Art as Escape from Struggle
Artist: Christiana Lee
Bio: I was born and raised in Steubenville Ohio, and am a soon to be Theology graduate of Franciscan University and Damascus Missionary. I love traveling and have been to 15 countries and love chasing sunsets and waterfalls and everything outdoors. Most of my art inspiration comes from the beauty of nature, music, and good quotes.
FB: Christiana Mary IG: christiana_victoria98
Description: In contrast to Art As A Way of Facing Our Struggle, this was a piece I did several years ago as a way of escaping from the struggles I was going through. I was avoiding them and allowing myself to wallow in them, and so this piece doesn't evoke the same beauty as other pieces that confront our struggle. It lacks any symbol of the purpose of our struggle, and if anything glorifies the struggle.
Death -> Life
Artist: Sierra
Bio: Just your average catholic college student striving for sainthood.
Insta: @sierra.ah @totustuusblog
Description: One motion, one touch is all that it takes. You come to us, in the midst of our sin, our shame, our brokenness and You breathe life into our lungs. You reach out, and You pull us out of death. You are our source of life.
Tracks of Life
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
Vegan Oat Pancakes
Cook: Lizeth Perez
Description: Do you need a smile on your face? These pancakes will surely bring the joy to your day :)
Rise
Artist: Grace White
Bio: My art comes from a deep place in my heart, rooted in my belief in God's goodness. I believe creativity expresses who God is and the beauty He placed in humanity and creation.
Insta: @graceis_back
Description: This piece was created in response to a prompt on "hope". When I think of hope, I see the sun that continually rises afresh every day. We all long for hope that is constant! This piece embodies that, and is copied from a photo I took of the sunrise on The Amazon River in 2017.
The Hill of Life
Photographer: Tatiana Samano
Bio: A good Story well told can engage, inspire, influence and even change us.
Instagram: @tatianasamano
Description: As we are watching the storm in life we can not do anything about it but instead we are trying to reach the top above the clouds, its going to be tiring but we need to have patience and strength from God to reach there. Life is like a hill we go up and we go down but it’s our decision to go back up the hill.
Slightly Obscure
Photographer: Marie Paradise
Bio: I'm an adventurer who likes to stop and see the beauty in the journey. While it can never be fully captured, I enjoy photography as a lens through which to see God's handiwork.
Description: This photo was taken as part of the first challenge: to take a picture of our experience in the quarantine. It is a picture of my bunny, who has been an amazing companion in this time of isolation. The photo was composed and edited to reflect a certain obscurity of the familiar. The rabbit blends into the carpet without color to create more distinction. The familiar becomes more difficult to define in the unknown.
Women in My Waiting
Writer: Stephanie
Blog: happysolitude.org
Bio: I want my art to remind people that no season of waiting or suffering is ever wasted. The best is yet to come!
Description: This visual journal entry depicts the women who have supported me through my season of singleness and waiting after a recent breakup. It’s easy to feel completely alone after something difficult like a breakup, and being able to let God show me that I’m surrounded by so much love has been helping me to heal.
Spinach Waffles
Cook: Lizeth Perez
Description: Want to get a taste of Popeyes energy? Then try these tasty Spinach Protein waffles, this will definitely fill you up with the fuel you need!
Holding Mother's Hand
Photographer: Marie Paradise
Bio: I'm an adventurer who likes to stop and see the beauty in the journey. While it can never be fully captured, I enjoy photography as a lens through which to see God's handiwork.
Description: This photo was taken a few years ago, the day my grandmother died. It is a photo of my aunt holding her mother's hand. For the final question and challenge of this series, I thought of how highlighted my life's purpose has been in this quarantine. I am purposed to be connected to others and support others in loving and caring ways. Though I've had other careers in caring, I currently live that out as a middle school teacher. The quarantine has highlighted how damaging social isolation can be, and how important it is to be connected to those around us.
10 min Peace Challenge
Artist: Christiana Lee
Bio: I was born and raised in Steubenville Ohio, and am a soon to be Theology graduate of Franciscan University and Damascus Missionary. I love traveling and have been to 15 countries and love chasing sunsets and waterfalls and everything outdoors. Most of my art inspiration comes from the beauty of nature, music, and good quotes.
FB: Christiana Mary IG: christiana_victoria98
Description: These lyrics are from one of my favorite songs from Sarah Sparks, "Come Further Up". The song is about what is yet to come in the story of our lives. I've found so much peace in embracing the unknowns of life and of my future. There is so much in store, and instead of living in fear of the future or God's plan for me, if I trust Him and His plan, the fear is gone and only peace remains
Beauty, Struggle, Hope & Peace
Artist: Maytee Berumen
Insta: @cherryicedtea
Bio: I'm mostly known for my jewelry making. Thought I'd try this painting thing out :)
Description: I sectioned this canvas in 4 and added each of these struggles to a section. In some ways they all connected.
