​ 
Artistic Prompts
By Elizabeth Dubos
 
Creativity can be a tricky thing. On one hand it’s thrilling when you have a bunch of ideas that you’re pouring out onto paper, so you don’t forget them. Whether it’s for a professional position or a hobby, creativity can bring a lot of joy. For example, it’s exciting to see your idea come alive. However, it’s frustrating when you’re struggling to be creative. At some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced a few creative blocks. The Internet offers wonderful suggestions on how to overcome a creative block but doesn’t offer too much advice after that. What happens if you’ve taken the steps to overcome a creative block and still haven’t produced an idea? Well, here’s a simple solution; artistic prompts. Artistic prompts can be incredibly helpful because it helps point you in a creative direction, so you don’t feel so lost on what to create. If you’ve taken art classes in school, then you probably remember the teacher would tell you what to create, but it’s up to each person to interpret the final product. Plus, prompts encourage artists to experiment with different art forms and push ourselves outside our comfort zone. No matter if you’re an illustrator, painter, photographer, graphic designer etc. you’ll can find an artistic prompt that will pique your interest. Here are some of my favorite artistic prompts that have inspired me to create some artwork.
 
Art prompt generator. Art Prompts is one of my favorite generators because you can choose various categories like characters, creatures, objects, situations, challenges, or the environment. For example, let’s say you click on the environment; my generated prompt was, “A mysterious cellar illuminated by torchlight. It is filled with barrels of wine and stored things.”
 
A memory from your childhood. Try to remember why you got started in this field or hobby. Maybe replicate one of your first projects you’ve created. Then, if you have the original you can put them side by side and see how much you’ve grown.
 
Biomes. Biomes are a collection of plants and animals that have distinct biological communities. This includes the ice cap, tundra, taiga, temperate forest, tropical rainforest, grassland, savanna, desert, and freshwater (lakes, rivers and wetlands.) This will be an excellent opportunity to research a different environment and create a project that was inspired by it.
 
Your favorite song. Try to experiment with different elements of your favorite song. Maybe create a project inspired by the lyrics, instruments, tempo, or singer.
 
Behance art challenges. Behance offers Photoshop and Illustrator daily creative challenges to inspire artists. This is an excellent opportunity to build your skills and join a community with connect with more artists. An example in the Adobe Photoshop Challenge would be, “Surreal Landscape. Combine photographs with Live Shapes to reveal a fantasy landscape.” Additionally, there’s daily live shows where you can ask questions. 
Photoshop Daily Challenge
Illustrator Daily Challenge
 
Food. Create a project that was inspired by your least favorite food. It’s easy to focus on your favorite food but what about your least favorite? Think of the colors, textures, smells etc. to inspire you to create a project that emphasizes those elements.
 
A self-portrait. When was the last time you created a project that was inspired by yourself? Often artists rely on stock images or live models for inspiration. Try to use yourself as inspiration for your project. Maybe create a self-portrait of what you think you’ll look like in the future.
 
Don’t feel discouraged if you’re feeling creatively blocked. It’s completely normal and won’t last forever. Try not to force yourself to create something. Otherwise, you’ll risk yourself burning out, which isn’t good for your physical or mental health. Were you inspired to create an artistic project?
 
Edited by Emelyn Ehrlich
 

​Fountain vs. Ballpoint
By Andy Smiley
 
Since high school, I have written all my notes with a pen.
 
Originally, it was a way to prepare for AP exams, which are—or were, before COVID when they were taken in-person—required to be written in blue or black ink, an unfamiliar and unwelcome surprise for most high schoolers used to writing with the easily-erasable graphite. With no fewer than nine AP classes under my belt in high school, I think that the difficulty of learning to write in pen was worth it, especially now that it’s more commonplace in college. But, like the struggle of choosing the proper type of pencil which wouldn’t break, sharpen incorrectly, or erase weirdly, the struggle of choosing a pen can define the note-taking experience.
 
Most cheaper pens are ballpoint. They require much less metal, for one thing, with a plastic nib except for a small ball. They’re also easier to write with at first, and disposable: they write from any angle, don’t need ink refills, and are tossed in the trash when they’re spent. There’s something about the way that a smooth ballpoint pen glides across the page, as well, that encourages you to write and keep writing.
 
