My pictures tend not to match everybody's expectation of what art is suppose to be.  But that's kind of what artists do.  They mutate.  They disrupt.  They redefine.  What if the measure of art was how much it draws you into meditation?  What if art was the degree to which it causes a detox and de-stress response? 

Art does not have rules.  The goals and challenges of art are whatever you decide.  My challenge in these sketches is to be open to what lies just below the surface of the page.  I lift it to the surface because I am curious what it might be.  In the drawing below, I believe it has language and voice.  There is some impact.   But is it art?  You have to decide for yourself based on how you define art. 

I know that my artwork opens my eyes to swirls and threads of possibilities.  I come away with a sort of revived sense of connection that I'm involved in this unfolding mystery.  Life is short and it's a beautiful day on a beautiful planet.  I feel more ready than ever to launch my little kayak of curiosity, exploration, and discovery. 

Maybe it's not art by any standard.  But to me, it's worth a lot.       

Stretch.  Breathe.  Taste.  Touch.  In the photo below, Chris and Linda share the healing journey.  We invite you to come along with us on our bike/hike/kayak adventures as we  make a creative connection with nature through art and journaling that is relaxing, meditative, and soothing to the soul.   What are the benefits?   We see it this way:  The choice is yours... medication or meditation.  

Can drawing be a form of relaxation and meditation?  In the drawing below, I sort of let my mind wander and allow the pencil to pull up anything it finds... There is a great deal of content just beneath the surface.  Give yourself the freedom to explore.  Let's see what might emerge.  

Out on my latest dig, this little flower-arrangement of shapes emerged out of the surface of the paper.  I think it may be something but I'm not sure.  I've sent it in for classification.  I will let you know when I get the data back.

Something has to change.  It's a little dangerous.  It's a path that leads you to the edge of becoming somebody  else.  And at some point, you have to jump off the edge into the unknown and unfamiliar.  That's why real change is hard.  With real change, the whole world changes because you change.

You can be curiosity driven or anxiety driven, but not both.  You cannot be simultaneously open and protective.  So how do we let go?  How do we clear our mind?  How do we get rid of all the extra baggage that we've become accustom to carrying?  How do we reawaken that mind/body/spirit connection and integration with nature?  How? 

STEP 1:  Get out there and move.  Breathe.  Positive emotions comes out of positive motion and travel. Find a beautiful place. Bike. Hike. Kayak. Physical exertion and exhaustion is integral to the human growth cycle.  Perspective.  Outlook.  Attitude.  These are growth concepts. 

STEP 2:  Leave the baggage behind.  It's hard.  But when we let go, suddenly we find ourselves available moment by moment by moment.  We have a chance to be in touch with the sensation of the planet and it is refreshing and often exhilarating.  

STEP 3:  Revitalize curiosity. Develop and exercise the need to wonder about things.  Reach out.  Touch.  Explore.  Discover.  A strong sense of curiosity is the adventure. 

STEP 4:  Take action. Draw out your observations on the surface of the page.   Like a small child, we relearn that touch is our way of learning.  Journaling is a good place to begin collecting ideas and developing a spirited connection with nature and a sense of touch.

STEP 5:  And now you are on the path that leads you to the edge of becoming somebody else.  It's a little dangerous.  But something has to change.  Are you ready for a new version of you?  At some point, you have to jump off the edge into the unknown and unfamiliar.  That's why real change is hard.  With real change, the whole world changes because you change.

Looming on the horizon is the universe... there is a great mystery to reach for and connect with.   It is your choice to seize the day, grab hold of your life, and take responsibility for who you really are and who you are mean't to become.  

October 17-20, 2018
Bike, Hike, Kayak, & Camp
Dance Around the Fire
Artist's Workshop for Teachers
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Southern Nevada
With Chris Hammond, Camp Host, Facilitator, Tour Guide
Five seats available ($1,000 per seat)
  
Experience a new level of focus, purpose, and passion through interaction and conversation with other artists and teachers.

Topics for open discussion:
1. Audience engagement begins with an effort to deepen and enrich the artist's conversation among ourselves.  
2. New formats and frameworks to develop and deliver insightful materials about the creative process.
3. Where are we going with this?  Goals and purpose to activate, influence, engage, encourage, and teach.

My 'folder' is a 17' long sea kayak.  It is a 'skin on frame' type of folding kayak.  It comes in a bag (or two bags) designed to fit airplane size/weight baggage requirements.   This one fits into two bags about 35 pounds each.

  

In about thirty minutes or forty minutes, it begins to actually look like it might be seaworthy.  

Then I put the boat up on top.  I keep it up there during the boating season ready for a fast and convenient trip to the lake.   

 Through a dirty windshield, you can see the lake just on up ahead.  

I'm waiting for Linda to quit taking pictures of me and jump in the front seat.  I'm ready to do some paddling!