Happy Spring, Readers!
April’s issue of Smartermarx Magazine is all about respect: how we define it, practice it, and bring it into our work every day. At ÀNI Art Academies, respect means recognizing the individuality of each artist while building a culture grounded in mutual regard. It’s a mindset that shapes how we observe, learn, and grow together.
This month, we’re especially pleased to welcome guest contributor Mitchell Bagnas, a colleague with ÀNI Art Academies and fellow apprentice, now in the Language of Painting program. His article, “Climbing the Broken Ladder: My Experience Moving from Drawing to Painting,” offers an honest and thoughtful account of navigating his new medium, including the progress, setbacks, and recalibrations.
Anthony’s enlightening “The Obviously Hidden Problem Behind Stalled Progress in Art” argues that many stalled moments in art education are not failures of technique, but failures of clearly defined goals. Without shared criteria, critique becomes subjective and unreliable, making it hard to measure real progress. The piece argues that aligning intentions before offering solutions leads to more precise, respectful, and meaningful evaluation.
“Respect and Reverence in the Shadow of War” is stirring. Anchored by Piero della Francesca’s fresco, The Resurrection, the article reframes respect as an active choice to value, preserve, and protect the irreplaceable expressions of human dignity and culture.
With excitement and gratitude,
Ava Ash-Waichulis
Editor-in-Chief, Smartermarx Magazine
