Forum d'Artist

The artist's life seems but a dream. With so much passion and desire with much ambition and pride it is still a made up reality of a potentially happy life. The life, stress free? Worry free? Budget free? Or is it all about the budget?

It is sad. It is sad that going after one's dream or at least a curiosity is impractical, unrealistic and finally silly. What happened to one's search for one's calling? After all, don't we have all the resources and opportunities at our disposal? Why can't we also have the support and belief that one should do what one is happy with, what one is good at? Isn't there room for all in this big world?

What makes things more complicated is the need and desire to respect and give thanks to the very people who gave you life and tried to arrange their own lives in a way that makes your world of opportunities limitless.

AVIDidea

What does your previous address say about you?

1543 East 17th Street

Immigration.

Looking out into a dark window of a cold snowy December night, with tears in my eyes I tell my mom: "Can we go back?"

Interesting how things change as I keep thanking my parents for the courage of taking two little kids into a strange country with no promise, just hope. The grattitude for the American dream is neverending as I keep trying to find ways to show my parents how happy and lucky I am. I try to give back as much as I can.

I wish my brother felt the same way. He doesn't know any better, and it is sad.

All the fears then. All the smiles now. The sun is out. Spring is here. I am smiling.

How many hats can one person really wear?

My friend asks about one of my many projects: “When did you do this?”
In my favorite words of Kramer I respond with a smile: “In my spare time.”

We are students, professionals, parents, siblings, sports enthusiasts, blog writers. Do you ever wonder how much one human being can actually do? Can we handle all the different titles that we give ourselves, or that are given to us by others in the family, among friends, by our colleagues or gym-bodies?

How do we do it all?

Well, some do it all because they feel that they may not have any other option. The sense of obligation and responsibility are a big and important part of any healthy adult life. It is actually easier to get something done when you don’t even have to think about whether you want to do it or not, or whether you have the time to or not.

I do it, because it gives me a sense of purpose and life balance. I like to explore all I can do with my hands – painting, sewing, playing basketball, writing. I like to see ideas come to life, even one step at a time and even if they turn out to be not such good ideas after all. Otherwise what is the point of having them?

Taking a risk with a job or a relationship is an independent and personal choice. Nevertheless, it reminds us to review our life and our priorities. What have we done so far? Where are we now? Where do we want to be in the future? As we add one thing or another, or substitute a third thing for the first, we make life happen. That’s all that counts in my book.

Explore your potential, your ideas, and your dreams. Add little things to your life that you always wanted to happen, and before you know it you’ll be living a life you’ve always wanted.

Nike is right, “just do it!”

Notes and books and homework oh my!

I have done it again. I am back to school and I smile as my name is mispronounced by my Professor during the roll call and as I awkwardly say hello and introduce myself to the person sitting next to me.

Once a student, always a student – my mom says. It was in one of my school applications that I mentioned my constant thirst for knowledge. No matter what path I try to take with my career it leads me back to pursuing the highest academic degree possible and I am on my way! The road to the PhD is long and so I am taking it just one step at a time. After all, it is the journey that counts not the destination.

I feel refreshed. I am ready to absorb new theories, historic contradictions and classroom debates. I look forward to taking up and tackling the challenges of the ‘difficult’ professors and late nights of papers due the next morning.

Why am I studying public administration? The answer – I am the kind of person that sets a goal and does everything in my power within my spectrum of vision and knowledge to accomplish it. I am the implementator (new word) of my own dreams – and that is so far my proudest realization.

After considering architecture, graphic design, marketing and financial services I turned to the legal world. As an immigrant child my goal was to make my parents proud and prove to them that their brave move to a whole new country with a different culture and language was worth the trip. What parent would be disappointed when their precious one declares that they want to become an attorney? So I did – for my parents – with no afterthought about its hardships.

It was empowering – I was slowly discovering that I can do ANYTHING. More so, I had a newly found curiosity about the kind of contribution I can make to a public interest cause and international possibilities that await for me. So while I struggle and search through my way on becoming the founder of a non-profit organization and a professor I will enjoy the idea that the sky is truly the limit and that possibilities are limitless. I am on my way to fulfilling the American Dream.

Portraits and hands, what an inspiration!

A brief visit to the exhibition opening reception at the Ana Tzarev art gallery in New York City unraveled a collection of inspirational color, culture and serenity. http://www.anatzarev.com/exhibitions.asp

The texture of the paintings creates a 3-D effect popping with rare jewelry pieces that decorate the necks of women of exuberant cultures. These unique and vivacious pieces make you just want to touch, to try on and to own them, or at least borrow them for that one special night.

Vibrant, animated faces linger your thoughts, make you smile, make you proud. Set against the boldest and brightest color combinations of costumes and dress they bring out strength, serenity, wisdom and beauty of the person sitting for their portrait.

Then, a multimedia exhibition from photographer Maria Grazia Facciola focuses on the priceless value of hands. Quotes from composers, artists and firefighters prompt you to think of the last thing you did with yours. Typing away to the world would probably not count, so I have no choice but to pick up a paint brush, a pencil and a canvas and finally fill the empty space on my living room wall.