it’s funny how making art about my relationship to the environment takes me away from being outside. i’ve spent the past few days cooped up in my studio, curled over my table while i paint. i haven’t even hiked since friday. i finally got to go for a walk just now – a night walk, we call it, led by the kids with their lanterns, a quick trek down the road and back. it reminded me of why i’ve spent less time making art and more writing: writing is agile and something i can easily do anywhere. it is much quicker than anything i could paint. it requires no setup and it can be done with any mark-making tool. and all of this means i am left with more time to be outside.

writing also lets me empty my head. i can take the jumble of thoughts i’ve been ruminating on and set them down, making room for more in the process. i barely think when i write. everything begins as a stream of consciousness like i’m channeling something rather than intentionally making marks. painting is the opposite. i think nonstop while i paint. i can’t even listen to music because it distracts from all of the thoughts that arrive. i review my life, notice connections, consider where i want to go and what i want to do. i make amends with things from the past and figure myself out more. painting is inviting in, writing is allowing things to leave.