The other day, I had to show some of my artwork for a writing project. I’m usually not one to flex that I draw, particularly due to the fact that I don’t like special attention. But that day, a classmate told me my work looks like it was inspired by Bryan Lee O’Malley, author of the “Scott Pilgrim” series. O’Malley has been an art hero of mine since I was fourteen — my heart practically burst out of my chest upon hearing the compliment. Alongside the recent release of the “Scott Pilgrim” anime, I’ve been drawing huge inspiration from the series’ art style. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to step away from yourself and realize that your heroes have indeed contributed to your growth. That’s the coolest feeling ever!!!
“Berlin, ganz insgeheim” (“Berlin, in complete secrecy,”)
2023 Spotify Wrapped was released today, and my most listened to song of the year is the song for today’s Scribble: Schreien! by Paula Carolina. I learned about this song while I was studying abroad in Berlin this past winter semester and I listened to it many times while I was living in the city. Now, back in the United States, it never fails to make me happy when I hear it, as it reminds me of my amazing memories in Berlin. It’s one of those songs I haven’t gotten sick of no matter how often I listen to it.
“Gehen wir nachts auf ein Parkhaus und schreien, schreien, schreien, schreien, schreien!” (“Let’s go to a car park at night and scream, scream, scream, scream, scream!”)
My time in Berlin has had an undeniable impact on the music that I listen to: according to Spotify, my top five most listened to songs of 2023 are all in German, and three of my top five artists are German as well. While I was a fan of some German artists before my time abroad, four months in Berlin exposed me to so much more music that I previously had no idea existed.
“Berlin, ja ganz allein” (“Berlin, yeah, all alone,”)
During my experience abroad, I was able to go to concerts for German bands that I love, meet German music artists who I admire, and get to know many fans who have since become close friends of mine. Being into German music helped me practice my language skills abroad and continues to be a way for me to work on my German while I’m in Ann Arbor.
“Berliner Luft ist rein” (“Berlin air is pure,”)
I knew studying abroad would change my life, but I didn’t know how significant of an effect it would have on my Spotify Wrapped. My time in Berlin has clearly added a new dimension to my music taste, and it was on full display as I scrolled through my Wrapped this morning. I am beyond grateful that whenever I put on my headphones and listen to some German music, I am able to have a piece of my study abroad experience with me wherever I go.
“Komm wir schreien, schreien, schreien, schreien, schreien!” (“Come on, let’s scream, scream, scream, scream, scream!”)
Name: Sophia Singh Mix: Indian & Serbian Major & Year: Neuroscience; Sophomore
Q: How has being mixed affected your campus experience?
A: People are very quick to assume, and simultaneously, dismiss who/what I am based on my appearance. It’s very disappointing, because I thought that narrative would change from the South (where I grew up) when I moved here for college, but it really hasn’t. Ignorance and micro aggressions permeate every part of this student body still, and it has created an overall sense of weariness.
Q: What do you wish more people knew about the mixed experience?
A: It has been so difficult to grow up in a society that has forced you to put yourself in one box or the other. It’s so jarring at times, because I’m not “Indian enough” for some , but also not “white enough” for others. Growing up not being able to place yourself into any singular category makes you really question yourself and who you are. I still go into doctor’s offices today that place emphasis on “only checking one” in the race section.
Q: What is your proudest moment?
A: The moment I truly learned to love myself and the cultures I represent. Being born and raised in Louisiana has definitely been a interesting experience, tainted with the underlying forceful assimilation into white southern culture. It’s something I will never be, but it took me until middle school to truly appreciate the unique experience I have from having a Sikh-Indian father and Serbian mother. It’s something I am so extremely proud of, because I have seen the sacrifices they have made to get to where they are, and the sacrifices they have made to be together. Why wouldn’t I be proud of how I represent that?
Q: What are you most anxious about right now?
A: I think the general trend of “backwardness” we see going on in the United States right now. It’s naive to ignore the rise of the ultra- conservative right in this moment, and it’s something we should all, as a modern society, be more wary of. There is going to be a lot on the line in this next election, and I fear the most basic fundamental rights for every marginalized group will be at risk.
Q: What kind of person do you aspire to be?
