Issue 8 Artist Spotlight | Olga Nenazhivina

C+B: Tell us about yourself, Olga!

ON: Art is my work, and it’s also what I prefer to do in my free time. The ocean inspires me; it gives me strength and energy.

C+B: How do you define the word "art?"

ON: To me, art is a transformative force. It has the power to make people better, opening up new dimensions within them and revealing facets of their personality they might not have known were there. Art connects us to something deeper, inspiring self-discovery in ways few other things can.

C+B: Describe a time when you experienced a creative breakthrough, a change in process, or a realization about your work.

ON: When you start drawing at three years old and keep going without stopping, you have a significant momentum built over decades. A multitude of forms and ideas constantly buzz in your head; it’s like a big wave coming at you, and you’re always riding its crest.

Find and support Olga here:

IG: @olganenazhivina
Website: nenazhivina.com

(Unity, ©Olga Nenazhivina)

My ideal creative workspace: It’s an art studio built from solid wood on the shore of a warm ocean.

If I could have coffee with any creator (past or present) it would be: That would be two artists. My father, sculptor Valery Nenazhivin, and my sister Irina. My father taught me two main things: to be fearless and to work every day. My sister Irina was an exceptional painter and had a unique way of seeing color.

My creative legacy: Today, a woman bought my painting as a gift for a child’s first birthday. She said she wanted it to be the first piece in his art collection. By 2075, that person will be 52 years old. I imagine he’ll have a significant collection of art by then and will remember which painting started it all. This feels deeply human and meaningful.

Issue 8 Writer Spotlight | Saroj Kunnakkat

C+B: Tell us about yourself, Saroj!

SK: I am a neurologist who focuses on epilepsy and seizure management at Montefiore Medical Center. Aside from writing, I love creating visual art, cooking, and spending time with my husband and my toddler daughter (not in that order!).

C+B: How do you define the word "art?"

SK: Art is coaxing beauty out of the mundane, giving form to the shapeless, and wings to the earth-bound.

C+B: What is something you've learned as a creator, that you would want to pass on to younger creators?

SK: Writing can exist alongside other careers and can bring new perspective.

C+B: Describe a time when you experienced a creative breakthrough, a change in process, or a realization about your work.

SK: When I've had new ideas for pieces or thoughts, it's usually when I am otherwise focused on something else. Oftentimes this is in the car in bumper-to-bumper traffic and there is little else to do but ponder. Usually some idea or revelation pops into my head about a potential piece. When I get home, I end up heading straight to my computer when I get home to lay down those thoughts before they disappear.

Find and support Saroj here:

IG: @sarahjococonut

My ideal creative workspace: A room that doubles as both my office but also has a section set aside for quiet writing and art. Perhaps a couch in the corner for reading new books, an easel for paintings, and storage space for art and writing supplies.

If I could have coffee with any creator (past or present) it would be: There are so many choices but the one that comes to mind is Dr. Abraham Verghese. As someone who is a physician and whose family also traces its roots to Kerala, he represents what is good about writing as well as medicine. I would love to learn how he draws from medicine when he approaches writing and vice-versa.

My creative legacy: I would love my work to not only give readers an escape from their day-to-day activities, but also remind people that they are not alone as they go about their routines and wade through the difficult parts of their individual journeys.

Issue 8 Artist Spotlight | Ana Salazar

C+B: Tell us about yourself, Ana!

AS: I’m Ana, a Portuguese artist, mother, and partner building a life filled with creativity, family, and inspiration.
After over a decade in the UK, where I became a mother and discovered my love for art, I returned to Portugal to deepen my practice. My partner, Prash, and I met on an online dating site back in London—a fun beginning that turned into a beautiful journey together with our now five-year-old son, who keeps us grounded and always learning. Prash is an artist himself and has been my biggest supporter, encouraging me every step of the way to explore and express my creative side. I’m deeply grateful for the life we’re building together and the art we bring into each other’s worlds. My family and I share a love for music and enjoy escaping into the mountains, grounding ourselves in the landscapes that surround us.
My love for textile arts has roots in my childhood, watching my great-aunties and grandmother knit and crochet while I played nearby. Their intricate work stayed with me, and those memories resurfaced after I became a mother, sparking a deep creative pull toward textiles. It felt like reconnecting with a part of myself I hadn’t yet explored.
I draw inspiration from the landscapes surrounding my small hometown, where the mountains, rivers, and ever-changing scenery provide a constant source of creativity. Nature’s textures and rhythms shape my work, offering both grounding and freedom as I explore each piece with the fluidity it deserves. Beyond nature, it’s the quiet moments and genuine connections with people that leave a lasting impact—small interactions that remind me of the warmth and resilience we each carry. My art blends the organic beauty of nature with the intricacies of human experience.
Something most people don’t know about me is that I actually began studying civil engineering but left it in my third year. Its rigid structure just didn’t suit me; my creative process thrives on fluidity and organic growth.
Before fully dedicating myself to art, I worked in luxury retail and hospitality in London, with places like Harrods, Selfridges, and Apple, where I loved the team energy and connecting with clients. Now, alongside Prash, I’m lucky enough to create art that feels personal and impactful, exploring each piece with a fluidity that allows every design to unfold naturally.
Something that might surprise you is that until last month, I created all my art—both small and large—from my living room! It was a cozy setup, but now with my new studio space, I’m excited to have room to explore and expand my creative process even further.

