Leafing Through {Happiness}

We read to know that we are not alone. ― William Nicholson

It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it. ― Oscar Wilde

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. ― Dr. Seuss

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one. ― George R.R. Martin

What is it about reading a book that gets people so excited? Many recent series seem to have reignited America's passion for reading. But to many the joy of picking up a book for personal pleasure is still lost. The most popular reasoning I have heard for not reading is that the person gets the same fulfillment out of watching a television series, or that they will wait for the movie to come out and then they will be in the loop.

Well just like our discussion yesterday about why learning and new experiences feel good to your brain, reading falls into the same category. When watching television or a movie you are accepting the images given to you and are not actively using cogitative skills to decode, as you would while reading (as discussed in ReadingVersus Television: Which Is Better?). Reading is more engaging for your brain and therefore is more pleasurable for you. I know you think being lazy feels good, but it has zero benefits to your health and happiness.

However, these scientific reasonings don't even come close to eclipsing my main reason for reading: it's the cheapest escape you can buy. Not only can you experience countries, views, and information you have never known, but you can see yourself through new eyes and reevaluate your life direction stress-free. So, it's also the cheapest form of therapy a person can buy.

Pick up a book. Your brain will thank you.

Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein

Looking for a good author? Check out this related post: Favorite Author: Ayn Rand

6 Things I Want To Do

I have come up with a list of 6 things I want to do, hopefully in the next 5 years, that are either insane things that most people would never dream of or life long wishes of mine. I plan to add considerably to this list.

I think goals are like dreams: if you don't put them down on paper within 5 min, they'll be gone to you forever.

6. Own a Horse
   This has been a hope of mine since I was 9. Most girls love horses and collect all the little figurines and stuffed animals. I was obsessed. I learned everything there was to know about the breeds, how to take care of one, the terminology . . . everything. There wasn't anyone who knew me that didn't believe I was on track to become an equine veterinarian. However, it turns out that my love for drawing horses was a bit stronger than my love for taking care of sick ones. Still, though, there is no animal like a horse. If you think dogs are a man's best friend, think again.

   

   my dream horse: Shadowfax

5. Tag a City
   When I think about leaving my mark in art, this isn't exactly what I mean, but there is something about breaking the rules and making art that go hand in hand. I would love to go out a couple different nights in some city and make graffiti. I don't think this will happen in Findlay, but I definitely have kept an eye open for good spots.

4. Travel Across America
   This is more of a recent thought. I am thinking that hiking it would be for me, but a small part of me wants to get a motorcycle and do it (I have Motorcycle Diaries to thank for that). I really don't know what I would hope to accomplish by it, but the idea of all the people I would meet along the way, all of the places I would see, and all of the experiences I would have . . . it's enough to make me want to pack right now.

   

   a possible route

3. Hike the Appalachian
   I can't explain all of why I want to do this. All I can really say is that I love the mountains, I love hiking, and the idea of what it means to make that hike.

   

   
   

2. Go to Ireland

I wrote a whole post about this: Oh, Ireland. This may have to be the second to last of the 6 that I complete (right before number 1), because I'm not sure I could come back. This goal is so important to me that if someone handed me a plane ticket today I would go. Today.

1. Open My Own Business
   What my business will be isn't completely settled, although I have my ideas. I watch every road for a good building. I watch marketing, packaging, and branding trends. I think of what name I would give my business. The layout of the store. What kind of people I would hire. How I would get all the work done. Who I could hire trustworthy enough to allow me to still travel. I constantly go over the details. I do think I will end up doing something with either furniture design or art showing. This would be my baby.

Quote on dreams: A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. - Oscar Wilde

Music Studio

I have been asked a surprising number of times what kind of music I listen to while I paint. Like... a seriously surprising number of times. So, I'm just going to let you in on a short sample playlist of what I put on in the studio.

A lot of people like to listen to popular music and there are even some people in the Art program at UF that put on techno. Let me just tell you... if you ever have to share studio space with other people and you are at all picky about music y'all should either agree on a joint playlist beforehand or both bring headphones. Whatever you do though, you must discuss the topic of music in your joint space before it becomes an issue.

Anyhow, here is the type of music I listen to:

Thoughts on music: If one plays good music, people don't listen and if one plays bad music people don't talk. - Oscar Wilde

My Unique Temperament

As I have said previously, I am studying art at the University of Findlay. I mostly take courses in painting and drawing, but I also have interests in design and sculpture. In a lot of my recent pieces I have been working to combine flat patterns with more rendered and rounded forms. I generally work with the subject of the female body, normally nude and a solo figure.

My art is so deeply personal to me that I usually have a hard time sharing it with anyone. My personal public relations representative (whom I like to consider my significant other) has been trying to break me of this nasty habit by encouraging me to post my work to every social media outlet I use. I am still horrible about sharing my art though, and most of the time when I finish a work it is for me and my satisfaction alone. However, I can never expect to sell my work if I do not put myself out there. Even a high school student I recently struck up a conversation with at a local coffee shop was astounded at my lack of getting-out-there-ness.

To counteract my lack of social skills, I am sharing my more recent work with you. The first picture I am sharing was actually removed from my profile on Facebook. It is a drawing of a half naked woman with a corset, skirt and ruffle around her neck. My guess is that someone who is “friends” with me on the sight reported it, but who is to say? This drawing is the first in a series of three I am planning.

This next piece stems from a series of collages I worked on during the semester that utilized vintage Victorian-era photography mixed with acrylic paint, and patterned paper that I used in place of the women's hair and clothing. One of my focuses this semester was to bring my giant ideas to a new level of finished work. She is not fully finished: I am still going to fill in the pattern on the cloth covering her legs. The first picture below is the original collage and the second is the painting I made from it.

Original Collage

Close-up 

Insight on art: A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament. - Oscar Wilde