Creative Writing Commons^™

Φυσιολατρία (2), Eleni V. Angelos

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"φυσιολατρία is a Greek word that refers to sympathetic perception of the natural world in its uncultivated state. My pieces were inspired by my time spent outside when I am fully conscious and being mindful of my surroundings. I wanted to portray my feelings of connectedness, along with patterns/colors that I notice when I fully present in nature."

Birthday Wish, Melissa Velasco

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"This work is a part of a novel that I am working on about my dad's life story. I embellished the story for dramatic effect, but the story is true. What inspired me to write about my dad’s life was that growing up, I heard many stories about how different his childhood was, the different jobs he worked, and how he really wanted to come to the United States and I wanted to compile them in one place."

Cosmic Princess, Sophia R. Dakkuri

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"Sophia wanted to explore fantasy new to her by going straight to the cosmos and creating a story that features the 'Cosmic Princess.' She used her little sister as the subject. When looking at the sculpture, one can notice that the princess has independence and a sense of adventure expressed on her face. Her face is youthful and doll-like because she is still a child slowly growing up. The colors were chosen purposefully to help the storytelling. The combination of pastel and bright colors truly bring this princess to life and accentuate the movement of the hair."

Two-Headed Lamb, Nicole Gomez

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'Two-Headed Lamb' is meant to be a storytelling piece that gives viewers mixed emotions of both eeriness and comfort. The eerie feeling comes from the subject of the work while the comfort feeling comes from the use of textile materials such as fabric, lace, and thread."

Hanahaki, Yanick Victorin

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"This piece is based on the fictional disease Hanahaki. The disease is described as 'a fictional disease in which the victim coughs up flower petals when they suffer from one-sided love. It ends when the beloved returns their feelings or when the victim dies.' The subject is actually from a character in a DnD campaign, who has suffered from unrequited love in his past. So I decided to dedicate this piece to him, mainly because I thought it was interesting."

From Our Faculty Advisors

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Bell Pepper, Effie D. Cypress

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"This was an assignment in one of the classes I had to take. In the beginning of class we just had to quickly paint whatever object was on the table before time ran out, and what was in front of me was a fake bell pepper on purple paper. It’s simple but I ended up liking the end result a lot."

On The Farm, Nicole Gomez

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'On the Farm' tells the story of a relaxing summer in the countryside. This piece uses collaged elements, such as handmade paper, pressed flowers, and fabric, to create a variety of patterns and textures. Overall, I wanted the piece to have a vintage feel and resemble a pillow or quilt you would find in an old home."

Triptyx, Pranav Police

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement "The inspiration for 'TriptyX' comes from triptych art, where three pieces are displayed side by side with shared features. In 'TriptyX', I aimed to blend my atmospheric melodies with bouncy drums while maintaining consistent sonic elements across the tracks. I believe this project best represents my musical style at this stage. The meaning behind the pieces is open to interpretation, reflecting my current understanding of what defines my sound."

Fruitful Encounters, Princess Mari Mimay Cabusao

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Φυσιολατρία, Eleni V. Angelos

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Shadows And Doubt, Marieann C. Raguso

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Keep Pushing, Joseph T. Romano

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"I submitted this piece as an inspiration to all and any who choose to take the time to look at it. Your struggles and problems are always temporary. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and make it known to the world who you are. No matter what happens or what you’re going through. KEEP PUSHING."

Untitled, Sofia I. Menco

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

In Transit, Sara Menco Arenas

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"This poem intends to convey the experience of coming to terms with not only growing up but also letting go—recognizing that people will leave, time will pass, you will change, and yet, it is essential to cherish every moment. When I wrote this, and even now, I still feel that accepting change amid life’s unexpected transit is one of the hardest things to do— to learn to let go."

Echoes Of You, Sara Menco Arenas

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"The inspiration behind this piece is an old friend who, with the passage of time, has become more of a shadow than a presence. Though many years have passed, I wanted to acknowledge the small, everyday reminders—subtle traces that only I can recognize—showing that this person still lingers in my heart and mind. However, I chose to end on a hopeful note, waiting in anticipation to meet once again, for the memory to become more than just a shadow, and for their presence to no longer be just a fleeting glimpse in my life."

Trophy, Fidel E. Perez Pujols

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'Trophy' explores the cycle of death and evolution. This piece reflects on the identities we shed yet still carry within us, symbolizing transformation and reawakening. Through its eerie yet captivating form, it invites viewers to consider how loss shapes who we become."

Coexisting Peacefully, Haylee M. Kubat

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"My piece shows the fluidity of how animals can have a symbiotic relationship in the wild to survive. With the red panda and snow leopard becoming mutuals to survive, their bond grows stronger than what humans could ever have."

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."