Tag: Merry Christmas

Evolving Emotions: Not Very Merry

EKArts Leave a comment

Why must the numbness set in?

Amidst the bountiful wreaths

The warm greetings

And a fireplace to match

 

Creeping into my mind

Infiltrating my thoughts

Manipulating my chest

Bleeding from my mouth

 

The eyes dull

The limbs lose concentration

The body stills

 

A blankness overwhelms

Focus settles

On the gleaming whiteness

Of the open air

 

Crispness envelops

The winter scene

Of snowy scapes

And a body on its surface

 

An icy chill works its way into the soul

There is no struggle

No escape

The bitter cold sets in

Solidifying the monstrous mind within

 

No matter.

 

Why?

As the children make angels in the snow,

The families rejoice in melodious activity,

And the merriment of all relaxes the world,

 

Am I here

On this Earth

Without a joy in my heart?

 

No matter.

Sorry, this poem was a bit of a downer. I truly hope that you have a wonderful holiday season. It’s important to make the most of life and create memories with those you care about. Share those moments, laugh, soak it in. Tell people you love them and don’t be afraid to take time for yourself. Don’t be like the person in this poem!! Wishing you a joyous and healthy end of the year, EKArts.
Here’s a more cheerful one! <|:)

Art Biz with Liz: The Arts and Christmas

Elizabeth S Leave a comment

Happy holidays and winter break, everyone! Hopefully the past week has been a restful one. Additionally, if you celebrate Christmas, I hope the day has been a safe and joyful one. For many, Christmas celebrations have looked a little different this year. Due to the pandemic, many are unable to see family members in person. Others have recently lost loved ones or their form of income. For some of us, it may seem strange to go through with joyous celebrations. For others, Christmas offers a sense of comfort during unprecedented times. As such, there are still numerous ways people have followed through with traditions and otherwise created a sense of normalcy surrounding the holidays. These traditions, along with other “Christmassy” things, owe a lot to the arts, as the arts are behind many of the ways we celebrate the holidays.

There are the simple, artsy things people participate in at home–decorating gingerbread houses and cookies, making handmade cards or ornaments, singing Christmas carols–but the different kinds of art we create, purchase, and enjoy during the holiday season is extensive. Film is arguably considered an art, and there is no shortage of festive Christmas-themed movies. Elaborate nativity scenes, wintery paintings, and Christmas lights are on full display. Small sculptures, wall art, and more are used to spread holiday cheer throughout homes, while decorative garland adorns small-town shops. The creativity and imagination behind visual arts are enough to evoke warm feelings and other emotions associated with the Christmas season.

One of this year’s homemade Christmas cards
Another one of this year’s homemade Christmas cards

The performing arts are also important to the holidays. Even if done virtually this year, watching a ballet such as The Nutcracker or a theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol is a staple tradition for some. Music, religious or otherwise, is undeniably another popular aspect of the holiday season (I dare you to turn on the radio and step into a store without hearing, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” or Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You”). Our ideas of the Christmas holiday and thoughts about the arts are not mutually exclusive, and our consumption of the arts during the holiday season aligns with deeply entrenched traditions. With the pandemic, many people may heavily rely on these traditions when other aspects of our lives have been disrupted, and Christmas would not be the same without the arts.

With that, I wish you, “A Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” (“A Visit from St. Nicholas”)

White Canvas, White Winter (A Poem)

Hannah Levine Leave a comment

Falling snowflakes grow into different shapes as they fall.

There’s something so beautiful about a pure white canvas

Ready to be filled

There are thousands of secrets hidden inside

Ready to be pulled.

Artists, like miners, use the brush as their tool

And uncover diamonds in every stroke

They pull out the secrets when they paint, draw, collage

And the world’s eyes open, every lady, every bloke.

They use big bowls

And dip their hands in deep

Paint the world with their fingers

So bright and beautiful as if you’re asleep.

And in the winter comes Earth’s own little canvas

A fresh coat of snow, glittering down

With each little blanket comes billions of chances

For artists to come

Work their magic

Rid the blackness.

So this winter don’t fret, don’t even worry

There may not be snow

It’s just not in a hurry

It’s coming just later so artists beware

Soon you’ll have canvases up to your curly nose hair

So happy Christmas Eve

And merry Christmas Day

I’m sorry it’s not a white one

But don’t fear.

It’s okay.

Jolly Old Nick will head down the chimney

And leave little art gifts

Full of colorful whimsy

And maybe you’ll get the best gift of all

Something new, something white, something beautiful and tall

Open up your canvas, brand new and white

Go mine some diamonds

Fill the world with delight.

 

Happy Christmas to everyone celebrating!