I was, for a long time, a ballpoint purist. My brother had gotten a fountain pen for himself, but I dismissed it. It was at worst pretentious, at best unnecessary. That all changed when I found a plastic fountain pen, abandoned, on the sidewalk, and absorbed it into my own collection, figuring you could never have too many.
 
Writing with the fountain pen for the first time was elegant and wonderful. The ink cartridge had recently been replaced, and the nib, superfine, was perfect for my scratchy writing style. From then on, I’ve only used fountain pens, despite my lack of knowledge about them (which led to a few unfortunate surprises the first time I ran out of ink, tried to use one on a plane, or any other scenario when it became impossible to write with).
 
The fountain pen, though nothing can quite match the silky feeling of a nice ballpoint, is overall a better writing experience. The pen itself is heavier and sits better in your hand. The nib, over time, will be ground away ever so slightly to accommodate the way that you, personally, put pressure on it. My current fountain pen has a piston cartridge inside, so when I run out of ink, I don’t put more plastic into landfills; instead, I take it apart, dip the tip in an inkwell, and suck up another few weeks of supply.
 
It is true that fountain pens use up more ink. A disposable ballpoint pen worth of ink will probably last you anywhere from weeks to months longer than a single cartridge of ink in a fountain pen. But a fountain pen itself, since it’s refillable, can last you the rest of your life if well-taken care of, and your everyday Bic just isn’t going to give you that kind of loyalty.
 
Overall, a fountain pen will give you more bang for your buck, it will conform to your writing style, and it will last as long as you have ink to put back in it. A ballpoint pen might feel nice, but you’ll likely break it or throw it away within the year. Invest in a good fountain pen; it’s worth it.
 
Edited by Emelyn Ehrlich

Getting Bangs
Liz Eike

You’re getting a little bored with your hair. It’s not that it looks bad; it’s just that you’ve been sporting the same style for what feels like ages now and you’re ready for something new. Should you cut it short? Get highlights, an ombre, or maybe even dye all of it electric blue? You’ve been messing with the idea of changing your hair for a while now when she appears.

She can be anywhere. Maybe she shows up on your social media feed, or maybe she is some random person you see at the grocery store. If she is a celebrity, she usually takes the form of either Taylor Swift or Zooey Deschanel. No matter who she is, there is one thing about her that immediately catches your eye: her perfect bangs. Suddenly, you know exactly what you want to do to your hair.

Like any new haircut, getting bangs can be a risky decision. If this is the first time you’ve considered getting them since you last shuddered over the mushroom-bowl-cut-abomination in your second grade class photo, read on. You will want to know this information before you take the leap.

If this isn’t the first time you’ve tangoed with the fringe, you’ll know that bangs can be like a bad relationship. You have them for a while, maybe a year or two at most, before you inevitably get tired of them for one reason or another. You commit to growing your bangs out. It takes forever for your hair to stop looking awkward. Then, just when you’re back to the all-one-length life, you walk into your living room to find your sister or roommate watching New Girl, and you’re wistfully recalling the good old days. The next thing you know, you’re back in your stylist’s chair – or worse, staring into your bathroom mirror as you lift a pair of scissors to your forehead.

There are a lot of inconvenient things that come with having bangs, but it can all be worth it if you’re particularly easygoing or patient. If you’ve made it this far and you’re still considering taking the plunge, here are the biggest cons that you should know about.

The worst thing about bangs is how high-maintenance they are. If you don’t wash your hair daily, you will definitely have to start washing your bangs separately once or twice between regular washes to avoid the greasy, stringy look. Furthermore, styling bangs often calls for using heat from a straightener or a blow dryer, which can eventually fry them. On top of that, a little wind can undo your hard work in moments. If you’re bent on keeping your bangs for a long time, they will need to be trimmed rather frequently. Finally, having your hair in contact with your forehead almost 24/7 will definitely cause you to break out up there.

Some of these issues can be managed, though, and bangs can even provide a few small vain benefits. For instance, your bangs will cover up any forehead acne it causes even as it works diligently to give you more. Of course, there is the main reason for which you are even thinking about this in the first place: bangs are cute! There are so many different shapes and styles of bangs that you are almost certain to find one that suits you and the shape of your face. They make any hairstyle more interesting, from ponytails and braids to headbands and beanies. You can also use a heat protectant spray to help ward off the bad effects of heat on your hair, and frequent trimming means you won’t have to live with any potential damage for long.

In the end, once you’ve caught the fringe fever, there is little to be done other than to try them and see how you like them. If you do decide to go for it, though, I implore you not to cut them yourself.
​
Edited by Emelyn Ehrlich

​How to Make Your Own Delicious Boba Drinks at Home!
By Jackie Morgan
Disclaimer: This blog post is not sponsored, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
 
The day of my high school graduation was the first time I had ever tried “traditional” tapioca boba, and at first I couldn’t wrap my head around why people enjoy the chewy little orbs. However, over the years my apprehension changed into obsession, and now I make regular boba runs to my favorite local spots. However, once quarantine hit back in March 2020, I decided that I should try to make this delicious drink at home!
Tapioca boba originates from Taiwan, and its presence in the U.S. serves as a cultural comfort for many Asian Americans. Moreover, in Jenny Zhang’s enlightening article, “The Rise (and Stall) of the Boba Generation,” she expands on how the popularity of boba in America has helped support the notion of, “food as a universal language,” in terms of acceptance of Asian culture in America. As a non-Asian boba enjoyer, I find that cultural appreciation is vital for understanding cuisine—especially when you’re the one cooking it!
So, to make this drink you will need tapioca boba and tea. I purchase my tapioca boba pearls at my local H Mart, which is a good place to shop if you want to support Asian businesses, for a few dollars a pack (they sell rainbow and green tea varieties as well that are delicious!). Additionally, you can find your tea at any grocery store; I recommend either black, green, jasmine, or herbal (go for herbal if you can’t have caffeine), and you’ll need to brew this according to the instructions on the box and then let it get to room temperature before serving—as boba drinks are usually served iced.
The instructions for cooking the boba are as follows, though these instructions are usually included on the bag of boba (I’m adding a few pointers that I learned from trial and error).
1. Measure out your boba. A serving size is 1/3 cup, but if you are making a batch for multiple people/drinks then you will need to ratio the amount to match. I personally like a LOT of boba in my drink, so I always make a bit more than it calls for.
2. Boil a large pot filled at least halfway with water, and once it is boiling you slowly add the boba. Stir lightly.
3. After the boba has floated to the surface, cover the pot and switch from high heat (I use high heat to get the water boiling) to medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes (I do 3 minutes because I like my boba extra soft and a little easier to chew).
4. Turn off the heat afterwards, stir lightly, replace the lid, and let cook for 2-3 more minutes. Again, I personally do 3-4 minutes because I like super soft boba—if you prefer firmer and chewier boba then go for 2 minutes!
5. After they finish cooking, scoop them out and place them in a bowl of cold water for 20 seconds. If you want your boba sweetened, honey flavored to be specific, then heat up a few tablespoons of honey in a microwave safe bowl and then stir in your boba. If you don’t like honey, another good alternative to this is agave nectar or liquid stevia. I find that the honey flavor really permeates if you let it sit for at least 10 minutes, but just a quick toss in honey or whatever sweetener you use will be fine if you can’t wait!
6. To make the drink, scoop the amount of boba you want into your glass, then pour your room temperature tea (or hot tea if you prefer hot boba tea) over the boba. If this is going to be an iced drink, leave at least an inch or two of clearance for the ice. Also, if you like milk tea, then just pour in a tablespoon or two of your favorite milk and stir. Additionally, if you want your drink to be extra sweet, I recommend either mixing in granulated sugar while the tea is still hot after brewing, or mixing in liquid sweetener (liquid agave is the bomb) before you add the ice. After your tea is made to your liking, add enough ice cubes to fill the glass and insert a boba straw (you can find these on Amazon or at H Mart).
If you like specific types of boba tea, like brown sugar or matcha for example, there are tons of amazing recipes on YouTube and online about how to get them to taste perfect at home. If you’re going for matcha, ceremonial grade is best!
After making boba countless times at home, I still go out to get it once in a while from my favorite places due to their unique taste that can’t be replicated. Yet, I do love making it myself when I’m short on time and/or money. For those of us who hoard tea already, usually the boba itself is the only thing I have to go out and buy, and it’s a simple way to feel luxurious at home!
 
