Announcing "Marks in Time!"

I’m excited to introduce my official monthly art mail club, “Marks In Time!” I’ll admit, it’s a bit egocentric considering my name, Zaman, means “time.” But it gave me inspiration for the theme of this club. A lot of snail mail clubs do food, flowers, and characters, which I think is very cute! But what if I could incorporate something educational into my art?

I am a chemical engineering major. I love science, technology, and all those textbook stuff, which is why a lot of people are surprised I decided to start my own art business. My whole life, I heard people were either left-brained (analytical and logical) or right-brained (creative and emotional), but I personally never believed that. People are too complicated for that. You can appreciate human nature for its sentimental value AND analyze patterns and come to conclusions from it. So I was thinking, what if I can do something creative and artistic for my aesthetes out there and provide intellectual value?

Although history is technically considered "right-brained," I believe it provides technical value to "left-brainers" while being something fun for those who aren't looking for something deep. Time has always been a fascinating concept to me, and oh the multitude of aesthetics it brings! Watching how something we all know come to be because of some random guy in the desert, understanding a practice coming from ancient Greece, observing how thousands of people differ from each other just because of geographical circumstance-isn't it interesting how humans work? i just have to tell people about it.

But, why would people care? Why bother look into your mailbox for anything other than taxes? Why not make an email list (which I am here) and just stick with that?

Anything physical is more personal. Why do you think people enjoy book stores even though they are crazy expensive and they can just read on Kindle? Why do you think someone would prefer just sitting on the couch with their lover doing nothing than text about their day everyday? The human being experience with their senses. Something aesthetic to the eye, soft to the touch, pleasant to smell is more meaningful to someone than a digital download. And think about it! Digital downloads people actually value are files that help them experience these senses, like hands-on tutorials or music, not class notes.

Yes, you can look at my art on your phone. Yes, you can read my letter in a blog. Maybe you'll never use the stickers you order. However, if you choose to order, they are not only yours, but it's a connection. Someone plans something they think you would like every month. They paint it, imagining if it would fit your desk or your wall. They design collectibles you can use to decorate or hoard as you wish, create games for you to spend your time with. They hand cut everything, making sure the edges are perfect for you, package it so you feel like you're worth more than just a cardboard box or plain, white envelope. They write you a letter because they think you're someone worth talking to, worth uplifting because you have potential. With all the costs and effort going into all this, the subscription can barely cover it all. But they do it anyways, for you, because this is a labor of love. And in return, you choose to come back every month because you feel like their work means something. That it wasn't all for nothing.

It's a matter of valuing the other person and supporting them, being a part of someone's life. Isn't that what humanity is about?

So, every month, I will assign a theme inspired by a point in history-like ancient Rome, South Asian sultanates, and even Arab empires-and I will deliver art prints, stickers, and collectables, as well as a letter, to my patrons centering that theme. The goal isn't profit, which is why I made the memberships as cheap as possible. I want to educate people, make them see a different perspective, and give a part of myself to remember. I want to be part of something bigger than myself with the abilities I have been given. So, if you wish to join me on my journey, don't hesitate to become a patron, I would really appreciate it. I’m so hopeful for this project, and I hope you can all be a part of this journey! Join today!