Kismet Arts Tangent

Art Collective

recent posts

  • Crochet dump

    Here’s an incomplete end of the year crochet photo dump! I am intrigued by cataloging these better, but also, we all know that it is two different disciplines– making and documenting.

  • 2025 bingo

    New years resolutions
    🎨 Strengthen and formalize creative practices.
    📝 Align intentions with actions through clearer goal-setting frameworks.
    🤝 Foster deeper connections and community.
    🌱 Integrate holistic self-care and wellness into daily life.
    🎓 Achieve professional and educational milestones (MFA, job, skills expansion).
    🎮 Embrace play and fun in work and creativity.
    📖 Celebrate and reflect more often through rituals and journaling.

    This year, I created my bingo card with ChatGPT. I put in my accomplishments that I’ve been tracking for the last four months and asked it to guess what my resolutions are and then craft a long list of resolutions (100) and then I culled it and refined it to 25 tasks that inspired me.

    When I did this last year, I did not document any of my accomplishments and perhaps the point is to send my intentions out into the ether, but I am open to the idea of updating this post with updates? A fine balance between a project and a timesuck. I think my goals are to plant the seed and see what comes up. I am a little suspicious of goal psychology because I want to cater toward my whimsical nature and I have yet to find the most elegant pipeline to make reports for the board I don’t have.

    update 12/24/2025- made a table where I wrote reflections and asked ChatGPT for possible recommendations.

