The Beginnings: Never Stop Creating

March 1, 2025

Welcome to the first Artist, Art, & Things blog post. I’m excited to get this going and that you’re here! 

In February 2020, I started the instagram account @artistsartandthings (AAT) during the end of my senior year in college. My initial thought for starting the account was that I simply wanted to see more art in my life and personal feed and thought why not create an account just for artists, art, and things I am loving, that inspire me with my own art (and hopefully others), and that introduces me to new artists, designers, creatives and their work. Five years later, I still find myself as excited to browse and find inspiration on the account. 

And the best, and most unexpected part from starting AAT, are the connections I’ve made with artists and creators-alike, conversations about how AAT inspires them (the ultimate goal), and every single encouraging message over the years that I’ve received that motivates me to continue to create and curate. From the “thank you for sharing my work”, “thank you for connecting us”,  “I love your curation” to the “You need to open a gallery in New York!” and in between.  I am whole-heartedly, extremely thankful for the support as it continually motivates me to share, connect, and create.

I’ve always had it in the back of my mind to dive a little deeper with the account and to perhaps write a blog— like this one. In addition to my everyday life, work, creating, etc. I have always loved to write (on journal #17 since 2008). This does not mean I am a great writer, a perfectly grammatically correct writer, or writing anything “ground-breaking”. I just am excited to be here finally and to put some words down for this blog and idea I’ve had for awhile. 

My goal for this blog is really to have no limits when it comes to anything I feel compelled to share; all the artists, art, and things, and beyond. I envision this as a place to share what inspires and excites me, what I am passionate about, and what I’m thinking about– really just a reflection of my own experience learning about AAT and exploring creativity. This will include, all things AAT, seasonal art/designer/style guides, museum & travel guides, outfits and wish-lists (certified shopaholic over here), other musings, and importantly to foster discussion with artists, designers, curators, and creatives. And if you consider yourself to be one of those– please message me to let me know as I would love to highlight you and your work.

At the beginning of AAT, I was wrapping up my Art History degree, was just introduced to Hyperallergic, just went to the Barnes Foundation for the first time, and had been obsessively listening to Katy Hessel’s The Great Women Artist Podcast. I was enthralled with the interviews, perspectives, and history of the women artists she interviewed and research she shared. Her dedication to discovering, uncovering, and sharing the influential canon of women artists was further motivation for me to highlight artists and their work on @AAT. With my move to D.C. for grad school in 2020 (Art & Museum Studies, Hoya Saxa!) I had the opportunity to learn more about the working world and intricacies of museums (more on this later), focus on art and design periods I personally love (a blog for another time), work in a fine art and antique gallery (more on this later too), and create more art. The first year of AAT was transformative – I learned so much about all different AAT and that I just loved having more art exposure in my everyday life. Since then, AAT has stayed steady as a very small corner of the internet to browse, curate, connect with creatives, and connect creatives with others (and scroll outside of the news-cycle, and for me, outside of perfectly targeted fashion ads). In its fifth year, I am excited to keep it going and to dive deeper here.

There have been a few pieces of influential advice I have received in my life related to art that I have never, nor will ever, forget (along with many many memories). One was when I was at an art market with my mom (around 11 years old), and I was perusing a gentleman’s booth and became fascinated with his black and white drawings of orbs– presumably representing the earth– and upon closer inspection it was created out of tiny drawings of human bodies. I just thought it was the coolest thing (it now hangs framed in my kitchen and I still love it). It is not as twisted as Hieronymus Bosch– more of a conceptual line-drawing. At the market I begged my mom for it. I talked with the artist about it and how I wanted to be an artist one day. My mom said we could possibly come back for the print (we did not). But for my birthday that year, I opened my gift and, alas, it was the print. It was awesome. And the best part was that the artist wrote on the back of the print, “Sofia– You are an artist. Never Stop Creating”. It was pretty cool as an 11-year old who thought that artist was genius. It was simple advice– but is forever influential. I have never stopped creating, and I hope Artist, Art, and Things encourages you to do the same.

Until next time,

Sofia

Coming up on Artists, Art, and Things I will be sharing my Spring AAT Guide and reflections on my upcoming visit to Paris and surrounding areas—including the museums, galleries and historic sites we have scheduled, other places we go/things we do, and things I packed and wore for the trip (anticipating a beautiful Paris in the rain for some days). 

Have a topic you want to discuss/share, an event coming up, something you’d like me to research, or a story you’d like to tell? I can’t wait to hear about it. Please let me know by inquiring here or emailing bysofiadarras@gmail.com.