To all the artistic souls reading this, I'm one of you who discovered the world of art through Persephone. I've always been fascinated by this quote of George R.R. Martin, and I feel like I've lived some lives through the characters I've read about. But one life I never experienced was that of an artist – until I joined Pouls.of.art. As a graphic designer with them, I was introduced to a whole new world of art & artists, which has made a great impact. Before joining the team, art wasn't my thing, but as I started working, I found myself learning more about art & artists, and surprisingly, it piqued my interest. When I was assigned to design our newsletter, Persephone, I got to skim through the articles, and that's how my journey with Persephone began!

For me, designing Persephone is more than just creating a newsletter – it's about bringing our community together. Each edition brings in it different stories but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the December edition. This special issue is a year-end recap of our journey, growth, and milestones. I love seeing how far we've come as a team, the workshops we've hosted, and the impact we've made. The December edition feels like a warm hug, wrapping up the year on a happy note and welcoming the next one with open arms. Let me share with you how Persephone has not only deepened my love for art but also connected me with a community that inspires me every day.

“It's Not What You Look at, It's What You See” — _Henry David Thoreau

As I started working on the newsletters, everytime we had some interesting themes and designing them was as fascinating as reading them. I found myself engaging in articles with captivating visuals, even though I wasn't reading them all the way through. While working behind-the-scenes, I read them just as a curious observer, never thinking I would contribute to Persephone directly.

Amongst all of them, I was particularly drawn to the issue with a theme around Women's Day, and one piece that caught my eye was the interpretation of "Portrait of a Woman with a Red Ribbon" by Hiya. Reading that, I realised how art can be perceived in many ways and that’s what fascinated me the most. I had always seen paintings as they were, without trying to decipher their meanings but after reading that page of the edition I got intrigued by the beauty of art & the ways in which it allows one to express themselves – their emotions, their experiences or perhaps even their hopes. It made me realise one thing about art that it is not just about the tangible piece, but about the stories, emotions, and experiences that it evokes in each of us.

Honestly, I never used to pay much attention to newsletters, but when I started designing Persephone's, I thought, why not give it a read? Little did I know that this simple decision would open doors to a whole new world of art, creativity, and perspective. Persephone was more than just a newsletter – it has taught me to perceive art, to think from different perspectives, and to appreciate the beauty in little things. As I read each article, I felt a connection that went beyond just reading.

Let's talk about the recent summer edition that kind of transported me back to a bygone era – a time that was filled with laughter and adventure. It was so soothing to look at the way each one has captured the essence of summer in their own unique way – talking about picnics, music, summer fruits and family trips, while for me summer was always filled with the warmth of my Nanisa's house.

It was as if Persephone had become a mirror, reflecting our individual experience and emotions. Every month's theme is carefully chosen to resonate with the month in one way or the other and each theme made me think deeper. What I love about Persephone is its ability to make me pause, reflect and connect with things. Whether it's the summer edition or any other, Persephone helps me appreciate the little things that make life beautiful such as art, music, food and human relations etc.

It's this journey that inspired me to write this blog. Being a reader of Persephone has always been a joy, but putting my thoughts into words was a daunting task. And now, as I sit down to write this blog, I feel a mix of emotions – gratitude, excitement, and a hint of nervousness. I believe feeling is one thing, but expressing those feelings is a whole different story. Persephone not only evoked emotions in me but also gave me the courage to express them. I may not be a skilled writer, but Persephone's open and welcoming spirit has given me a sense of belonging. I'm grateful for the journey that Persephone has taken me on, and I'm excited to see where it will lead next!