The past few months have had us at JennyStokes-Favs a little concerned about our artistic haven we embraced on DA. Firstly it was the feeling that there is a decline in member participation and contribution to the community. That we addressed in our previous journal and then the looming upgrade to “eclipse” which has received rather mixed reviews by the few that have had the opportunity to test drive the forthcoming upgrade to the DA platform, had us in two minds about continuing.
After a much contemplation and reflection, we have to say, that firstly we were greatly encouraged by all the positive response to our previous journal that the DA community is very much alive and well albeit in a slight state of dormancy and secondly a platform is to an online community as a town hall building is to real community. It is of lesser significance than the members, participants and population.
We love all our friends, artists and members of DA, we are here to stay and lets make our lovely home here, shine bright
“Some people are born to make great art and others are born to appreciate it. … It is a kind of talent in itself, to be an audience, whether you are the spectator in the gallery or you are listening to the voice of the world's greatest soprano. Not everyone can be the artist. There have to be those who witness the art, who love and appreciate what they have been privileged to see.”
- Ann Patchett, Bel Canto
“If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams.”
- Yann Martel, Life of Pi
“Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy. Do not forget that... there are many kinds of magic, after all.”
- Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus
“But you can build a future out of anything. A scrap, a flicker. The desire to go forward, slowly, one foot at a time. You can build an airy city out of ruins.”
- Lauren Oliver, Pandemonium
“your art, is not about how many people like your work
your art is about, if your heart likes your work, if your soul likes your work
it's about how honest you are with yourself
and you must never trade honesty for relatability”
- Rupi Kaur, Milk and Honey
“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.”
- A.A. Milne
![[MANY MOTHERS] by Nihil-fr](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/eada1064-b9fc-4e47-a52a-63b21c36e8eb/dck1417-2b1e2e93-606a-4690-be27-44f7075372d6.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2VhZGExMDY0LWI5ZmMtNGU0Ny1hNTJhLTYzYjIxYzM2ZThlYlwvZGNrMTQxNy0yYjFlMmU5My02MDZhLTQ2OTAtYmUyNy00NGY3MDc1MzcyZDYuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.MH7ase6W89V7wn28NX5b6ogLSScb8Y2oJLEqCQO6dLA "[MANY MOTHERS] by Nihil-fr")
