Speaking of loves, today's Whatever Wednesday post is about pursuing your passions. EYC is a "healthy living blog;" to me, healthy living does not just entail eating 5+ servings of veggies a day or hitting up the gym now and then. One of the keys to feeling your best is to do something every day that excites you. Whether enrolling in a college course you are passionate about or taking up a hobby that you constantly look forward to, pursuing your interests can cut down on stress and improve your attitude
One of my personal passions is art. I took my very first basic design class this semester, but otherwise I have never taken an art class. What I know I learned from museum visits, gallery viewings, art history studies, and just experimenting on my own. I'll sketch in school notebooks, create pastel still-lifes for my room, draw colorful birthday cards...only this week did I truly dabble in paint.
Recently, some friends of a friend asked me to create a painting for their apartment. They requested a flowery design in specific colors, large enough to cover some ugly mirrors stuck on their wall by a previous tenant. Since they were covering supply costs and I was basically finished with classes before Thanksgiving break, I spent the other night turning the corner of my apartment into a makeshift painter's studio.
Step 1: Sketching options for my commissioners (he he), who decided on this design:
Step 2: Creating a more polished draft with colored markers:
Step 3: Mixing colors and painting...
and painting...
and painting for 5 hours.
Step 4: Voila!
Although it took up a good chunk of my time, I thoroughly enjoyed painting this piece. Something about mixing acrylics and washing brushes is so relaxing.
What hobby helps you de-stress?
Today's Recommended Read: Popcorn's Dark Secret (NYTimes)
That is a beautiful painting! Those are some lucky friends!! Hope you signed it...it's going to be worth a lot of money one day:)
ReplyDeleteMy hobby that de-stresses me is baking! I just love it when a my family enjoys my baking. That's why I just finished baking some more mandelbread for them!!!
Beautiful painting! :) I wish I could paint, but I'm not too good with the visual side of arts.
ReplyDeleteBesides running, singing, and blogging, baking helps me de-stress. It's a way for me to be creative and my friends get to enjoy the fruits of my labor. :)
You are amazing!!! I am in love with the freshness behind your work! I will need to get my hands on an original "enjoy your cheerios" painting very soon....
ReplyDeletethe colours are beautiful!
I love that you found a passion that soothes and calms you like this. so freaking cool! Rock it sister!
xxoo
I wish i was that awesome at painting
ReplyDeleteDoes watching football count as a hobby?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that healthy living isn't just about food and fitness.
ReplyDeleteYou are very talented. That looks beautiful.
@SteveAbsolutely!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful painting--you are very talented and even more impressive since have never taken classes! You should post more of your paintings/drawings. Btw, haven't had a chance to write a comment before, but this blog is awesome and addictive! Keep up the great job! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cleo.
ReplyDelete@Cleo Thanks for your nice comment! I have some drawings of food...I feel like those could be relevant to this blog so keep an eye out for those! :-)
ReplyDeleteWow Jenny...I have always known how artistic you are...the painting is really beautiful! And your blog is very thoughtful! I will look forward to reading lots more!
ReplyDelete