 
Jenny Zhang’s article: https://www.eater.com/2019/11/5/20942192/bubble-tea-boba-asian-american-diaspora
Edited by Emelyn Ehrlich

​My Favorite Romance Books
By Elizabeth Dubos
 
I am a seasonal reader, which means I enjoy reading particular genres at certain times of the year. For example, I enjoy reading horror and thrillers throughout the Halloween season. Throughout the month of February, in honor of Valentine’s Day, I enjoy reading romance books. However, that doesn’t mean I restrict romance books to solely February. I like reading romance books during the summer and during the holiday season too. One of my favorite parts about reading romance books are the “aww” moments. I love when couples overcome their troubles and embrace their love for one another. In the past ten years, I appreciate that authors are exploring sub-genres to make their romance books unique and appropriate for different age groups. For example, contemporary romance, historical romance, young adult romance, etc. If you’re interested in reading some romance books, here are a few of my favorites to consider. I’ll include links to their Goodreads pages, so you can read official book summaries.
 
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. In 2019, this book won a Goodreads Choice Award for the Romance category, so it caught my attention. I was initially worried that the book was overhyped, and I wasn’t going to like it. It’s fair to say that I went into this book with low expectations. This was a good idea because although I enjoyed it, it wasn’t a 5 out of 5 stars, knock out of the park for me. This book featured cute and aww moments, but it left me wanting more. This a great introductory book to the romance genre.
 
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. The enemies to lovers’ trope always captures my attention. I enjoy when the trope is used appropriately, not forcing two characters together and calling it enemies to lovers. This book exceeded my expectations. I thought the characters were adorable and shared a lot of emotional times together. I really enjoyed the pace of the plot. While the characters are forced to spend time together, it isn’t an “instant love attraction.” Their relationship is gradual, so readers get to know the characters more. One of my favorite parts was the dialogue because I thought the remarks were funny and witty.
 
Beach Read by Emily Henry. This book for the romance-comedy lovers. This book features a lot more than the usual romantic couple. I thought the author did an excellent job building up each individual character’s backstory, so it makes you want to become more invested in the story to know the outcome.
 
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I know that this one was made into a movie; however, the book offers more details that enhance the overall plot. I enjoyed that the book explored relationships with families because it added another interesting dynamic to the story. While the character is only seventeen years old, you’ll really see how she matures over the course of the story.
 
Summer officially begins on June 20th, so it’s been fun planning out which books I’d like to read. Even though, I’m a seasonal-mood reader, I like to have an idea of what to read; therefore TBR’s (to-be-read lists) can be super helpful. Plus, I really enjoy making lists. Which romance books would you consider reading?
 
Edited By Emelyn Ehrlich

​​Symbolism: Finding Sources for that One Essay
By Emelyn Ehrlich
            There will come a time in your academic career when you have to write a paper involving symbolism. Maybe you want to use the color white to show the supposed purity of Daisy from The Great Gatsby. Maybe you want to discuss the ways in which melancholy is represented in Twelfth Night. Regardless of what the paper itself is on, this day will undoubtedly come. And when it does, you will likely encounter the same problem I did: sources.
            Yeah, we KNOW that white symbolizes purity, but we also can’t just say that without citing a source. But most of the sources that pop up on Google are EXTREMELY unreliable. So, you go to your teacher or professor for advice. Chances are, they’ll tell you the same thing they told me: symbolism is fluid, and they can’t really give you one source to go to. You should rely on context. There isn’t really a scholarly symbolism dictionary.
            Which, fair. But not really helpful for an essay. There are cases where you can infer a symbol’s meaning based on context, but a lot of the time? You don’t fully understand what a symbol means without extensive background information which most students just don’t have. That background information may be in relation to historical or religious context, but either way, most students don’t have the time to immerse themselves in such information before an essay’s deadline.
            So, if you’re like me, and you struggle to find sources for symbolism, here are some very reliable places you can go to:
 
The Medieval Bestiary - http://bestiary.ca/beasts/beastalphashort.htm - This might seem like kind of an odd choice. However, a lot of writers, like Shakespeare, draw on symbols from medieval times. There are all sorts of symbols on this website from animals to gemstones.
 
Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend – Now, this source is a little more specialized. It focuses specifically on symbols from fairy tales and mythology. Plus, it was published in 1949, so it is a bit outdated. That being said, the book contains literally HUNDREDS of symbols from gold to birds. This book singlehandedly saved me when I needed a source to cite.
 
A Dictionary of Literary Symbols 3rd Edition by Michael Ferber – This is a GREAT book to have if you ever need to look up symbols. Like the last source, it has hundreds of entries, but is much less focuses on one particular genre. There’s stuff from the Bible, Shakespeare, and even Shelley. This book includes symbols from various types of trees to colors to flowers. It has everything you could ever need.
 
So, if you need a source to cite, and you have no idea what to do, consider these sources. They are all considered scholarly. They have various options and cover many different time periods. These have been my savior in times of trouble during college, so I can only hope that they will do the same for others.
Edited by Nicole Suprak

​Saving Animals
By Elizabeth Dubos
 
All my life, I’ve loved wildlife and domesticated animals. I’ve always owned multiple pets and I consider them my children. I actually have a list of animals that I’d love to add to my family in the future as well. I just need a bit more property. I can’t go into certain stores when they’re holding adoption events, otherwise I’ll end up bringing home a new family member.
 
Another big part of my life is wildlife conservation. I love visiting zoos and aquariums to see and learn about different species. In addition to being a graphic designer, I am a photographer that specializes in black and white wildlife photos. Whenever I visit a wildlife sanctuary, aquarium, or zoo, I’m always taking pictures. I enjoy photographing them to memorialize the event and I genuinely admire their beauty.
 
As a dedicated animal lover, I want to help and save every creature that I can. So, I’ve made a list of things I’d love to do in the future to save all kinds of wildlife and domesticated animals.
 
First, I would love to open an animal hospital/rehabilitation center to save all kinds of animals. The town that I reside in is currently cutting down forests and basically destroying the ecosystem for housing developments. Therefore, it’s displacing and killing tons of animals. Animals are being forced from their homes and have nowhere to go. Due to the rise of housing developments, there’s been an increase in traffic, causing an increase in animals getting injured or killed. It’s absolutely heartbreaking because no matter where I go in town it’s impossible to miss seeing a smushed animal on the side of the road. There’s no stopping the traffic, so I want to create an animal hospital dedicated to rescuing these displaced animals. Then, after they’re rehabilitated, I want to safely transport them to protected areas, so they can live out their lives in peace.
 
Second, I would love to open a facility that cares for hospice or elderly animals. There are so many animals that are thrown into animal shelters because they’re “too sick” or “too old.” Often these animals die from heartbreak because they’re so sad from being dumped in a loud, crowded, scary environment. I want to make it my mission to save these animals and give them all love, comfort, compassion, and medical attention they require. These animals are on the last leg of their life, they deserve the best.
 
My third order of business would be to design oceanic educational content. Whether it’s brochures, flyers, or a website. There are so many misinformed people that think they’re doing the right thing but end up making it worse. For instance, tortoises have claws and belong on land, they walk down to the ocean to roll in the waves as a way to remove ticks from their body. However, people mistake this as an ocean sea turtle in need and throw the tortoise deep in the ocean. There’s been numerous times I’ve grabbed my surfboard to swim out and save it. But the majority of the time the tortoises don’t make it, because their tiny bodies couldn’t handle the shock. I want to prevent this from happening, so I think educating and informing the public is important.
Another thing that I would like to do to save more animals is create a mobile animal training service. Often, untrained pets end up in shelters or worse put to sleep because of their unruly behavior. Owners get easily distracted during their animal’s baby phase because they’re so small and cute. However, when that animal grows up the “cute” behavior turns out to be annoying or dangerous. For example, people think it’s cute when a puppy nibbles on their hands; however, when the puppy grows up and into their adult teeth, that nibbling isn’t so cute anymore; it hurts. My mobile animal training service will tend to all kinds of animals, so they can stay in the homes of their owners. Or if plans change and the owner can no longer care for the animal, it’ll be re-homed with veteran pet owners who have the time, space, and patience to help the animal.
 
