FruityBiNature Magazine Nov. 2021

FruityBiNature Magazine

November 2021

Artist ' s Corner w / Gerry Sacks Supreme Court Reform

History of Christmas and more !

Table of Contents

Artist's Corner: Interview w/ Gerry Sacks Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft

4

8

12

The Native American Two Spirit

1692: The Real Witch of Salem

14

Six Ways to Protect Yourself from COVID this Winter

18

The Tapestry of Christmas

22

A Conversation with Summer Orlando and Barbra Streetsand Reigning Supreme: Pros and Cons of Supreme Court Reform

28

34

Supporting Small Business

36

Horoscope vs. Astrology: Written in the Stars or Written in Hoax Horoscope vs. Astrology: Exploring the Zodiac

38

42

Cover art courtesy of Gerry Sacks Painting titled: Genie's Rapture 24x30, acrylic pour

THE ARTIST

CORNER : AN

INTERVIEW

WITH GERRY

SACKS

I N T E R V I E W B Y J O N C A S E Y

Touch of Gold , 18x24

Hi Gerry, thanks so much for speaking with us! Can you start by telling me a little bit about yourself? I ' ve been creative my whole life . The kind of painting that I ' m doing now is fairly new to me . I ' ve only been doing it for two and a half years . Previous to that , I was a Chinese brush painter . I painted in watercolors on rice paper and I did that for about 15 years . I moved here to Connecticut about three years ago and I needed a change , so I found this acrylic pour painting and I just love it . I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO S I T DOWN WI TH A LOCAL , RENOWNED ART I S T AND LONGT IME LGBTQ AL L Y , THE BEAUT I FUL MRS . GERRY SACKS .

And you've done a lot of different styles. So what overall would be your favorite?

So how did you begin your artistic journey?

I don ' t have a favorite style . I look at the colors and they kind of speak to me . I put certain colors together on my table and then I just decide what I ' m going to do . There are so many different varieties of techniques that you can use in acrylic pour , it ' s just endless . You can layer colors in a cup , use a comb for texture , and even use a hair blower . You can make up whatever you want to do and it ' s always a surprise . I don ' t think I could ever duplicate any of my paintings . I kind of know what certain techniques will bring , but I don ' t really know how the colors are going to interact . It ' s just different every time and that ' s what ' s so exciting about it .

My creativity has taken many forms , from sewing and painting as a child , to fiber art , freeform knitting , sumie painting , and garden design . When I was younger , I loved browsing in art stores and was attracted to all the paint colors and art supplies . I thought , one day I ’ d like to use them all . I followed my heart . I took classes and have always followed what was passionate to me .

So what's your favorite medium overall for your art?

Right now , it ' s acrylic pour .

5

Oncoming Wave , 10x20

So what inspires your art?

What kind of gardening do you do?

Nature , outdoors , and flowers . I used to be a garden designer , so I love gardens and flowers . Nature speaks to me . Color , nature , flowers , and chance all contribute to my stimulus to paint . I love not knowing what will happen when combining different colors and techniques . This is my force to go further . Trying new things is very important , always experimenting . All these things give me great freedom with my work and forges me onward to discover something new and exciting !

I plant vegetables , flowers and herbs . I have a lot of gardens around the house , so I plant a lot of things . I love dahlias and peonies . I plant a lot of bulbs . Also , I love trying new and unusual plants .

What is your favorite artistic medium?

This particular kind of painting ( acrylic pour ) stimulates me the most , much more than the water colors do . It ' s like I have such a direct contact with the paint , and the paint is so luscious . Pouring them and seeing what they do . It ' s just a wonderful , exciting experience .

What is the average time each painting takes to complete?

So we ask everyone: What is your favorite fruit?

There is no average , I mean I could actually pour the paint and like exactly what I see or I might have to rework it and change it . Some take a couple of hours , if I don ' t like it I can come back to it , so it just depends on what I see , what I like .

Watermelon .

Tell us from beginning to end, what is your creative process?

