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arts & culture
KANSAN.COM | THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 2016
Aries ( March 21-April
Provide well for family.
A balanced checkbook is only part of the story. Love grows by leaps and bounds.
Accept an offer of assistance. A partner's opinion is important. Get ready to make a decision.
Taurus ( April 20-May 20)
today and tomorrow get busy. Wear appropriate clothing for the job. It could be fun. Strengthen your infrastructure at work. With study and a loved one's support, you can win. Get help if you
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201
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Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22)
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Virgo ( Aug. 23-Sept.
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You can make extra money
today and tomorrow. Lucrative opportunities arise. Your friend's experience is helpful. They're saying nice things about you. Ask for what you need. Working overtime could be profitable.
what you need. Working overtime could be profitable.
Go for it.
Libra ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Luda (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Things seems to fall into place with a personal goal over the next two days. Stick to the budget. Do the work nobody sees. Nurture yourself with good, simple food, exercise and rest. Follow
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Sagittarius ( Nov. 22- Dec. 21)
Today and tomorrow favor social connection. Pass
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Capricorn ( Dec. 22-Jan.
Accept a challenge if it pays well. Career matters occupy you over the next two
you over the next two days. Use what you've kept hidden. Get help, if needed. Rely on another's expertise. Grasp the practical implications.
Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Explore and study new developments over the next two days. Do the work and keep good records. Travel in person or virtually to make an important connection. Discuss shared goals. Hatch new ideas.
Photos by Kelcie Matousek/KANSAN
Pisces ( Feb. 19-March
Discuss financial priorities with your partner. Get family opinions, and then choose your direction. Teamwork sets the tone. Others see your blind spots. Heed the voice of experience. Listen to someone who loves you.
Anna Church with some of her paintings. Church, a senior from Fairway, said art is a way for her to express her emotions on canvas.
Anna Church balances time between volleyball team and art aspirations
▶ JARRET ROGERS
@JarretRogers
Sitting at her family's kitchen table as a three-year-old, Anna Church did what three-year-olds do: she took a box of crayons, some blank paper and went to work.
Church was different than most children in one way, though — when she wasn't satisfied, she crumpled up the paper and restarted. She knew when something was wrong and for her that was unacceptable.
"I've always loved art, and it's always been a part of my life." Church said.
Originally studying at St. Louis University, Church, a senior from Fairway, was majoring in both marketing and studio art. After transferring to the University last year, some of her credits went unrecognized, so she chose to pursue only a marketing degree.
Church is now in the process of applying for an online master's program in graphic design at Savannah College of Art in Design and is also learning how to code through free classes online.
At the same time, she just returned from a trip overseas where she was trying out for professional volleyball teams. In addition to being an artist, Church plays for the Kansas volleyball team. The two biggest time consumers in her life have coexisted up to this point, and Church doesn't see that changing.
"Ive always been able to manage both [volleyball and art], so I don't know, I'll try to figure it out." Church said.
Art has changed the way Church sees the world. When out and about she said she notices everything as a piece of art that has been purposely designed from the colors to the curves.
"[Art] has definitely changed the way that I look everything, as far as the design. Having art in your life definitely changes the way you see everything, both physically and non-physically," Church said.
On an emotional level, art has opened the world to Church. She said she's learned to accept the world isn't just what goes on in her head but rather a collective
idea of people everywhere.
["Art's] helped me be so open to different perspectives and different points of view that people have to offer and being open to experiences in life — just realizing that because something seems like it might be a certain way doesn't mean that it is." Church said.
Church's art, a collection that includes drawings and paintings, tends to be of people and landscapes.
"There are so many aspects of a person. So, trying to capture that and get that aesthetically into the painting, that's fun for me," she said.
Church's mother, Diane Church, looks at Anna's work as a glimpse into the world as Anna sees it.
"My favorite thing about Anna's art is that it seems to come from her imagination and the lens of her eyes from a happy place in her heart and mind," Diane said.
Like music for most singers or cooking for professional chefs, art is a release for Anna, she said. It's a way to let go of whatever might be affecting her, take time for herself and gather
her thoughts.
"Whenever I'm stressed, if I have time to paint or draw or anything else, it kind of melts everything else away and lets me focus on what I'm doing or get my emotions out on the canvas," Anna said. "It's just a huge relief to release some of my emotions in a way other than just talking about them."
As someone who is constantly thinking as a designer, Anna has a critical eye for objects. She said she's found herself to both be more appreciative of what's around her, and at the same time, more critical.
"When I see something that's poorly designed, I'm like 'Oh god, someone needs to fix that,' but it's really a mix," Anna said. "I definitely appreciate things more than I would and some things I'm a lot more critical of, but a big part of art is critiquing. That's how you get better."
Going forward Anna wants to take her talents into the world of graphic design. As an art form, it's more structured than what she's used to. In the past, painting has allowed Anna
to be free and let her mind take her hand where it may, but graphic design eliminates some of the freedoms she's experienced.
"I love graphic design, but it's definitely more challenging for me. Painting is such a free flowing thing for me and graphic design is very structured," Anna said. "I have two halves, and one half loves structure, and one half hates it. It's kind of hard to see which part of me is going to be there that day."
For Anna, the world is designed as an opportunity for interaction, and it's an opportunity too good not to pursue.
"Literally everything from street signs to the way buildings look to a steering wheel — everything is designed. It's just a way to interact with a person that is just on a whole other level than anything else. It's a really exciting field to be a part of," Anna said.
- Edited by Matthew Clough
One of Anna Church's paintings. Church is a Kansas volleyball player as well as an artist
HAVING ART IN YOUR LIFE DEFINITELY CHANGES THE WAY YOU SEE EVERYTHING, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND NON-PHYSICALLY" ANNA CHURCH