Art
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The Pearl and the Princess: Standing Before “Infanta María Ana de Austria” (1630)
Before the ballet curtain rose, I found myself in another theater — the European galleries of the Portland Art Museum. There, among centuries of ceremony and silence, one portrait held me still: Felipe Diriksen’s Infanta María Ana de Austria, a woman painted into history yet still, somehow, alive.
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The Heartbeat of the Stage: Kabuki and the Art of Remembrance
Rediscovered from a 2019 Portland Art Museum visit, this reflection traces kabuki’s transformation from women’s art to theatrical legend. Through Toyohara Kunichika’s haunting triptych, it considers how performance remembers what history forgets — and how every gesture, even centuries later, still carries the heartbeat of the stage.
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The Radical Power of Being Unremarkable in ‘I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing’
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A reflection on “I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing” and the rare power of a protagonist who is not asked to improve, arrive, or become legible. An essay on restraint, interior life, and the freedom of being left intact.
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Zoom In, Zoom Out: Life Lessons from “Powers of Ten”
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Perspective changes everything. Inspired by the Eames’ 1977 short film “Powers of Ten”, this post explores how zooming in and out—both literally and metaphorically—can reshape how we approach life. From seeing the big picture to savoring small details, discover how this simple idea can transform your mindset every day.
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Threads of Light, Layers of Color: Exploring Abstract Utopia in Modern Art
This analysis delves into the concept of abstract utopia through the art of Naum Gabo and Josef Albers, examining their innovative approaches to color, form, and space. By connecting their work to movements like De Stijl and Bauhaus, it uncovers modern art’s enduring quest for simplicity and idealism.
Scott Bryant 