C+B: How do you define the word "art?"

AS: To me, art is a tangible expression of emotion, thought, and experience—a language without words that connects people across time and culture. It serves as a vital outlet for my inner world, allowing me to explore and convey complex feelings. My art practice is mindful and essential for my mental health; it provides a space for reflection, grounding, and peace amidst the chaos of life.
Creating art is not just a process for me; it’s a meditative practice that helps center my thoughts and emotions. Through my work, I aim to communicate a sense of tranquility and serenity, inviting viewers to find their own moments of peace within the pieces. I believe that when we engage with art mindfully, it has the power to inspire connection and reflection, creating a shared space for understanding and healing.

Find and support Ana here:

IG: @anasalazar.atelier
Website: anasalazaratelier.com

(Kintsugi 002, textile, 50cm x 50cm, ©Ana Salazar)

My ideal creative workspace: My ideal workspace would be nestled a bit outside the center of my hometown, offering breathtaking views of the mountains that inspire my art. I envision a glass house with a 360-degree view of the stunning landscape, allowing me to immerse myself in nature while I create. This connection to the outdoors would help me slow down and find peace, which is essential for my creative process.
In the center, there would be a compartment to store my materials, doubling as a display wall where I could showcase and photograph my pieces. This setup would not only keep my workspace organized but also provide a visually appealing backdrop for my art.
Additionally, I’d love to have a calming lounge area where I can welcome friends and clients. A small kitchenette would be perfect for offering beverages and snacks, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for visits. Surrounding the space, I’d install speakers for an immersive music listening experience, further enhancing the creative vibe of the studio.
This dream workspace would not only serve as a creative haven but also as a space for connection, collaboration, and inspiration—both for myself and those who visit.
Wow, this question got me dreaming!

If I could have coffee with any creator (past or present) it would be: Vanessa Barragão, a very talented Portuguese textile artist known for her vibrant and sustainable creations. As a fellow Portuguese artist, I find her journey particularly motivating, especially coming from a small country where establishing oneself in the art world can sometimes be challenging. Her success serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement for emerging artists like myself, reminding us that it is possible to carve out a meaningful space in the industry.
Vanessa’s commitment to environmental sustainability resonates deeply with me. She utilizes waste materials and discarded textiles in her work, creating stunning pieces that not only showcase her artistic talent but also raise awareness about the environmental impact of the fashion and textile industries. Her message about the importance of sustainability in art aligns with my own values, encouraging me to be mindful of my materials and the resources I use.
Seeing her beautiful art and hearing her story inspires me to persist in my creative journey while embracing the responsibility we have as artists to advocate for a more sustainable future.

My creative legacy: I hope my work is remembered for its ability to evoke a sense of peace and connection. I aspire for my art to serve as a sanctuary for viewers, offering them moments of reflection and grounding in an increasingly fast-paced world. I want my pieces to be seen not just as decorative objects but as invitations to slow down, engage with nature, and connect with our shared human experience.
Additionally, I hope my commitment to sustainability and the use of organic materials will inspire future generations of artists to embrace eco-friendly practices in their work. I envision my art contributing to a larger conversation about our relationship with the environment, encouraging mindfulness and appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us.
Ultimately, I want my art to be recognized as a bridge between past and present—a celebration of personal and collective memories that resonate across time. I hope that through my creations, viewers will feel empowered to explore their own stories and experiences, fostering a sense of community and understanding that transcends cultural boundaries.

Issue 8 Artist Spotlight | Renée Ferro

C+B: Tell us about yourself, Renée!

