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts, captivated by the history, wisdom and beauty of ancient Mexican cultures. He dreamt of a space to house these treasures, not just as a collector, but as a storyteller, an educator, and an artist himself.
One of the halls inside the museum displaying sketches done by Diego Rivera.
In 1943, Rivera began translating his vision into reality. He designed the Anahuacalli, drawing inspiration from Mayan and Aztec pyramids, using volcanic rock and concrete to create a sense of permanence and power. The building’s façade features sculptures reminiscent of pre-Hispanic iconography, hinting at the treasures within. The building consists of different levels with a varied amount of natural light, symbolizing a journey from the underworld to the sun. As a collector, Diego Rivera amassed over 45 thousand pieces of pre-Columbian art – comprising Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit and Michoacán.
Inside, the museum unfolds like a journey through time. Dark rooms showcase Rivera’s collection of over 6,000 pre-Columbian artifacts – terracotta figurines, masks, ceremonial objects – each whispering stories of forgotten civilizations. Rivera carefully arranged these pieces, not as mere exhibits, but as characters in a grand narrative, weaving together threads of mythology, ritual, and daily life. Ancient figurines are fascinating to look at as they are varied and represent different time periods. This museum is as interesting as the Archeological museum in Mexico City.
The Anahuacalli was envisioned as a cultural space, a “City of Arts,” where artists of all disciplines could find inspiration and collaboration. He designed studios, gardens, and courtyards, dreaming of a vibrant hub where creativity could flourish across generations. Unfortunately, Rivera’s ambitious vision for the Anahuacalli remained largely unrealized. He passed away in 1957, leaving the project incomplete. His wife, Frida Kahlo, ensured the museum’s completion and official opening in 1964, though Rivera’s dream of a bustling “City of Arts” never materialized.
Diego Rivera Museum: soviet star built on the floor’s terrace of the museum. Don’t forget to step out to see the views of the lava sea and rugged nature of the region in Mexico City from the rooftop of the museum. The Anahuacalli terrace offers views that inspired the artist to create this place.
The Anahuacalli stands as a testament to Rivera’s legacy. It’s a well-organized, yet underrated art museum and an architectural marvel! Its pre-historic art collection is inspirational and educational for us to learn about the ancient wisdom and artistic spirit of the peoples of Mexico. It is a unique temple of Mexican art that you must see in person!
Anahuacalli museum of Diego Rivera is showing a vast collection of pre-Hispanic figures. Throughout his lifetime, Diego Rivera collected numerous sculptures and objects of pre-Hispanic art. Later in life, he built the space to house his collection and for others to enjoy the archeological collection today.
The ticket to the Frida Kahlo Museum includes admission to the Diego Rivera-Anahuacalli Museum! More information:https://museoanahuacalli.org.mx/
Leon Trotsky’s Turbulent Exile in Mexico City: a story of defiance and assassination captured inside the house-museum
Trotsky house-museum is situated very close to the Blue House and is worth your visit! It doesn’t require advanced reservations as it’s half-empty and obviously not as known to the West as Frida Kahlo’s art.
View from the street of Leon Trotsky’ house
Leon Trotsky, a towering figure of the Russian Revolution, found himself ostracized and hunted after falling out of favor with Joseph Stalin. His exile in Mexico City from 1937 to 1940 was a period of immense personal struggle, marked by intellectual defiance, political isolation, and ultimately, a brutal assassination.
From Revolutionary Hero to Exiled Pariah:
Trotsky’s early life was a whirlwind of revolutionary fervor. A brilliant orator and organizer, he played a pivotal role in the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, becoming Lenin’s right-hand man. However, ideological clashes with Stalin led to his expulsion from the Communist Party and the Soviet Union in 1929. He embarked on a nomadic journey, bouncing from Turkey to France, Norway, and finally, Mexico, desperately seeking refuge.
One of rooms in a spacious Trotsky house-museum
Finding Solace in Coyoacán:
Mexico City’s Coyoacán neighborhood offered Trotsky a temporary haven. He and his wife Natalia Sedova settled in a fortified compound, dubbed “Fortress Trotsky.” Despite the constant threat of Stalin’s assassins, Trotsky remained intellectually active. He wrote prolifically, criticizing Stalin’s regime and advocating for a global proletarian revolution. His magnum opus, “The Revolution Betrayed,” became a scathing indictment of Stalinism.
House library at the Trotsky residence in Mexico CityBathtub at the Trotsky house
A Beacon for Leftists, a Target for Stalin:
Trotsky’s exile attracted a motley crew of supporters, including painters Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. His home became a hub for leftist intellectuals and revolutionaries, who saw him as a beacon of hope against Stalin’s tyranny. However, this notoriety also made him a prime target for Stalin’s agents. Assassination attempts became a grim reality, culminating in the tragic events of August 20, 1940.
Leon Trotsky & Diego Rivera, one of many photographs displayed at the house-museum
A Brutal End to a Tumultuous Life:
Ramón Mercader, a Spanish communist recruited by Stalin’s secret police, infiltrated Trotsky’s inner circle. Gaining Trotsky’s trust, Mercader struck with an ice axe. While Trotsky initially survived, he succumbed to his injuries the next day. His assassination silenced a major critic of Stalinism and marked a tragic end to a life defined by revolutionary zeal and relentless pursuit of his ideals.
Mexican police showing the ice axe used by Mercader in the crime killing Trotsky.
Trotsky’s Legacy: A Complex Tale of Revolution and Exile
Trotsky’s legacy remains complex and contested. He is revered by some as a champion of socialist democracy and a tireless fighter for the working class. Others condemn him for his role in the Bolshevik Red Terror and his unwavering commitment to a revolution that ultimately paved the way for Stalin’s dictatorship.
His exile in Mexico City, however, stands as a testament to his unwavering defiance and intellectual commitment. Though ostracized and hunted, Trotsky remained a thorn in Stalin’s side, his voice echoing through his writings and inspiring future generations of revolutionaries. Trotsky’s story is a cautionary tale of the dangers of political idealism and the dark undercurrents of revolution. Yet, it also serves as a reminder of the power of dissent and the importance of fighting for one’s convictions, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Gerit Grimm and I sat down at NCECA to talk about her journey with clay. In our conversation we also talked about her moving from being a dreamer to being a doing. She gave us insights from the importance of dreaming to taking action on the dreams.
There were seven years of my life where I didn’t dream. My dad died and I lost all my dreams. People may not know but for seven years I had such a heavy depression and actually following something bigger than life, like the sailing dream, out me back onto my feet. Because now I have goose bumps. I realize people get depressed because they underchallenge themselves.
Underchallenged.
And so when you are underchallenged you get depressed but when you follow big impossible assignments, and even failing and falling on your nose…when I posted I was afraid people would laugh but for me I wanted to fail big. So I realized that is the key to living is to not underchallenge yourself.
When you have a new vision for life or for your ceramics what are your first steps of trying to achieve it? Do you have a notebook or scrapbook that you write them down in?
I tried writing them down but it doesn’t work for me and what people suggested doesn’t work for me. I already heard from real big go getters that you don’t write it into your notebook, you write it on your calendar. And for me if I have an idea I just book the airplane ticket right then. Because you do it now or never. It goes away if you let it too long wait. I go to the studio if I have a vision and I try to make it. If I think too long about it I become hesitant and weak and then I don’t do it.
So it’s taking action that gives you the drive to do the next thing?
Oh my God, once you start you meet all these people who already started and you are like, What took me so long? Why did I waste seven years with depression? I think I got really slapped into my face in those seven years and now I have to make up for all the lost time I was a chicken, I was scared. Why would I be scared? I want to fail big at this point. Because I have only a few years left. I want to do it all.
Why do you think having the dream and taking action…why do you think that is such a great medicine for depression?
I don’t know. I experienced it. I experienced it and people are watching me and are like, Wow, you smile now. I don’t know, I guess it is because you really get to live what you were thinking as a child, you know? My dad always wanted to circumnavigate the world and he could never do it health wise and then he didn’t figure out how and I wanted to live it for him and I couldn’t figure it out and now I figured it out and now I got all the tools, you know. I got all the tools, I can do it now.
What about road blocks. When we have a dream things get in the way. How do we get around them or over them?
Little steps. Either we do it or time runs away. It’s hard to age too. I love that everyone around us ages the same. (laughter)
Who is a woman who inspires you to chase your dreams?
Well I don’t know enough about the sailing world but I know a bunch of artists in America. I would love to transform into them. Tip Toland. Cristina Cordova.
I also have two artists in Europe that I adore. I adore Margaret Cottach and Vally Viziltear. One Austrian and one Hungarian. They were not alive but I adore their work. They sculpted using the wheel and making
In this episode I list 4 different surfaces for colored pencil drawing I use the most often. There are many more drawing papers of course. Share your ideas in the comments on YouTube or in messages on Instagram
Born and raised in Alabama and Tennessee, Jody Lewis is a transplant to Canada. Having earned a bachelors in biology and a master’s in public health, Jody assumed that he didn’t have a single creative bone in his body. But things started to change for Jody when a friend showed him all the work she had in a pottery class and he knew he had to give it a shot. After talking a 10 week course, Jody was obsessed! Jody has since turned this new passion into a small business venture that is thriving.
