The Rambling Begins ;)
This is the opening to the series of 'ramblings' that I hope to be posting in this section from time to time in regards to art/the arts related ideas, musings, and 'ponderments'…something of an online arts journal. On the main page of this section is the link to a discussion forum that I registered with for you to jump in with your thoughts, questions for fellow artists, writers, musicians, and other creative minds, advice, etc. If you're in need of support, pop in and unload in the forum to understanding 'eyes' and ears---in a world where a lot of emphasis is put on the scientific, the creative can sometimes get lost or seem like tough territory to break into and feel a part of. Come on in and share your thoughts and feelings. Maybe you'd like to share your link for us to visit, or post samples of your own work? Or if you want to respond to one of my posted ramblings…jump right in!
Phantasia and I, Me and Phantasia
Phantasia is the the web version of my dream, which is to find a niche where what's in my heart and in my work 'fits' and serves a purpose in which it goes beyond just being 'mine' and belongs to the viewer as well in that it touches something in you on a direct or indirect level.
After graduating with my art degree, as I contemplate career paths and what it is that I want from this life, more and more I find that there's something in me that has a drive to 'make a difference.' I don't just want a career or to use my art to get by financially…and as it goes in the art world, that's usually not the norm anyway, so I guess that's a good drive ;)…but I really would like for it to be about 'more'. For me, it's not about being well-known or famous in a sense, because I come with a very shy nature that would rather dodge the limelight than strive to find myself in the midst of it, it's more about using my life to touch people along the way, especially in the areas of the spirit and the heart.
Currently I'm dabbling in the 'art of freelancing' to try to continue to build a portfolio and try to step out on my own in terms of building a little income, but I feel drawn to the increasing interest in the healing powers of art through the avenue of Art Therapy. I know of the comfort and release that I find individually in creating and experiencing art, and with a world that seems to be full of souls fighting different battles and 'hurts' I think creative venues definitely carry a special healing strength and comfort, or a vehicle to take strong emotions and experiences that can't be voiced in words and help to lighten the burden of it all. My thoughts are telling me to look into additional education and explore this aspect of art as a path that might be a part of my life's journey.
The Voice of your Passion: An Ode to the "Feelers" of the World
In so many ways, art has always been my voice, since my own spoken one is very quiet along with the rest of me. ~S~ I feel as though creative venues reach down and tap into the very soul of the 'creator', artists, writers, musicians, actors and bring out something expressed with an impact that can sometimes even take our own conscious by storm. It's that 'where did that come from feeling.' As a viewer, a reader, a listener, and a watcher, I love to feel that connection…when something gets under the surface so that you feel like whatever has taken you by storm has been having a conversation with your soul in that it’s the visual accompaniment to that 'song' inside of you.
For that reason, I love to be surrounded by creative 'voices' and venues…there's nothing like that click of a poem that finally puts into words something that I didn't have the words for but which I know at least one other someone gets because their poetry tells the story of it, or an art work that makes visual something that your heart wished it had the picture for or the way to define and describe, or a song that tells your story, or an actor who draws something from themselves and brings such life to a role that it touches and enters your life from stage or screen. I know that science, numbers, and factual realities have a big place in the heart of our existence as well and tip my hat to that area of the brain also (the thinkers), but I just wanted to pay homage to all the 'feelers' out there for sharing your voices and leaving your mark on souls. The World of the Arts can seem unforgiving sometimes, made or broken by criticism, finding that door and then fighting to fit through it, often forgoing the big bucks or working several jobs to support the dream…but 'artists' of all kinds, your passion is one that this world would be much darker without.
A Few Quick Site Notes
I thank you for putting up with my early attempts at Web Design…I know they're very rough, and if you were to sneak a peek at my coding it would be as embarrassing as, and a very similar experience to, peeking in my closets. There's nothing neat or tidy about it, and even more of a nail-biting experience is wondering about the result of all that coding. It doesn't look too much like a Laura Ashley catalogue exploded and made a web page, does it? No offense intended to the Laura Ashley line, of course! :) At this point, I'm still only halfway through HTML Complete, which is a wonderful source for beginners in trying to figure out all that coding, (which too closely resembles math and formulas for my comfort---I'm all about the right brain), but as I get to the second half I'll probably continue to try to help the site's appearance and make it more professional.
Some sections are still under heavy construction and are looking a little bare for the time being, and there are probably some that have yet to be created. Also, it's a given that the site is a bit of a slow loader since it is a graphics heavy site, but I'll try to put it together so that we don't all go gray waiting for features to come up ;).
If you have any trouble with navigation or have any suggestions or tips on things that would improve the site for its visitors, please feel free to drop me a note anytime!
I hope to update Phantasia's Cyber Gallery often; upon it's opening, a lot of the featured work is a sampling from my college portfolio and is a little 'dated', and I'll continue to put up new work over time as it is ready. In the future, I'm thinking of putting up a 'guest artist gallery section' where I hope to invite other artists to use this space to house some of their creations as well if that idea finds support. Maybe one day Phantasia can be its own little cyber artist colony ;). Thank you for reading!
Sincerely, Deb
