Tag: Idaho

Inspiration Overload.

One of the big advantages to our current traveling lifestyle is how many amazing places we are able to see. These adventures are a huge source of inspiration for me as an artist. But seeing so many incredible sights can also lead to a bit of inspiration overload and lead my artsy brain in all sorts of different directions!

With each new location, each new season, comes a whole new set of inspirations! So how does one artist handle so many different sources of inspiration?

For me, I keep my eyes open and take special notice of what inspires me, not just once, but on a continual basis. It’s easy to find one spark, but the trick is finding what will continue to spark over and over and over. Look not for the firecracker, but the forest fire– the spark that leaps and creates more sparks, more fire.

I make note but I don’t necessarily pursue those sparks right away. My sketchbook is full of idea scribbles, some pretty well developed, others simply notes on colors and forms. I also have a folder on my phone where I dump those quick sparks when I don’t have my sketchbook handy. Then, there is my favorite inspiration keeper– Pinterest! I have at least half a dozen boards where I hoard visual inspirations from subject matter to color palettes. I keep them private so they are for my eyes only until I decide I am ready to share them with the world.

I commit myself to what I’m especially inspired by at the moment and concentrate on exploring that inspirational idea fully. Each inspiration exploration becomes a series of work to be revisited again and again as I continue to find new ways to express that initial spark.

Once I feel like I’m done exploring a certain subject for a while, I’m ready to move on to another idea. But how to decide? Sometimes it takes some exploration in the studio to see what is moving me creatively or it could be as simple as how excited about an idea I am! The most exciting prospect wins!

At the moment, I’m exploring beachy and coastal inspiration in my VENTERS series– it is proving to be perfect for the coming summer on Puget Sound!

All images by me.

June 2, 2016
Artsy About Town: Moscow Idaho

Our time here in Moscow is very rapidly coming to a close. It feels like we just arrived, but before the sun rises on Sunday morning, Mr. Forager & I will be setting off for our next destination– Eureka, CA! But before we bid adieu, I wanted to give you a little taste of this small town that exceeded our expectations.

Perhaps when you think of artsy spots, the middle of Idaho doesn’t exactly spring to mind. It didn’t for me either! But Moscow is a lovely little college town with a high concentration of creative types. Which results in a community filled with charm, intellect and taste around every corner.

Just a few artsy spots we loved in Moscow–

1 | kenworthy theatre I love a small town with an original movie theater. And while the Kenworthy isn’t quite as grand as some, it boasts an active and creative calendar. From first run, big budget box office movies, to small, independent films & documentaries, to live theater, the Kenworthy has a little artsy something for everyone.

2 | maialina Fresh made pasta, extensive Italian wine list and the most to-die-for meatballs and sauce I’ve ever had. All in a rustic contemporary atmosphere. Fave.

3 | moscow co-op Now you might be thinking.. what’s so artsy about a grocery store? But the Moscow Food Co-op isn’t just any ol’ supermarket. It’s filled with fresh organic goodness to eat, drink and slather all over yourself. I’m a firm believer that a good, local organic market is a staple in a great artsy town.

4 | pritchard art gallery Moscow is home to the University of Idaho and Pritchard is the university gallery. A nicely laid out, generous space, the most recent show 38 Minus features handmade paper relief sculpture depictions of all of Idaho’s native aquatic species. Suprisingly lovely and engaging work, beautifully presented.

5 | one world cafe A great coffeehouse is a must-have in any artsy spot. Mr. F and I tend to prefer the ones with an eclectic feel, where the coffee is top-notch and the overheard conversations are always interesting. One World became our go-to coffee spot most Monday mornings. A fave among UofI students, we always felt a little guilty checking Facebook while everyone around us was having lofty intellectual discussions and writing term papers..

6 | the storm cellar I love, love, love a good consignment store. And Moscow’s Storm Cellar is one of the best and nicest I’ve come across. Artfully presented clothes and accessories and reasonable prices. If only we hadn’t been trying to decrease the amount of stuff we’re traveling with.. I could have done some serious damage.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg that Moscow has to offer. If you ever happen to find yourself in the area, I promise, it’s worth a stop, even if just for an afternoon.

All images by Artsy Forager.

February 26, 2014
This Artsy Life: Weekend 31[ Work + 5 Places I’d Rather Be ]

Weekends, in and of themselves, are always a good thing. But weekends like this one just past, ones in which you feel like all you did were chores with maybe a pleasant little walk in between, are hardly my ideal. Although Mr. F and I struck a good bit off our To-Do list: Found a rental for our next location ( we’re headed just a short drive south to Olympia, WA! So happy to be staying in the Northwest! ), unloaded all of our belongings that were in storage in Florida, then immediately packed it all back into storage here in Seattle, along with a bunch more stuff we’ve been traveling with. Had to deal with paperwork, grocery shopping & other thrilling errands, along with continuing to pack up more things from our apartment for storage plus a nice, big Goodwill pile.

So much to do, so little time. And I’d much rather be spending this time the way I did last summer.. I thought you could maybe use a little daydream escape today too, so here are 5 places I visited last summer and would much rather be right about now..

[ glacier national park ]

[ hayden lake, idaho ]

[ yellowstone national park ]

[ trail of the coeur d’alenes, coeur d’Alene, idaho ]

[ polebridge, montana, just outside glacier national park ]

Someone get me a time machine, stat! Happy Monday, Artsies! Check out more beautiful places from This Artsy Life in the Artsy Forager Instagram feed.

All images by Artsy Forager.

August 5, 2013