Naturally Human by LASA Ezine

naturally human # Spring 2017 #

GLOBAL WARMING Z

How this ongoing phenomenon is shaping the world as we know it

Diverse Art

The Effects of

Fishing Mind

on oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Beautiful

The Benefits of CATS

Contents of Naturally Human

Letter from the Contributors Editor

Emily

Champ Emma

Cole Zoe

The Effects of Global Warming

12 Top 8 National Parks 2 Naturally Human

How Cats Warm Their Owners’ Hearts

Find the Purr-fect Friend for You

The Effects of Fishing

Mother Nature’s Masterpiece

Fishing by the Numbers

The Circle of Life

Aesthetic Austin

The Art of Austin

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F E R D O I M T O T R H E

The Naturally Human team poses for a portrait against the scenic backdrop of the LBJ campus. Photo by Alex Wilson.

Photos by Champ Turner

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Howdy,

Welcome to the first edition of Naturally Human, the magazine about humans and nature. As an artist and nature lover, I find that getting off the couch and going outside to explore the natural world is one of the best ways to feel inspired, connected, and calmed. I also get the feeling that I should go outside more often! However, it seems that today we are distracted by iPhones, Snapchat, Game Boys and other similar gizmos that keep us from appreciating the bounties of nature. Folks, I think that needs to change. Here at Naturally Human, we have a semester-long commitment to help humans improve their relationship with nature. Our magazine is composed of a hodgepodge of different perspectives, but I believe that our diversity has allowed us to deliver our message in a unique and insightful way. Throughout our 40 pages, you can read about multiple ways in which people can (and already do) benefit from interacting with the world around them. Naturally Human strives to demonstrate that when humans and nature work together, the result is something extraordinary. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s petting a cat, planting a tree, catching a fish, or looking at some art, the simplest activities can teach us things about ourselves and the world that we never realized. So, I encourage you to pause your game of Clash Royale, read our magazine, and experience the multitudinous, intriguing wonders of the great outdoors. Until Next Time,

Champ Turner & the Naturally Human team

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Photo courtesy of Pexels

Contributors «Champ Turner

Champ, a freshmen at LASA, likes art, geography, tennis, and guitar. He does many of these things in his free time and also likes to hang out. He would like to live in New Zealand when he grows up. Champ wrote about natural art because it is a topic that he is interested in, and he thinks that it is a, “unique, environmentally-friendly way of making art.” Photo by Emily Cochran-Lepiz

Emily Cochran-Lepiz«

Emily plays the trombone and euphonium in the LBJ Marching Band. She loves cats, art, and going outside on adventures. She would like to be a scientist, engineer, or do something with liberal arts when she grows up. Emily wrote about cats and their effects on their owners because she has very strong connection with her cats and also has a personal experience with the topic. Photo by Emma Rodriguez

«Cole Kennedy Cole enjoys fishing, reading, spending time with friends and family, playing baseball, hiking, and camping. He is a boy scout who would like to start his own business when he grows up. Cole wrote about fishing because he wants more people to understand the power fishing can have on someone’s life. Photo by Emily Cochran-Lepiz

Emma Rodriguez «

Emma loves dancing, acting, photography, running, and other activities. In her free time she likes to play with her dog, Rocket, and hang out with friends. Emma wrote about the street art in Austin because she believes that they are important parts of our lives and are, “often overlooked and taken for granted because of how common they seem in this city.” Photo by Emily Cochran-Lepiz

«Zoe Min

Zoe plays the Clarinet in the LBJ Band and likes animals, drawing, and watching television. She would like to be an “imagineer” or surgeon when she grows up. Zoe wrote about global warming because she thinks that it is important for people to be more aware and care more about the environment. Photo by Emily Cochran-Lepiz

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The Effects of Global Warming By Zoe Min

ver the past thousands of years, the temperature of the Earth has drastically risen around four to seven degrees. This has caused sea levels to rise, ice and glaciers to start melting, and as a result affected many animals, especially those that live in the North Pole. Polar bears have been labeled as threatened for many years now, with the estimated wild population estimated to be around 20,000. Many are dying because the melting of the ice causes them not only to lose their habitat, but also their breeding and hunting ground. The bears that live close to the Hudson Bay are suffering because of how the lake is freezing 20 days later than usual, and melting earlier, which causes the bears to have less time to hunt. As a result, the average polar bear weight has dropped 15%. The cause of all this is global warming. As the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, there will be many negative effects of this happening. The overall sea level will rise, creating a threat towards those who live on or near the coast, also causing a possibility of over 4 million people to be displaced from their houses. The oceans will continue to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, warming even

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more and becoming more acidic, according to non government organization Greenpeace. Humans will also be affected, since global warming influences the weather, creating longer and drier droughts, as well as stronger, more severe storms. Several different places will be at an advan-

One of Bryce Canyon National Park’s famous “hoodoos”, tall spires of rock that protude from the surface. Photo taken by Zoe Min

tage, resulting in fertile soil in the North, but the negative impacts will greatly outweigh the positive. Global warming is a gradual in-

crease in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere caused by high levels of greenhouse gases getting trapped inside. It was first discovered in 1896 by a Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius who claimed that the heavy use of fossil fuels would eventually lead to global warming. Scientists agree that man made climate change began around the 18th and 19th century. Lorna Min, an A&M undergraduate student currently majoring in biology stated, “The use of coal, natural gas, and petroleum since the Industrial Revolution is causing temperatures to rise each year,” But, despite all the negative connotations that are usually associated with the words “global warming,” there are still positive effects of it. According to the NCPA, places up North that have usually always had frozen soil or permafrost have experienced the melting of the ice, resulting in land that is more fit for growing crops. For example, the extreme temperatures and short growing season in Canada have prevented many crops from being grown. But with recent temperature increases, it is possible that more fruits and vegetables commonly grown in the United States could start moving up North. UT Professor, who’s main fo-

at the same time you’re increasing CO2, you’re also changing where it rains, and so certain regions will become much drier. There’s always kinds of people who are currently not in a good place for growing plants [that] will become better [because of the better growing conditions], and people that are currently good at growing crops will become worse,” Jackson explained. Deforestation is a major problem all over the world, with many trees being cut everyday. In fact, since 12,000 years ago around 46% of the trees have been cut down in order to benefit humans, TIME

“The cutZion National Park is one of the many being affected by climate change. The National Park Service reported ting of trees adds that it is experiencing a warmer climate compared to a century ago. cus of study revolves around climate that rising temperatures will lead to lots of CO2 to the atchange, Charles Jackson said that “In increasing sea levels, higher flooding Canada, it will become a better place possibilities around coastal areas, the mosphere & removes for growing crops and there’s some disruption of the timing of seasons, benefits of having increasing levels destruction of natural environments, the ability for trees of carbon dioxide on vegetation.” and many other things. Jackson exto absorb oxygen” plained that despite the few positive ~ ~Ying Li news

Climate change has been causing the average temperature of Bryce Canyon national park to steadily rise over the last decade.

