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Producer of the Week: Non_mooching_artist

Posted by sdesapio 10 years, 4 months ago to Featured Producers
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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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All Comments

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  • Posted by Hiraghm 10 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, thanks. Fever broke, then just had to suffer through it migrating through my sinuses into my lungs. It appears to be clearing from there, now.

    thanks for asking :)
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  • Posted by Hiraghm 10 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I read somewhere, years ago, that adopting Russian children was popular and easier than from elsewhere, back then.

    1967? You ain't that old.
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Oh, any reason why Russia was an option? I have a reason. My features? I actually know that my mother was Croatian and father Italian. That's all though. Closed adoptions in those days. 1967.
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  • Posted by Hiraghm 10 years, 4 months ago
    NMA, may I ask you a personal question?

    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.
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Lol!! No, I'm happy to answer. I was born in Pittsburgh and went home with my adoptive parents at 5 days old.

    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. ;-)
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I completely understand what you mean. That has happened when I was at church with my cousin when we were little. Everybody looked so rapt! I thought I had to be, and wondered what was wrong with me. Then, I don't remember what clicked, but I knew I didn't believe what was being said, and that was that. All good. :-)

    I'm glad you're the person you're meant to be. Any who look askance can go hang. ;-p
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  • Posted by JossAmbrose 10 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I used to go to church many years ago. I was genuinely fascinated by the 'meaning of life'. Needless to say, everything taught in church was about denial of the self.

    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.
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Thank you, Joss. :-). I've had great time on the post this week.

    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).
    ;-)
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 10 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Northern. Arlington and Annandale, college in Richmond then Manassas for a brief stint after I got married. What about you? Oh Alexandria for a bit before we built the house in Manassas.
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  • Posted by JossAmbrose 10 years, 4 months ago
    Nice to be able to put a face to the name. Great post, right there with you with the 'light switch being thrown'. ;]
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