AN ARTIST'S JOURNEY

THE STORY BEHIND "POSTCARDS FROM THE COAST"

My newest body of artwork titled “Postcards from the Coast” launches today. I’m releasing the collection in the form of limited-edition archival prints of a small group of paintings, completed while on a recent trip along the Northern California Coast.

My husband and I started the driving trip just north of San Francisco at the historic and inspiring Sea Ranch colony, and followed Highway 1 mile by mile along the Mendocino Coast and northward, all the way into Oregon and then retracing the journey South for a total of 2,500 miles explored. The purpose of the trip was a desire and deliberate intention to slow down in life. We wanted to take time to explore the natural world - the landscape and seascape, the wide vistas and tiny details, the colors and textures, the light and smells, and really take it in and for a true sense of place and what that feels like - Inside - while in an environment of sublime beauty - Outside.

The expedition took more than two weeks and was illuminating and transformative personally and creatively. On one hand, I was out of my comfort zone. We were on the move during the days (where do we eat!?; what about a bathroom in the wilderness?!) and sleeping in a new place most nights. So basic 'survival needs' were often at the forefront of our attention. But in many ways, in spite of this or perhaps because of this, I learned quickly how to feel at home wherever I am. It was grand practice in embracing the unknown in both life and art. And we were able to (much of the time) go beyond those immediate needs to live in the moment where nothing else exists, see examples of grace in Nature, and have conversations about beauty and truth and values and personal fulfillment - what Maslow calls the 'self-actualization needs'.

The highlight and star of the trip - hands down - was Mother Nature. Each day, on the fly, we would choose a place to stop and put down roots for a few hours. We’d explore the area, hiking around and taking photos. After that we’d break for a picnic lunch with a variety of wonderful fresh produced and goodies we’d pick up along the way from incredible local farms and artisanal chefs. (I think we literally lived on Mt Tam Triple Creme Brie from Cowgirl Creamery! and Cafe Beaujolais in Mendocino bakes about 6 varieties of incredible bread at the crack of dawn and if you are lucky in the morning, you can snag a loaf to go that is still warm from the wood fired oven.).

After lunch, I’d start painting. Setting up a makeshift outdoor studio every day in a different place and painting ‘en plain air’ - taking in everything around me and processing it with everything within me - was a wild thrill. It seemed that I couldn't paint fast enough as the inspiration was coming at me from every direction and I’d have 5 or 6 sketchbooks going at once, all in different stages of paint drying and adding more brushstrokes of color or marks to represent something that caught my attention. Right away on the journey, I started painting on these small pre-made watercolor “postcards” that are designed to send in the mail and I had actually brought as an afterthought - and quickly the idea for “Postcards from the Coast” came to me. Over the course of the trip, I continued to make a few postcards at each location we explored and this collection of tiny ‘abstract snapshots’ which capture and express the total experience was born.

I hope my experience and art connects with something in you too. But enough words! I give you “Postcards from the Coast” which is available now. Click on my SHOP to view the collection.