"Sunday with the Artists" is a monthly spotlight showcasing talent across four categories: The Canvas (painters, graphic designers, etc.), The Mic (singers, comedians, etc.), The Pen (authors, poets, etc.), and The Stage (dancers, actors, etc.). These features are not sponsored content but genuine nods to the artists whose work moves me. So, grab your favorite drink, settle in, and prepare to meet your new favorite artists.
Volume I of “Sunday with the Artists” kicks off with four dynamic minds that I can’t stop thinking about. Some are household names, while others are hidden gems. Whether they’re just starting out, or gracing billboards in Times Square, each holds a corner of my creative heart.
My vision for this series is simple: to introduce you to artists who might inspire you, to give credit where it's due, and to empower the artist within all of us.
So, without further ado, les artistes.
The Canvas
After my most recent social media dry spell, I hopped back on my dormant Instagram account to be nosy for a minute or two (as one does). I aimlessly scrolled through story after story until I stumbled upon the work of New York City-based illustrator Laura El. I must confess, rarely have I felt genuinely glad after re-entering the digital realm - until today.
Printed using archival ink on acid-free paper, her designs exude romance. Her lines are minimalist in nature, but the overall result is bold and just the right amount of avant-garde. They make you long to idle away the time on a bench draped in autumn leaves or stroll down a rain-soaked street lined with old city Brownstones.
A few of my favorites include Park Ave., Manhattan Travel Art Poster, and her latest (at time of publication) Magnum Opus, which is on reserve for a special event in June of this year.
You can find Laura El’s work on Instagram @iamlaurael and on her website Stellar Villa by Laura.
The Mic
A fly on the wall would take note of one constant in my household: Nemo’s Dreamscapes played on loop in the background.
Be it focus, relaxation or nostalgia I’m craving, these dreamy videos — made with vintage visuals and soothing audio elements like trickling rain and a muffled megaphone — deliver.
Need to drift into a deep sleep amidst the galaxies in a sexy Jetson-like spaceship? Look no further than Nemo’s Dreamscapes. Desire to write your book parked in front of a lake overlooking a sundrenched mansion upstate? Your wish is Nemo’s command.
Listen to Nemo’s Dreamscapes on Youtube.
The Pen
People give a review when they love something or detest something. My Goodreads reviews for ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ followed by ‘Rules of Civility’ by Bostonian author Amor Towles are filled with nothing but admiration:
Delightful from start to finish, 'A Gentleman in Moscow' holds readers captive inside the walls of the Metropol Hotel alongside Count Alexander Rostov. But the character development is what truly captivates. Each of their struggles and motivations seamlessly intertwine with our own. As the Count navigates his house arrest with grace and wit, readers are treated to poignant vignettes of the human experience, from tender paternal love to resilience in the face of hopelessness. Towles' elegant prose and masterful storytelling make every page a joy to read.
I read 'A Gentleman in Moscow' first, and it's untouchable in its beautiful and detailed descriptions of a tumultuous and anticipatory era. It's no surprise that 'Rules of Civility,' being his first book, is a slight step below that, though still a breathtaking read. After all, who doesn't love the glitz, glam, and bittersweet romance in 1930s New York City?
His third book, ‘The Lincoln Highway,’ is stacked on the hardwood floor next to an overflowing Ikea bookcase in my living room. It’s my literary treat once I finish the Harry Potter series for the first time (I know - don’t come for me!).
The Stage
"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd, his skin was pale and his eye was odd," the haunting melody echoed as I settled into my seat at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, ready to be transported to the dark and gritty streets of Victorian London. I had the privilege of seeing Sweeney Todd on Broadway last fall, with Annaleigh Ashford embodying the cunning Mrs. Lovett.
Yet, as recent reviews suggest, Tony Award-winning actress Sutton Foster slipped (sin)fully into the role. Not an easy feat; she had big shoes to fill.
Christopher Bond’s adaption of Stephen Sondheim’s gory musical is transfixing and blood-curdling. If you find yourself on Broadway, don’t miss your chance to attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
Is there an artist you’d like to share with our community? Share their information in the comments below. Who knows! It might just find its way into ‘Sundays with the Artists.” Until next time, friends.