    ActivityNotes / ReflectionRatingPossible recommendations
    Buy a ticket to a community event to meet new people. 🎟️I went to a beautiful community event in oregon that was ticketed and met new people.Rating: Success!Repeat this format locally; keep ticketed events as a reliable structure for meeting people.
    Pick one past project to review and write down three improvements you can make. 🎨Cool idea. I think that I’ve done a lot of different kinds of reflection and yet, but also I guess I am more interested in reviewing a project that someone is curious about and answering questions in person? I think that might be a more fun project if the opportunity ever came up to do a bts interview.Rating: Failure.Reframe as “live review / BTS conversation” instead of solo written reflection.
    Send a message to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. 💌Did not do this and maybe I’m becoming more accustomed to my small circle of intimates.Rating: Failure!Decide intentionally whether this goal still aligns with your values.
    Finish and frame one embroidery piece you’ve been working on.I gave my partner an embroidery piece in a frame.Rating: Success!Continue gift-oriented framing as a motivator.
    Cook and pack a new healthy meal prep recipe for the week. 🥗I think this idea was more like bring lunch from home. Or batch meal planning. Did not do this and I don’t think it’s my style at this point.Rating: Failure!Replace with “bring any lunch from home” or “repeat one easy staple.”
    Sign up for a networking event in your field, such as a conference or meetup. 🤝Did not do this. Make a list of events for next year to network!Rating Failure.Create a low-pressure annual list without committing yet.
    Send a thank-you note to a mentor or friend via email or post. ✉️I sent a friend a thank you note in a text. I’m going to count that.Rating: Success!Keep “text counts” as a valid format.
    Ask a colleague or peer for feedback on a specific creative project. 🖋️This was good in that I received writing feedback from a writing coach and it felt good to finally be in a place where I wanted to make my art better to increase the audience’s enjoyment.Rating: Success!Schedule this intentionally at project midpoints.
    Spend a day outdoors, sketching or taking photos of nature. 🌳I think this was a good idea and I could make it more of a personal project like a durational nature, forest bathing on drugs kind of thing.Rating: Failure.Recast as a conceptual or durational art project.
    Organize a casual meetup with a community group for a coffee or lunch. 🏙️Did not do this. I am interested in more community events.Rating: failure.Attach this to existing events instead of initiating from scratch.
    Book a weekend creative retreat at a nearby location to recharge. 🏞️Hmm… did not do this. It might help to make a list of creative retreat offerings and then book them way in advance.Rating: failure.Research-only phase before committing money.
    Set a financial goal for the month and transfer a set amount into savings. 💰I had such a rough time of this. I think that when I wrote this, I thought I was going to be making so much money, but after I got laid off, I ended up draining a bit of my savings.Shift toward stabilization goals rather than growth goals.
    Sign up for a creative class that pushes you to try something outside your comfort zone. 🎨-I signed up for a children’s book writing class over zoom in the summer. It was definitely outside of my comfort zone. I had some ick because I didn’t like the teaching style and I quit after a few sessions.Rating: Success!Treat quitting as data, not failure.
    Plan a small community event and book a venue or reserve space for it. 🎉Oof. My budget this year had very little room for community events. I did have some influence over my house events, but I think this task was about trying new venues/locations.Rating: Failure!Focus on influence within existing spaces rather than new venues.
    Choose one self-care activity you’ve wanted to try (like a spa day or bath) and schedule it. 💆‍♀️Hmmm… I did enjoy a jacuzzi this year. I also went to the Archimedes banya for my birthday. I don’t think it’s an intentional new try, though.Rating: Failure!Clarify what “new” means, or drop that constraint.
    Celebrate a small win today by sharing it with a friend or social media. 🎉I suppose I did a few of these things. I especially appreciate the wins I celebrate via my blog.Rainting: success!Formalize blog wins as the primary channel.
    Create a mood board for your next art project by gathering materials and images. 🎨I made a few moodboards for projects using pinterest.Rating: Success!Keep digital-first moodboarding.
    Contact an accountability partner to schedule your first check-in. 🤝I had some accountability with my coaches, but nothing formal. Hmm…Rating: Failure!Decide whether formal accountability is actually needed.
    Create a budget for the month and track your expenses for the week. 📊I think the opposite happened where I gave myself permission to spend more of my savings.Rating: Failure!Replace with “expense awareness” rather than tracking.
    Plan a fun creative date, like visiting an art gallery with a friend. 🎨Hmm… put this on my bingo list for next year. I could use more creative dates.Rating: FailureMove this into future-oriented planning tools.
    Attend a cultural event or show, like a local theater performance or art exhibit. 🎭-I attended a few of these this year and one of my favorites was theater of Yugen, where I saw my dear friend Fenner perform as a Yamabushi!Capture highlights to inform future choices.
    Host a casual gathering at home or a park to connect with new people. 🥂-I hosted a fluxus meetup but I didn’t market it very well and no one came. I was a co-host at my house for our monthly events and new people showed up thanks to my new housemate.Rating: Different direction!Lean into co-hosting and shared visibility.
    Start a vision journal and write down your long-term goals today. 📖-I did a lot of visioning with hypnotherapists and coaches, but didn’t exactly put it into a journal. I have been developing ideas about how I like to work on projects and it’s still evolving.Rating: Different direction!Accept non-journal visioning as valid.
    Choose a new healthy recipe to try this week and shop for the ingredients. 🍳I got into some great recipes in December. I explored some different kinds of salads and ultimately embraced the world of smorrebrod.Rating: Success!Continue seasonal, curiosity-driven cooking.
    Identify one creative risk you want to take (like trying a new technique or style). 🎨Weirdly wordered– I did try a new technique, see pixel art exploration. Risky? I don’t know.Rating: SuccessRefine language around what “risk” means for you.

  • Embroidery Practice

    Stitching on light, transparent chiffon feels smooth and effortless. The fabric offers little resistance, letting me focus on detail. Sigils, mudras, and the Flower of Life inspire me. Each stitch channels intention and mindfulness into my work.

    I’ve developed a rhythm: inbox and outbox for my projects. When I finish, I clear space for new designs. Reloading the hoop resets my mindset, preparing for the next.

    I do this in the morning, after journaling, before lunch. Watching The Magicians adds a layer of magic. This routine centers me, grounding my thoughts and energy. Embroidery is more than art—it’s a practice of self-reflection.

  • Silent Snow

    This Christmas, I wanted a song that felt different. I was reading about perfectionism, and it got me thinking. I didn’t want the usual festive cheer, but something more honest. Something that acknowledged the strange cosmic energy of the season.

