My scene changed from art to nature; the weather transformed from sunny of the South to moody of the Pacific Northwest (PNW); the time zone converted from EST to PST, three hours behind Miami Florida. I was in the mood to flee to the PNW, where I could continue to explore an immersive experience of the expressive capabilities of forms, lines and colors.
The car moved through the Olympic Coast, Cape Flattery (the Northwestern most point of the Continental U.S.), calm Lake Crescent, the magical Hoh Rainforest, breathtaking Cascade Mountain range, and the awe-striking Mt. Rainier, along with rain and fog. Like an artist explores different subjects, featuring her signature palette and aesthetic, wet-on-wet paint application, experiments freely with layering and juxtaposition of colors that pushes beyond observed reality, creating a feeling of improvisation. I was creating my adventure, too.
Those days I was living in Forks, WA
I returned to the rainiest town in the contiguous U.S. – Forks, Washington, but it was a sunny day instead, a surprise for me. I lived there, as a resident, not a tourist. The sound of the fireplace in the tiny cabin made everything look so vibrant and relaxed, I found pockets of joy and inspiration from the comfort of this home, or studio.
The environment where I was living, was half- deep in nature, allowing me to experience not only the human world, but also other forms of life. Living in Forks is not being a tourist who just enjoys nature, but rooting like a tree. I walked into town, to the grocery store, the Quileute Tribe, rainforest, or to the sea, every day, for my healing meditation. In the pace of nature, I could understand more what it was to integrate time. The landscape is wild with movement and stillness, it can be chaotic at times.
The vibe of the Olympic Coast is opposite to the southeastern. Rialto Beach is filled with extraordinary sea stacks, tide pools, endless driftwood, wildlife and moody vibes. Even though I was not able to access the Hole in the Wall due to high tide, every sense of mine was heightened: the powerful sound of the waves, the wind in the trees, the smell of the sea, every intricate detail of water dripping over rocks, the waves crashing, leaving behind water creating beautiful reflections of everything around it. The constant moody atmosphere adds to the experience, the windswept hair, and a keen sense of personal empowerment that the Olympic Ocean can deliver, please stay wild!
The road to the lush Hoh Rainforest, where the giant moss people bow and greet me before entering another enchanted world, always held a special place in my heart. I roamed among the mossed giants and saw the old friends again. The simple joy appeared, timeless.
On my last day, the whole town was covered by clouds, mists and fogs, the blurred scenery, and moody vibes that I was always searching for. Only in Forks, WA, I could find and celebrate its special essence. I embrace imperfection and feel deep inside me that the relationship between nature and my spirit is vitally important.
The elements of natural world fresh my insight
Along the Cascade Loop, I find all elements that makes the adventure more wonderful: a series of mountain passes, rivers, and lakes that feel distinctly PNW. The open road itself took me to escape the materialistic and ego-drive world we inhabit, to embrace the unknown.
The unique cabin adds to my favorite elements of the PNW, a home or studio, refreshing my soul and inspiration. I stayed at Daisy Wander, an A- frame cabin tucked away on the Skykomish River. With an eye for architectural design, each detail captured my attention: triangular structure, vaulted ceilings, floor-to–ceiling windows, a wood burning fireplace, natural light, an open concept floor plan on the main level, an upper loft space, and a cedar hot tub, a multifaceted design reflecting the informality and fun of adventure while accommodating practical needs. Throughout the cozy cabin are small touches like yellow tones and daisy to really amp up the modern and timeless aesthetic.
During my time in the cabin, I researched and learnt about the history of the A- Frames and architectural style in the North America and beyond, from traditional Japanese farmhouse to America’s post-war cabin kit craze to today’s worldwide obsession, getting an insight and inspiration from them.
I took a deep breath and enjoyed the outdoor hot tub along the mountains, river, and the A- frame cabin as backdrop. The steam was moving, it was freezing and windy outside, the sound of the gushing river and wind whistling through grass around me, soaking in the hot water in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do but appreciate nature and focus on being present. The simple joy of relaxing can do wonders, my mind refreshed.
My curiosity took me to discover the quirky little coffee shop – Espresso Chalet, which sits at Milepost 36, on the Stevens Pass highway, outside of Index, WA. A 14-foot-tall wooden Sasquatch statue stands and greets visitors. I ordered a cup of Eggnog latte on a winter day, observed each detail of Bigfoot, walked to the back patio: “Wow”, discovered the most breathtaking view of the towering mountains behind it.
The place always stays on my mind, now I realize it isn’t just any Bigfoot, it is Harry: the beloved 80s film “Harry and the Hendersons” was actual filmed here. It gave me a chance to learn about the Chalet and the movie.
The knowledge and inspiration come from anywhere: books, places, people, nature, also adventure.
The car kept moving through snowy mountains, river valleys, small communities, White Pass Scenic Byway, to alpine county – Mt. Rainier.
My happy playground
The road from the town of Ashford, WA to Longmire/Paradise is a beautiful journey itself. Nature speaks of itself, old-growth temperate rainforests, waterfalls, rusty springs, and the impressive snow-capped Mt. Rainier in the distance (in-between clouds), same as its name “Paradise”. The art appears, about the sight of a snowy landscape, the slippage between memory, reality, and imagination. It is a creative process and informs the work.
The Pacific Northwest is full of adventures, all the natural elements which I enjoy so much, calls to mind again and again. Nature is art, conveying the essence of presence and imperfection, also an intriguing depth and absence, nature decides where the work goes, it is powerful, simplicity and harmony, creating an invitation to interaction. Art is nature, embodies the natural surroundings as well the meditative and grounding nature of the practice, it is the equilibrium. It is always interesting to have a relationship with nature and art; inspiring, discovering nature has the same power as discovering art.
I do not want to define this adventure and want to give an open option to the audience, it is about a state of mind and a perspective, depends on what you see, observe and feel from it. In the moody and ambiguity, I might be very close to it – art is nature is art- always what I find around me.
STEPHY 