Dear Thrive: How to Stay Motivated After a Success
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive: I recently had some work published in a lit mag and I was so excited! But ever since then I’m having trouble creating anything new. Was that my one great success? Am I all dried up now? -Overwhelmed ...
Thrive: When Life Prevents Creation
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. I’m sure you’ve noticed that life gets in the way of art often and even the most extroverted of artists can crave solitude and consistent days to get their best work done. But the world won’t create this space for us,...
We Are All Beautiful and Gross: An Interview with Margalit Cutler
Based out of New York, Margalit Cutler‘s artwork struck us as totally bold, totally honest, and totally refreshing. From her animations, sculptures, illustrations and mini-comics, Cutler has created commissioned pieces for Rookie Mag and Protocols and updates her Instagram regularly with original and eye-catching work. She took some time out of her schedule to...
THRIVE: The Joy of a Good Cry
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Every two weeks I jump up here and I ask you to be vulnerable and brave and to explore deep regions of yourselves and your art. It’s not really fair if I don’t do the same, so this week I want to...
THRIVE: Why Does Spring Make Me Feel Trapped?
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Have you felt it? The soul-sucking energy of March? It’s here. I don’t know why I needed Timehop to remind me that I feel the same way every year, every March. I am tired, I am defeated, I am feeling...
Thrive: What Self Care for Artists Looks Like
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Self care has been a buzzword for a while now– it’s everywhere! What I’ve found is that while self care should be defined by each individual, it helps to get some tips and tricks to get you started. Sadly I found that there...
Thrive: Selling Your Work vs. Selling Out
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. This week we’re focusing on selling as a creative. Whatever the medium, the dream is to be able to make a living off of our work without compromising the art. It can be hard to strike this balance and even harder...
The Face Plant that Woke a Bus
The Face Plant That Woke a Bus The Number 5 bus brings together students, shoppers, seniors and the blind, normally quietly. But on Sunday afternoon, one face plant got everyone talking. “Oh shit!” the man yelled as he tripped onto the bus stopped at 45th and Guadalupe. A ponytailed man in the back...
From Cuba With Love
Photographer: Amber Rana ( Instagram ) Cuba is a country stuck in time: vintage cars from the 50’s and mid-century modern architecture painted in beautiful pastels. Although beautiful, buildings are crumbling and there is a lack of technology. However, it was refreshing to be off the grid and take in the culture, people, and...
Dear Thrive – How Do I Start My Personal Essay?
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive- When writing personal essays do you start with a story from your life you understand or do you use the writing of the essay to make connections? I want to start writing pieces like this but I never...
Thrive Anti-Resolution: Do What You Can With What You’ve Got
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Happy New Year! We have officially made it through our first week of 2018. I hope you are all still feeling the energy of last week as we and those around us felt the cleansing power of a calendar flip and...
Artists On Our Radar: Sue Gent
Website || Instagram || Facebook Sue Gent is an illustrator based near Bristol, UK. She is inspired by mythology, history and the natural world, and her work combines traditional techniques such as linocut, screen-printing, pen and ink, and painting with software to create bold and colourful illustrations. She works mainly in editorial illustration, and...
Thrive Presents: Surviving the Holidays with Your Relatives
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. The year is winding down and we are all exhausted, partied out (or still partying), and thinking about new beginnings. We’re also reflecting on the year — accomplishments, disappointments, regrets. In short, it’s a tough time of year and nothing makes...
Dear Thrive: Best Advice I Ever Got
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. This week I am taking a moment to reflect on the best advice I’ve ever received and share that with all of you here on THRIVE. When I was in the 7th grade I had an English teacher that we all...
My Urban Jungle by Paula Horstman
Writer / Photographer: Paula Horstman ( Twitter ) My Urban Jungle Two prints on steps Press down, I’m forceful Run right Turn left Stay straight And now I’m walking Walking so free See myself in the day Myself In the night The same building, Goes from blue to grey Walks on the grid Walks...
Dear Thrive: How Do I Explain My Work to New Friends?
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive: Once upon a time I was really into photography, but then I stopped for a whole bunch of different reasons, mostly related to a day job. I want to get back into it but it has been YEARS...
Poetry by PJ Carmichael
Poetry by: PJ Carmichael ( Instagram ) PJ Carmichael is a poet, writer, artist, adventurer, and spiritualist from Wakefield, Massachusetts. His work focuses on his interaction with and the contrast between the natural world and the urban environment. He currently runs Mass Love Distro, a multimedia production and distribution endeavor. Sunday Night A welcome caress...
Artists On Our Radar: Hakim Callwood
Illustrator / Designer: Hakim Callwood ( Instagram ) Hakim Callwood is a 24 year old freelance illustrator/designer from Columbus, Ohio. His work ranges from painting, animation, and teaching. His influences stem from Japanese animation, video games, and comic art. His long term goal is to create educational hands on visual art workspaces. You can...
