This Week - not in the Studio
This Week - not in the Studio
Joy, Inspiration, a little bit of Encouragement
The Joy of Travel
I stepped out of my studio and into something rather special this past week.
My husband and I finally took our originally planned 2020 anniversary trip to Kauai (a couple of years late), with a bonus stopover in Honolulu to see our daughter (attending UH Manoa). We had never been to this island (though, admittedly, have been fortunate enough to enjoy trips to the Big Island, Oahu, and Maui in the past).
From the beginning of our married lives, we’ve always prioritized travel over other expenditures. Despite our modest incomes, we love exploring new destinations and are always determined to fit a trip into our budget whenever we can. And if that meant we sometimes lived on the edge, we thankfully somehow made it work. In the process, we’ve enjoyed all kinds of trips (most often with our two children too) from the beaches of Mexico to the old-growth forests of Canada; from the canyons of the Southwest to the everglades of Florida; from exploring via the Bart in San Francisco, the “L” in Chicago, and the double-decker busses of London. And now most recently, we’ve celebrated our sixth Hawaiian adventure as we approach our 29th year of marriage with plans for many more adventures to come! We currently have Costa Rica, Japan, Australia, and New York still on our bucket list.
I love seeing new places and learning about the history of the area and seeing and exploring everything from parks and nature hikes to the city streets, restaurants, and local markets. I feel more connected to people and the planet when I can walk new paths and experience the world from a new perspective.
And so it was quite beautiful and wonderful and joyful to experience these things again (despite all the frustration, chaos, and uncertainty from the past two years) - all while also enjoying simple pleasures - such as watching the wild baby chicks following their mother hens, the sound of ocean waves crashing on the beach, freshly picked papaya and pineapple, and the freshest Ahi Taco I could ever ask to receive! Thanks Fillo’s!
(You can see more photos from my trip on Patreon or on my personal Instagram.)
Re-Kindled Inspirations
Trees
On my trip, I also rekindled my enthusiasm for trees.
I had forgotten how magical tropical trees can be and how similar yet different they are from my familiar pacific northwest forest titans. They reminded me of our deep connection to the earth and of our desire to reach beyond the sky above. Their roots find creative ways to cling to their home while their branches bend to the whims of wind and time. I felt connected and at peace with the knowledge that we are made from the same matter and will join together once again someday.
~ from today’s Patreon post
From their roots to the tips of their extended branches I felt eager to once again explore the shapes, textures, and colors of trees and the emotions they evoke as I paint.
I saw a deeper connection too that will follow me into my newer mixed media work as I explore the broader existence of humanity and what secrets the future may hold.
Birds
TODAY also begins a four-day bird-watching extravaganza known as the “Great Backyard Bird Count”. While I enjoyed finding and adding new birds to my “lifer list” in Hawaii, I am especially excited to count birds from my Oregon home over the next four days. Last year a cold storm had swept through our region as the bird count began, making it difficult to seek out as many birds as I would normally see on my hikes. This year the weather is looking much more reasonable, and I hope to exceed the 44 birds species I counted last year. (Though I don’t plan on such a massive painting effort, as pictured below, to capture them all this year, I DO plan on painting a few Hawaiian and Oregon birds over the next month).
Now, as I prepare to retreat to my studio for the month of March, I am excited to bring these tree and bird inspirations with me. I will be taking my first of two planned official “30-day Social Media Breaks” of the year. I am doing so to not only step away from my computer (and phone) but also out of my current, more methodical, art-making routines to re-focus on quick, painterly, exploratory art-making. I hope in doing so, I will bring fresh enthusiasm to my work while providing an opportunity for budget-conscious collectors with an “Affordable Art Show” in April where the pieces made in March will be available for sale.
To see all the March paintings revealed as they are made, however, be sure to follow me on Patreon (for a few free posts) or subscribe on Patreon (for $3/month and see ALL the painting reveals.) You can unsubscribe at any time.
Encouragement
Finally, this week not in the studio still found me grateful to receive a little art-making encouragement!
There are several types of art shows and festivals in which I can share my art - as many of you know - having found me at these shows. And while I have been honored to be a part of many juried events over the years up and down the west coast, to the Southwest and the Midwest, and even to a few rather prestigious ones - there are still a couple of shows on my bucket list which have routinely rejected my application.
This year is also my first year of embracing mixed media processes and a new artistic style. As such, I have been nervous about applying to shows while outside my usual painterly comfort zone. I struggle feeling confident and comfortable on my new path, and every little bit of encouragement is much appreciated.
So, while enjoying a beautiful vacation I was extra thrilled to receive news that I was waitlisted for a show I’ve previously never been able to get into (having applied a handful of times over the last fifteen years) - the esteemed Bellevue Art Museum Show. Even if I don’t get called up off the waitlist, I am excited to receive this modest validation for my new work and am encouraged to prepare as if I will be joining the event!
I now return to the studio, feeling very lucky to be filled with new joy, inspiration, and encouragement to keep me going.
I hope you also had an opportunity to find a little something special in your week, or have some opportunities or adventures to plan or look forward to ahead.
In the meantime, I’ll be on the trails counting as many birds as I can!
~ Jennifer