We are all artists: Interview with David Lopez/DavidAreYouHuman “All my paintings and all my line art are one huge self-portrait. They all reflect who I am.”
Why underrepresented people are best equipped to rebuild our economy “It turns out that what doesn’t kill us really can make us stronger, and more perseverant, steady, adaptable, courageous, humble, and self-aware.”
A message from the Oracle “in the beautiful, transformative 5+ years since i first took a typewriter out on a cold night on the olympic peninsula, i have experienced much wonder & magic. & i am also in deep need of resting my creative spirit.”
Artist interview: Nobi “Music is therapeutic for me. I’ve often found my best work comes after processing some heavy life events. There are several periods I can think of in my life where if I didn’t have music to channel my hurt, anger, pain, etc. into, I wouldn’t be here today.”
The stand “Had it been another pilgrim, had it been any other lesser fool, this place would have bent them, broken them, and brought them to their knees. But not a Rastovich. Every hardship, every struggle, only served to straighten the spine of a Rastovich.”
When will I be beautiful? “I know I would be healthier if I were thinner, and I know I have to take responsibility for my body and my health; I just wish I could somehow disconnect my feelings about my outer shell with my inner self-worth. I have to learn that I am beautiful in my own way...”
Tri-Cities artists remember Doug Gast (1974-2020) “On August 2, 2020, the Tri-Cities art community lost one of their own. Douglas Paul Gast was an integral part of the art scene here, where he filled multiple roles...As a tribute to Doug, Tumbleweird has invited local artists to reflect on his many contributions to our community.”
A COVID-19 story “While in the hospital, she received no PT or OT to help keep up her muscle or bone strength. She was not allowed to leave that room at all. I could hear the frustration in her voice as she tried to shrug off the idea that, ‘No one wants me.’”
The Show Must Go Online “The idea of putting on a production of a play by Shakespeare with a cast I don’t know, in a medium I’m not familiar with, in four days, is intimidating—there is so much to learn about adapting to a new way of performing given the difficulties of interacting remotely”
Update from Feeding Villages “Feeding Villages is making great strides toward sustainable, lasting change in the Ugandan villages in which they serve. They are continuing to educate villagers about ways to farm more nutritious food so that they can continue to grow and produce it themselves...”
Embracing empathy “Vague direction on best response to the pandemic, paired with ambivalent behavior norms, have led to poor risk assessment, flawed thinking, and confusion within our communities. This is not our fault, yet we are the ones shouldering the consequences.”
An Interview with David Spaulding “The bicycle is a simple solution to some of the world’s most complicated problems.”
Interview with Joel Nunn-Sparks “Once the mood is set, I’m allowed to create from the soul. I try my hardest to approach each photo I create and each art piece individually. Doing so forces me to stay on my toes when it comes to creating and ensures that I don’t repeat myself.”
Tri-Cities People: Jayce Wright “My goal is for everyone to be able to live with all love and no fear, looking out for the best interest of our community.”
Tri-Cities People: Isaac Butts “My vision is to see our community find ways to come together and grow by uplifting one another, understanding one another, respecting one another and loving one another.”
An Interview with Tobaski Snipes “If people decide to remember me at all, I would like to be as one that loves life, that literally lives the life that I've chosen. That I’ve shown people that you can accomplish the same things out of love and respect that you can out of hate and anger, so choose to love.”
Tri-Cities People: Felicia Follum “What gets me excited is the amazing diversity that surrounds us. I love building relationships with people from different backgrounds.”
Tri-Cities People: Jason Turner “I seem to have a built-in drive to strive for improvement in whatever it is I undertake. I admire skill and hope to be seen as someone with valuable skills in our community.”
A parent’s response to her transgender daughter “Was this a surprise? Yes. An adjustment? Yes. But using her correct name and pronouns has been easy because she is our child who we love deeply and intensely.”
