Kirsten Sevig - Striped Pears and Polka Dots: The Art of Being Happy

Copyright 2018 by Kirsten Sevig

All rights reserved

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978-1-68268-196-1 (pbk.)

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My name is Kirsten Sevig and I am an artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. This little book is a mixtape of my illustrations, a few simple recipes, pearls of wisdom, and musings about what makes me happy. Painting is one of the greatest sources of joy in my life and it plays a big part in my daily routine and self-care. I carry a journal and a portable watercolor set wherever I go.

When it is gray and rainy, I paint myself sunshine. When Im feeling sad, I paint in bright colors to cheer me up. Painting calms me when I am feeling anxious. When Im overwhelmed, I make a series of small decisions about what to put on a blank page and begin to feel empowered. I often paint in public where I am in good company, but when I want to be alone, I retreat to paint at home or out in nature. I started this practice while living in Iceland. I moved with my partner-in-adventure to Reykjavk for two years starting in 2013. I had an amazing time exploring nature there, but I also experienced very difficult struggles with anxiety and depression. Id struggled with anxiety and depression for years, but this time I was so anxious that I wouldnt even leave my apartment. I sought help. I saw a therapist named lafa who taught me some big lessons: to measure success differently, focus on time over results, make potentially bad meals, and designate a time to worry, just to name a few. I am sharing the wisdom that I learned from her that was really helpful to me. Maybe it could be helpful to you, too.

She taught me to shift my focus from trying to be perfect and successful to enjoying the act of creating art. I started very simply, painting on blank pages to see if I could make it up as I went, without sketching or planning, and this has become my process. I scheduled time every day to paint, and I shared my process and my thoughts on Instagram. This supportive community brought another layer of joy to my practice, allowing me to connect with like-minded people and artists across artificial boundaries. It was only by learning what I could contribute and how I could share that I was able to foster this type of meaningful exchange. It is my hope that this little book will be a portable happy place to remind you of the nuggets of happiness that can be found all around you. Always remember to take the time to do something that makes you happy!

This painting will forever remind me of a tiny visitor that dropped by my striped studio one sunny morning. I had painted red dots on this page and I wasnt sure whether I should make them into berries or ladybugs when I noticed a ladybug on my window. That was a simple decision to make! I started adding legs and dots. Then she started to stroll across my painting. She found a finished ladybug and circled it over and over again. Eventually she flew back to the window and I finished this painted pattern, but I kept smiling about this visit from my new ladybug friend.

In a car, Im in my own little bubble, a comfortable barrier from the outside world where I can control the climate and the soundtrack to my commute, and disconnect from the neighborhoods I pass through and the people I pass by. On a bicycle, I feel more alive, more present, and more connected. I notice things that I would never have noticed otherwise. Consider biking to someplace you normally drive tonot only will you get some exercise, but you also might gain a new perspective on your neighborhood!

Popcorn is one of my very favorite foods, and I make myself a giant bowl of it almost every night. I often have the intention of sharing it, but it is apparent that I just cant help myself and I eat nearly all (if not all) of it!

Making popcorn on the stovetop is like performing a magic trick and witnessing one at the same time. Even though I know how it works and I can see how it is happening, it still amazes me that tiny kernels of corn become puffy white clouds of yum! Here is a recipe for popcorn on the stovetop so you can try it out yourself.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons high smoke point oil(I use refined coconut oil)

cup of popcorn kernels

Seasonings (see below)

Instructions:

1. In a covered saucepan over medium-high, heat the oil and 3 test kernels until they pop. Spoon them out.

2. Add the remaining kernels, shake to coat, and cover.

3. Remove from heat for 30 seconds.

4. Return to medium-high heat, shaking occasionally, until popping slows to 1 or 2 seconds between pops.

5. Pour into a bowl to season and serve. If you have a big bowl with a lid, you can use it to shake up your popcorn with some fun seasonings. Here are some that I like:

olive oil + fine sea salt
sugar + salt (powdered in a blender)
dried rosemany + dried thyme + olive oil + sea salt
olive oil + sea salt + nutritional yeast flakes