RF: I work full time as a brand designer. I spend almost all my free time at the pottery studio. One of my favorite things to do lately is go see an old movie without reading a synopsis/watching the trailer beforehand.

C+B: How do you define the word "art?"

RF: Anything that a human produces that is motivated by joy and curiosity.

C+B: Describe how you work through a creative block, or period where it's difficult for you to produce work.

RF: I shift my energy to practicing the mechanics of my craft. I will throw and throw and throw on the wheel with zero intention of getting an end result. When I do have inspiration it’s easier to produce because I’ve been practicing the technical part of ceramics.

C+B: Describe a time when you experienced a creative breakthrough, a change in process, or a realization about your work.

RF: I wanted to be in illustrator for the past seven years or so, but I found practicing that art daunting and exhausting. I didn’t make any work for close to a year. I decided to take a wheel throwing class on a whim and fell in love. I love practicing the art of ceramics and I had a realization of ohhhhh this is what it feels like to truly love to do something. I was just in love with the idea of becoming an illustrator, not the process. Loving the process is key.

Find and support Renée here:

IG: @renee__ferro

(Aftermath, ceramic, ©Renée Ferro)

My ideal creative workspace: Organized chaos with a view.

If I could have coffee with any creator (past or present) it would be: I don’t really have any idols, but I do have coffee chats with a lot of my artist friends in the studio. They’ve taught me everything I know. Shout out to the Bitter Root Pottery gang AKA the basement rats.

My creative legacy: Bringing some curiosity to an ancient and traditional art form. I want people to look at my work and think “how did they do that?”. Maybe that question will lead them trying ceramics themselves.

Issue 8 Writer Spotlight | Divya Benezette

C+B: Tell us about yourself, Divya!

DB: Currently, I am a full-time graduate student at Towson University studying professional writing with a creative writing track. This past May, I completed my Bachelor's degree in English, also at Towson University. In my spare time, unsurprisingly I love to read and write. I read from a plethora of genres but my favorites are memoirs, fantasy, and literary fiction. When it comes to writing I, of course, love poetry but I also find so much joy in literary analysis and creative non-fiction. I also love to spend time outside and am so blessed to live in a wooded area where I see so many deer, foxes, raccoons, bunnies, birds etc. every day. Growing up around wildlife and having cats since I was four has definitely played a part in me becoming a creative, and my love for animals/nature shows in my poetry quite often. I also love fashion and often find that dressing up can be a form of empowerment. When I choose to dress up in hyperfeminine aesthetics and/or my ethnic wear in academic spaces I acknowledge that others might perceive me as lesser, but also that it is none of my business what people think of me. What matters is that I am dressing up in the way I dreamed of when I was a little girl all while accomplishing her dreams of being a writer, and I am doing it with excellence. The little girl in me would also be happy to know I am still a huge swiftie -after all, she is who inspired me to start writing in the first place. In regards to my ethnic wear - in the past year, I've made the decision to stop saving my Indian clothes for church or special occasions and to wear them to class, to go shopping, to see my friends, really anywhere and I am beyond happy that I did. I feel the most beautiful them and they make me feel like myself more than anything, so I have stop worrying about whether or not that makes people around me uncomfortable. It's more than just pretty outfits to me, it's my culture and it took me a long time to be okay with celebrating that even in small ways. Prior to submitting my poem "Fungus Gnats" to Bardics Anonymous, I had changed one line talking about my dream outfit to say "blush lehenga" instead of "blush ballgown" and it means so much to me that I chose my true voice over something palatable, even if it's just one line, in what became my first publication.

C+B: How do you define the word "art?"

DB: To me, art is any form of creative expression. It also must come from a place of passion, love, and good intentions. That's mostly all there is to it, art can be created by anyone of any background the only difference is opportunities and recognition.

C+B: Describe a time when you experienced a creative breakthrough, a change in process, or a realization about your work.

DB: I noticed a huge change in my creative process recently as I have gone back and revised poems I wrote in high school as a graduate student. I write much better than I did when I was younger because I have become much more well-read and improving as an academic has helped me sharpen my creative skills, too. I write like myself now, too, instead of catering to an audience and it has paid off. I find myself writing with a huge sense of joy that I didn't always have when I was younger that has come with immersing myself in my faith, my work, my hobbies, and surrounding myself with better friends. The difference between my original pieces and my revisions is astonishing.

