by Christina Wiseman and Nicole Morse
Editor’s Note: This pair of work is part of Follow Your Art Community Studios’ 6th annual Art of Words exhibit. For the exhibit, artist Nicole shared her painting “Tick Tock” with writer Christina, which inspired her written piece. See these works in person in the FYACS Gallery until November 7, 2026
Tick Tock
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She watches an ad for antiaging serum that claims to make its user look ten years younger. She clicks the link so she’ll remember to look at the before and after photos later, clicks back over to the app.
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She listens to an influencer describe the life-changing drape of an overpriced synthetic dress. She adds it to her cart, tells herself she’ll think it over. After all, she could use a life change. She clicks back over to the app.
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She studies a woman touting a newly flat stomach thanks to a workout regimen that takes just 7 minutes a day. She clicks the link to the virtual workout package, considers whether to sign up for a free trial.
The artificial glow of the screen lights up her face while her lunch break ticks by. Never mind that she can’t afford a $200 dress that will probably fall apart in the wash, or that she might not need antiaging serum if she wasn’t working so many extra shifts this month. In this cocoon of commercialism, her problems don’t exist.
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Something brushes against her ankle. She blinks, looks down to find herself standing in a field of tall grass tinged with late summer gold. The soft blades reach upward, like so many arms swaying in solidarity. She watches their undulations, marvels at how they can’t help but exist as a collective.
She raises her gaze and sees the others now, phones down at their sides while they, too, take in their surroundings. She smiles at the man nearest to her and he smiles back, looking a little bewildered.
She puts her phone in her pocket and starts walking toward them.
(Response) by Christina Wiseman
A note about their creative process...
Christina:
The first thing that grabbed my attention in Nicole’s painting was of course the clock, and some online searching revealed that its phrases and symbols were related to workers’ unions. That got me thinking about the concept of organizing not just as workers but as humans in a world where corporations, capitalism, and technology control so much and are so interwoven with our everyday lives. The title of Nicole’s piece, Tick Tock, strengthened that theme for me by loosely introducing the idea of the role social media (see: TikTok) can play in keeping us isolated from other people. But for me, the most heartening feature of the painting was the grass. Even in this urban setting, nature is finding a way to spring up and remind us we’re all in this together.
Nicole:
My painted work is done with acrylics on canvas and are inspired by photographs I’ve taken on vacations and outings. The goal of my work is to allow the viewer to take part in a journey to another place and imagine themselves in the surroundings depicted in the painting. I hope that my work inspires others to be adventurous, pause, and take in the sights and sounds of another place in our world.
Nicole Morse works at Follow Your Art Community Studios as the Creative Youth Development Coordinator and a class facilitator. Professionally trained as an interior designer, Nicole approaches her artistic work with linear precision and a targeted focus on color, texture, contrast, and scale. She enjoys living and working in Melrose, watching her kids perform in the MHS marching band, and spending time with her dog.
Christina Wiseman works for an environmental nonprofit in Massachusetts and has always considered herself a writer first. She’s completed the Novel Generator program at Boston’s GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing and is a Writer in Residence at Follow Your Art Community Studios. She has had flash fiction stories and essays published in Crack the Spine, Sky Island Journal, and Mindless Mag. She also enjoys running, reading about sustainability and interior design, and exploring her beautiful home state with her husband and daughter. You can see more of her writing at: christinawiseman.com