An Artful Walk

Lori had mentioned making time to go out an walk or ride her bike and not making time for creativity in her life. Often times simple things like walking can be creative in themselves. When I first started walking at Bluff Point I was going for exercise. I was on a mission to get my heart rate up and get moving. With my headphones on pumping me up, off I would go. After awhile I wondered what it would be like to take my headphones off when I walked. With this small shift a whole new world open up for me. I noticed things that I hadn't before. Birds were having lively conversations around me, an osprey was gliding over my head, I noticed pathways in the woods that I hadn't seen before, stone walls, textures and fiddle heads unfurling. I began walking with "intention", curious and open to everything around me. These walks have become part of my daily practice and necessary for me to think and wonder. I note subtle changes and take a daily photo to document my day. If I have more time I bring my backpack, with a sketchbook, pencils and my paints, sometimes writing, sometimes sketching. Even 5 or 10 minutes reflecting in some way informs my thinking back in my studio. I wanted to share this with you to illustrate how even our daily activites can become creative. One small shift, like taking my headphones off made me more present to my surroundings. I am able to get exercise and incorporate creativity at the same time~who knew?