When worlds collide.

If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time you've probably noticed several things:

1. I like art.

2. I like hiking.

3. I'm going to be hiking for fifty percent of this year on a little trail that runs from Mexico to Canada.

For obvious reasons there probably won't be too much talk about art while hiking. BUT! I will be doing something that for me, is a first: I will be carrying a sketchbook on this hike!!!!!! (Please note that the excessive amount of exclamation marks are indicative of the fact that this is a big deal.) I am notorious for sketchbook neglect and I almost never create art while hiking. The decision to add this weight to my pack thus looms very large in my head because if I don't become a prolific drawer then that weight is absolutely pointless/tortuous.

Initially I was going to pack my miniature Windsor & Newton travel watercolor kit, the thought of which involuntarily conjures up the words en plein air; a pleasing phrase redolent of Earl Grey tea and crisp linen and Manet and Monet and sunny fields and wooden easels. Plus it has great colors and a teeny tiny brush (what's not to like?). However I recently came to my senses and recalled that initially I will be hiking through desert. I could potentially be carrying at least eight pounds of water on my back and I will be damned if I'm going to waste any of it on a lousy sketchbook! So now the plan is to carry a few markers or colored pencils. You know, just another trivial decision to agonize over for hours on end.

It's an exciting progression for me because as much as I love both art and hiking, I have always let the logistics of combining the two defeat me.

In conclusion: while I won't be talking about art all that much I will do my best to draw and document and share that on here (I even am attempting to forgo carrying a book, just to force myself into using the sketchbook - desperate times call for desperate measures.)... and if I don't draw, you can rest assured that I will be cursing myself with every useless sketchbook-laden step.

Becca Stadtlander

I know, I know. My inconsistency in posting has been off the charts lately. (Well, it hasn't been that bad but for those of you used to a post per day I apologize!) My mind has been spinning in futile circles lately; yesterday I tried to take a ten minute shower and ended up staring blankly at the walls for over forty minutes while I reiterated itineraries and mail drops and unfinished tasks in my head. It was completely and utterly useless. The Pacific Crest Trail has taken over my life, and I'm not even hiking yet.

Moving on to brighter things: Becca Stadtlander creates the most lovely illustrations and is yet another artist I kind of want to be.You can tell that nature makes her happy, and that makes me happy!

See you tomorrow. I promise.

Illustrative envy.

I love Dadu Shin's illustrations. Whimsy, awesomeness, and a unique style that I wish I could steal for my own.

My favorite illustrator.

Carson Ellis is the bee's knees. I love everything that she creates and her style of linework is pretty similar to mine (albeit far superior).  I mean, look at the pictures below... you can't lose with Trillium, invertebrates and badgers with rickshaws! She and her husband (Colin Meloy, lead singer for the Decemberists) have teamed up and created a fantastic children's book that is pretty popular with adults, too (myself included). If you like a good lighthearted fantasy/adventure read or children's literature, I'd suggest checking out it. You can even download the first four chapters for free! Check it out here.