
Everything on this post is stuff I made back in college, when I’d returned there. At the time, I already had a two-year degree in business, but worked as a journalist. As a reporter and producer in print, radio, and video, people often told me that higher education was my best shot for advancing my career.
Any degree would do, they said, so I picked something easy: art. Little did I know how challenging it would be! In most courses, there’s no arguing with multiple choice quizzes and single-answer tests. Art is subjective, though. Students must submit to the professor’s final opinion.


As rough as that was, it was mostly fun! Plus, I wound up with some original art that I enjoy.
These days, my art lies in fiction writing. Blogging entails visuals, so I still regard myself as a sometime graphic artist.

Around when I was studying art, I stumbled upon the joys of dancing. My father was a Spaniard who instilled in me an awe for flamenco, but it wasn’t until my Persian husband became inspired to learn flamenco that we began taking classes for it together.

Flamenco was a rough go, a beautiful thing that brought me as much happiness as it did frustration. Argentine tango has been kinder. Anything since flamenco seems easy by comparison.

I graduated college with a degree in fiber art. Fiber may sound concise, but I chose it because it was all over the place. Just like me, just like my blog, it refused to be pinned down to one niche. It entailed paper making, weaving, fabric dying, pattern making, painting, screen printing, sewing, book binding, sculpture, felting, and more. It even allowed me to incorporate design, writing, and videography.

An amazing collection of fine papers become a collage tribute to my Argentine grandmother. Her daughters and the two husbands she outlived surround her in it, as do references to her love of making music, folk dancing, and gossiping over yerba mate tea.
Akin to bohemian engineers, my classmates and I would envision our assignments, then problem solve our ways to what we aimed for. Rarely did it come mine come out anything near what I expected, yet they were often the better for it. My culminating art show installation bore a flamenco theme. In a ruffled gold and red dress of my making, I performed a choreography I had spent months learning.
What sort of art do you indulge in?
I am impressed with your art! I had no idea you had such a background. You ought to continue to pursue it, you are talented!
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I totally agree, it’s just awesome!
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Thank you, Chris! There are only so many hours in a day…
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We are so kindred, Daal! I’ve always loved art, though I planned from very young to become a writer. My degree is in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing. I got married soon after college, and we, young and idealistic and not the least bit practical, moved. We planned to go to Massachusetts where we thought we’d become farmers though we knew next to nothing about farms or business or anything useful. Before we even got to Massachusetts, we got waylaid by ridiculous dreams in Detroit – you can imagine how ridiculous since we ended up in Detroit, already one of the most depressed cities in America. Anyway, it took us nearly 4 years to get back to California where we raised our sons. I worked for over three years designing the patterns for board shorts, bathing suits, and Hawaiian style shirts. Loved the work, hated the politics of the job. I eventually taught art for almost 3 decades and only in the last 15 years began to write again. I loved teaching art and taught almost every media; also painted murals and did other free lance art work. But writing is my dream and I’m determined to pursue it though I’ll probably never make a nickel at it. Just for fun, I’m taking a collage class but would really like to take watercolor classes.
I do love your art – you’re expressive and imaginative; and I like the vividness of your art and the stories they suggest. Beautiful and a joy to look at.
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You are indeed kind, as well as kindred, dear Sharon! I think for many creative people, its hard to keep our creativity corralled to just one medium. Making money would be nice, but am glad to at least have a forum where others can enjoy what I make. People in blog-landia are wonderfully supportive 🙂
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I am impressed too! And I totally agree with Chris.
Since recently I discover I like to do poetry, the Strix is really inspiring me.
I love to do craft (is that the right word?), work with wood, paint, paper and my hubby learn me to flex, so working with iron/steel something I’m looking forward to do in the future. He has to teach me to weld first 😉
XxX
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Flex? Sounds wonderful! I hope you’ll share about it with us. Would love to see photos.
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Wow… that’s some awesome pieces of art! Hope you are at it even now?! Very creative and colorful…
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Thank you! Just writing & blogging for now.
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Love the pieces here and the story behind them. My art is probably cooking or blogging?
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Labors of love are the best 🙂
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Beautiful! you are so talented..! 100 likes!
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You are very kind 🙂
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so splendid
love your beautiful talent
kisses
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Thank you!
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welcome dear
kisses
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Love this post, Daal! Beautiful pieces…and your writing speaks to my soul. Glad i stumbled onto YOUR blog!! 🙂
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The feeling is mutual 🙂
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[…] https://happinessbetweentails.com/2016/09/05/art-love/ […]
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I enjoyed the beautiful prints, your love story and husband’s dancing with you. Then your lovely flamenco dancing as your final art “project”
sounds like such an emotional choreography!
The Guajira and Fandango monoprints are my favorites. Simply stunning! 🌈 💐
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You always say the kindest things 😃❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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It is easy to appreciate your beautiful creative and artistic pieces, paintings and prints. I love good art! ❤️❤️❤️🎆
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Reblogged this on sketchuniverse and commented:
HELLO DEAR! LET ME INTRODUCE THIS SISTER, THIS GREAT ARTIST. SHE IS DA-AL. WE’RE LUCKY TO KNOW HER. HAPPY WEDNESDAY 🌷🌻💖
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[…] can see art I’ve created here. And more of my posts about art here and here and here and here and here […]
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[…] can see art I’ve created here. And more of my posts about art here and here and here and here and here […]
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Wow amazing, I didn’t know you as an artist… when I was younger I used to sketch people and famous people or monuments or scenes from films that I liked
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so glad you enjoyed — would love so see some of your art — would go perfect on your site!
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great idea !! 🙂
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Stunning art work
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Thank you!
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Your’e welcome.
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