    I was searching for a Christmas karaoke song, but nothing felt right. So, I decided to create one with ChatGPT. I wanted lyrics that captured the feeling of being alone, but still hopeful.

    The song reflects the tension between feeling disconnected and embracing possibility. It’s about finding light even when things feel uncertain. There’s a rawness to it, a recognition of imperfection, and a reminder that hope can exist even in the most unexpected places.

    This Christmas song isn’t perfect, but it captures the essence I was looking for: a strange, cosmic energy with a sense of quiet hope. It feels like the perfect anthem for a season that’s both lonely and full of possibility.

  • Self portrait collage

    The collage effect highlights the fantasy and unrealness of the work, bringing a sense of play, as if we are not bound to realism. These are representations of ideas of places I want to go or find beautiful, adding a sense of adventure to my heart even if I’m just stuck at home. I think about the tropical, where I’m from; the monastic, where I dream to be; and nature, which is often out of reach for someone without a car.

    I love seeing these sides of myself. The expressions on my face and the ways I style and pose make me feel like I’ve satisfied myself and my vision.

    The elements of costume are incredibly fun to come up with. A lot of the time, it feels like I’m not making clothes but sculptures.

    Each collage certainly feels like a story or a tableau—a sense of a character in a unique place.

    I appreciate how, sometimes, the collage flattens certain bits while adding texture to others. It’s a good idea to experiment more with mixed-media techniques. What would that look like?

    Styling and capturing these looks lift my spirits. While the work doesn’t reflect my emotional state at the time, I do feel a bit of a neuro-reward in anticipating the finished product and imagining what people will see and like about it on social media.

    These collages are an important part of my art practice because I make so many costumes and accessories, and I am my most accessible (and inspiring) model.

    There’s a sense of surrealness to the styles I choose. They often have a jester-like, whimsical quality that feels sculptural, symbolizing play and invention.

    I have been pleasantly surprised by how things work out. A ball of yarn or a large skein that I thrifted can sometimes be just the right size for a certain proportion—or, rather, it feels satisfying to let the material choose its own length.

    I am currently using Pinterest’s collage tool and then color-correcting the images.

    Creating these works feels empowering. It represents my love for image-making, styling, and coordinating these characters and their backdrops.

    I would like to make a portrait-collage of someone else, guiding them through the process of crafting costume elements, trying them on, and photographing them. Wearing something is a great way to quality-check—ensuring there are no pins left behind—and to reflect on how it all comes together. Photographing the work gives me the distance I need to see it as someone else might.

    This process feels like personal therapy. It’s like looking in a mirror, affirming my creativity, my body, and how I can wear my art. It feels as natural and comforting as my own feathers, a form of preening and self-expression.

  • Rave Mother Song

    I’m working on an EP called Soul-Making and Presence and I thought that this song should just be out there for people to refer to. (image and song made by ChatGPT and me)– are there ethics to be formed about labelling my AI collabs? Or a simple note for copyright, use this image at your own peril.

    Rave Mother
    (Verse 1)
    Proud rave mother, with my hydrobag, let’s go,
    Got everything you need, I’m ready for the show,
    Gum, granola, all the snacks in tow,
    Chapstick, sunscreen, earplugs, let the bass flow.
    I’ve got the fans, glitter in my hand,
    Vicks for the senses, I’m your biggest fan.
    Portable charger, keep the night alive,
    Here to watch your back, make sure you thrive.

    (Chorus)
    I’m your Rave Mother, in the neon lights,
    With my magic bag, I’ll keep you right.
    Sensory slugs and sunglasses tight,
    In the chaos, I’ll be your guide tonight.
    I’m your Rave Mother, I’m here to care,
    Bringing the love, everywhere.

    (Verse 2)
    First aid kit for when the beat gets wild,
    Peppermint oil, and a bandaid smile.
    Fruit candy, cough drops, lavender breeze,
    With a mist of water, I’ll set your mind at ease.
    Narcan ready, in case things get tough,
    We rave together, but I’ll always play rough love.
    Bandanas, N95s, tissues in hand,
    Every rave’s a journey, I understand.

    (Chorus)
    I’m your Rave Mother, in the neon lights,
    With my magic bag, I’ll keep you right.
    Sensory slugs and sunglasses tight,
    In the chaos, I’ll be your guide tonight.
    I’m your Rave Mother, I’m here to care,
    Bringing the love, everywhere.

    (Bridge)
    Two pairs of shades for the light and dark,
    Feeling the beat, dancing in the park.
    With glitter and shine, I’ll make your day,
    For the ones feeling low, I’ll light the way.
    Extra pash, fluffy hat on my head,
    Raving with heart, we’ll never dread.

    (Chorus)
    I’m your Rave Mother, in the neon lights,
    With my magic bag, I’ll keep you right.
    Sensory slugs and sunglasses tight,
    In the chaos, I’ll be your guide tonight.
    I’m your Rave Mother, I’m here to care,
    Bringing the love, everywhere.

    (Outro)
    Gum that never quits, kaleidoscope sight,
    With love and care, we’ll dance through the night.
    Rave Mother forever, through thick and thin,
    Let’s rave together, let the music spin.

  • Meditations

    Embracing Innovation Through Guided Meditation: A Personal Journey Inspired by Henri Bergson

    Back in February, I embarked on a creative journey inspired by the philosophies of Henri Bergson, particularly his ideas surrounding time, intuition, and the fluidity of experience. This exploration led me to develop a series of guided meditations that blend personal reflection with innovative writing techniques.

    Using ChatGPT as a collaborator, I crafted these meditations to create a soothing and immersive experience. The process involved integrating my journal entries, which served as the foundation for each session. By distilling my thoughts and emotions into guided meditations, I aimed to foster a space for relaxation and introspection, encouraging a deeper connection with my inner self.

    What excites me most about this approach is its uniqueness—melding personal storytelling with the art of meditation allows for a richer narrative experience. As I navigated through my reflections, I discovered new layers of meaning and insight, transforming my journaling practice into a dynamic and innovative writing tool.

    Through this fusion of philosophy, technology, and personal exploration, I invite you to consider how guided meditations can enhance your own creative processes. Embrace the fluidity of thought, let intuition guide you, and explore the possibilities of innovative writing—just as I did, inspired by the timeless ideas of Bergson.

    I also used Chat GPT to create the ASCII arts to accompany the meditative tracks.

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-lullaby-shop/id1351171406

  • Lecturing Portfolio

    After two years of running my Wonder Wednesday Workshop, I’ve presented on over a hundred artists. These informal artist gatherings have been very informative to my practice as an artist and an art instructor.

    1. Fine Art Masters

    • Artists known for their influence on the trajectory of art history, technical mastery, and lasting impact on traditional fine art.
      • Albrecht Dürer
      • Edvard Munch
      • Frida Kahlo
      • Giorgio de Chirico
      • Gustav Klimt
      • Henri Matisse
      • Marc Chagall
      • Rembrandt
      • Paul Gauguin
      • Georgia O’Keeffe
      • Max Ernst

    2. Surrealism and Fantasy

    • Artists working in surrealism, fantastical storytelling, and dream-like imagery.
      • Salvador Dalí
      • Leonora Carrington
      • Max Ernst
      • Dorothea Tanning
      • Rene Magritte
      • Hieronymus Bosch
      • Franz Marc
      • Jim Woodring
      • Mark Ryden
      • Sandra Vásquez de la Horra

    3. Modernism and Abstraction

    • Artists known for abstraction, experimentation with form, color, and breaking away from traditional representation.
      • Wassily Kandinsky
      • Paul Klee
      • Cy Twombly
      • Piet Mondrian
      • Fernand Léger
      • Louise Bourgeois
      • Joan Miró
      • El Lissitzky
      • Francis Picabia
      • Marcel Duchamp
      • Mark Rothko