However, there are many more negative effects of it that have more drastic and dramatic changes. The NASA Earth Observatory stated

effects that would occur, the negative effects would be much more influential. “[The positive effects] will be regional because

reported. This act has also been proved to add more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere then the total amount of gas emitted from cars in the whole world. Yinghong Li is an IT Application Developer who when attaining her pHD studied how the deforestation of the Amazon was affecting the Earth. “Deforestation is one of the many factors that contribute to global warming,” Li stated.“The cutting of the trees also added lots of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and removed the ability for the trees to absorb the dioxide, which meant that more carbon dioxide would be in the air, and less trees are able to release oxygen as well. Than the carbon dioxide gradually accumulates, and as a result warms up the temperature of the earth,” Li added.

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According to the Sierra Club, both the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks contain species at the risk of attention due to increasing temperatures and less precipitation. Photos taken by Zoe Min

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA), as the ocean continues to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the acidity of the water heats up and rises as a result. Much of the carbon dioxide ends up dissolved in and absorbed by the ocean, and as a result causes the pH level of the ocean to gradually increase. With the ocean becoming more acidic,caused by the rising temperatures, corals are unable to absorb the calcium they need to maintain their skeletons, becoming bleached as a result. However, these corals are beneficial and can be used to study determine variations of ocean temperature to up to hundreds of years ago. The density of the coral skeletons change as the temperature and nutrient conditions change, causing them to differ depending on the season. The seasonal changes produce growth rings in the corals which scientists can use to determine the climatic conditions in which it was grown.“Corals are a type of archive, and [in order to obtain

them], that involves going into the field, collecting those specimens and then bringing the coral back to the lab, and then [scientists] do all this preparatory work to cut it in half, to drill into it, [into] the little pieces [of the coral] and collect that dust

changed over time, and then they are able to reconstruct monthly variations in ocean temperature from corals back hundreds of thousands of years ago, it’s a pretty amazing thing to do,” explained Jackson. In order to help stop global warming, there are many efforts being made by scientists. They are attempting to expand the use of renewable energy, and reduce the amount of fossil fuel plus natural resources burned, reduce deforestation, and also increase vehicle fuel efficiency. Jackson said that there were many studies conducted by scientists that would benefit people’s knowledge of climate change, but that that was only one of the few factors of doing so. “[However], I would say that the most important thing that climate scientists are doing is just explaining how the changes that we’re observing is related to human activity,” stated Jackson.

“The most important thing that climate scientists are doing is just explaining how the changes that we are observing is related to human activity”~Charles Jackson

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[inside]. And then they measure different properties of that coral, and how those properties have

National Geographic reported that

scientists determined that human activity was definitely the main cause of global warming, due to the huge amount of gas emitted from cars, power plants, and other. Since the Industrial Revolution, approximately 500 billion tons of CO2 has been emitted, with around half of it still remaining in the atmosphere. But there are many things humans can do in order to help counteract, which include using less energy (air conditioner and heater), reducing, reusing, recycling, and in general just being more aware of how their everyday lives impact the earth. “That [also includes] doing things that use renewable energy, and there are things that you can do as a shopper that can help with that transition, [which consists of making] use of less packaging in our [manufactured objects]. Because there are a lot of energy and resources that go into that,” Jackson said. NASA’s global climate change study stated that if the Earth continues to heat up at this rate, in the future all the ice will have melted and sea levels will have risen significantly. Cities will be flooded over and many people will be forced to move out the area. Many natural habitats for animals

dioxide. This will affect the animals and ecosystem here, and eventually lead to their death. Scientists hope for more renewable resources to be used in the future as an effort to reduce the amount of carbon emitted each year. Jackson explained that in order to learn more about climate change on a global scale, regional climate change must be thoroughly understood at well. “And so if we can predict regions, that means we know a whole lot more about how everything fits together. So that would kind of be a demonstration of our ability to understand the atmosphere, the ocean, the ice, and everything that how it comes together. If we are able to predict regional climate change, with our models and be able to explain observations, then that would be a big deal,” Jackson said.

Small waterfall at Bryce Canyon National park. Photo taken by Zoe Min

will be affected as well. The ocean becoming more acidic due to the fact that the ocean absorbs a lot of carbon

Climate change is affecting the Grand Canyon region as well, with expected loss of several different animal and plant species.

The continuous increase of the temperature of the Earth has been a problem since as early as 8,000 years ago, as claimed by climate scientist William Ruddiman. The heating up of the Earth has affected many things and has caused sea levels to rise, ice glaciers to melt, and natural environments to be destroyed. It is caused by human activity, specifically the burning of fossil fuels and will have significant consequences towards not only animals or plants, but humans as well if it continues. There are many choices humans can choose to make in order to help battle this ongoing issue, which includes conserving energy, by recycling and reusing. “Because if you understand that there’s a link between what we’re doing each day and how our choices to travel, or to how we use electricity, how those things are impacting climate, and then people can make choices about how they want to affect the world,” Jackson concluded. ☼

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Top 8 National parks By Zoe Min

Covering over 700,000 acres of land, Yosemite National park is recognized for itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waterfalls, sequoia forests, granite cliffs, and clear water. It contains over 400 species of animals, including black bears, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. It was established in 1890 and is the third most visited park in the USA, attracting around four million visitors per year.

Denali National Park is most known for containing Mt Denali, previously known as Mt McKinley, the highest peak in North America. It contains a variety of wildlife, including over 169 species of birds, the most impressive being the rare golden eagle. Other animals that live here include grizzly bears, caribou, and moose.

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Yellowstone National Park was the first national park established in 1872. Containing over 28,000 miles of land, it is one of the largest ecosystems in the world. It has a great variety of terrestrial & aquatic life including bears, wolves, and bison. The park has many different attractions such as volcanoes, glaciers, and geysers, the most famous being Old Faithful.

Rocky Mountains National Park contains over 265,000 acres of wilderness. There are hundreds of species inhabiting the park including cougars, moose, wolves, and a total of 156 lakes. The park averages around three million visitors per year.

Established in 1916, Hawaii Volcanoes National park has two volcanoes, Kilauea, one of the most active in the world, and Mauna Loa, the largest shield volcano. It offers amazing sights, and attracts around two million visitors per year.

Information taken from the National Park Service USA map credit to user kaboom88 All other graphics made by Zoe

Acadia National Park consists of part of Maine and islands of it’s coast, and offers diverse scenery with different types of environments, including forests, mountains, and beaches. It has over 1000 species of plants, and contains animals ranging from falcons to whales and dolphins. Boat tours are one of it’s most popular attractions. It receives around three million visitors per year.

The Great Smoky Mountains were established in 1934, and is located in both Tennessee & South Carolina. The park features over 2,000 miles of rivers, and is full of diverse wildlife such as bears, elk, and woodchucks. The geology of the mountains provides a good habitat for over 1,600 species of plants. This is the most visited park in the USA, with 10 million annual visitors.