Rise
Artist: Grace White
Bio: My art comes from a deep place in my heart, rooted in my belief in God's goodness. I believe creativity expresses who God is and the beauty He placed in humanity and creation.
Insta: @graceis_back
Description: This piece was created in response to a prompt on "hope". When I think of hope, I see the sun that continually rises afresh every day. We all long for hope that is constant! This piece embodies that, and is copied from a photo I took of the sunrise on The Amazon River in 2017.
Black Panther
Artist: Teah Major
Bio: I’m a half-Polish half-American artist and I love anything and everything creative, whether that be graphic design, iconography, watercolor, illustration, pottery, cooking, dancing, singing etc. I currently study Communication Management in Poland.
FB: Teah Major, IG: @encounter.girl
Description: This was based of a 10 min challenge with our struggle at the moment. I sketched out a black panther in a dream I had that represented fear and fraud.
The Valley
Photographer: Tatiana Samano
Bio: A good Story well told can engage, inspire, influence and even change us.
Instagram: @tatianasamano
Description: During these times we want to be with the ones we love. Family, Friends, our favorite restaurant, our go-to movie theaters But we have to stay a safe distance away. We wish we could give a hug, a high five, a handshake but at this time we cant. What we can only do is Pray and Hope. At this time we can really look and appreciate God's glory in things we never looked at before, Trust in God's timing. Just breathe and picture God giving us a tight hug and him saying "Everything will be ok."
Chorizo Burrito
Cook: Kim
Description: My Mexican American dish, called chorizo burrito with Orange Juice
Visual Journal Vol. 1, In Transition: The Fruit of Waiting
Writer: Stephanie
Blog: happysolitude.org
Bio: I want my art to remind people that no season of waiting or suffering is ever wasted. The best is yet to come!
Description: This is the title page of my first-ever visual journal. I watercolored and allowed the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart about the gifts He wants to give me during this season of my life.
10 min Struggle Challenge
Artist: Christiana Lee
Bio: I was born and raised in Steubenville Ohio, and am a soon to be Theology graduate of Franciscan University and Damascus Missionary. I love traveling and have been to 15 countries and love chasing sunsets and waterfalls and everything outdoors. Most of my art inspiration comes from the beauty of nature, music, and good quotes.
FB: Christiana Mary IG: christiana_victoria98
Description: My first thought that came to mind when I thought of facing my struggles was a fist. When it comes to struggles, we can either choose to sit and wallow in them or persevere and "fight" through them. Often times in movies we see men cheering before a battle and raising their fists in solidarity, and after they win the battle they raise their fists and shake them in victory. The fist emerges from the cloud of struggle, and those struggles are turned into victories as we overcome them and become beams of glory.
Sunshine through the Slats
Photographer: Marie Paradise
Bio: I'm an adventurer who likes to stop and see the beauty in the journey. While it can never be fully captured, I enjoy photography as a lens through which to see God's handiwork.
Breakfast Crepe with fruit and Nutella
Cook: Elise
Description: A delicious traditional crepe that packed with fruits.
Hope Challenge
Artist: Christiana Lee
Bio: I was born and raised in Steubenville Ohio, and am a soon to be Theology graduate of Franciscan University and Damascus Missionary. I love traveling and have been to 15 countries and love chasing sunsets and waterfalls and everything outdoors. Most of my art inspiration comes from the beauty of nature, music, and good quotes.
FB: Christiana Mary IG: @christiana_victoria98
Description: I love sunsets because they are like a sign of hope and the promise of tomorrow. This summer I had the privilege of working as a camp counselor this summer where we had a lake on the property, and I would sit there and watch the sunset and take time to reflect on the day. So this is my little piece on hope based on the lake at camp that brought me so much joy, peace, and hope.
Italian Frittata
Cook: Teah Major
Bio: I’m a half-Polish half-American artist and I love anything and everything creative, whether that be graphic design, iconography, watercolor, illustration, pottery, cooking, dancing, singing etc. I currently study Communication Management in Poland.
FB: Teah Major, IG: @encounter.girl
Description: This is an Italian Frittata and inside are eggs, cheese, bacon, arugula, tomato, garlic, herbs, and much more :)
Hope
Artist: Teah Major
Bio: I’m a half-Polish half-American artist and I love anything and everything creative, whether that be graphic design, iconography, watercolor, illustration, pottery, cooking, dancing, singing etc. I currently study Communication Management in Poland.
FB: Teah Major, IG: @encounter.girl
Description: This was on the prompt of Hope. Fear is defeated by the Resurrection of Jesus, who is Hope and Life.
Out of the Dark
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
Description: During this quarantine, I've found myself continuing to long for God. This picture best captures the light that he brings into my life despite the darkness that attempts to surround it. Although I am not physically at Church I am reminded that God continues to walk with me spiritually.
