Just Hilly

     Staying true to my new years resolution, I've been pushing myself to continue creating art. Also, I've been seeing a psychologist for talk therapy for free through my school. She has been encouraging me to channel my creativity in moments where I need a break from stress or when I feel overwhelmed.  Using art as an outlet has been my thing since I was little but being intentional about it as something to ground me is new. So far it's definitely been helpful, and I'm happy with where I'm at skills wise. Hoping to get more commissions this year and potentially earn income off my art. I have a few friends who are also artists and they've also been putting in the work this year to try and get more 'business' from their art. It's exciting seeing others with similar goals around you.

One of the greatest and most impactful inventions of mankind, arguably up there with the wheel, the internet and the MMR vaccine- the automobile created one of the great permanent shifts in the course of human history. After spreading throughout the globe and transforming the way people could travel, motor vehicles also obtained the status as an important tool to be handled with care- a tool for men. In this day and age, 2024, the belief that women are bad drivers, dangerous on the road, unaware of how to handle their vehicles etc. has remained as a globally shared stereotype in global societies by long held misogynistic views perpetuated by the patriarchy. To first understand the origins of this stereotype, why it continues to persist over the years and the deconstruction of it, one must first understand patriarchy as an institution that often dictates the overarching views of civilizations. Institutions in general, serve as a guide for participating members of society by providing th...

There is a general respect for the arts among Long Islanders, and there are quite a few spaces in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. In my town, or hamlet really, Bay Shore has been renowned as the place to go for things like festivals, parades and free outdoor activities for the community. The Westfield Mall, roughly a mile or two from main street, serves one of the main commercial hubs in the community. The Islip Arts Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to the showcasing of work by Long Island artists and authors, is located in this commercial hub right next to the Dick’s Sporting Goods.  The IAC focuses on hosting exhibits to uplift different communities within the LI greater community as well as offering a myriad of art classes year round.(Dekoning, par. 5) Like most places, the IAC suffered a huge hit during the height of the covid pandemic- their former residence closed down; the manager of the Westfield Mall in Bay Shore invited them to relocate to an open space avai...

In its most simple definition, a name is an identifier. Names are often one of the first pieces of information you can learn about another, a label to match a face- another conscious being. Historically, names carried weight depending on things like your family’s prestige or class, any trades passed on from father to son, one great ancestor who did something revolutionary or tied to a certain ethnic group/region of people. In recent history and modern society, a name can still be tied to prestige as well as socioeconomic status, ethnicity and gender identity (or lack thereof). Both historically and in present times, a name has been closely tied with different aspects of one’s life journey that influence the paths they take; and while it may not be the only factor molding a person into who they are- a name plays a role in who they become.  Traditionally, names (specifically last names) held the purpose of identifying a group of people, whether a clan, a royal lineage, tradesman etc....