Dear Thrive: I Started My Novel, But Now I Can’t Finish It
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive, Last year I started a novel, and I’m stuck halfway through. I love where it’s going, but don’t know how to get started again. Help!! Love, Novel Idea Dear Novel Idea, Congratulations on even getting started. I always make it...
Dear Thrive: My Casual Relationship Ended, How Do I Mend?
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive, My casual relationship just ended and even though we weren’t serious, the end of this still hurts. Not as much as my last serious relationship but enough to put me in a funk. How do I get over yet another rejection? Signed, Casually...
Friday the 13th: Nostalgia, Films, and a Celebration of Fictional Occult Terror
Nostalgia, Films, and a Celebration of Fictional Occult Terror By Jay Armstrong Take some advice from a dude sitting in his boxers eating three day old cold pizza; find something you geek about and celebrate it. Ask those around you to celebrate it with you. Make it a THING. Maybe you are a...
Dear Thrive: Do I Have Time for a Pet?
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive, I really would like to get a dog but I’m not sure how to work it into all my commitments. Any advice? -Need a Fur Baby Dear Fur Baby, I absolutely love my dog, Ajax, and having him has added...
The Buffalo Do
Short Story by: E.S. Sparks E.S. Sparks is a writer and artist based in New Orleans, LA. You can find more of her work here. At the tail end of her dream, nudged awake by Miles, Mona again saw the sad janitor leave his bar stool and walk out into the sweltering night. She...
Dear Thrive: Why Do I Have to Spend to Make Friends?
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive, I work full time, but I am always too broke to really go out. What’s a good way to meet people that doesn’t involve spending much money or no money at all? Love, Cheap Thrills — Dear Cheap Thrills, It...
Future Feminism Exhibition at ‘O’ Space
While no teleportation machines exist (yet), for those fortunate enough to be in Denmark this weekend you’ll want to attend the closing weekend of FUTURE FEMINISM, an iconic feminist performance series from Anohni, Kembra Pfahler and Johanna Constantine. Running from mid-August to its closing night on September 3rd, FUTURE FEMINISM combines performances, talks, workshops...
Controlling the Common Cold
Controlling the Common Cold by Melissa Hall ( Instagram / Twitter ) Melissa Hall received her MFA in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She currently lives in Austin, Texas where she tutors English and writing to students with learning disabilities. In her spare time, Melissa volunteers as a grant writer for a...
Dear Thrive: My Creativity Has Dried Up
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive, I haven’t created anything in a month. Have I dried up? Is this it? Do I give up now? -Beyond Saving — Dear Beyond, I want to be as sensitive to your plight as I can be, because while we...
Dear Thrive: Help! I Wanna Create Full Time
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive, How do I transition from a normal job to pursuing my dream job as an artist/creative? -Lost in Corp-landia — Dear Corp-landia, Sadly for us artists, there is no obvious ladder to climb when it comes to creative work. Folks...
Poetry by PJ Carmichael
Poetry by: PJ Carmichael ( Instagram ) PJ Carmichael is a poet, writer, artist, adventurer, and spiritualist from Wakefield, Massachusetts. His work focuses on his interaction with and the contrast between the natural world and the urban environment. He currently runs Mass Love Distro, a multimedia production and distribution endeavor. Some Nights The...
Dear Thrive: Why Doesn’t Anyone Want to Listen?
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive, What is it that makes some of us ready to pounce, ready to make the necessary change, while others flounder, become apathetic, or dig their feet into the ground even more? We remain closed for any number of reasons. What...
Pulled Carrots Recipe
Pulled Carrots Recipe by Kate Loar Ingredients: 4-6 large carrots 1 T vegetable oil 1 small onion, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 ½ c BBQ sauce (or enough to cover carrots) Liquid smoke, a few drops Preparation: Julienne the carrots. Heat the oil over medium and saute the onion and garlic. Add...
Dear Thrive: Meeting New People Sucks
Welcome to Thrive! A weekly advice column for creatives and the generally confused. Dear Thrive: How do people, like, MEET people now that we don’t live in the dorms?! I have NO idea. Love, H.K. — Dear H.K., Colleges and universities are environments built with one thing in mind: to keep their students...
Creation Stories, David Lynch, Existentialism, and Jazz: Instrumental Review
Creation Stories, David Lynch, Existentialism, and Jazz: Instrumental Review By Colin O’Neill There are two passions in my life (three if you count beer, and four if you count crippling self-doubt): Comics and music. They tend to overtake one another consistently. In junior high music was life. Days in class would be me...
Interview Series: Rayne and MJ on Gender Confirmation Surgery
Currently residing in Austin, TX, sisters Rayne and MJ have created a series of web videos discussing first hand transgender experiences. Transitioning to a female about six years ago, Rayne faced many challenges and has come a long way on her journey since 2011 — learning how to pass, starting on hormones, going to...