Animals will always be a huge part of my life. They have always been there to help me, so I want to give back and help them too. I’m always going to want to come up with different ways to save them. If I had an endless supply of money, I would buy hundreds of acres of property to save all kinds of domesticated and wildlife animals.
 
Edited by Emelyn Ehrlich
 
 

​Art Journal Materials
By Elizabeth Dubos
 
Disclaimer: This blog post is not sponsored. The products, stores, and websites mentioned in this post are my journal material preferences and recommendations.  
 
Journaling is an excellent stress reliever because it allows you to express your thoughts, emotions, and ideas in a safe space. What happens when you can’t find the word or phrase to express yourself? The answer is to create an art journal. You don’t have to be an artist to have an art journal. There are no rules when it comes to an art journal. You can write, draw, paint, sew, staple, or tape anything you’d like to it. For example, if you can’t think of a word to describe how you’re feeling attach a piece of fabric like velvet, denim, or cotton. You’ll associate the thought, idea, or event with the fabric; this is important because it helps you sort through your emotions instead of keeping them bottled up. If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know what to write or create, then I would highly recommend checking out YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest for art journaling inspiration. My favorite art journal creators are Journal With Chloe, Brianna Collins, Jordan Clark, and kaitlyn journals.
 
If art journaling interests you, you’re going to need supplies. Here are some suggestions to help you get started!
 
Journal. It’s important to keep size and paper quality in mind. If the journal is too small, then you’re limiting your creative space. If the paper is too thin, then the paint, ink, or glue could bleed through the pages and ruin your hard work. I would recommend a paperweight of 90lb or more. Try to pick a journal that’s medium or large because it gives you enough space to work with, without being too bulky to carry around. I would highly recommend checking out brands like Canson Mixed Media, Moleskine, Leuchtturm1917, or Strathmore Mixed Media journals because they’re sturdy journals, come in various sizes, heavy paperweight, and are affordable. These journals can be purchased on Amazon, at Target, Walmart, or Barnes & Noble.
 
Pens and markers. You’re going to need pens and markers to jot down your thoughts. Check out Paper Mate gel pens because they don’t streak or bleed. Plus, they come in a variety of colors like blue, red, purple, green, etc. If you’re looking to experiment with calligraphy, then I would recommend checking out Tombow Dual Brush sets or Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens. Please, do not buy these brands full price – wait for store coupons because they frequently go on sale. Affordable pens and markers can be found on Amazon, at Michael’s, Joann’s, or Dick Blick’s.
 
Rubber stamps. There’s a variety of rubber stamps you can use to personalize your journals such as seasonal, floral, animal, inspirational, letter, or number decor. There’s also an endless amount of ink colors to select. You can correlate ink colors to your emotions. Rubber stamps offer a quick and fun solution to express ourselves, so we always have time to unleash our emotions. If you go on Vistaprint.com, you can create and customize your stamp. Rubber stamps can be purchased on Amazon and Etsy, or at Target, Walmart, Joann’s, or Michael’s.
 
Stickers. There’s an endless number of sticker options to choose from. There are individual sticker pages or pads. Stickers are manufactured with different materials, so you don’t have to worry about them limiting your creativity. For instance, you can utilize scented stickers, raised scrapbook stickers, foam stickers, fuzzy stickers, or glittery stickers. If you have an inkjet printer, then you can make your stickers with sticker paper sold on Amazon, or at Office Depot/Max and Michael’s. Like stamps, stickers provide easy and quick solutions to express ourselves. Sticker pages or pads can be purchased on Amazon, Etsy, and Redbubble, or at local dollar stores, Target, Walmart, Michael’s, or Joann’s Craft Stores.
 