    4. Illustration and Narrative Art

    • Illustrators and artists whose work is rooted in storytelling, narrative forms, and character-driven art.
      • Beatrix Potter
      • Dr. Seuss
      • Charles Schulz
      • Maurice Sendak
      • E. H. Shepard
      • Arthur Rackham
      • Edward Gorey
      • Winsor McCay
      • Patrick McDonnell
      • John Alcorn
      • Kay Sage
      • Flannery
      • Frank Paul
      • Lucy Knisley

    5. Humor, Satire, and Comics

    • Artists using humor, satire, and comic art to explore themes in an accessible and playful manner.
      • Gary Larson
      • Charles Schulz
      • Dr. Seuss
      • Bill Viola
      • Patrick McDonnell

    6. Fantasy, Myth, and Folklore

    • Artists who dive into mythical, allegorical, and fantastical themes, often influenced by folk traditions or otherworldly imagery.
      • Arthur Rackham
      • Edmund Dulac
      • John Piccillo
      • Frida Kahlo
      • Tomi Ungerer
      • Pedro Linares

    7. Nature and Organic Forms

    • Artists who draw inspiration from nature, organic shapes, and often incorporate elements of flora and fauna.
      • Georgia O’Keeffe
      • Audrey Flack
      • Hilma af Klint
      • Ernst Haeckel
      • Eyvind Earle
      • Beatrix Potter
      • Filippino Lippi
      • Yayoi Kusama

    8. Female Pioneers and Feminist Art

    • Women artists known for breaking boundaries and contributing to the discourse on feminism, identity, and personal expression.
      • Frida Kahlo
      • Louise Bourgeois
      • Leonora Carrington
      • Sonia Delaunay
      • Georgia O’Keeffe
      • Hilma af Klint
      • Yayoi Kusama
      • Suzanne Valadon
      • Lucy Knisley

    9. Expressionism and Emotional Depth

    • Artists who convey intense emotion, psychological themes, and human experience through their art.
      • Edvard Munch
      • Frida Kahlo
      • Francis Bacon
      • Egon Schiele
      • Paul Klee
      • Mark Rothko
      • Wassily Kandinsky

    10. Conceptual and Performance Art

    • Artists focused on ideas, process, and performance, often challenging the boundaries between art and life.
      • Joseph Beuys
      • Tracey Emin
      • Yoko Ono
      • Marcel Duchamp
      • Andy Warhol
      • Jim Woodring
      • Solange Knopf

    11. Architectural and Industrial Influence

    • Artists whose work is heavily influenced by architectural forms, design, or mechanical elements.
      • Alexander Calder
      • El Lissitzky
      • Sonia Delaunay
      • Erté
      • Fernand Léger

    12. Science Fiction and Futurism

    • Artists blending technology, science, and futuristic imagery.
      • Michael Whelan
      • Frank Paul
      • Oryan Chappel
      • Codex Seraphinianus

    13. Historical and Religious Themes

    • Artists whose work is rooted in historical or religious iconography and symbolism.
      • Hieronymus Bosch
      • Rembrandt
      • Marc Chagall
      • William Blake
      • Pedro Linares
      • Salvador Dalí
      • Filippino Lippi

    14. Pop Art and Mass Media

    • Artists exploring popular culture, advertising, and mass media in their art.
      • Andy Warhol
      • Keith Haring
      • Roy De Forest
      • Gary Larson

    15. Childhood, Fantasy, and Playfulness

    • Artists whose work evokes childlike wonder, playfulness, and fantasy worlds.
      • Maurice Sendak
      • Tove Jansson
      • Beatrix Potter
      • Winsor McCay
      • Eyvind Earle
      • Studio Ghibli

    16. Dada and Absurdity

    • Artists working within the Dada movement, surrealism, or utilizing absurdity and randomness as part of their practice.
      • Marcel Duchamp
      • Francis Picabia
      • Max Ernst
      • Rene Magritte
      • Joseph Beuys