Everglades National Park is one of the largest in the USA, containing over one million acres of land. It includes marshes, swamps, hammocks, lakes, and the Florida Bay. It is most well known for it’s diverse animal life including species such as alligators, crocodiles, and the rare Florida panther and Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin.

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How Cats Warm Their Ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hearts

By Emily Cochran-Lepiz

The hallway in the Austin Animal Center that displays cats and dogs that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be handled by the general public due to medical reasons. Photo by Emily Cochran-Lepiz.

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Elizabeth Reed’s cat, O’Malley, napping on a blanket. Photo by Elizabeth Reed.

Mara Eccles’ cat, Stubby, rolling on the ground. Photo by Mara Eccles.

hat does my cat mean to me? She means everything,” Mara Eccles, a student at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy explains. “My cat is my Valentine’s Day plan. She means the world to me.”

panion to cheer me up,” Elizabeth Reed, a freshman explains when talking about her own cat, O’Malley. “He seems to know when I’m feeling down and will try to cheer me up by rubbing up against me or bringing me his toys.”

Two students at LASA, Elizabeth Reed and Mara Eccles, and a current volunteer at the Austin Animal Center, Lesley Ducran, talk about how owning a cat has improved their lives and mental health, including lives of others by their companionship and presence.

Mara Eccles, a senior this year had very similar feelings when discussing her cat, Stubby. “That little bundle of fur brings me so much joy. I think I would still be happy, of course, without my cat but I think she’s a part of my life that I just can’t imagine not having.”

Having a pet cat can have more benefits to one’s health than someone might realize. Cats are thought to improve general mood of their owners by alleviating any negative feelings and therefore creating a calm environment for them. According to a Swiss study in 2003, a cat’s companionship to their owner can have the same chemical effects in the brain as a friend or family member would and overall improve their state of mind and promote positivity in them. “I would say that my life is more pleasant since I have a sweet com-

makes me feel better and improves my mood.” Especially at LASA, the workload can be very stressful and demanding at times, and having a way to relieve that stress can make a big difference in school and in one’s personal life. A professor at Minnesota University, Adnan Qureshi, did a study showing that owning a cat relieves stress and anxiety that could lead to heart disease by lowering blood pressure and reducing heart rate.

“I don’t think I would be as satisfied with where I am right now without my cat.” ~Mara Eccles When speaking about

To some people, their cats means everything to them. Allen R. McConnell, a well-known psychiatrist, found in a study he conducted that people who own pets tended to live happier and healthier lives on average compared to non pet owners. “My cat helps me wind down after a long day and just makes me happier in general,” Reed said. “My cat always

her school life, Reed explained, “without my cat I wouldn’t be very happy. He helps me cope with the stressful and pressuring environment at LASA.” For some children, having an uncomplicated relationship with their cat can be very helpful when they’re afraid or anxious. Cats are very independent and can survive without humans, but if a person develops a good relationship with their cat, both

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can benefit from the relationship. “She keeps me calm [down] when I’m freaking out,” Eccles said, “she makes it easier to just keep working.”

“I foster cats and I’ve noticed that when the cats pass away, it sucks. It sucks a lot,” Eccles explains, “but since I got my cat, it’s just helped my to deal with the loss, whether permanent or whether they’re just going to get adopted.”

“To see someone so sincerely excited and knowing that that cat is Cats also going to a good home, those contribute to a person’s are the good interactions. Those well-being. Their purrare the one’s I come in for and ing can not only lower hope to see every time.” stress in their owners, but help ~Lesley Ducran decrease symptoms

Speaking about the same topic, Reed expresses that “if I didn’t have his companionship to take refuge in, I would end up having a lot more stress induced breakdowns.”

For some children, according to Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, founder and director of the New York University Child Study Center and director of adolescent and child psychiatry at NYU/Belleview Hospital Center, who are depressed or anxious require extra reassurance and hugs. The acceptance and touch of a pet is extra-healing for them.

good” chemicals in the brain, including dopamine, oxytocin, prolactin, and norepinephrine which can have a number of other benefits. Reed said, “he also improves my overall mood and mindset. He gives me something to look forward to everyday and cheers me up when I’m down” when talking about her cat at home.

of dyspnea, lessen the chance of a heart attacks, and even strengthen their bones.

Ducran talked about her job at the Austin Animal Center and seeing people interact with the cats there. “They take their time and get to know the cat’s personality to see if it’s a good match. Some people take a long time to make a decision and they’ll come back day after day and interact with the same cat just to make sure it’s going to be a good fit for their home,” she says.

The late Dr. Johannes Odendaal, a research professor for the Life Sciences Research Institute in Pretoria in South Africa, explained in a study he did that interacting with a cat releases endorphins as well as other “feel

“[But when] the person bonds really well with the cat, and you can see they’re getting really emotional. They made the decision to adopt and they’re going up to do the paperwork and they’re so attached to the cat

“I usually have him near me or in my lap whenever I’m doing something stressful at home, so that he can help me calm down,” spoke Reed. “He helps me fall asleep at night since he has a calming and relaxing effect on my mind. He creates a naturally calming and tranquil atmosphere in my home.” Cats have been shown to help people move on from a loss quicker and help with physical symptoms of pain and loss, like crying. A cat can help with any sort of distress someone can be in and provide comfort for their owner.

13 year old Lesley Ducran holding her cat Rani back when she first got her. Photo by Lesley Ducran.

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The entrance to the Austin Animal Center in Austin, Texas. Photo by Emily Cochran-Lepiz.

already, they don’t even want to put the cat back to go finish paperwork. But then they’ll come back and be waiting for a staff member to come and actually get the cat for them to officially release them for the adoption.” When cats give and receive affection, it’s not necessarily in exchange for food or any other “greedy” behavior associated with it. It’s believed to be

because, like humans, they feel inspired to express it when they are cared for. Cats treat humans like they would treat any other cat, and that includes seeing their owners as family as well.

fits than what’s widely know, distressing and calming down can be difficult for some people and having a relationship with a companion can be crucial for the health of people. Cats help their owners in more ways than a person knows. ☼

“My cat is the light of my life. I could talk about my cat all day.” ~Mara Eccles

When asked about the phase “I didn’t adopt my cat, my cat adopted me,” Eccles said. “When your cat adopts you, it just grows comfortable with you and sees you as family as much as you see it as family.” Cats express their love back to their owners similar to how a person would see their dog do, if a person learns to read their cat’s body language they can see how much a cat can love their owners. “It’s nice to come home, even if she’s begging me for food, it’s nice to come home and see her greet me,” said Ducran.

Lesley Ducran’s cat, Rani, laying in her owner’s bed. Photo by Lesley Ducran.

Reed felt the same as Ducran and said, “He is family to me, I probably get along better with him than I do with my biological family members sometimes.” Owning a cat has a lot more beneElizabeth Reed holding her cat, O’Malley, in her room. Photo by David Reed.

