Some of the creative activities I pursue when I am not studying are playing the piano, arranging flowers, and painting. Each one of these endeavors has brought so much joy into my life.
I started playing piano at the beginning of high school. In my early years, I studied music theory and techniques for playing the piano. Each year I took the Texas Music Teachers Association Piano Theory exam and scored very high earning a medal each year. The exam tested reading music, understanding the rules for creating harmonies, and writing the rhythm and melody of a piece after hearing it only a few times. I have also participated in many hymn festivals, solo festivals, and annual recitals. In these events, I performed pieces I had prepared in advance as well as sight read music (performed a piece of sheet music I had not seen before) in front of a judge. I received the highest ribbon (a superior) for each of these events several times. Now as a college student, I just play piano for fun. Being able to play the piano has brought so much joy into my life and has given me the ability to share that happiness with those around me.
I have always loved flowers. Each flower has a unique personality and meaning. My personal preference is for flower arrangements made of a variety of different types of flowers. Last spring, I took a class (HORT 203) to give me an introduction to floral design. I learned about the elements and principles of floral design, the thought process that must be developed before beginning a design, and the ‘less is more approach’ with the number of flowers required. The elements of floral design are line, form, space, texture, fragrance, pattern, size, and color and the principles of floral design include proportion, balance, dominance, rhythm, contrast, harmony, and unity. Each of these properties must be considered throughout the design to create the appropriate feeling for the arrangement. Now that I have developed the fundamental skills required to make pretty arrangements, I regularly buy bunches of flowers from local grocers or floral suppliers and make bouquets for my friends and family!
It is incredible what you can learn online! Even painting. I am using YouTube videos to learn different techniques and strategies for painting. I like to use acrylics for my paintings and my favorite scenes to paint have been a Christmas tree covered in twinkling lights and snow, a landscape of the mountains, and a small church chapel at the end of a long winding dirt road. I am still learning how to visualize and create a plan for the complete path of the painting from blank canvas to beautiful art with the assistance of addition instruction, however I am really enjoying the learning process! The process of practicing and playing piano; improving my flower arrangements; and learning how to paint are such rewarding activities, I am thankful to be able to do them in my life.