Art Solace is about establishing a home for oneself by way of creating art and literature. It’s about having artistic freedom regardless of any would-be barriers.

The act of painting and drawing is a welcomed refuge for Artist Bobby West who has spent decades in federal prison. His cultural, abstract work gives us an intimate look at his struggles and loneliness.

Jamie D. Meissner, who is currently incarcerated, can also relate to finding passion in painting. Her work is reflective and emotionally-driven.

In the poem, Tears On Her Guitar, Jaylan Salah expresses finding solace in music…an attempt to drown out depression and distractions.

Additional poetry contributions are from Corey Mesler, Joseph V. Milford, Lucinda Troth, Linda Sheppard, and Sam Burks. In these poems, there are some thematic commonalities regarding distractions, bodily sensations, and isolation.

We have several book and performance reviews along with a few special articles to share with you this month:

Book reviews:

• Laura O’Brien on Sugar Zone, by Mary Mackey
• Christopher Bernard on Visions & Affiliations, A California Literary Time Line: Poets & Poetry 1940-2005, by Jack Foley
• Sarah Melton on Fire Monks, by Colleen Morton Busch
• Nicole Arocho on The Anti-Romantic Child: A Story of Unexpected Joy, by Priscilla Gilman
• David A. L. Brown on Patriot Acts: Narratives of Post-9/11 Injustice, by Alia Malek

Performance reviews:

• Bart S. Alvara on Opera San Jose’s production of Idomeneo
  
• Suzanne Birrell on The Encyclopedia Show, which was recently held at the Famous Four Colors Gallery in Oakland, California. The reviewer was so inspired by the show that she completed the review in verse.

Articles:

• Michaela Elias’ interview with Dulcimer Players Patricia Delich and Wayne Jiang
• Tapati McDaniels’ conversation with Sarah Katherine Lewis about her self-published book, My Boring-Ass Rehab Diary
• Christine Arata‘s unique article on the challenges and rewards of caregiving

Also included is a heartfelt short story by Megan Guernsey entitled, “Harry and the Potting Soil.”

As always, be sure to read Leena Prasad‘s monthly Synchronized Chaos column: Whose Brain Is It? Presented as a mystery with fictional characters and clues, this is a monthly column with a journalist’s perspective on brain research.

Please do also check out the artwork from Fabio Sassi. Sassi’s use of interesting patterns and shapes creates an industrial vibe for the viewer.

We hope you enjoy reading this month’s issue! If you haven’t already done so, check out the Synchronized Chaos Magazine Fan Page on Facebook! “Like” us and you’ll be able to stay in tune with the magazine, use it as an event and gallery resource, and network with like-minded individuals.