Yes, I have a few. I am not an organized person but I try to fake it as best I can and I just have to have physical things to write things out. So I do have calendars, I have a yearly over arching where I write in the month what I want to do in those months and then I have weekly where I go Monday through Friday what I am actually going to do. And then I do a daily. What are my todays tasks.
Could you do what you do and be profitable if you were willy nilly in your schedule?
Oh man, I hate to say no because I know some people are. But there is a practical side of my brain that I try to fight that with everything. A lot of potter friends who are willy nilly , I don’t know, we talk about this a lot because people think I am so organized. But it’s the only way I can function. I can’t see making your income year to year if you are just changing all the variables. You have to keep some variables the same to carry over to the following year.
How do you balance out your income when you come to months like January and February?
I think this is probably a good point to bring up my partner. She is great for me and the business, she’s a huge supporter. She is sort of the reason I started doing this and she encouraged me to do it. She has helped so much with this business so I am in a privileged position that the pottery doesn’t have to pay all of our bills so it allows a lot of freedom to be able to kind of structure the business.
Do you do things related to ceramics, like teaching or demos to make ends meet?
I do teach. I love teaching. I don’t have the space for it so I have to work with my local community studio to do classes. I want to do more classes but it’s such a high demand teaching wise. The teachers have been there many years teaching their classes. There is a bit of shortage of that. I know virtual classes is something else to do. So I don’t really do a whole lot of that but I would like to get into that more.
As a creative how do habits make you a better and more creative maker?
Yeah, so I think structure for a lot of people feels like boundaries and it feels like limitations of them, but for me structure allows more time for creativity. So if I don’t structure the things I need to do, like making mugs or glazing or going through the process, if I don’t stick with the basics then I won’t have the time to make vases or have the more creative time. I am not sure if that really makes sense but in my brain it is like, Yes that is exactly how I work. I don’t know if there is a better way to say it but structure makes me be a better creative.
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Manda Quevedo is a queer nonbinary Latinx photographer, bookmaker, and fine art printer. Their book, Love Letter To Death Match, explores the captivating world of deathmatch wrestling. For Manda, the wrestling community intersects in many ways with the queer community, as well as the punk music scene and performance art, go-go and burlesque dancing:
“It’s my favorite place to be. I love capturing the main action-packed moments, along with quieter and brief fleeting moments of beauty within these performances.”
Manda Quevedo was selected as one of the winners of our previous Art & Photo Book Awards! With support from Bookmobile, we helped turn their series into a book. See more from Love Letter To Death Match below along with our interview with Manda!
NCECA is always a blast and has so much to see and do that it is completely impossible to show up and do it all. With that in mind, I tended to miss the annual NCECA Cup Show just because I was so busy doing other things. This was to be different… Not only did I add a cup to the show, I also attended and interviewed a number of people. Below are some pictures from day. Sorry, a couple are little blurry, but it gives you sense of the event. Included is a picture of the cup I added.
Imagine this. We can feel confident and inspired by looking at bold brushstrokes of Sargent. Or, perhaps, we can find solace in Vermeer’s quiet portraits. Maybe, the gaze of Frida’s self-portraits can reflect our own inner strength. Visual art, in its myriad of forms and styles, is a keepsake of our emotions. Art is open to everyone, regardless of age, culture, country or education level thanks to art museums, books and the Internet.
A lady reading letters of Heloise and Abelard-1780 by Auguste Bernard d’Agesci, oil painting, Art Institute of Chicago
The Science of Art & Emotion
Ingres, Princess de Broglie, 1853, closeup, the Met, New York
When we go to an art museum to marvel at the technical skills of artists, research reveals a deeper magic at play. Studies have shown that engaging with visual art can trigger a cascade of positive effects on our emotional and mental well-being:
1.Reduced stress and anxiety: A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that museum visits lowered cortisol levels, the stress hormone, in participants. Promoting relaxation, art can be a useful technique to lower your anxiety level without taking the prescription.
2. Enhanced mood and happiness: A 2015 study by the University of Westminster revealed that looking at art increased feelings of pleasure and excitement in participants.
3. Improved empathy and social connection: A 2020 study in PLOS One found that viewing art together fostered greater empathy and prosocial behavior among participants.
