Art From My Thru-Hike
From the beginning of my thru-hike in February 2021, I kept a sketchbook. Two, actually, because it seemed like a good idea at the time. One for journaling and pencil sketching, and one for watercolor. It was important to me to keep a journal and a sketchbook to remember the trail in a way that photos might not have captured, and to create art from the moments that were fleeting.
This proved to be a difficult task to maintain each week, as the trail tested me and exhausted me in every way each day. The goal was to create four drawings a week, and have a self-reflection every two weeks.
I ended up being socially distant (more like anti-social) for several weeks in the beginning, and I wish that I had drawn more of the people I encountered. Some are in photos, but to draw them felt intrusive while I wasn’t very close with many people for quite some time.
After finishing the hike, I am creating five large charcoal drawings that represent my trail experience, as well as working toward creating a series of postcards. Enjoy this sketchbook dump, and the post for the final five pieces commemorating this journey will follow.
For now, I have two 18×24 pieces to share and more to come!
Follow my Instagram for updates www.instagram.com/amaragardnerart
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Comments 9
Love your art! I do some art journaling, also beginning a nature journal.
I think I commented to you once, about your “brief note on grief”. I volunteer with a new non-profit Umbrella Project Hike. UP offers hiking as a way to heal the grief felt from losing a loved one, we focus on hikers ages 18-25. I shared your brief note with UP committee members. UP is interested in using your note in UP literature. Only with your permission.
Umbrellaprojecthike.org
Perhaps you could reply to my email?
Best wishes,
Dottie “.com” Rust
You’re a rockstar! Amazing art as always!
Lovely, Amara!
I just followed you on IG.
I’m heading NOBO next February.
Blessings,
Steve / pearwood
https://thetrek.co/author/steven-tryon/
Thanks for this article Amara. I really like your visual interpretation of your AT experience. I am not interested in taking photos of my upcoming thru hike but wish would like to record with the same approach as yours. Like you yourself experienced I am wondering how I will discipline myself to create time to create on trail. Best wishes.
Good luck! 4 times a week was my goal, you just have to want it enough to actually stick to whatever you decide.
What’s up Velcro! You never told me you were such a talented artist!!!! -WD
Surprise!
So great! I always intend to draw when in a trio but rarely actually do it. The times when I do make the effort I always look back on with fondness.
I agree, the effort is worth it in the end but the intentionality is hard!