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Find the Purr-fect Friend for You Start Here By Emily Cochran-Lepiz Must Be Adaptable?

Must Be Child Friendly?

Yes

Must Be Stranger Friendly? No

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Yes

Somewhat

Somewhat Yes

Must Have High Energy Level? No

American Shorthair

Have Any Health Problems?

Yes

Burmilla Russian Blue

Needs Social Interaction?

Somewhat

Must Be Dog Friendly?

Yes

Somewhat

Must Need Grooming? No

Yes

Savannah Toyger

Norwegian Forest Cat

Here is an interactive quiz you and your friends can take to find a breed of cat that will suit you the best. Every cat is different and has their own way of behaving, but this quiz highlights the general information of six specific breeds of cats that are compatible for different types of people.

American Shorthair -

Is an easygoing and tolerant cat who takes life as it comes. They are friendly, adaptable family companions who can live up to 20 years.

Russian Blue -

Can be affectionate but is not inclined to be clingy toward family members, does best with older children who won’t rush at him and scare him.

Burmilla -

Can be a gentle and devoted companion to adults and respectful children, isn’t excessively active but is typically playful and affectionate.

Savannah -

Enjoys interacting with other people and cats, very intelligent and curious, they’re always looking for something adventurous to do

Norwegian Forest Cat Is a kind, loving, gentle cat with a strong nurturing instinct. They are one of those cats who can get along with everyone

Toyger -

Has a sweet, calm personality and is generally friendly. Outgoing, energetic, and confident enough to get along with others.

Facts and photo credit to Vet Street. Design by Emily Cochran-Lepiz

Naturally Human

The Effects of Fishing By Cole Kennedy

ost people have experienced stress in their life, but most don’t know how to deal with it. Without managing stress efficiently, physical and mental problems can occur. Outdoor activities, specifically fishing, allow for undivided attention and lets people be alone with their thoughts to relax. That is why many doctors and civilians have supported fishing as a way to combat stress levels. There are many different reasons that someone is stressed out, each reason can contain a personal experience that goes along with it. The most popular causes of stress deal with financial and family matters. Dr. Sara Woods is a medical doctor who got her degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston. “Money is always a cause of stress for people. We see stress in our relationships and responsibilities -- as well as the political well-being of our world. There are good and bad types of stresses. The birth of a child and the death of a relative are both forms of stress,” Dr. Woods said. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.com

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Stress can also be bad for your body, not just your mind. Anxiety can allow for sickness to spread through the body faster and easier. Many people have said that they were feeling very stressed when they got sick.“Often when people are going through stressful periods, their immune system doesn’t protect them as well and they become sick more often,” Dr. Woods said. When someone is stressed out, they may be at risk of hurting their heart too. The hormones released by the body during a stressful period can cause the body to pump blood and breathe faster. If a person has a preexisting condition like asthma, this may make it harder to breathe and do other physical activities. “Stress can affect cardiovascular health -- it is associated with increased risk of heart attacks/strokes,” Dr. Woods said. When someone goes through a breakup, they might experience irregular beating and pressure of the heart. That is why when someone has just ended a relationship and are very stressed, they will feel

like their heart is breaking. Sleep deprivation, insomnia, and other mental illnesses like lack of motivation and depression are also common effects of stress. “It affects our emotional well-being -- causing anxiety and poor sleep,” Dr. Woods said. It is hard to function properly when someone is under extreme amounts of stress. If the central nervous system does not return to normal after a pressured time it may even cause chronic conditions. That is why people need to deal with their stress as soon as possible. There are many ways that somebody can diminish and reduce stress. “Eating better, getting more sleep, and exercising more help us handle the everyday stresses in our lives. Yoga and meditation can help with stress. Having a hobby that you enjoy can help deal with stress,” Dr. Woods said. Fishing and other outdoor hobbies can also help. “Any activity that gives you a mental break from all of the things that makes you anxious could be a way of

Fishing during the sunset in the Florida Keys. Photo by Cole Kennedy.

dealing with stress. Being outdoors and just getting away from a busy lifestyle may give you time to slow down and think through things with a fresh perspective. Sunlight activates vitamin D in the body and helps with mood/depression,” Dr. Woods said.

There is currently nine percent of the people in America that are currently considering a sport. 38% of those people say that they want to do it as a way of relieving stress. For many people, fishing and other sporting activities are a way to relieve the stress in their lives. Kenneth Strickling is an avid fisherman of Lake Whitney and other Texan lakes. “Fishing is a stress reliever for me. It is very relaxing to be on the water and surrounded by nature,” Mr. Strickling said. Many companies and organizations have been using fishing for various therapeutic reasons too. It is widely used as a rehabilitation therapy by psychologists, counselors, and physical therapists. There

are many wilderness programs that use fishing and other outdoor activities like hiking to help with drug and alcohol abuse. The U.S. Veterans Health Administration has adopted the use of fly fishing and fly tying as a recreational therapy for injured military veterans because these calming, repetitive, low-impact activities help them regain strength and the use of their muscles. “Fishing is a quiet activity. You can do it by yourself or with others and it would be very therapeutic to someone who is trying to adjust from a stressful experience,” Dr. Woods said. Not only does fishing help with stress, it

can also help people have positive experiences of life. There are many reasons that fishing is popular, not just in America, but all over the world. After all, it is the second most popular outdoor activity in America by participation rate, according to the 2016 Outdoor Participation Report. Fishing is valued deeply in the hearts of a great deal of people, and the fishing community is growing daily.

“Fishing is a quiet activity. You can do it by yourself or with others and it would be very therapeutic to someone who is trying to adjust from a stressful experience.” ~Dr. Sara Woods

One reason many people enjoy fishing is that they get to observe and study nature while having fun. “There is a science to it too. Every day, every lake is different, you change what

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you do, the lure you use and use different strategies depending on the wind, the sun, and location. Also, you fish differently depending on the species you are trying to catch,” Mr. Strickling said.

Being alone can sometimes be the best way to solve certain stressful situations. Even if they have a lot of work to do, many people will still go fishing to think about the dilemmas that they are facing and ways to deal with those. Fishing allows this to happen in a fun and relaxing way too. Watching the line tighten and feeling the wind blow over the surface of the water while reconciling thoughts is a great way to relieve pressure.

“Today’s society is too inAnother reason lots of people fish volved in electronics, is that they like being outside video games, and staying and preserving nature. Modernindoors. I hope that fishization is causing ing can change that.” many bodies of water to be ~Kenneth contaminated with harmful substances Strickling and pesticides. This can cause an increase in algae and other plants that use up all of the dissolved oxygen in the water. Without oxygen, many species of fish have died in certain parts of America. Many fisherman have made it their mission to help save these fish from the destruction of industrialization. “It’s important to me to be outside to enjoy and preserve nature. I

grew up fishing and take pride in teaching my daughter to fishand the science involved in it,” Mr. Strickling said.