Federico Uribe art, Adelson Galleries, 2023, Miami Art
The Secret Weapon is Art Education
The impact of visual art isn’t just for art nerds; it’s an effective tool for nurturing well-being from a young age. Art education is often ignored in public schools giving more value to sciences or sports. However, we have many parts to us and we grow emotionally by incorporating many subjects and social cues into our life. Art isn’t about making pretty pictures; rather it’s about:
Building self-esteem and confidence: As children express themselves through art, they discover their unique creative voices, boosting their self-confidence and sense of accomplishment.
Enhancing cognitive skills: Studies show that art education improves critical thinking, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning skills, giving young minds a well-rounded workout.
Fostering emotional intelligence: Through art, children learn to identify and express their emotions, developing a healthy vocabulary for their inner world. I think this is the most overlooked, yet most powerful application of art in our daily experiences.
Creative thinking is not limited to arts. It often influences our business and social decisions.. Creativity is essential in problem solving, science exploration and personal life growth. Some super creative personalities like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk have revolutionized our understanding of and interaction with technology. Creative thinking is about generation of unique ideas and solutions. It’s a skill that takes time to develop while we study arts and sciences in school. Sometimes students do need help with homework and assignments. There are many companies that offer quality service helping students succeed in learning. At homework help websites experienced writers help students understand difficult course topics, reducing stress and overwhelm. Students are able to complete homework on time and hone their creative skills. They show improved performance in grades and timely submission of assignments.
Gustav Klimt, Mäda Primavesi (1903–2000), Austrian, 1912–13, oil on canvas, 59 x 43 1/2 in.
Gustav Klimt despised government control and censorship in the arts, and as a result, revolutionized the art scene in Europe with his sensual, stylized art in early 20th century. He has influenced many modern and contemporary artists as well as art styles, including Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, and Russian Constructivists. According to the Met, The girl’s parents were banker-industrialist Otto Primavesi and his wife Eugenia, who were supporters of progressive Viennese art and design. This painting was seized by the Nazis from Jenny Pulitzer Steiner in 1938 in Vienna and restituted to her in 1951. http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436819
Tips to Tap into Art’s Therapeutic Powerin You
Every person has the artistic side inside him. It may be dormant or not fully explored. As we nurture this part of our personality, we discover new ways of looking at the world. We become more creative in our jobs. We feel emotional connection to people. We engage with others with empathy. We see beauty in ordinary places. We become more connected to the source of our divine nature.
So if you’re in the mood to discover and process your emotions via visual art, here are some tips to get you started.
1. Visit an art museum or art gallery:
When you travel to another state or city, place the largest art museum and a few art galleries on your list. Not everything is going to look as art to you or become your favorite, but you learn to explore art beyond your comfort zone; you also understand what you really like or dislike. Sometimes, I go out and get disappointed in the shown objects promoted as ‘art’, but there are moments when I find paintings or sculpture that inspire me to create art or try new art materials or just look at the subject differently. I often study paintings by looking at unusual composition, color use or texture created in paint. Such visits cultivate my taste and appreciation of art.
OtherWorld, interactive space, Columbus, Ohio
Digital art and technology: I find this new realm of technology exciting. I’m not talking about the NFT scams or bitcoin-get-rich schemes. I think that the interactive, digital art installations are becoming more creative and exciting in comparison to contemporary painting. Some interactive installations can help you explore yourself and grow your understanding of reality by going to these virtual reality rooms. I like how some artists combine nature and technology to create moving exhibitions. My favorite artists in this field are: Studio Drift, Studio Olafur Eliasson, Kusama’ Infinity Rooms. You can also explore new interactive spaces like Other World, a 32,000-square-foot immersive art installation in Columbus and Philadelphia. It’s an interactive, multilevel playground filled with large-scale art, mixed reality playgrounds, and secret passageways. It’s a surreal mix art, technology and interactive experience.
OtherWorld, immersive space in Columbus, Ohio. Mushrooms changing color and sound.
2. Let your inner artist shine:
Grab a brush or a pencil and make a drawing of something in front of you. Sketch a tree outdoors or a flower on your table. Write a note next to your sketch about your feelings as you’ve been drawing it. It’s about finding joy in the process of creation.
3. Turn your home into a gallery:
Abbotsford house, Castle’s interior with a bookcase
Surround yourself with art that speaks to your soul. Photographs, paintings, small sculptures or even handmade coffee cups can create a nurturing environment that reflects your inner world. Sometimes I visit homes that have 100% white walls. These houses look empty of color and emotion. Lacking personality, such houses are generic and sterile. Every human being is unique and by exploring your emotions in art, you create beautiful and healing space for yourself and others around you.