Driving Around with TBS
Driving Around with TBS Words by Melissa Hall ( Instagram / Twitter ) Melissa Hall received her MFA in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She currently lives in Austin, Texas where she tutors English and writing to students with learning disabilities. In her spare time, Melissa volunteers as a grant writer for a...
Goldilocks and the Three
Goldilocks and the Three Brenna Ehrlich Brenna.Ehrlich@gmail.com “Happy Birthday to you,” Min’s mom and sister crooned off-key as the animatronic bears lurched to life. Papa Bear, or at least what Min imagined to be the papa bear (as he was wearing a snappy fedora), windmilled his taxidermied arm across his cherry candy-colored guitar,...
After Egg
After Egg By E. S. Sparks ( Instagram ) Inquiries: erica.s.sparks@gmail.com The young woman met her friend at 2:15 for brunch. She would only be in New York for the long weekend and wanted to make the most of it, see everyone. Miriam had been gently urging her to visit and she wanted...
Artists On Our Radar: Luis Roa
Artist: Luis Roa ( Instagram ) Based in Austin, TX, Luis Roa’s inspiration for his artwork stems from his interest in nature and old religious worlds. Coyona Deathmask Flowerhead Totem
Artists On Our Radar: Gabriele Puglisi
Artist: Gabriele Puglisi ( Instagram ) Gabriele Puglisi is a visual artist and poet based in Verona, Italy, combining both mediums through an often mysterious and ambiguous vision. His art tells stories or sometimes merely a gesture. He published his first collection of poems entitled “I’ve Been Hoodwinked by the Scent of Roses” via...
Artists On Our Radar: Cyril Ely & Anatoly Pavlov
Artists: Cyril Ely ( Instagram ) & Anatoly Pavlov ( Instagram ) TV was created as a way of delivering a visual signal, but it turned into an instrument for mind manipulating. TV broadcast footage filmed on long exposure is an metaphysical space of impaired information where the sum of its parts is not...
Poetry by PJ Carmichael
Poetry by PJ Carmichael Best-Selling Authors Who’s been chasing the New York Times’ best-seller list again? I’ve been chasing my own tail for the past few years, entertained the idea of freak show success, but they’re not hiring. Besides, there’s too many willing and eager to exploit faulty faculties. A get-rich- quick scheme, the...
Artists On Our Radar: Łukasz Horbów
Artist: Łukasz Horbów ( Instagram ) Based in Poland, 21 year old artist Łukasz Horbów expertise lies in fashion illustration, where he encapsulates nuances and details of fashion shows in his artwork. He is currently studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. ...
1celand
Photographer: Irene Tondelli ( Instagram ) I am a documentary and travel photographer based in Northern Italy. I also work as an art director in the field of interior design. In the last few years I worked in advertising agencies but I am now focusing on photography, my true love. Taking pictures helps me...
Poetry by PJ Carmichael
Poems by PJ Carmichael ( Instagram ) PJ Carmichael is a poet, writer, artist, adventurer, and spiritualist from Wakefield, Massachusetts. His work focuses on his interaction with and the contrast between the natural world and the urban environment. He currently runs Mass Love Distro, a multimedia production and distribution endeavor. Sick She mumbles loudly...
Mixtape Monday: SW33T TR34TZ by Cat Tassini
Kelis – Cobbler Mariah Carey – Honey Theophilus London – Wine and Chocolates Lana Del Ray – Diet Mountain Dew Echo & the Bunnymen – Lips Like Sugar The Cars – Candy-O Blur – Ice Cream Man Chromatics – Cherry Asobi Seksu – Strawberries Battles – Ice Cream Dead Leaf Echo – Strawberry Skin...
Artists On Our Radar: Joe Gallagher
Artist: Joe Gallagher Originally from Tacoma, Washington, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York, Joe Gallagher’s perspective on the shift from the pace of living from the West coast to the East coast is depicted in his vibrant and colorful paintings. Containing disproportionate and excessive features, Gallagher’s contemporary style of overlapping characters represents individuals...
Artists On Our Radar: Rina Namiki
Artist: Rina Namiki ( Instagram ) Based in Tokyo, Japan and Berlin, Germany, artist Rina Namiki studied Indian Philosophy and Arts at Toyo University and has recently worked at Nylon Magazine (Japan). Namiki finds inspiration delving into her emotions as well as the female physical form. A storyteller by nature, Namiki’s illustrations take you...
Staring Quietly at the Backwash
Staring Quietly at the Backwash Artist: Ina Lounguine ( Instagram ) Within the past few years Europe has seen mass human migrations, due to chaos and civil wars all across northern Africa and the Middle-East – Syria especially. Staring Quietly At The Backwash is a sensorial take on analyzing the crisis currently occurring...
The Portrait Artist
The Portrait Artist It had been an especially long, dark winter until that day in late February when the sun shined especially bright, melting the snow so rapidly that one’s socks absorbed the musty vapors of heat that rose from the ground. The streets, each one representing a tendril of Manhattan’s rumpled brow,...