Some people enjoy fishing because it’s a fun and easy way to burn calories. Robbie Rodriguez is a senior at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) in Austin, Texas. “It may not give you as much exercise as football, but it is better than being indoors on electronics. Plus, you get to go outside and see nature,” Rodriguez said. Wading in a stream alone can burn around 340 calories per hour. Reeling in a massive yellow-fin

tuna can also be a great challenge because of the tuna’s brute strength and swimming ability. This is may not as much as other activities, but it is at least something. Fishing can also teach people valuable life lessons. “Miracles can occur, and if you give up you won’t be able to see that miracle,” Rodriguez said. It’s important for people to be patient in their lives to avoid making hasty decisions without thought. Fishing helps with that, it teaches people how to be patient and analyze the situation that they are in. If somebody doesn’t like fishing “try fishing multiple times, because if you have a bad day and get skunked, you may never go fishing again, but if you have one good day you will be hooked for life,” Rodriguez said. Fishing allows people to be more relaxed and have a more positive outlook on life. That’s why many people say that a “Bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.” Even when people get skunked and don’t catch anything, it will always be better than being stressed. ☼

By getting “off the grid” more often, fishing can allow for a simpler and more relaxing life. “Today’s society is too involved in electronics, video games, and staying indoors. I hope that fishing can change that,” Mr. Strickling said. Fishing could help people who are addicted to these things by having an outdoor activity that can also be enjoyable. That is another reason why many people choose to go fishing. It gets them away from the screens that have infected their lives. Staying on electronics all day will allow you to miss the wonderful, natural beauties that we have in our world. As people grow up, they find it harder to get time to go fishing. By letting the body go of electronics, the more nature that someone can enjoy.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.com

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Someone fly fishing off of a green boat. Photo taken by Markus Spiske.

Cole Kennedy catches a 30 lb black drum with a blue crab off the bay in Galveston, Texas during the cold February of 2016. Photo courtesy of Cole Kennedy.

Robbie Rodriguez catches a 5 lb largemouth bass in a kayak while fishing in 40 degree weather at Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. Photo courtesy of Robbie Rodriguez.

A man fishing in the ocean during a sunset on September 7, 2012. Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Naturally Human

FISHING BY THE NUMBERS 58

BY Cole Kennedy

Amount of days an average fisherman fishes per year.

68 mph How fast the quickest fish, the sailfish, can swim.

Largemouth Bass The most sought after fish by American Fisherman.

Graphic courtesy of wikimedia commons.

15.5 billion Amount, in dollars, anglers spent on fishing gear in 2011.

Sharks Do not have an air bladder to help keep them afloat. They must either swim continually or rest on the bottom.

24 Naturally Human

Graphic by Cole Kennedy

21.8 billion Dollars anglers spent on trip related items such as food and lodging.

Brains

Relative to their body size, fish have small brains compared to most other animals.

The average age of an angler.

Amount, in millions, of people in America who enjoy fishing every year.

The largest fish is the great whale shark. It can grow to 50 feet long. The extremely tiny Philippine goby is about the size of your fingernail.

Graphic by Cole Kennedy

That means that out of 6 people, at least one of them enjoys fishing.

A drawing of a Philippine goby. Graphic courtesy of wikimedia commons.

Fish have an organ called the lateral line which works much like radar and helps them navigate in dark or murky water.

Through license sales and excise taxes on equipment, hunters and anglers pay for most fish and wildlife conservation programs.

Graphic by Chris Huh Graphic by Gerald G.

Naturally Human

Mother Nature’s Masterpiece

Bonsai by Joey McCoy

By Champ Turner

or most, the word “art” conjures up images of elaborate oil paintings and shiny marble sculptures. People assume that art sits in a museum or gallery, remaining unchanged for decades. However, the growing movement of natural art can teach the world to challenge those assumptions. Stacy Levy, a natural artist, expresses the beauty of nature with her work. “I always say that nature is my client,” Levy says. “When I get to a site, I look to see what forces are at work in that site and if they are particularly interesting.”

in Maine on a lake over the water. So I had this ‘wood over water’ and ‘walkway through a stream’ thing in my head. And, I think I just always wanted to make places like that, and to interact with water and the built environment.” In her art, Levy uses a variety of media to express her ideas. She designs large installations, using unconventional materials such as plants, rocks and plastic. But, for Levy, the meaning of the piece takes precedence over its materials. “I definitely don’t

start with the medium, I start with the idea,” she says. “That’s a newer way of making art. A lot of people are trained in a particular media, and fortunately, when I was going to school, that was being turned around. Conceptual art was taking over, which was good for me because I was never wedded to one particular material.” As an artist, Levy seeks to emphasize elements of the natural world that often go unnoticed, as opposed to what most people think of as nature. “My art is all about translating every-

Across the globe, artists like Levy are moving out of the gallery and into the great outdoors. By using the natural world as their canvas, these artists have created work that takes inspiration from nature, uses natural materials, and invites the viewer to become aware of the ever-changing environment they live in. Inspiration strikes many artists at an early age. Stacy Levy recalls that her immersion in nature as a young girl inspired her to create. “There were two things that I saw when I was younger that I was completely entranced by,” Levy says. “One was called the ‘flume,’ which was a really deep stream in a stone gorge in New Hampshire, and the other was that I spent every summer out on a dock

26 Naturally Human

River Return, a San Antonio stone installation by Stacy Levy evokes the human and natural history of the city. Photo by Stacy Levy.

day, commonplace nature, so you are more sensitive to it,” she explains. Instead of depicting cascading waterfalls and towering trees, Levy’s work shows people the subtle, omnipresent type of nature: the kind that people walk past without even a glance. “I feel strongly about explaining the forest that grows along the edge of the housing development, because it was a shape of land that couldn’t be developed,” Levy says. “The leftover landscapes, are what interest me. I’m really interested in introducing people to what goes on in those landscapes.” In addition to highlighting neglected nature, Levy’s work seeks to connect the human and natural worlds. “I struggle with trying to figure out that connection with humans and nature,” she says. “We absolutely need nature and in some ways, and in a funny sort of way, nature is starting to need us. So, the relationship between people and nature is a very very tricky one, but one that I’m eternally interested in and constantly readjusting.” For example, Levy’s installation titled “River Return,” in San Antonio, combines two worlds into one. The piece sits in a park between Mission Concepción and the San Antonio River, incorporating elements of both. “It was really interesting to try to bring the presence of the mission and the river to a site that was basically bare,” Levy says.

Dendritic Decay Garden, by Stacy Levy, highlights the beauty of urban nature by integrating concrete and plants to create a garden in the shape of a tree. Photo by Stacy Levy.

could kind of feel what it was like to go down a stream with the current, and be sort of swirling around with things,” Levy explains. By highlighting nature’s hidden side, Levy’s pieces encourage the viewers to observe and appreciate nature from a different perspective. For Levy, her pieces “are little celebrations of nature, so you can feel more connected to nature and also more thrilled by nature, even in the littlest ways.” Many nature lovers enjoy spending time in the forest, but artist and tree enthusiast, Joey McCoy, has the skillset to create his own forest. McCoy practices Bonsai, the ancient Japanese craft of dwarfing trees. Through years of careful shaping and trimming, he has populated his backyard with hundreds of miniature, potted trees.

