Introduction

How many subtle changes do you notice in your surroundings each day? Most people might only observe a few shifts in their environment, however research suggests that intentionally looking for inspiring stimuli, particularly in nature, can reduce stress and enhance our overall well-being. This capstone project seeks to bring awareness to college students of the mental health benefits associated with perceiving and engaging with nature, while also providing ideas for cultivating mindfulness in our everyday lives.

Literature Review

• Scholarly Influence - This project was inspired by the concept of biophilia proposed by Edward O. Wilson in his book The Biophilia Hypothesis (1993). Biophilia is the innate human tendency to connect with nature and other living things due to our evolutionary development alongside nature. His books discuss how vital interacting with nature is for our physical and mental health. Another strong influence on this project was the book Your Brain on Art : How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross for its scientific research on the acts of viewing art and beauty and their physical, neurological, and emotional effects on the mind and body. 

• Artistic Influence - The style of this project was largely inspired by the works of Monet, such as Monet’s Water Lilies, and the impressionist movement. The impressionists movement was known for its focus on capturing the feeling of an environment through light and color. While not all of the paintings in this capstone are fully of the impressionist style, the intention behind all of them was to visualize the feeling of being in nature, to be as colorful as possible, and to focus on capturing light and shadow in unique ways which mirrors the intentions of the impressionist movement. 

Methods

My creative process in this project largely relied on mindfulness and being fully present in my work to achieve feelings of connection and peace. Each piece came about from inspiring scenes on campus or other enchanting locations that I photographed or painted live. The intention of each painting was to capture the emotions and sensations associated with the subject rather than a perfect recreation of it. To achieve this I focused on blocking in the lighting and color values associated with certain emotions in the scene and over time refining the paintings through a series of layers until they reached the final outcome; a painting that demonstrates different ways of viewing the world, while also simply existing as an uplifting and calming sight to enjoy.

Audience and Impact

The intended audience for this project are college students who may be stressed or struggling with maintaining an effective work-life balance. The goal of this project is to enlighten them on how to look around more often and find peace walking around campus. As a Mechanical Engineering major myself, finding the time to relax can be difficult, but creating this project has tremendously improved my mental health. Every day I find myself looking for the good and beauty in the world and every day I have been able to find it. The act of painting these scenes has helped me look more closely at them and take time to enjoy nature and be at peace, which is a feeling I hope I can share with others through this project. 

References

Kellert, Stephen R, and Edward O. Wilson. The Biophilia Hypothesis. Washington DC, Island Press, 1993.

Magsamen, Susan, and Ivy Ross. Your Brain on Art : How the Arts Transform Us. First edition., Random House, 2023.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to everyone in Art Scholars who has helped me bring this project to life with your suggestions, feedback, and support. Thank you to Harold, Heather, Irene, my parents, and my TA Melody in particular as my advisors. 

Additionally, thank you to my friends and family for supporting me with this project and being my greatest sources of happiness and inspiration!