created by Carolann C. De Matos
Inquiry-Based Art and Design
For Fall 2020, I decided to take two virtual doctoral courses. One of these courses was inquiry-based art and design – a recommended course for my field of study. The class description read: Teachers who search for…
Experiments in Content: Design for Educators
An Argument for Visual Arts Integration in Medical Intensive Care Units Summer 2020 was unique in many ways – we were still all collectively quarantined due to COVID-19; I was navigating continuing health concerns and chronic pain…
My New Old Home
When I was 16 years old, my then boyfriend (spoilers: now husband), took me on a date to mow his Abuelita’s almost two acre yard. (Yes, he really is a charmer. And, yes, I am serious, he…
Meditative Art Journaling
A Preliminary Case Study of the Need for and Value of Arts Exploration in Business to Help Alleviate Stress and Helplessness In December 2019, I hosted a meditative art journaling workshop for my organization, utilizing watercolor paint;…
Processes and Structures in the Visual Arts
In January 2018, I decided – after over a decade – to return to school to begin upon my doctoral journey. My first class at Teachers College, Columbia University – processes and structures in the visual arts…
How to Network Like a Pro: Somerset County Edition
Almost four years ago I joined the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey as their marketing director. And while I was ready to brand the pants off this Library System, I felt a bit of anxiety…
When the Going Gets Tough, Act #LikeaBoss and Smile Bigger
Earlier this month, my place of employment hosted a teen job shadowing program. As a result, the first three hours of my day were spent alongside seven bright and ambitious 4th through 8th graders. The students had…
My Radical Work Life: How Being Authentically Me has Helped Foster a Kick-Ass Team
Earlier this month, the first employee I hired upon accepting my position at the Library resigned. And this is great news. Wait … what!? Yes, you are reading that right. My teammate is moving on to a…
Battling Sunday Night Insomnia: Begin your work week well-rested and ready to take on the world
Many people dread Monday mornings. I embrace Monday morning; it is Sunday night that I dread. I am not alone. According to a March 2017 article from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, one-third of adults get less than seven…
Be Present in 2017
As an individual navigating the great wide world of business, I customarily spend several weeks at the end of December and into January evaluating myself: what I did well, lessons I learned, and places where I failed…
The Darkness + The Light
As an artist, some of the most interesting explorations are those between the darkness and the light. And that is meant both literally as in the relationship of dark versus light tones within my art, and also figuratively within my life, my personality, my…