Art and Design Commons^™

Full Issue

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Brain Rot, Luqman M. Gbenro

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'Brain Rot' illustrates how vibrant color and playful composition can be combined to give a static image life. The bold composition seeks to capture a common sentiment about contemporary conscience (or the lack thereof) through hyperbolic circumstances. This piece is a visual representation of the helplessness and frustration spurred on by our digital circumstances."

Obscurity, Emily Santiago

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'Obscurity' highlights the process and approach of how darkness can enunciate thoughts and expressions. This photograph reveals and revolves around ominous and despondent perspectives. Through the shadows of the clouds, the sun’s glance and the naturalistic aspects form a reflection of personal conceptions and instincts. Photography provides the opportunity to vocalize thoughts in a divergent manner, which is a goal I aim to achieve and convey with my photographs. When capturing this photo, low exposure was used along with a panning technique. Photography allows the opportunity to capture not only moments but also introspection and reflection."

Rainy Days, Raul E. Perez

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"I have an appreciation for rainy weather, getting to stay in and drink coffee and making progress on whatever project I have going on at the moment. I also acknowledge that many others do not share the same feeling as I, so how you approach the day comes down to perspective. This can also extend to our lives on a bigger scale when we encounter road blocks, a shift in perspective can bring about new ideas and inspiration."

Florals, Iksita C. Nallapaneni

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"Many artworks mimic the artist or the life they have led, and the same can be said for this one. 'Florals' depicts my growth and change over the past two transformative years. I have learned that the sun continues to rise and set regardless of life's circumstances, and sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to stop and enjoy the flowers. Life moves too quickly to not be present in the moment, and I hope this piece inspires others to do the same."

Miniature Garden, Anastacia Gold

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"My artwork explores the transformation of visual perception through style and technique, reinterpreting the same still life across four distinct oil painting approaches. By shifting between realism and abstraction, I push the boundaries of how subjects are perceived by interplaying color, form, and texture, which reflects my interest in bridging from tradition to experimentation of this painting."

Beneath The Sea, Beyond The Sky, Thaily Jeanty

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"As a writer, everything I experience serves as inspiration. 'Beneath the Sea and Beyond the Sky' began with an image where the sea and sky shared the same blue, appearing to merge yet never truly meeting. This mesmerizing sight mirrored the emotions of desire and acceptance—feelings I had deeply experienced. The contrast between longing for connection and accepting its impossibility became the heart of my piece."

Eye Of The Storm, Melissa Velasco

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"I wrote this as a way to cope with my fears while my husband was deployed in Qatar. It was the longest 9 months filled with FaceTime calls, streaming platform watch parties, and mail. With safety being a constant concern for military spouses during deployment, I wanted to see how that concern would be for the soldiers deployed and wrote it in their perspective."

Discover Rain Clouds, Marieann C. Raguso

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Hearing Things, Fidel E. Perez Pujols

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'Hearing Things' explores nostalgia and childlike whimsy, infused with a dark undertone. It emphasizes the sense of hearing and the feeling of alienation. This piece embodies transformation, evoking both curiosity and unease through its surreal expression. Rooted in personal and societal narratives, it invites viewers to reflect on identity, change, and the masks we wear."

In My Element, Rachel Harris

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'Sentiments' is a spoken word piece structured like a text to a friend. Through my personal experience, I've grappled with transparency and finding balance in how much to trust others. This piece shines a light on thoughts that many people have."

Sentiments (Spoken Word), Rachel Harris

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement "'Sentiments' is a spoken word piece structured like a text to a friend. Through my personal experience, I've grappled with transparency and finding balance in how much to trust others. This piece shines a light on thoughts that many people have."

Who's A Good Boy?, Luqman M. Gbenro

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'Who's A Good Boy?' is an exploration of texture and rudimentary collage work. This piece takes its cues from the Polish School of Posters and the punk asthetic that dominated the late '70s and '80s. The distressed text and inharmonious elements beg questions about a great possible chaos."

Crochet Fairy Batman, Sammantha Lopez-Guarin

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"The dark knight, the man, the legend, Batman only with a little bit of flare and a lot of style! Coming at you in all shades of pink and a tutu, he's here to help you."

What They Will See, Mahir Abrar

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"'What They Will See' was inspired by the idea of how history—and even potential outsiders—might remember humanity. Too often, we are defined by our wars, destruction, and conflict, while the quiet, beautiful moments of love, growth, and sacrifice go unnoticed. This poem contrasts those two realities, highlighting how easily the essence of human life is lost in the grand narrative of violence. The final lines serve as a reflection on our misplaced priorities, urging us to recognize what truly matters before it’s too late."

The Artists Is A Sadist, Brianna Calderon

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'The Artist Is A Sadist' explores the intersection of artistic creation, suffering, and control. As someone balancing a rigorous science curriculum, research demands, and external expectations, I grew frustrated when art was dismissed as a ‘break’ or an ‘easier’ pursuit. Cause in reality, creativity is difficult—creation is painful, even cruel, but it’s a necessary cruelty. This piece depicts a girl stabbing herself in the abdomen like a martyr while maintaining composure, ready for an audience that underestimates the discipline and depth of art. Through this work, I wanted to confront the uncomfortable truth of being a student torn …

A Few Words From Our Staff

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Still I Lie Here, Rachel A. Taylor

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"This photo was captured in the forest of Providence, North Carolina, while spending time with nature. Staring into the water I felt a stillness; and peace rolled over me. Later on that same hike, I saw a sign that the trail I was standing on, was soon to be demolished. The forest would be turned into yet another roadway. That evening, I joined many other locals in a petition to stop the deforestation of Greenways in North Carolina.

I often think about that forest, and the peace I received that day. And even in the face of a …

Eyes, Sophia Dakkuri

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"Eyes as a topic has been interesting for Sophia for a long time. The expression, beauty, and uniqueness of eyes have always been an inspiration for Sophia.

Eyes are about the beginning of human connection. Fiber connects everything together. That's why Sophia picked fiber as a medium for this piece. When Sophia was making it she also thought of a past conversation in the media about whether AI could fill the role of an artist and whether it can create art for people. With this piece Sophia wanted to express that only humans can genuinely connect with each …

Star Girl, Roseline Jean-Pierre

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"The world is so vivid and bustling with art. I just hope to capture it all before my heart. I am just a photographer with a keen eye. I want to capture everything I see, art is all around me and it's hard not to notice so I flick a picture and hope that my work shows it."