There are events in our lives that leave us
forever changed – sometimes for the better,
sometimes for the worse. It’s what we do and
how we handle the event that dictates the
lasting effect it has on us. Will it cause us to
recoil or grow?
RT
This issue’s cover page contest the “Circle
of Life” is about the inevitability of change – the
ebb and flow of our lives as we age and give birth
to new generations. Our birthing experiences
impact mom and baby alike – as with the case
of Anne (our cover page contest winner) and
Zaakirah (a featured artist this issue) who both
discuss their journeys that propelled them into
the arts.
Sometimes when we are without words, we
use art as our expression. In fact, I believe artists
are fortunate to have an outlet to communicate
when words don’t suffice. Anne turned to
painting during her pregnancy and listened to
what her body and the world were telling her.
The art that resulted is breathtakingly beautiful
and powerful.
As for Zaakirah, her premature birth and
early experiences in life were fraught with
challenges but she ultimately overcame them
and wants to help others aspire to do the same.
It’s not every day that we meet a photographer
who has a prosthetic eye, lives with hearing loss,
survived cancer and decides, “You know what? I
want to help others. I’m going to travel to West
Africa to teach youth about photography.” I
commend her decision and look forward to an
update about her experiences in Africa.
It’s not obvious with a tertiary glance what
someone’s life is like day in and day out. Our
paths on this planet are personal and yet each
decision we make affects those around us (near
and far). Let us be mindful of one another’s
journey. We never know what battles someone
else is fighting or what battle someone has
survived. Let’s let our circle of life that intersects
with someone else’s be one of peace and love …
and, if we are unable to achieve it, maybe we
can turn to our canvases, note pads, cameras or
blocks of clay so we can take out our negative
experiences though those means and not
toward one another.
Wherever you are as you read this issue, I
hope you find inspiration and beauty from our
artists.
If you are a female artist and would like to
join us, please visit our website at ART278.org.
We welcome artists from across the globe and
revel at the beautiful way the artist’s individual
experiences and culture impact their art.
We hope you share your art with us (and our
readers) as well one day!
Namaste.
LMarelli
Liesl Marelli
Editor-in-Chief
@LBMarelli