Find and support Divya here:

IG: @whatsdivyareading
Website: chillsubs.com/users/divyabenezette

Divya Benezette

My ideal creative workspace: My mind immediately goes to forests and gardens. One space in particular is the Lalbagh Gardens in Bangalore - my family and I visited on our last, nearly annual trip to India in 2019 and it was one of the most memorable experiences for me in all our years of visiting. I've since learned there's a weekly book club hosted there and it seems like a great space to write in peace for a little while.

If I could have coffee with any creator (past or present) it would be: I would have tea, but I absolutely want to have a little cafe date with Taylor Swift. I have been a huge fan since I was a kid and it would be so fun just to chat over warm drinks and I would love to ask her about her creative process. The few poems she has published are absolutely incredible and, to me, so many of her songs are just poetry put to music.

My creative legacy: I hope my work is remembered for its feminism and roots in nature. I hope that people feel captivated by a catalog of work that is both demanding and gentle, a reminder that the hyperfeminine is a symbol of intelligence and strength rather than naivety. And I hope that my work will have encouraged people to be kind to the earth and its animals.

Issue 8 Artist Spotlight | Donald Medley

C+B: Tell us about yourself, Donald!

DM: I am a BFA Studio Art candidate at Converse University. I enjoy photography on my spare time, and I find myself to be inspired by music. Music allows my mind to be more imaginative. It allows me to experience visual narratives that feed into my art. Which is funny because I have a twin brother who produces music.

C+B: How do you define the word "art?"

DM: I define art as expression, creation or performance that can be for an audience or one's own viewing.

C+B: Describe how you work through a creative block, or period where it's difficult for you to produce work.

DM: Creative block for me is a form of perfectionism. Often times I fear making something that isn't good or amazing, and wait for "inspiration" to come to me. I work through this by intentionally making something bad. I release expectation for good and aim for carelessness or a lack.

C+B: Describe a time when you experienced a creative breakthrough, a change in process, or a realization about your work.

DM: My sophomore year, I created lots of portraiture work. Through this I neglecting my backgrounds and realized that I wasn't really fond of super realistic representation. I took a printmaking course the next semester. Here I was able to work with materials that I wasn't familiar with. This stretched my comfort zone and allowed my work to have much more exciting backgrounds as well as more abstract figural representation.

Find and support Rachel here:

IG: @byrachelsotak_
Website: byrachelsotak.com

(Self Wanderer,15in x 22in, multimedia, ©Donald Medley)

My ideal creative workspace: My ideal creative space is a garage type space with a nice view or some kind of nice outside with a storage, table, and a desk.

If I could have coffee with any creator (past or present) it would be: I would sit down with Kehinde Wiley. He is a big inspiration for my creative work. I would want him to critique my artwork and give me his thoughts.

My creative legacy: I hope that people can be inspired by what I do. That the people behind me can understand that they can create and do great things. I also want people to be able to relate and feel heard through my work.

Issue 8 Artist Spotlight | Jena Thomas

C+B: Tell us about yourself, Jena!

JT: I am a Painting and Drawing Professor. I love to travel and hike, that is when I collect most of my images for my work.

C+B: How do you define the word "art?"

JT: I try not to...

C+B: Describe how you work through a creative block, or period where it's difficult for you to produce work.

JT: I just keep showing up. It also helps me to have multiple things going at once, paintings, drawings collages, so I can move around depending on my mood. Most importantly, I keep showing up, there is always something in the studio to be done.

C+B: Describe a time when you experienced a creative breakthrough, a change in process, or a realization about your work.

JT: This seems to happen when I have completed working on a body of work. I try not to filter my direction too much, rather just sit back at the end and look at whats been done. When I moved back to Florida (I am currently in South Carolina) I had a moment of realization when I looked around at the artificial landscape and I just found it to be so bizarre. It took moving away and coming back with fresh eyes to see how strange it was to me. This has fuled my body of work for many years now.

Find and support Jena here:

IG: @jenathomasart
Website: jenathomasart.com

(Beautifully Dirty, ©Jena Thomas)

My ideal creative workspace: I am not too picky...No windows so I can control the light and a lot of good ventilation. A big door for moving stuff in and out is great too.

If I could have coffee with any creator (past or present) it would be: There are so many! I had a wonderful professor in grad school, Walter Darby Bannard, he passed away several years ago, I feel like I have store of questions I would like to ask. He seemed to bestow wisdom so easily and willingly.

In 2075 I hope my work is remembered for: Strange but familiar landscapes with interesting color and varied surface textures.