If you’re like me you have heard the constant art shaming, and I go to a LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOL. For some reason, people still seem to think there’s less value in creating a short film than there is in solving a math problem that there’s already an answer to…
Art is creating something from nothing, connecting people to their surroundings, reflecting on larger social issues, and so much more that basically proves it’s the closest thing we have to magic.
And if for some reason that doesn’t interest you, think back to any invention that changed the world, the people behind every single one were artists whether they believed that or not. So, let’s stop with the stigma and start fostering talents that many kids are internalizing as unimportant when in fact they are the key to innovation and are honestly just freaking rad.
College students working on their craft are fearless, ignoring many people’s attempts to scare them into another major, we can learn a lot from them and I think it’s about time we start holding ourselves to a higher standard and celebrate some badass student artists.
Starting with Toni James, she continues to amaze me and everyone around her with her artwork and the messages behind each and every one.
“I want to talk about what has never been spoken about before. I value making art more accessible by bringing art out of the boxed-in art world. Hence, my interests lie in animation, printing, public/event art, and web-based art.” -Toni James
She recently shared her website, https://www.tonialden.com/art showcasing projects in design, animation, sculpture, and more. The main mission of the pieces is to “encapsulate specific feelings” and “[exploring] the human condition, young womanhood, digital communication, mental isolation, urban landscapes and light reflection”. It’s loaded.
Some of my favorites are an unnamed FB shared cover photo, the drawing Already Home, and the animation 2 Busy, Sry (all below)
Animation: 2 Busy, Sry
collaboration w/ Pk Delay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8XN095EkOo&t=1s
Check out more of Toni’s work and fangirl along with us https://www.tonialden.com/art
“I believe that creativity will be the currency of the 21st century.” – Gerald Gordon, Ph.D., President/CEO, Fairfax County (Virginia) Economic Development Authority.