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A nomadic Artist, living and creating in a self-converted van, I paint in a jubilant riot of color to harness the splendor of landscapes through which I travel.
Living in a van means living in every room of your home all at once, all the time.
In some ways it`s great to have everything within such close range. Then, there are days where I hit my head so many times you`d think I just moved into the van yesterday.
When my van turns into an art studio, art supplies spread out all across the bed, the floor, the countertops. If I need to get to the refrigerator or toilet, I have to temporarily move things aside, stow the table, then pull it all back out and set it up again.
There are days I miss having a brick and mortar art studio, but this setup is pretty fantastic, and the views can`t be beat. Besides, I always like a good challenge, and these cozy confines push me to be more intentional with my studio time. π©πΌβπ¨
#artist #vanlife #tinyhome
Here are some treasures I found while wandering through desert washes.
- An old car was in the middle of a field, but it appeared to have been parked at what was once an old homestead, long swallowed by the landscape.
- A concrete structure was nearby, etched with the date Feb 18, 1933. The initials, or name, inscribed alongside the date had been broken off, but you can still see an A.
- The timeframe aligns with a nearby train bridge stamped 1934
- This cool little bottle of Thomas Edison Battery Oil. Google dates it anywhere between 1915-1960s.
- A 1943 half dollar
- An old flat top can of Coors Light - pre-pull tab era. Google dates it from roughly 1959, when Coors introduced aluminum cans.
- An F π€·πΌββοΈ
The rest of the photos are of rocks, shadows, tracks, bones, and various other things that caught my eye. Visual treasures that inspire future paintings. π
Time for another wash walk! πΆπΌββοΈπΆ
We camped in the same spot for a good length of time, which meant we wandered through every wash we crossed. Sometimes it felt like I was in a labyrinth, winding through twists and turns, not entirely certain where it would spit us out.
These washes proved to hold more than just rocks to marvel at. Tomorrow, I`ll share some of the "treasures" I found during our rambles.
Long walks like these are what spur my inspiration and creativity. My mind goes quiet, and I allow myself to be carried away by the landscape. There are endless natural wonders to marvel at - the way the scrubby trees twist up toward the sky, the woven roots that lace in and out of the mud walls, so many colorful rocks and fossils, footprints of tiny desert critters, and, of course, lots of trash peppered throughout, but that`s not so inspiring. π«€
One thing is for certain: some great paintings are in the works! π©πΌβπ¨π
#vanlife #dogsofinstagram #hiking
Strong winds = time to paint! π©πΌβπ¨
Living in a van means living in the elements, and lately, we`ve been experiencing some crazy winds.
Thankfully, all my art supplies are easily accessible, and what better way to spend an indoor day than by making art?! π¨ποΈππΌ
Paco is choosing the nap option, letting the wind rock him to sleep. πΆ
One of my favorite parts of hiking, is the moment the van comes into view on our return.
No, not because the hike is over. π
Because every single time, my heart bursts with gratitude and joy and contentment. Every single time, I`m reminded just how much I love this lifestyle, all the ups, the downs, the awe-inspiring landscapes, the quiet solitude in nature, all the people I`ve met, and just how much I enjoy my van - my home.
My heart is full, and I`m excited to see where our adventures lead next. β€οΈπ©πΌβπ¨πΆπ
I didn`t realize just how much I`d use the van`s roof rack for stargazing. π€©
There`s a perfect Lisa-sized space in front of the solar panels where I can lay and stare up into the vast night sky. On chilly nights, I drag my sleeping bag up with me and snuggle in for cozy comfort as I watch satellites and shooting stars whiz by.
These little paintings were inspired by those quiet moments. Starry skies over mountains and tall trees silhouetted against the bright night sky.
I`ve just added this collection to my shop. DM if you want to add a little starry magic to your life. π
#vanlife #stars #art #artist #galaxy
Golden hour walks are my favorite. I`ve missed these quiet moments, but they`re once again part of our daily routine and I couldn`t be happier.
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