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Growth Mindset

5/19/2020

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“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
- Albus Dumbledore

These past 9 weeks have been one for the books. Quite the roller-coaster of emotions and habits. It started off with an obsessional interest in the latest stats. How many cases, which country was hit the hardest, what is the overall death rate. It was sickening and thank goodness it didn't last. After the first few weeks I stopped checking first thing in the morning. Then I stopped checking all together. Sometime around week 3 I decided to turn off the grids for awhile, deleting my Facebook and Instagram apps for about 5 days. It was weird at first, I felt my muscle memory was so strong. I would find my thumb hovering, searching for these familiar apps on my phone. But by the end I had created some much needed distance between myself and social media. And I can still feel these effects still today.

I didn't however create any distance between myself and the fridge or pantry. Another coping mechanism, eating all the good (bad) stuff. It didn't help I also had a convenience store around the corner. Snacks were heavy here, take-out meals were easier and overall it just felt comforting. Even though I had no idea what the rest of the year would look like and all the plans I had made were up in the air. But some things still pushed through and I did get engaged to my boyfriend( now fiance) of 3 years. Yay!

So it wasn't all bad. A few weeks later I started taking the very popular "The Science of Well-Being" online course (offered for free by Yale University on www.coursera.org) with my best friend. We kept each other accountable and were really learning some stats (these were good ones) and tips on cultivating our own happiness in our daily lives. Things seemed to be looking up, until around week 6 when reality hit, or more so all those snacks hit, my hips and the scale. I gained some weight. Not a lot, but enough that I felt embarrassed and disappointed that I let things get out of hand. So I decided to build a morning routine, exercise for 30 mins a day, yoga for 30 mins a day, and try to hit at least 10,000 steps daily. We're told to stay home and stay safe, but for someone like me who was working as a server in a very fast-paced breakfast restaurant, I would usually hit 10,000 steps before noon. This easy cardio was no more. So, I had to put in the work. But it felt good. Going for walks around the neighbourhood is something I look forward to and I have developed a bit of an obsession with the local birds in my neighbourhood. (Cardinals, Orioles, Finches, Red-winged Blackbirds, I even saw a freakin' Hawk- or I think it was- it was huge)

So this brings me to week 9 now and not only am I cooking healthier options, exercising daily, and finding time to meditate, I am also approaching many areas of my life with a *growth mindset*. A particular lesson from the course addressed how we either have a fixed mindset ( you think you're just born with it ) or a growth mindset ( you believe hard work pays off ). Looking back on my life I think I too often had settled for a fixed mindset based on what adults said or how I compared myself to my fellow students who maybe were naturally gifted in other areas then me. But it is never too late to change a habit and show yourself how strong and resilient you really are.

Thanks to the science of well-being course, I have found a new love for online lessons. The structure and independent pace is great and as long as your follow through with the work, you will see the results. I recently completed a free "Procreate for Beginners" course offered by Teela Cunningham from www.every-tuesday.com. I have had a curiosity for digital media and drawing for a while now and currently have an Ipad and Apple pencil on loan from a great friend. So I signed up for this course with my *growth mindset* hat on and got to work. And you know what? I LOVED it.
Here are the tutorials I completed on Procreate. A lot of basic skills worked in many of these to help build that strong understanding and foundation for my own work later. I did improvise with the "Potter" word art, obviously re-reading Harry Potter has had a few influences artistically as well.

I'm so happy with the progress I have managed to make in the last 9 weeks, even those lazy, obsessive first weeks. Now I can look back and see my growth: creating good habits, taking care of my mind and body, feeding myself with healthy and delicious meals, and discovering and building new creative skills. I feel I am finally turning on the light because there is a lot of good hidden in this darkness.

Feel free to share and leave a comment if you've found your own blessings in this pandemic.

Lots of Love,
Monique
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Stay Safe | Stay Home

4/9/2020

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Pretending to find peace in a time of uncertainty. 

It's been about 3 weeks now since the government has been advising everyone to social distance and stay home as much as possible. The more I stay home the more I realize how I have been gravitating to the comforts of home and my childhood. The only time I can remember staying home extensively in my life, when it wasn't summer vacation, was when I was sick. This is the idea. We're all "sick" or potentially infected so we need to stay home to stop the spread. 

So what have I been doing? Eating Nutella and egg salad sandwiches. Cheerios and pancakes. Watching Survivor and American Idol. Colouring and wearing pajamas all day. Basically I've been pretending it's the year 2000 and I'm 10 years old without a care in the world.  Complete denial and distraction. 

Except it's the year 2020 and people are sick, people are dying, people are loosing their jobs, their incomes. Everyone's lives are upside down. I can't sleep well and when I do sleep I have the most bizarre dreams I've ever imagined. ( I should start recording them ) . My friends and I are going through the waves, the fear of the unknown, but we are going through them together. I appreciate every person I can call and say hello to, check up on and then get checked up on as well. We are alone but we are alone together. 

It's really hard to imagine what the world is going to look like in the next 6, 9, or 12 months. But I don't want to get there and feel like I wasn't able to find the silver lining in this all, that it is a time to learn, grow, and create. So here marks my words to the world that I use these coming weeks to bring more love, inspiration, and wonder to those around me.  

My favourite quote this week is from the dear Vincent vanGogh. 
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Love Always, 
Monique 
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Paint the Junction 2019

10/20/2019

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On Saturday, June 22nd I had the pleasure of participating in ARTiculations' Plein Air competition. 9 other artists and myself spent the day painting the festivities of the 8th Annual Junction Summer Solstice Festival.

This was the first time I've ever participated in a competition like this. I decided to use pastels as my medium, something I have become very comfortable with in the studio, but I have never tried to use it outside. There was a slight learning curve at the beginning, having to manage my tools, stay out of the public's way, and somehow not melt in the sun. So I found a corner, plopped myself down on my little camping tripod stool, and got to work.

I chose to paint the Northeast corner of Dundas St and Pacific Ave. Across from the new Arts Market location, I stayed close to my new favourite Junction spot. I've always admired The Beet's patio, the twinkling lights, the bright red chairs. It just had that small town feel I liked and thats what the junction feels like to me. This corner has also been sold to a developer and won't be around in its current state for too much longer.

It was a lot of fun to work in front of so many strangers. I found I had the best reaction from the children. They were so curious and love'd to watch and ask questions. 5 hours, one sunburn, and a handful of visits from friends and family later, I finished my submission.

All of the finished pieces were on display during ARTiculations' Summer 2019 Group Exhibition until Sept 15th. The public was able to vote for the People's Choice Award and a panel of judges chose the recipient of The Juror's Choice Award. And... *****drum roll please***** ! They chose my piece! 2019 Juror's Choice Award Winner!

What an honour it was to receive that email and be recognized, especially on my first competition. Thank you to ARTiculations' for organizing such a great event and show.


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Arts Market opens in The Junction

6/10/2019

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I'm so excited to be apart of this amazing opportunity in the Junction. If you haven't heard of the Arts Market before you're missing out. They have three locations currently in operation in the city and it's the spot for local handmade and vintage goods. Vendors rent a spot and get to completely customize their individual space.  

I have wanted to join the team for years but always found a reason to postpone it, but when I saw Daniel was opening a location in the Junction I knew I couldn't delay any longer. I love the community spirit in that neighbourhood and know it will be the perfect fit for everyone.  

The grand opening is set for June 22nd 2019, also the Junction Summer Solstice Festival. I will be around the market all day and will be participating in something special in the evening. Stay tuned for more info on that!  

Check out the Arts Market website and Instagram for all the latest news on their vendors and shops. 

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