Hi there! My name is Jess. I’m a hiker, painter, writer and adventurer currently on the road trip of a lifetime. I’ve written two books and I’m currently working on my next one. I still write all my blogs the old fashioned way, you won’t find any AI here. Experiences, put to words, on this website.

Art philosophy

I have been an artist since the moment I could hold a pencil in my hand. If you met me during my childhood, I was usually scribbling in a sketchpad with pencil, charcoal, pen or colored pencils. But sometime in 2007 I abruptly experienced dramatic changes to my vision that caused me to put art aside altogether.

In the throes of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, I was inspired to reconnect with the dormant artist inside. Since then, I’ve been developing my skills with colored pencil, watercolor and ink. I pack art supplies on every hike and adventure I take, whether I’m in a remote wilderness or a coffee shop in the heart of a city. I have leaned into my artistic practice as a way to slow down, notice the world around me and become more connected to place.

I am passionate about helping others discover the artist in themselves, regardless of how much natural “talent” they believe they have. And with that newfound sense of artistry and observation, develop their own connection to place. Life goes by a mile a minute for most people; the simple act of taking out a sketchbook or a paint set encourages a slow appreciation of what’s right in front of them.

As a lifelong educator, I look forward to more opportunities to teach people to connect the dots between art, science, nature, time and place.

Let’s get in touch

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Hope to connect with you soon!