Washi tape. Washi tape is a thin and decorative tape. It can stick to numerous surfaces such as wood, plastic, metal, and journal paper without damaging the surface. Washi tape comes in different patterns, colors, and sizes. In your journal, you can use washi tape to create borders, frames, or lines on the pages. For example, if you want to write about a dream you had last night, you could use star-themed washi tape to decorate the pages. Washi tape can be purchased on Amazon, eBay, and Esty, or at Target, Walmart, Michael’s, or Joann’s Craft Stores. It can be purchased in individual rolls or packets.
 
Storage. If you’ve come across a good deal or coupon, then you’ve treated yourself to more journaling materials. Organization is vital when it comes to journaling, so you never have to worry about not finding a pen, marker, or sticker. Try to have a designated spot for all of your journaling materials. One of my favorite ways to organize my journaling materials is countertop storage drawers. I have a plastic three-drawer container to house my materials. It’s functional, affordable, and sits on my bookshelf next to my bed. Thus, it makes all my materials accessible whenever I’d like to journal.
 
Good luck with your art journaling journey!
 
 
Edited by Jenna Fults
 
 
 
 

ABOUT THE BOOK: “My First Five Years at Sea” focuses on a coming of age story about a young man from Kansas. Set in the 1930’s his life is full of hope, a rare commodity given that the world is plunged into the Great Depression. He receives a scholarship to MIT and is ready to embark on his great adventure….only thing is no one knows exactly how big an adventure it will be. Before he can matriculate, he is shanghaied by a female pirate and is forced into indentured servitude aboard a rum runner. His life is first stolen, then over the course of exploits cast upon the ocean, is found again. During his travels, he is accompanied by a man who becomes his friend, guardian, and we learn at the end of the story is in fact a man of a surprisingly different nature. Throughout the book there are many historical references, some intentionally distorted in order to connect the dots of the storyline in a plausible and entertaining style. Allure of the sea has been an inspiration in the writing of this book, and readers can expect to find numerous references to its many faces and to those who have made it their home.
​
Amazon Link: 
https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Five-Years-Sea/dp/0578509253/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=my+first+five+years+at+sea&qid=1623522264&sr=8-2


Bloggers: Use the CONTACT US form on this website to request your free electronic review copy today! As always, thank you for all that you do to help us get the word out about our new releases. Our authors appreciate it!

Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Tomorrows-History-Christopher-McMaster/dp/1947381466/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=tomorrow%27s+history+dreaming+big&qid=1623518618&s=books&sr=1-2

ABOUT THE BOOK: The gods don’t stand idle, content with watching the human drama unfold. Just as the sagas and the ancient stories tell, they like to interfere.  
London. Present day. The sun glints off solar panels, harvesting the energy that keeps the city moving. Roof gardens add a hint of green to the skyline. The pristine waters of the Thames flow through the heart of the city. The quiet hum of electric cars fill the streets. Airships pass overhead on their way north to the capital, Jorvik.  Ships of the Great Fleet load at the busy docks, preparing for the voyage across the Western Ocean to the Far Settlements, holding the Norse world together.
Were it not for his disturbing dreams, Jakob would think his world is safe. But it isn’t. Something needs finishing for his present to come to pass, and for some unknown reason he has been chosen to do it.
Jakob finds himself in dreams from which there is no escape, where he must survive among ancestors less refined and genteel than his current countrymen. Thrust into an age of Vikings who are much more familiar with the sword and the axe, he lacks the one skill that is essential to survival. While the gods manipulate fate, he uses the only thing he has—his wits.
Tasked with leading a party of Danes in pursuit of royal game he is swept into an adventure that can only have one outcome if Britain is to survive. Alfred must not get away.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Christopher McMaster was born in California, where the American River Canyon and Sierra Nevada Mountains were his playground. He has since lived in the Arctic of Alaska, beside the Mississippi River in Minnesota, in a house older than the United States in the county of Kent in the UK, the highlands of Nicaragua, and currently lives beside the beach in New Zealand. Trained as an educator and researcher, Christopher has published ten non-fiction works, but prefers to let his imagine be free and live beyond borders (in his mind or on a map). Learn more about Christopher and upcoming novels at: www.christophermcmaster.com

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