“My art is all about translating everyday, commonplace nature, so you are more sensitive to it.” ~Stacy Levy

The piece has enough room to for one to walk around in, and features stones stacked and carved into spiral patterns, giving the illusion of flowing water. “I wanted to make a dry experience of water where you

Bonsai has mesmerized McCoy since childhood, and he vividly recalls his first encounter with the art form as a young boy living in Hawaii. “There was a sushi restaurant, and on the roof, the owner had a collection of Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Bonsai trees,” McCoy says. “I remember being really little and just looking up at these trees and being amazed by them. And, of course, I had no idea what the heck Bonsai was at the time, but the image stuck in my head.” McCoy works full time as a jeweler, but still finds time to pursue his lifelong passion. As a member of the Austin Bonsai Society, McCoy can expand his knowledge in the field and meet people who share his love of arboreal art. “There are a bunch of people who do the same thing [at the society], and it’s a great group,” he says.

Bonsai, such as this one by Joey McCoy, can take years to craft and perfect.

Naturally Human

The sheer number and quality of trees that McCoy has created in his backyard gives the illusion that Bonsai can be accomplished easily. But, making just one Bonsai tree requires a careful procedure, and can take years to produce a satisfactory result. “The first year is given to growing roots back on a plant in a large container, to get it back healthy again,” McCoy says, explaining the process. “I’ll reduce it down until it starts going into more Bonsai size. As that’s happening, I’m taking all these wild branches and pruning them back gently and also bending them down with wire. If they’re not in the places I want, sometimes I’ll graft a new branch in that area. So, it’s a constant rejuvenation of the plant. They’re rebuilding themselves every year, and our job is to direct that growth so that you create Bonsai.” McCoy prefers to use plants that grow in Texas as Bonsai, by taking a cutting or trunk of the desired plant, and shaping how he wants. One of his favorite species to work with is the boxwood, a bush commonly used in landscaping. “When there’s a turnover of houses and people are getting rid of the old landscaping, to me, it’s just perfect material,” McCoy says. Some people feel that Bonsai does not do the tree justice, because they are dwarfed and kept in a pot. Mc-

Coy explains that the art of Bonsai is not meant to restrict a tree, but to highlight its natural beauty. “There’s a misconception that we wire them, and stunt them, and that we do horrible things. But, that’s not the case at all. We want them as gloriously happy as they can possibly be,” explains McCoy. “If they flower in nature, we want them to flower. If they produce fruit, we want them to produce fruit.” Observing a Bonsai tree over time allows one to appreciate change in the environment by exhibiting the dynamic nature of the natural world. “Unlike other art forms, [Bonsai] is always changing,” McCoy explains. “That’s nice, but it’s also frustrating because there’s never a finished point. The only finished Bonsai is a dead Bonsai. Sometimes you’ll get something that looks just perfect, and you have to show it because there’s a Murphy’s law that something will go wrong. The next year you may lose this branch, it just dies off. And, okay now we rebuild. You take something here and we readjust. So, Bonsai will teach you patience and it will teach you not to give up sometimes.”

McCoy finds that, even though caring for a Bonsai tree (or a few hundred) can be difficult, the process provides him with satisfaction that can’t be found anywhere else. “The importance of it is that there are so many different layers and levels to it, it never becomes boring. I will never know all there is about Bonsai, because once you’ve learned this, there’s all these master levels that have gone beyond me. I find it completely fascinating,” McCoy says.

“The natural world has made me less concerned with the permanence of my artwork.” ~Mei-ling Hom

Bonsai can trace its roots to Japan, but has now become popular in many other regions of the world. Bonsai by Joey McCoy.

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Working with living things presents a unique challenge. Bonsai reflects the fragility of nature, and the constant adjustments needed to maintain balance. “It’s like doing gardening and horticulture up on stilts,” McCoy says. “You are trying to figure out how to do this with a degree of difficulty that you aren’t doing anyplace else. I can try to make [the tree] do all I want, but if that branch isn’t going to grow, my vision will not happen.”

Mei-ling Hom, a Philadelphia-based artist, also shares a passion for nature and art. She has created art since childhood, and took inspiration from the many artistic endeavors of her father. “I understood from an early age that being an artist was a perfectly acceptable career,” she says. “When I realized that making things was a pleasurable and satisfying endeavor, my career direction was clear.” Hom studied art in college, but felt she needed a larger skillset in order to support herself as an artist. After taking several part time jobs, Hom had the opportunity to study sculpture and obtain her MFA at New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. “I had applied in ceramics, but the graduate faculty felt that

Bayous are ideal locations for mushroom bumps to biofilter. Photo by David McClelland.

Mei-ling Hom’s “mushroom bumps,” such as this one sprouting pink oyster mushrooms, provide organic soil fertilization and filtering. Photo by Mei-ling Hom.

my work was too compromised with non-clay material and accepted me instead in sculpture. This turned out to be a most fortuitous decision, as it opened a range of explorations which would not have been possible in the mid 80’s at Alfred University working only in ceramics.” Hom’s recent natural art illustrates the necessity of keeping ourselves and the Earth healthy. Recently, she has incorporated farming into her art making. “Growing healthy food is a simple basic need,” she says. “By combining my art with sustainable farming, I could approach a balanced objective.” By merging art and agriculture, Hom has demonstrated that art can have a function beyond just looking nice. Some of her recent creations, known as “mushroom bumps,” serve as small composters and nutrient filters that benefit the Earth, and are 100 percent natural. “I have made sculptures by coiling straw into dome shapes which are filled with sterilized straw and oyster mushroom spawn,” Hom explains. “As the mushrooms grow throughout the straw, their mycelial network creates a filtering web

capable of absorbing excess nutrients, digesting nematodes, and even taking up some toxins in the soil. The flooded banks of bayous and areas of water run off are perfect locations for mycoremediation. These straw sculptures eventually biodegrade, and even if no biofiltering activity has taken place, the decayed straw forms become a healthy soil amendment.” To the naked eye, the mushroom bumps appear only as upside-down straw baskets sprouting fungus. However, on a microscopic level, many complex biological interactions are occurring constantly. “The web of relationships between the microbial and growing plant worlds are not fully understood, but evidence of their chemical signaling and communications shed light on the delicate balance necessary for the survival of the natural world,” Hom explains. Hom splits her time between Philadelphia in the winter, and a farmhouse in upstate New York in the summer. She feels that the annual change of scenery allows her to develop her art in a variety of ways. “My city life of making art, visiting exhibitions, following the art trends,

hobnobbing with curators can be ego inflating and bruising,” she says. “Farming on the other hand is a very humbling and grounded lifestyle. The city setting feeds a wellspring of external energy and possibilities while the country setting gives my internal wellspring time to weigh and evaluate the ‘why’ of my art making.” Natural art, including Hom’s, does not stay the same forever. Through the passing of seasons and years, the art eventually dissolves back into the Earth. Hom believes that this constant cycle of creation and decomposition reflects the true character of nature. “Observing the cycle of seasonal change is a slow performance which is surprisingly rewarding for the attentive viewer,” Hom says. “The natural world has made me less concerned with the permanence of my artwork.” In the today’s fast-paced, man made world, natural art provides relief from the artificial, and puts nature’s beauty in the spotlight. By using unconventional materials in creative ways, natural artists harness the forces of the Earth to create art that connects the viewer with their complex, delicate, and ever-changing environment. “If you don’t connect with nature, you don’t feel at home,” explains Stacy Levy, “and feeling at home makes you less anxious.” Natural art celebrates the multitudinous gifts that nature has provided, and encourages people to say thank you. ☼