So what are your other interests and hobbies outside of your art?

I go down to my studio , I pick out the colors of the paint that I want to use and I decide how I want to use them . I put them on the canvas , and then I tilt it and I swish it , I manipulate the paint until I have something that I like .

Gardening and reading

6

You've been shown in several galleries Northeast. Where could we go to see you next?

At the Gunn Memorial Library in Washington , CT . I ' m going to be showing there from October 23 to January 21 . In March I have a showing at the Minor Memorial Library in Roxbury , CT .

And where else in Connecticut have you shown?

I ’ ve had my art on display at the Woodbury Library , at the Kent Artists Association , and the Gunn Memorial Library in Washington CT .

Ocean Wonders , 16x20

Is there anything else you'd like to tell our readers?

Just keep working , painting , or doing what you like . For the artists out there , you have to reach out to different places to see if they ' ll show your work . Join an art association in your area . I recommend creating a website because then you can email galleries or libraries and they have direct access to your work . I ’ ve done that and I have found that most of my reception has been from the libraries . They offer solo shows rather than showing a few paintings in a gallery , which is preferable to me .

You're also on social media.

Yes , I ' m on Instagram , go to @ gerrysacks , and you can visit my website , Gerry - sacks . com .

Above : Touch of Gold , 18x24 Below : Flowered Hillside , 18x24

F R U I T Y B I N A T U R E

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT

By Jon Casey

Identity theft is a major problem around the world. One in fifteen people, or 14.4 million consumers are victims of this crime. 33% of U.S adults have experienced identity theft and more than 1 in 4 adults age 55 or older have experienced identity theft . So how do we avoid our identities being stolen? Here are some tips and solutions to avoid being a victim. Always make sure to secure your Social Security number . Don’ t carry your card in your wallet and only give out your social security number when necessary, such as opening a bank account . Never give this information out over the phone! Don’ t share your personal information such as birthdate, social security number, or bank account number unless completely necessary. Don’ t give this information out just because someone asks for it . Secure your personal records on a hack-proof software such as Secure My Personal Records online. (securemypersonalrecords.org) . Be sure to pay attention to your billing cycles, if any bills are late be sure to contact the company. Also, make sure to check your mail every day. If you are going to be away, make sure that you put your mail on hold so no one can steal it .

8

Be sure to use the security features on your smartphone. These devices store a lot of personal information. Make sure to keep it safe! It ’s also smart to avoid using public wifi that has minimal security. Be sure to review bank account and credit card statements for any suspicious charges. This doesn’ t have to be a large charge either . Many thieves start to test the waters by charging very small amounts.

IDENTITY THEFT CAN BE AVOIDED WITH THE RIGHT PRECAUTIONS, BUT IT TAKES A LITTLE WORK FROM YOU. FOLLOW THESE STEPS AND YOU WILL BE AS SECURE AS POSSIBLE IN THIS DAY & AGE.

Always be sure to shred all credit line offers, expired credit cards, receipts, and account statements. This can prevent someone from stealing your personal info right out of your garbage. Also, be sure to install firewalls and virus- detection software on your computer . This is essential . Always be sure to store your personal information in a safe and secure place, such as Secure My Personal Records (securemypersonalrecords.org) . This is a hack proof , secure, cloud-based, and easy to use online service that can store any personal records. No one can access this information without you giving them a passcode. Even then, the time they have to access the files is limited. This service can also be used for medical records, allowing your caregiver to access your full medical history. You can also designate a family member or friend to be able to access or share your personal records in the event you cannot .

9

F R U I T Y B I N A T U R E

When you create a password, be sure that it ’s as complex as possible. Identity thieves aren’ t mind readers. Be sure to review your credit reports. Make sure they don’ t include any accounts you did not open. You can always freeze your credit files for free. This prevents someone from applying for a loan, line of credit, or utility service. Never post personal information about yourself online; in places such as social media every bit of personal info you put out can be captured and stored in a >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker