I just wanted to share this blog or website or whatever it is although I’m sure youve all heard of it. I think it portrays the life and energy that New York carries like nothing else. In case you haven’t already, you guys should definitely check it out!
http://www.humansofnewyork.com

All my life, I have considered myself a science person. I never thought to try and explore different interests of mine pertaining to the humanities or the arts. However, since I’ve started college, I’ve met so many people that express themselves through different mediums of art that I myself have been motivated to try my hand at certain things. Ive begun to write more, nonfiction as well as fiction pieces, and what surprises me even more, is that I have begun to paint. Now, I’m not saying my art is any good, but it is exciting for me to see that I can have something to do with art too. Also, I’ve found painting to be extremely therapeutic.
How does art manifest itself in your lives?
Is it’s presence a recent occurrence as it is for me, or have you always been so inclined?
Do you think this class had anything to do with how art affects your life on a daily basis?
I also attached a pictures of some of my recent paintings, and remember I’m new at this so dont’ be too critical!

Often, I find myself having the same argument over and over again in my head. What is art? Is modern, unconventional art really art just because it is the “artists” way of expressing themselves. When I went to the galleries I kept questioning the legitimacy of certain works. I especially remember a work of art in the MOMA which was just a rainbow vacuum cleaner. But I guess at the end of the day I’m not really one to judge what art is and what it isn’t. What do you guys think?

The матрёшка dolls have been around in Russia since 1890 when the first one was carved in New Moscow. The dolls are hollow inside and they decrease in size, as one fits into the previous one. The largest doll is usually a woman in a сарафан (saran), or a traditional russian peasant dress. The smallest doll is usually a baby, and it isn’t hollow.

I have several of these dolls lying around the house for no specific reason, because no one ever plays with them. However I do remember one time I put on a puppet show for my parents and their friends during one of my parents big russian parties. During the puppet show I took a set of these dolls and began opening them saying this i Katherine the Great, and she’s going to have a baby. This is katherine the second…etc. My parents found this hilarious although I’m still not sure why.