Naturally Human

The Circle of Life By Champ Turner

Bonsai Tree Bonsai artists work constantly to craft their tree into an ideal shape. The tedious process takes many years.

Formation

Bonsai can be taken from the wild, or grown from seeds or cuttings. The first few years in a bonsaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life are devoted to growing a healthy, young tree.

Shaping

Branches are cut and pruned in various directions to create the feeling of fluid motion, similar to that of trees found in the wild.

Aging

As the tree enters old age, minor adjustments are made to prevent the overcrowding of leaves and branches. If cared for well, some Bonsai can live for centuries.

30 Naturally Human

Editing

Smaller branches are wired and foliage is trimmed to attain the desired shape. At this stage, the tree is ready for display in Bonsai shows.

The appeal of natural art comes from its ability to change with the forces of the Earth. From creation to decomposition, it never ceases to amaze. Below, an explanation of the various steps in the life cycles of two types of natural art.

Creation

The dome shape is woven from straw, and is filled with sterilized straw and mushroom spawn. The dome is sealed when a straw disc is placed on the bottom.

Placement

Mushroom Bump Acting as organic biofilters, mushroom bumps nurture a fungal network that digests toxins, nematodes, and excess nutrients in the soil.

The mushroom bump is carefully placed in a shady and moist area (such as a bayou or swamp). This maximizes biofiltering potential. All graphics by Champ Turner

Biofiltering

The mushroom spawn sprouts mycelia (roots) that grow throughout the straw form, creating a web structure that filters out pollutants in the soil.

Decomposition 4 Eventually, the mycelia form into mushrooms on the outside of the structure. Finally, the dome decomposes and adds its nutrients to the soil. Sources: Mei-ling Hom, Joseph McCoy, motherearthnews.com

Naturally Human

Aesthetic Austin

Photo by Emma Rodriguez

By Emma Rodriguez

ustin’s street art has been around for a long time, telling stories and evoking feelings of happiness, frustration, fear, and struggle. But why? Why does art play such a big role in telling our history, the story of our lives? What about the random murals that pose many questions, such as the “Hi, how are you?” frog mural on Guadalupe?

that visual world talks to us in strong ways and it registers, and through it we register our own ideas, right? Because it’s made by people, right?” she says. “You know, I’m an artist living right now, I’m, you know, living through the recent election, so it’s very likely that my art’s going to register that,” she continues. “And because it’s visual it’s a compelling (for me it’s a particularly compelling) or pleasurable way to think about history. So I’d rather, you know, look at, think about, that artist’s painting about Trump, or something like that,

“Art is one element in the visual world, and that visual world talks to us in strong ways and it registers, and through it we register our own ideas.” ~Kate Green

Kate Green is an art history lecturer at UT, and explains it this way, “Art is one element in that visual world and

Stevie Ray Von Statue by the riverside. Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

Left side Rhapsody Mosaic on E 11th. Photo by Emma Rodriguez

Right side Rhapsody Mosaic on E 11th. Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

St Austin Catholic Parish’ response to the “Hi, how are you” mural on the side of restaurant, Thai how are you, on Guadalupe St. Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

about the election, than read a book about it.”

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Austin’s street art scene has been growing since the mid-twentieth century, has definitely not stopped, and it is doubted that it soon will. Local Austin artist, Amanda Rainey, explains why. “[A]rt is one of the oldest forms of communication,” explained Rainey. “Even before we really had the opportunity to formulate words and phrases, we drew pictures to explain our experiences and to hope that someone else can identify with them.”

The idea of art on the street, saying things about someone or their feelings or struggles, is very confounding to some people. However, with mosaic artist, Stefanie Distefano’s perspective, everything comes into play. “It says ‘We are

“[Art] says ‘We are here.’ It says something about now which means a lot more than it used to. Again, it’s not about being here in Texas, it’s just ‘this moment I feel this.’” ~Stefanie Distefano

here.’ It says something about the now and present day which means a lot more than it used to, you know? Again, it’s not about being here in Texas, it’s just ‘this moment I feel this,’” she says. Art in Austin has been in an almost constant state of growth since the mid-twentieth century, but why is that? Kate Green says it is because art is a main way we communicate, whether it’s advertising or promoting or demoting anything worth the trouble. “Through visual material is one of the stronger ways that events or ideas or things register,” she says, “All the time the visual world is talking to us, and art is part of that.

Wille Nelson Statue on West 2nd and Lavaca. Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

There are other things, you know, advertising is part of that, television is part of that,” Green continues.

ant,” Rainey says.

“Through [art], However, to Stefanie Distefano, we empathize with the it is less the artist, and can really expe- friendliness Austin is of Austin, constantly more rience their story, visually and attracting the plain all things and emotionally, whether weirdness art and of Austin expression, it’s painting, or sculpture, or which but what is in turn it that makes dance, or theater, we’re being creates the it so magnetwelcoming invited into somebody glow ic for so many that so people? “Austin many artists else’s experience.” feel, also, the is welcoming,” Rainey answers, “I complete) ~Amanda Raineylack(almost think it’s very open to of construct. “[T] experiencing something a little outside the “norm” and that speaks volumes to the creative mindset. Coming somewhere where it’s safe to experiment is very import-

here’s a freedom in Austin, even with the city slogan being ‘Keep Austin Weird,’ I think there’s a freedom there to not have to stay within any form or construct. It just allows you to do, just to make, like, there’s a maker world there,” claims Distefano. Austin’s art has many different purposes, from telling stories of struggle in this ever changing would, to encouraging people to take a stand, to asking people, “Hi, how are you?” And according to Amanda Rainey, this is just one factor that makes art oh so powerful. “[A]rt is a connecting medium. Through it, we empathize with the process or with the artist, and can really experience their story, visually and emotionally, whether

“Your Essential Magnificence” by James Tablot on South Congress and Bartlett. Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

Naturally Human

Mural by Hey Cupcake! local Austin food trailer on South Congress Ave. Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

it’s painting, or sculpture, or dance, or theater, we’re being invited into somebody else’s experience, and, that’s imperative to, I think, understand the story, the history,” Rainey explains.

strongest ways that historical events can register, no matter where one person or another is from. “[T]here’s all kinds of ways that we can think about historical events,

Willie Nelson Statue on W 2nd and Lavaca. Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

about. To try to decode the ideas “[Austin’s] about [something] in this painting, stuff is a little more than to, perhaps, read a book about Amanda Rainey’s feelings on why it. If that makes sense,” Green conart is so powerful, are that art allows cludes. street savvy, it’s just do people and communities to conStephanie Distefano also believes nect with one another in times of what you want to do and art is as powerful as it is because disaster or good fortune.“[A]rt is being such a popular form extremely important in allowmove on. It doesn’t matter ofof itcommunication. “For me ing, a community to connect personally, I see things visually with a story, a point of view, how it holds up, it doesn’t more than read it or say it or you know, perspective, either, to whatever so if I’m going to talk keep it from happening again or matter the story, it doesn’t about something I’m going to [to] understand it more,” Rainey have to be this perfect box speak it in visual art,” she says. states. “[A]lso (maybe) because [art] stays and tight edge, to be art.” around for a really long time, it’s Kate Green’s feelings on why art is so powerful, are that art is one of the ~Stefanie Distefano longevity,” Distefano adds. “Hi, how are you?” on Guadalupe St. Photo By Emma Rodriguez.

34 Naturally Human

and learn about them, and understand them, and I think through visual material is one of the stronger ways that those events or ideas or things register,” says Kate Green. “To me, that’s more interesting to think

Austin is full of so many varieties of art, from graffiti to mosaics to murals, and that’s partly because of the variety of people that this city attracts. “[Y]ou and I could both have been a part of a same event and make a piece of art about that event and the art would look totally

“I love you so much” located on the side of “Jo’s Coffee” on South Congress Ave. Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

Larry Monroe Bridge mosaic. Photo By Emma Rodriguez.

different, you know, your response to that. Like if we were each writing an essay about it, we would each have very different responses to it, too, right? My essay would be very

Austin having more of a street savvy vibe, is often demonstrated by the HOPE Outdoor Gallery, located in west downtown Austin, where artists

“[Art is] a great way to really experience something outside of anything you’ve previously been exposed to.” ~Amanda from Rainey inexpePeople of all ages enjoying their immense freedom given by the graffiti park. Photo By Emma Rodriguez.

different than your essay, and so with artwork, how the artists choices are reflected in the artwork are interesting to me,” Green explains.

rienced to professional can come and spray-paint whatever they feel on the paint layered concrete hill.“[Austin’s] stuff is a little more, street savvy, it’s just do what you want to do and move on. It doesn’t matter how it holds up, it doesn’t matter the story, it doesn’t have to be this perfect box and tight edge, high art to be art,” Distefano stated.

HOPE Outdoor Gallery sign at the graffiti park on Castle Hill. Photo By Emma Rodriguez.

Amanda Rainey, paints a piece at the Art Outside festival in Austin, TX. Photo by Circe Vogel.

So, overall, all of Austin’s street art is very influential historically and changes the way lives are lived and causes interpretations of an array of different challenges. “[Art is] a great way to really experience something outside of anything you’ve previously been exposed to and, you know, and the people that create it,” comments Amanda Rainey. Art of all kinds allows people to see through each other’s eyes, to walk in their shoes, no matter their background or feelings. ☼ Darshan Jani (left), Stefanie Distefano (middle), and Arun Gandhi (right), pose proudly in front of Distefano’s mosaic of Mahatma Gandhi. Photo by Bethany Hegedes.

UT Lecturer, Kate Green, pauses from discussing her work to flash a smile. Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

Naturally Human

What does your favorite By Emma Rodriguez MURAL say about YOU? Hi, how are you

Rhapsody

Photo by Emma Rodriguez.

Photos by Emma Rodriguez.

You are a fun and outgoing person, always making friends and talking up a storm. You can be a little quirky, and for that your friends love you and are always laughing nonstop.

Your heritage runs deep and you never stop expressing it. You are artistic, expressive and bold, and always are demonstrating your originality without fail.

I love you so much

Smile! Even if you don’t want to

You are a very affectionate person always wearing their heart on their sleeve. You are not afraid to let people know how you feel, and are always showing everyone that they are loved and needed. You aspire to help people and keep the world smiling.

Similar to I love you so much, you always want to keep the world bright, and work as hard as you must to do so. You can be commanding but only when helping people, because you always know what’s best.

Photos by Emma Rodriguez (top) and Titus Rodriguez (bottom).

Photos by Emma Rodriguez.

HOPE Outdoor Gallery

You are incredibly outgoing and hip. You love to be in the spotlight, and are always changing up your look, keeping your friends on their toes. You’re the life of the party and thoroughly enjoy it, no matter what.

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Photos by Emma Rodriguez.

Your Essential Magnificence

You love the spotlight, but also enjoy some quiet time for yourself and always keep your friends close. You also enjoy staying in the background, and just making them look good. You are always colorful and bright and inspire awe in all who see you. Photos by Emma Rodriguez.

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North Congr ess Ave

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By Emma Rodriguez

ess Ave South Congr

Historicity, Photogenicity, and Popularity Ratings;

I-35

Art to Visit

South 11st St

South Lamar

Blvd

West Cesar Chavez St

Historic - 1 Photogenic - 5 Popular - 6

1 is least, 5 is most Gandhi: Historic - 4 Photogenic - 3 Popular - 3

Larry Monroe Memorial Bridge: Historic - 4 Photogenic - 3 Popular - 2

Your Essential Magnificence: Historic - 1 Photogenic - 5 Popular - 3

Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue: Historic - 4 Photogenic - 3 Popular - 4 (frequented by runners, walkers, and dog owners in the dog park)

Smile! Even if You Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Want To: Historic - 1 Photogenic - 5 Popular - 5 (is made by Hey Cupcake! food trailer) I love you so much:

Willie Nelson Statue: Historic - 4 Photogenic - 3 Popular - 3 (next to a

restaurant) HOPE Outdoor Gallery: Historic - 1 Photogenic - 5 Popular - 5 Hi how are you: Historic 1 Photogenic - 4 Popular - 4 (on the side of restaurant, Thai, How Are You) Rhapsody: Historic - 4 Photogenic - 3 Popular - 3 Graphic by Emma Rodriguez.

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Adopt Your New Best Friend Today Phone: 512-961-6519 1156 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703 Hours: 11:30am until 7:00pm Daily

Photos provided by Austin Pets Alive

The Zilker Botanical Garden A Place of Serenity and Peace The Jewel in the Heart of Austin, TX Phone: 512-477-8672

Photo by LoneStarMike

2220 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78746

Hours: 9:00am until 5:30pm Daily

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Na-

ture’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but Nature’s sources never fail”

~John Muir