Writer: Stephanie
Blog: https://www.happysolitude.org/post/the-art-of-letting-go
Bio: I want my art to remind people that no season of waiting or suffering is ever wasted. The best is yet to come!
Description: How I learned to let go and get over my previous relationship.
Volcano Egg
Cook: Karen Berumen
Bio: My main goal in creating these dishes was using a minimal amount of ingredients to create something new. It was a bit of a challenge for me considering I haven't cooked in over 2 years but the end result was pleasing!
Peace
Artist: Jenny Rivera
Email: limonaza@yahoo.com
Description: For me, peace is a continuous embrace of the Holy Spirit that helps us navigate our life's journey. We're not always aware of his presence but he promises to be with us "every day until the end of this present age” (Matthew 28:20 CEB) no matter what happens in the world.
Skyline
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
Art As a Way of Facing Our Stuggle
Artist: Christiana Lee
Bio: I was born and raised in Steubenville Ohio, and am a soon to be Theology graduate of Franciscan University and Damascus Missionary. I love traveling and have been to 15 countries and love chasing sunsets and waterfalls and everything outdoors. Most of my art inspiration comes from the beauty of nature, music, and good quotes.
FB: Christiana Mary IG: christiana_victoria98
Description: When we use our art as a way to face our struggles, there is so much beauty and truth that can come through and be revealed by it. From a prickly, thorny bush blossoms a beautiful flower. Beauty can come from the thorns in our lives. There is beauty that comes from facing our struggle, and our wounds become healed. St. Augustine said "In my deepest wound I saw your glory and it dazzled me." It is the thorns, the mess, the wounds of our life that we can bring about the most beautiful rose, clarity, and healing.
Veggie Egg Muffins
Cook: Lizeth Perez
Description: Easy on the go breakfast egg muffins that are packed with nutrients.
Hope
Artist: Sierra
Bio: Just your average catholic college student striving for sainthood.
Insta: @sierra.ah @totustuusblog
Description: 'May the struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope' - Pope Francis
Simple Happiness
Photographer: Marie Paradise
Bio: I'm an adventurer who likes to stop and see the beauty in the journey. While it can never be fully captured, I enjoy photography as a lens through which to see God's handiwork.
His Last Night
Artist: Grace White
Bio: My art comes from a deep place in my heart, rooted in my belief in God's goodness. I believe creativity expresses who God is and the beauty He placed in humanity and creation.
Insta: @graceis_back
Description: This poem was written in honor of celebrating Easter and in response to a prompt on "struggle". I felt necessary to try exploring the suffering and struggle Jesus went through on His last night before death on the cross, through what the bible says. May this poem give us an image on His divine humanity that is impacting the world today.
Beauty Challenge
Artist: Christiana Lee
Bio: I was born and raised in Steubenville Ohio, and am a soon to be Theology graduate of Franciscan University and Damascus Missionary. I love traveling and have been to 15 countries and love chasing sunsets and waterfalls and everything outdoors. Most of my art inspiration comes from the beauty of nature, music, and good quotes.
FB: Christiana Mary IG: christiana_victoria98
Description: I chose this as my piece on beauty because it is from my favorite passage in Scripture. To find that which we long for is the most beautiful thing- to have our thirst quenched by the Living Water.
Quarantine & Things
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
This Little Light of Mine
Artist: Tania Camargo
IG: @the_taniacamargo
Bio: I’m a novice painter and sketcher that enjoys putting onto paper what moves me in my heart.
Lemon and Raspberry Bundt Cake (Babka Cytrynowa)
Artist: Teah Major
Bio: I’m a half-Polish half-American artist and I love anything and everything creative, whether that be graphic design, iconography, watercolor, illustration, pottery, cooking, dancing, singing etc. I currently study Communication Management in Poland.
FB: Teah Major, IG: @encounter.girl
Description: This is a Polish recipe for a lemon bundt cake filled also with raspberry batter inside. I usually make it for Easter :)
Griselda
Fabiola Acosta
@littlesparkal IG
I enjoy painting people. Gods favorite masterpiece.
When prompted to create with the word 'Hope', I immediately thought of my friend Griselda as she had spent 2 nights pulling me out of a funk. Antoine de Saint-Exupery said it best.. "There is no hope or joy except in human relations."
Griselda has brought exactly that into my life through her friendship.
Ave Regina Caelorum
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
Description: Momma Mary has always played a roll in my life. During this quarantine, she has called me to grow closer to her and to continue to trust and venerate her when I struggle. She has reminded me that she continues to clothe me with her veil.
Childlike Peace
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
Pure White
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
The Sun Rises Twice
Cook: Candace Melendrez
Description: I felt rushed because15 minutes isn't long enough to make a masterpiece dish. But, food should be delicious if it's to be made at all (duh). I think what these dishes say about me is that I take pleasure in a job well done.
