In another class, on image-making, we were to create 10 more images again using different materials, but this time of an animal. I decided it was time to let loose and be silly in my process trying things that I don't normally do - some of the results are not good, but some are quite fun and even beautiful. 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

I have recently begun to take a couple of graphic design courses online through CAL ARTS. Last week one of our assignments for the fundamentals class was to choose an object - not too simple - and create around 10 images of that object using different materials and styles. In addition we were to create a few images that would tell the viewers more than this is an image of more than just that object - by putting other symbols into the image. For example putting a apple with a bite taken out of it on a rectangle might signify Apple the company.

I chose an egg as my object - which yes, is too simple - but actually more complex thus. How? Well... because how do you make something that is that simple more complex. 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska

When one says, hears or sees the word white it can evoke many things and ideas from snow to skin; from clouds to cotton, and even salt and sugar. 

But white is never really true white when we look at the world and its details, white reflects a lot of light and with it other colours and shadows. If we think about sugar, granted there are brown unrefined, and white more crystalline sugars that are almost partially translucent in quality compared with the brown sugars, with salt we generally think right away of table salt - white like refined sugar, and maybe sometimes we think of pink Himalayan salts. When I was in Peru, near Cusco I visited Maras - a salt flat - in the Andes, and it was interesting to see the salts, at times of the year white, at other times of the year pale browns, greys, and pinks. In the tables where the water and salt would rise one could see many structures of salts forming and creating pools and layers within the pools, resting, forming larger crystals, and crusts, and different colours emerging from the light play on the pools. Beautiful. 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

So I just realized that I absolutely love learning and that I want to go do my MFA and then perhaps another later on and then also sometime way down the line also my PHD. I am most definitely cut out to be an academic - I absolutely love continuous learning, research, working on my own art, but also love the intellectual discussions about my areas of interest with like-minded persons, and teaching; so it all fits together :) It's a long long road but then I'm all about the meandering journey like a long river that stretches across a vast land. 

And so far my journey also seems to be leading towards a career in academic teaching - meandering a bit - but going that route with; my BFA in animation and media studies, a BEd in middle years education, experiences in teaching grades one through to eleven, continued courses in painting, print, and perfumerie, a short professorship teaching animation and graphic design at the School of Fine Arts in Cusco, Peru, etc.  

So now it's all about deciding what MFA would be good for me, and where to do it - I definitely will choose a warm place with ocean access so that I can also breathe and chill the way I need and enjoy best. So perhaps California, or perhaps France or Portugal, or maybe, just maybe London. The next few months will be spent figuring this out, and then visiting the top couple choices to make the right choice - for other than taking into account the professors with whom one works, and the opportunities that a school may provide for or allow, are taking into account the opportunities of the city, and its artistic resources in regard to museums, galleries, and libraries, it job opportunities, the weather or climate if that affect you, and of course the overall vibe of the city - for that is often where one will start to make even more contacts. 

Anyhow here is to figuring out purpose, passion, and pursuit! 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

I've been working on a two book, book set for young children. The books are simple alphabet books that are also fun, educational, diverse, and also a little bit feminist and controversial. They've been a blast to work on, but the daunting part now comes - the business side - finding publishing houses and sending the transcript around. Starting to find good self publishers too! 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

I’ve been reading a fair amount about water and color these days, as I continue to work on a small series inspired by the colours and patterns of Millefiori and Rose windows.

It’s quite astonishing how much of art and science interplay within the realm of colour - and this is most especially true during the 17th and 18th centuries when all artists are not just mixing their colours, but in fact creating them using different waxes and oils, and then mixing them with various powdered substances - of different mineral, plant, and animal materials.

I’ve become rather enraptured in my further learning about colour, so much so, as to also begin playing with colour in regard to experiments in colour theory and play and perhaps moving forward by next year, even into the creation of my own colours though these older techniques that are not so often used anymore. Anyhow, here’s a quick peak into almost completed series based on these patterns found within both Millefiori (Italian glasswork beads) and Rose windows (round stained glass windows found in many European cathedrals). I’m really enjoying creating the rhythmical patterns and the resulting imperfect pattern play. ​

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

Paint night with community youth a success!! November 19th we painted toucans. Piece was based on the bold color and designs of Mexico - with a nod to Frida Kahlo's love of nature 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska