Producer of the Week: Non_mooching_artist
Non_mooching_artist shares the profound impact “Atlas Shrugged” had on her as well as how Galt’s Gulch and its inhabitants have inspired her creativity.
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QUICK FACTS
*Favorite Ayn Rand book:
I am hard pressed to choose just one. “The Virtue of Selfishness” and “Atlas Shrugged” would be tied for the top spot, and yet “Anthem” stirred something within me. I would have to say that the acknowledgement of finding that “I” is the most powerful word at the disposal of man moved me. I can proudly say that both of my children have read and understood its meaning.
*Favorite Ayn Rand Character:
Howard Roark, hands down. He was the ideal of what “The Virtue of Selfishness” taught. I work hard to live by those teachings.
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Q & A
*When were you first introduced to Ayn Rand?
I remember seeing “Atlas Shrugged” on my mom’s bookshelf, but she died before I got to ask her about it. It was on my list of books I wanted to read; I think it was about 6 years ago, I was in our local book shop and I saw it. I bought it, read it, and felt like a light switch had been thrown! I was asking everyone I knew if they’d read it, and if yes, if it had affected them as profoundly as I felt it had me.
From there I saw the Atlas Society’s website but it was lacking something for me. When I saw that “Atlas Shrugged” was going to become a movie, I swear, I did a happy dance! Then I saw the Galt’s Gulch Online website on Facebook, and the circle has expanded exponentially.
*How has Ayn Rand influenced your life?
I feel that Ayn Rand confirmed what I believed: That work on one’s own behalf should be rewarded, and it is not wrong to feel justified in expecting to be compensated for effort. That moochers and looters are real and the true enemy of mankind. That we sadly, at this present moment, are living the reality of “Atlas Shrugged”.
*What passion project are you working on now?
I have started my own fine art business, Blue Sky Canvas, which is easier said than done. Any creative endeavor isn’t a compulsory act, and the creative muse can be elusive. I find that interacting with the amazing people I’ve come to know in the Gulch has inspired me more than I can say, and for that, I thank you all.
*How did you hear about Galt’s Gulch Online?
I saw an Ayn Rand quote one day on Facebook, liked it, and followed it to the Gulch website. I didn’t think twice about whether or not to be a producer. The hardest part was coming up with the right “name”. I think it fits.
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ON THE WEB
*Facebook: Coming soon - my business Facebook page. I will post in the Gulch when it passes muster.
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- - - - -
QUICK FACTS
*Favorite Ayn Rand book:
I am hard pressed to choose just one. “The Virtue of Selfishness” and “Atlas Shrugged” would be tied for the top spot, and yet “Anthem” stirred something within me. I would have to say that the acknowledgement of finding that “I” is the most powerful word at the disposal of man moved me. I can proudly say that both of my children have read and understood its meaning.
*Favorite Ayn Rand Character:
Howard Roark, hands down. He was the ideal of what “The Virtue of Selfishness” taught. I work hard to live by those teachings.
- - - - -
Q & A
*When were you first introduced to Ayn Rand?
I remember seeing “Atlas Shrugged” on my mom’s bookshelf, but she died before I got to ask her about it. It was on my list of books I wanted to read; I think it was about 6 years ago, I was in our local book shop and I saw it. I bought it, read it, and felt like a light switch had been thrown! I was asking everyone I knew if they’d read it, and if yes, if it had affected them as profoundly as I felt it had me.
From there I saw the Atlas Society’s website but it was lacking something for me. When I saw that “Atlas Shrugged” was going to become a movie, I swear, I did a happy dance! Then I saw the Galt’s Gulch Online website on Facebook, and the circle has expanded exponentially.
*How has Ayn Rand influenced your life?
I feel that Ayn Rand confirmed what I believed: That work on one’s own behalf should be rewarded, and it is not wrong to feel justified in expecting to be compensated for effort. That moochers and looters are real and the true enemy of mankind. That we sadly, at this present moment, are living the reality of “Atlas Shrugged”.
*What passion project are you working on now?
I have started my own fine art business, Blue Sky Canvas, which is easier said than done. Any creative endeavor isn’t a compulsory act, and the creative muse can be elusive. I find that interacting with the amazing people I’ve come to know in the Gulch has inspired me more than I can say, and for that, I thank you all.
*How did you hear about Galt’s Gulch Online?
I saw an Ayn Rand quote one day on Facebook, liked it, and followed it to the Gulch website. I didn’t think twice about whether or not to be a producer. The hardest part was coming up with the right “name”. I think it fits.
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ON THE WEB
*Facebook: Coming soon - my business Facebook page. I will post in the Gulch when it passes muster.
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1. what are you wearing to the ASIII premiere?
2.what is the one phrase AR wrote that stopped you in your tracks?
3.If you could be the tycoon of an industry-which industry would you pick?
4.what do you pack in a sack lunch?
5. fav current song
6.pretzels or chips?
7. what auto would you choose to run the baja 1000?
1. Glam beaded long gown and Jimmy Choo's on my feet.
2. "The question is not who is going to let me; It's who is going to stop me."
3. Steel
4. I don't. Lol, ok if I HAD to, ham and Swiss w/spicy horseradish mustard, water and red grapes.
5. Thousand Foot Krutch, 'Light Up The Sky'
6. Utz's Old Bay Crab Chips
7. Class 11 stock '70 or '71 Beetle
For me it's like, as time passes, your creative work grows (I'm a writer) and matching how you embody that creative impulse with where you're currently at is the challenge (and the joy).
"What, incidentally, do you think integrity is? The ability *not* to pick a watch out of your neighbor's pockety??? No, it's not as easy as that...integrity is the ability to stand by an idea. That presuposses the ability to think, and thinking is something one can not borrow or pawn." ~ pg. 321 of the Fountainhead (Ch. 2, Part 10) of the Bobs-Merrill, 25th Anniversary edition
Not a huge fan of Dominique. I found I didn't have a lot of patience for her. Toohey is despicable. Love that book though.
Where can I see something you've written? ( other than what you wrote here, haha).
Also, my general articles and writings can be found at http://dotheknowledge.com
Keep doing you!
NMA
I can't wait to read yours. I'm sure it will be an amazing read. You've shared some of your stories here before, and I shake my head in wonder.
Your friend,
NMA
(don't mind me; I'm feverish...)
Watch it, or I'll make to drink castor oil! ;-)
You know the saying...
"On the internet, all the men are real men, all the women are real men, and all the children are real FBI agents."
Should I have put it in a bowl first?
What's new? It's nice to see you in lately. :-)
NMA
Now, you would've been way cool if you grew up or had family in New Brighton! MMMMmm. The Hot Dog Shoppe.
ago? How do you like STL?
(do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and good with ketchup...)
You look like you look, and you're from Pittsburgh?
What relation are you to Justine Ezarik?
Congratulations! You deserve it. What a delightful interview.Your presence and commentary are always worth my time. I regret not having enough to catch it all. Your beautiful picture makes me think you are wise beyond your years. :)
Best wishes,
O.A.
You make me blush. Thank you, but you, too, provide excellent mental morsels to ponder! As always, you are the epitome of a gentleman. Who also has excellent taste in music, cars and movies. :-)
Kind regards,
NMA
Your friend,
O.A.
I'm a mush puddle.
(again, fever, etc...)
oh- I mean you too
I love you Non mooch. Can't wait for you to share your art and website with the gulch.
Always fun to talk with you...and someday I'm going to pick you and we're going to go the John Galt's house and get some answers! :)
(like I said, don't mind me, I'm feverish...)
Sorry that you are not well, H! Have some Emergen-C, make it hot like tea, though. It works wonders! Feel better soon :-) 🍲( That's a bowl of soup).
I think chicken noodle. But I don't have any bologna :(
I get the 98% lean bologna.
When I was little, and sick, my chicken noodle soup was always accompanied by a bologna sandwich.
(roughly translates to "the penguin's (brand) cotton balls"...)
great collaborative effort
I knew it was only a matter of time before you got tapped as PoW.
Little quirks in your writing style lead me to believe that English is not your first language (specifically, reverse-ordering in sentence structure on rare occassions).
You said that you were adopted, so were you born in Europe or possibly Russia?
"Mind your own damn business" is a perfectly acceptable answer, btw.
thanks for asking :)
Other than that, who knows? Give me an example. Now I'm curious as to what I've written. I also get ahead of myself in my head and can't type fast enough to keep up. A fatal flaw. ;-)
1967? You ain't that old.
It's profound isn't it? That aha moment when you know you weren't the odd one after all. (Well, I'm still odd, just not in that regard).
;-)
Many 'Christians' I knew were quite happy to submit their all to the Great Unknown, & accept whatever happened to them - good or bad, as God's will. Somehow, they seemed to remain 'joyful' in all of it, which, for a reason I could never put my finger on, made me feel SO ANGRY! I on the other hand could never quite let go of ME. I just couldn't. It took me a while to realise just how miserable I'd become by trying to stop myself from having a life. I ended up very depressed & saw no purpose in living by the end of it. I bailed.
By chance - & curiosity, I ran into AS. Well that changed a few things I can tell you! For one - & I suppose most importantly for me, it explained why I felt SO ANGRY at this blind submission. Ooohhh I hated it. HATE HATE HATE!
And yeah, I'm still pretty odd: I'm the only person I know in the UK like me. That said, I'm signed up the UK Objectivist Association forum (UKOA) but to be honest, I don't have much in common with others on the list. I'm sure they're all nice people but I get the feeling I'm a bit too whacky for them.
I'm glad you're the person you're meant to be. Any who look askance can go hang. ;-p
Thinking back on that day still makes me laugh out loud. I have no doubt in my mind you would have driven up here, pistol locked and cocked! I have to go stealth mode some night and snap a photo of the JG house looking like an axe murders dream house. It really does... 👀🍹🍹Cheers!
And thank you thank you thank you!!
I actually receive your emails and find them to be full of insight. Thank you for writing them.
Ask away if there's anything else you'd like to know.
Kind regards,
NMA
2) Are you using Kickstarter or something similar for part of your financing?
3) Is your business a brick & mortar store or online?
4) If B & M, what part of the country? (I am assuming you are in the USA.)
Good luck with it!!!!!