10 min Hope Challenge
Artist: Christiana Lee
Bio: I was born and raised in Steubenville Ohio, and am a soon to be Theology graduate of Franciscan University and Damascus Missionary. I love traveling and have been to 15 countries and love chasing sunsets and waterfalls and everything outdoors. Most of my art inspiration comes from the beauty of nature, music, and good quotes.
FB: Christiana Mary IG: christiana_victoria98
Description: When I visited Auschwitz in 2016 a friend pointed out this little tree growing out of the crumbled bricks and cement of a dilapidated building. And even though we were in such a terrible place where some of the greatest atrocities known to man occurred, there was this little life that persevered despite all odds. It reminded me of hope: no matter the darkness or amidst the greatest suffering, there is always hope. There is always a promise of something new, of life, of happiness and peace ahead. Hope is a light that can never be put out or defeated by darkness. Hope will prevail.
Artist: Teah Major
Bio: I’m a half-Polish half-American artist and I love anything and everything creative, whether that be graphic design, iconography, watercolor, illustration, pottery, cooking, dancing, singing etc. I currently study Communication Management in Poland.
FB: Teah Major, IG: @encounter.girl
Description: This was based off the prompt: Instead of using art as a way to escape our struggles, can you use it as a way to confront that struggle?
I drew a skull as a representation of Fear/ fear of death or dying to whatever we hold unto it is facing Trust head-on. Trust is represented as a heart on the other side— that is full of wild, untamed color. It stands for lacking in the trust of Love. “Fear is useless, what is needed is trust.”
The Road Back Home
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
Purple Berry Blast
Cook: Candace Melendrez
Description: I felt rushed because15 minutes isn't long enough to make a masterpiece dish. But, food should be delicious if it's to be made at all (duh). I think what these dishes say about me is that I take pleasure in a job well done.
Venture in the Mystery
Artist: Teah Major
Bio: I’m a half-Polish half-American artist and I love anything and everything creative, whether that be graphic design, iconography, watercolor, illustration, pottery, cooking, dancing, singing etc. I currently study Communication Management in Poland.
FB: Teah Major, IG: @encounter.girl
Description: Poem from struggle to hope and peace
James Bond
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
We are the Church
Photographer: Crystal Parga
Bio: Hi, my name is Crystal and I'm from Baldwin Park, CA. I'm happy to share my interest in photography with you and a little about my perspective on this time in quarantine. I hope you enjoy!
Personal IG: @Jedimasterpargs, Photography IG: Cpargasaur, Facebook: Crystal Marie Parga
Mexican Ravioli
Cook: Karen Berumen
Bio: My main goal in creating these dishes was using a minimal amount of ingredients to create something new. It was a bit of a challenge for me considering I haven't cooked in over 2 years but the end result was pleasing!
Cinnamon Bread
Cook: Kim
Description: Here is my Cinnamon Bread with yellow fruit plate aka French Toast with delicious bananas
Up
Name: Jessica Lopez
Bio: I love hiking and I love working with kids. 😊
Description: We didn’t take pics throughout the series of our challenge cuz they were more personal but the last challenge was either a) make a video of how covid affected their family or b) make a video or pic of a scene from a favorite movie.
Avocado Mound
Cook: Candace Melendrez
Description: I felt rushed because15 minutes isn't long enough to make a masterpiece dish. But, food should be delicious if it's to be made at all (duh). I think what these dishes say about me is that I take pleasure in a job well done.
Easter Pisanka
Artist: Teah Major
Bio: I’m a half-Polish half-American artist and I love anything and everything creative, whether that be graphic design, iconography, watercolor, illustration, pottery, cooking, dancing, singing etc. I currently study Communication Management in Poland.
FB: Teah Major, IG: @encounter.girl
Description: This is called a Pisanka. It is one of the oldest decorative egg customs and you’ll find lots in Eastern Europe. The egg yolk is blown out through a hole in the egg so its hallow, it is then drawn on by a tool called a kistka with wax and dipped in multiple dyes to achieve this effect. If you’re interested in how to make one, I have a highlight saved about the process on Instagram about it :)
Matcha Chocolate Banana Energy Pancakes
Cook: Lizeth Perez
Description: Long lasting energy pancakes packed with the long lasting benefits of delicious matcha
Hope
Artist: Jenny Rivera
Email: limonaza@yahoo.com
Description: We can have hope in these difficult times because the Holy Spirit poured the love of God in our hearts. Then hope becomes a product of the process of suffering (Romans 5:3-5).
Easter Sunday Surprise
Cook: Candace Melendrez
Description: I felt rushed because15 minutes isn't long enough to make a masterpiece dish. But, food should be delicious if it's to be made at all (duh). I think what these dishes say about me is that I take pleasure in a job well done.