Journey

Baker's Dozen: My Favorite Tapestries in 2023 (So Far) Pt. 2
2023 has seen me trying to sail through some rough, traumatic waters. Despite all the effort I have made this year so far, however, it's just been a choppy ride: reading books to help learn new skills for managing my PTSD and try to establish an identity again has tilled up old wounds and pockets of anger, my partner's best friend was killed in April, leaving us grieving, and for the last few months, constant thunderstorms have driven our larger dog into constant fear - she won't leave me alone. I feel guilty if I send her away, but I need time to myself every day. Every time I get into something, she comes running over for comfort at the slightest creak of the house; I'm hardly getting anything done!
By Megan Baker (Left Vocal in 2023)3 years ago in Art
THE LADY OF SHALOTT
T’was quite early when I first heard the cock crow, almost on cue as the clock struck four. Then suddenly there was an urgent knocking upon my chamber’s door.
By Jon H. Davis3 years ago in Art
The Art Professor's Tale
The Art Professors Tale Part 1 Strands of long black hair fell from his lowered head hovering above the teak wood adorning the top of the desk. Worn hands failed to conceal the unsteadiness he felt inside as they shuffled through papers. Fingers filled with tremors of his emotions lingered on individual pages before moving on to the next. Eyes unable to focus through the blur of his thoughts stared blankly at words written in meter and verse.
By The Invisible Writer3 years ago in Art
The Artistry of Painted Prose: Engaging the Senses through Vivid Descriptions
Section 1: The Essence of Painted Prose Painted prose, often referred to as descriptive prose, is a literary technique that emphasizes the use of vivid and expressive language to create immersive imagery and evoke sensory experiences. Unlike bare-bones prose that focuses solely on conveying information, painted prose infuses narratives with vibrant colors, textures, sounds, smells, and tastes. It engages the reader's senses, transporting them into the heart of the story and allowing them to experience its world on a deeper level. Through carefully chosen words and detailed descriptions, authors paint a vivid canvas in the reader's mind, transforming mere words into an art form.
By Ndlangamandla Thulasizwe3 years ago in Art
The Punishment of Lust
The breath of the sun as it rises doesn’t warm me, but it is a welcome change to the daggers of the night. The sharp winds don’t feel so bad when you can hear the birds’ quivering tweets too.
By LB3 years ago in Art
Wanderlust
Thin air burned in his lungs. For a moment, just a hint of a moment, he considered the wagon slowly trundling along behind him. But that was pointless, he would still only be able to travel at the pace of the slowest porter; and besides, it was better to spare the horses at these altitudes. Not for the first time, he looked around as a broad grin split his face. Mountains are never so glorious as when one is on foot between their massive shoulders.
By Alexander McEvoy3 years ago in Art
A Digital Character Sketch: Shadowsithe Ghoststrike
Back in September of 2021, I was enjoying a day in World of Warcraft. There is an option to make and join custom groups, and I was scrolling through to see if there were any I wanted to join in on. Usually I don't; at best, I might see someone is looking for a rare mob or a pet that the hunter class like to tame and then, if I feel up to looking for that rare, I might go look for them on my main realms and help that person get the mount/pet they're seeking.
By Megan Baker (Left Vocal in 2023)3 years ago in Art
Ode to GameStop
Most people see this sign and think that it is a waste of time, that there is no purpose in what they are selling. That most of their consumers are smelly and do not have any social lives. Now, in this modern day, the attitude towards gamers has changed. There is something for everyone. Why has this attitude changed recently? I believe it is because there is something for everyone and everyone wants to find an escape. There are also other reasons as to why the attitude towards gamers has changed. Sometimes when the world seems cruel and all your “friends” call you names, video games are there for you, when you need to feel validated and loved. You can also live out your wildest fantasy, if you want to ride a broom in Hogwarts, or fight orcs as Aragorn-you can! A lot of people will see just a game, but all gamers know that there is more to the game. As we all know, art can come in many forms and video games are a form of art. The storytelling, graphics, and voice actors all come together to make this magnificent art. There is one central location that we go to, to get our own piece of artwork, where we all share a common interest. We made friends while sharing these artists' work; where we all shared adventures together. As games have evolved into more multiplayer and co-op, we have had opportunities to stay up every night at sleepovers trying to get to that one last level; trying to compete with each other to prove who is the best. This also proves who has your back and is willing to sacrifice the victory, sacrificing their perfect score, for you to come back into the game. Late nights with games are what can make bonds with friends stronger. Video games do not care who is behind the remote. You can be any color, gender, sexual orientation; you can be who you are with no discrimination. The online community can be harsher, but it is getting better as the attitude towards gamers changes. GameStop was the place to be when the Halo3 launch came out; or when Activision introduced Guitar Hero; or when they introduced Call of Duty World at War- which launched the franchise's best multiplayer aspect: zombies. When people see a GameStop logo we see opportunities to make friends, to embrace the stories and connect with the main character. Then we as a community share our opinions in the game whether we like certain aspects of the game, just like The Last of Us. We agree that it is one of the best games of all time and were ecstatic when they announced the second one. Unfortunately, my friends and I agreed that the gameplay and artwork was amazing, but the ending to the story left us a little unsatisfied. We, as a community, can share our opinions and make friends. Just like Michelangelo or Picasso, these artists are legends in the making, Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario and other hit games has influenced pop culture significantly. A world without GameStop would be unimaginable. Like a world without the Mona Lisa, that has inspired many songs and stories. We see GameStop as others view an art gallery. Just because our art is digital does not mean it can't inspire others to see their true potential, feel better about themselves and have an escape from reality. So, next time you look at a GameStop logo, remember, it is not just a store. It is an art gallery that inspires individuals; it is a place that gives “Power to the players”.
By Emma Mark3 years ago in Art
Painted Pros
- The soldier stood atop the tiller gazing out at the unending blue with a sense of giddy horror. The vastness revealed in all its glory under the clear skies. No land was visible from any angle as the sentry made slow, monotonous laps of the exterior. It was a strange sense to be so alone with so many others. Surrounded, yet together, utterly isolated.
By Amie 3 years ago in Art
Alan Arkin
Alanrkinttleissaylightn US entertainer Alan Arkin, who won an Oscar and a Bafta for his job as the ridiculous grandad in the film Little Miss Daylight, has passed on matured 89.
By Suman Sau3 years ago in Art
To Make Money, Or To Make Happiness?
To make money, or to make happiness, that is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the mundane that leads to outrageous fortune, or to take arms by pen to fill the emptiness. I felt the best way to introduce the central idea of today’s post would be with an appropriately mutilated excerpt from Shakespeare’s vault. I know I’m not the only one who’s looked at life like this. If you made it this far, that’s probably why you’re here too. Why is it so impossible to feel like you’re doing something that’s not only worthwhile, but at its most selfish, base level of existence…FUN? And why can’t you make money doing it?
By Nicky Lazos3 years ago in Art
Brotherhood of Children
[Painting by Charles Roka, the "Gypsy Painter" Every time I see this painting, I think of my experience with Gypsies! I'm submitting this for the Painted Prose Challenge - stayed tuned at the end for more of Mr. Roka's work.]
By Veronica Coldiron3 years ago in Art