4. Engage with art in everyday life:
Notice the beauty in the architecture you pass, the patterns in nature, the colors of a sunset, the texture in your friend’s bag. Collect those moments in a sketchbook or pictures because the world is your scrapbook of memories and emotion.
Church in Venice with mosaic floor design
5. Art therapy:
Art therapy is a profession and service that grew out of art-making. It’s about using visual arts as a tool for self-expression, emotional exploration, and healing. From trauma recovery to managing chronic illness, art therapy offers a powerful outlet for processing difficult emotions. If you think that drawing is not your thing, try making collage pieces out of magazines and postcards exploring your emotions. I find that I often make art and collages without any particular thoughts but the meaning reveals itself when the art is done… Just like writing or a combination of the two, such process can help you understand and process your painful past to move into the light.
Sometimes psychologists use projective tests to understand your psyche.
Deep Dive into Projective Tests:
Projective tests, like inkblots and incomplete drawings, offer a glimpse into unconscious thoughts, feelings, and conflicts. They often look like symmetrical blobs of paint juxtaposing negative and positive space. But how does it work, right?
The Projective Hypothesis: Imagine throwing a pebble into a still pond. Ripples emanate outwards, revealing the contours of the pond floor. Similarly, projective tests are thought to “disrupt” the calm surface of the mind, provoking responses that reflect our inner landscape. By presenting ambiguous stimuli, such as inkblots or unfinished sentences, psychologists encourage individuals to project their own interpretations and motivations, revealing facets of personality that might otherwise remain hidden.
Rorschach inkblot
Common Projective Tests:
Rorschach Inkblot Test: The Rorschach presents ten inkblots of varying shapes and complexity. Psychologists analyze the patient’s interpretations, focusing on content, location, and movement. A bat in the blot might indicate anxiety, while seeing multiple figures interacting could suggest interpersonal struggles.
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): In this test, individuals tell stories about ambiguous pictures depicting people in various situations. The psychologist delves into the themes, emotions, and conflicts projected onto the characters, gaining insights into the patient’s underlying motives and needs.
Draw-a-Person Test: Simple as it sounds, this test can reveal volumes about self-perception and emotional states. The size, posture, and details of the drawing can offer clues about self-esteem, anxieties, and interpersonal relationships.
Evaluation and Interpretation: Projective tests are not designed to provide definitive diagnoses, but rather to offer additional information alongside other clinical tools. Psychologists consider contextual factors, compare responses to established norms, and analyze the specific details and patterns in the patient’s interpretations. Projective tests can reveal deeper dynamics:
Defense mechanisms: The way individuals cope with stress and anxiety can be evident in their interpretations, revealing defense mechanisms like denial, projection, or rationalization.
Unconscious conflicts: Underlying anxieties, fears, and desires can surface through projected themes and symbolism, helping psychologists get to the root of emotional struggles.
Relationship dynamics: Projective tests can shed light on how individuals perceive and interact with others, offering insights into potential relationship difficulties or attachment styles.
However, it’s crucial to remember that projective tests are not infallible and rely heavily on subjective interpretation with some cultural biases and individual quirks that can influence responses. While not perfect, they can be valuable tools for psychologists to gain a deeper understanding of their patients, their personalities, and the emotional forces that shape their lives.
6. Community art projects:
School building in Nicaragua
It’s often difficult to make yourself do something outside the house if you’re introverted or feel tired after a work week. However by going out and participating in collaborative art projects, you gain a sense of belonging, connection, and collective creativity that improves your mood and well-being. Imagine painting a mural for your community or taking an art class to learn the basics of pottery or sculpture. This activity can make you feel needed and appreciated by other members of the circle.
In conclusion:
Art is a valuable tool helping people express their emotions in a safe environment. Children benefit from doing art greatly by learning to explore their feelings and their relationship to the world around them. Art nurtures creativity, intrapersonal skills and grows emotional intelligence that becomes useful in a wide range of daily tasks. Art reduces stress and anxiety.
Remember, the emotional impact of art is unique to you. So, the more you explore, experiment, and record, the more your soul expands with empathy, love and curiosity. Art provides emotional connection to ourselves and the world while other activities may not have the same reach. Create healing space in your mind, home, relationships by developing your skills in painting, drawing, sketching, photography, pottery, etc. The world awaits your light.
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