A: I aspire to be seen as someone who has spent a lifetime being kind and helpful. There is nothing more rewarding in this life than helping as many people as you can, in any way possible. Most importantly, to have led a life filled with kindness. It costs so much more to be mean, so why not approach everything with kindness?
Mixed on Campus was inspired by the Humans of New York project. The purpose of Mixed on Campus is to give a voice to this university’s mixed community and shed light on its members. Being mixed means to be multiracial, multiethnic, and/or a transnational adoptee. Through Mixed on Campus, mixed students have the opportunity to have their portrait drawn and share their experiences!
Good Afternoon Everyone! I hope that you are all well. I wanted to take this week to share my most recently completed painting. This is one that I started back in February of this year so it is legitimately months in the making. I used my Thanksgiving Break to finish it up and am very excited to share it with you all and what I learned from it. Enjoy!
This painting, titled Five White Horses (4′ x 5′), is a recreation of the infamous cover of the Bhagavad Gita and is completed in oil on canvas. This is a rendition of an original piece by Bijay Biswasl, one of my all time favorite artists. I made many changes and personalizations from Biswaal’s original work such as a change in the orientation and composition, manipulation of the size, changing of colors, and creative liberties over certain details to be more accurate to scripture. This is the largest piece that I have completed to date and though it was not the most challenging technique-wise, it pushed me greatly.
If you are interested in learning about the origins of this piece and the meaning behind the five white horses, check out this older post. This painting was the epitome of “it looks worse before it gets better” and a masterclass in patience and perseverance. Personally, I have no trouble starting my work; however, it is once I surpass the initial excitement and adrenaline over a new piece that I have the most trouble. I was able to get this painting to the 75% mark fairly quickly. It is the last 25% that takes the most effort and push. I’m a firm believer in the fact that inspiration is completely overrated. The best and most successful artists know that they cannot rely on inspiration. It takes brute force and discipline to create work. I am not saying that I am a successful artist by any means, but I know that importance of forcing myself to sit in front of the easel and just work.
It was an absolute pleasure to create this painting and I am so proud of the final result. Of course, as with all of my work, there is so much more that could be done, so much that could be made better. But I felt that it was time to stop, at least for now. Who knows, maybe I will come back to it one day and make some changes! Tune in for that!
As always, if any questions or thoughts arise, please comment or reach out to me! Thank you for reading!
Father and boy play catch with a football. The sister does a handstand and splits her legs to form a V. Father throws down the field, through the V, into the arms of the boy. Touchdown, Michigan! The mother and the aunt stand off to the side, cheering. Then they return back to conversation. A dog rolls around on the grass at their feet.
Palmer Field, 3:00PM, 11/23/2023
what can a camera do that a dictionary can’t? it paints by neuron, by light and shadow. pictures worth a thousand words elicit no response. speechlessness is an iron fist. an emotion takes over, hot and fervent and bubbling, and it trembles in my fingertips and slides down the back of my spine. this is what it means to live in this pinprick of reality: between pages of characters that build worlds behind the back of your eyes. between photobooks of tyranny, of sunshine, of delicious meals and happy families, of you, and only you.
How good dinner was yesterday! Nobody was on their screens, everybody was having fun playing…
Booksweet, 8:00PM, 11/22/2023
we are bonded beyond eternity to the screens that ru(i)n our lives. i wonder if they will have a place to sit in the future. let the phones eat, crows the mother. the child stacks a row of electronics around a tea party table. they feast on our information and suck the binary marrow out of our bones. airplane mode is on, but there are no more airplanes — they were hunted to extinction years ago. the smoking fuselage, wild with spice and oil and crispy metal skin, sits in the middle of the dinner table. father raises the knife. the world turns black.
This is going to be our last game! We’re graduating! Come here.
Michigan Stadium, 1:00PM, 11/25/2023
the campus hibernates for a week. the bus stations lie empty, perhaps in anticipation or fear. nobody wants to poke the sleeping dragon, wake the transient wolverine. a stadium roused to madness, doused with a frigid, fracturing, fractal wind. it crawls up your skin and burrows with infinitely thin claws. is every culture a mosaic, or is every mosaic a component of culture? will you find the pigskin stained on church windows or raised on the top of flagpoles? of course, the answer is yes.
