Allegheny Trail Thru Hiking Artist Residency

Since my first long distance hike in 2018, I have always carried a small sketchbook and watercolor paints on trail, and having these tools in my pack has really contributed to the experiences I have had. However, I have mostly just used this as a tool for documenting my journeys, and I save the creation of more refined and finished artworks for my home studio. But what would happen if I could merge the more serious and dedicated side of my creative practice with my time on trail? How could painting from the trail amplify the hiking experience? And how could hiking help me create more authentic and captivating artwork?

Well, let’s find out!

I am super excited to announce that I will be partnering with the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association (WVSTA) for a thru hiking artist residency of the Allegheny Trail!

What is the Allegheny Trail?

The Allegheny Trail (or ALT) is a 311 mile hiking trail that is predominantly in the state of West Virginia, and is the state’s longest continuous hiking trail. It starts at the Mason Dixon line near Morgantown, and heads due south until it ends at an intersection with the Appalachian Trail near Pearisburg, Virginia. The trail will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! You can learn more about the ALT by visiting their website at HikeTheAlleghenyTrail.org.

What is an artist residency?

An artist residency is a collaboration between an artist and a hosting organization that provide artists with the time, space, and opportunity to pursue unique endeavors within their creative practice, oftentimes with the goal of using the artwork to amplify a message or experience of the hosting organization.

Then what is a thru hiking artist residency?

Honestly, it is something I made up! With almost 5,000 miles of backpacking experience under my belt, I have spent a lot of time on trails. But I have always hiked like a traditional thru hiker, filling my day with miles and aiming to reach certain destinations sooner rather than later. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to make painting a main goal of a thru hike instead of finishing the trail as quickly as my body will comfortably allow. This idea has been in my head since I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018, and I was thrilled to find a trail organization that sees the value in this endeavor and is eager to support me.

How will I approach this hike different than previous thru hikes?

Well, for starters I am giving myself more time to complete the trail than I otherwise would. In 2020, my husband and I hiked the 311 mile Superior Hiking Trail in exactly 3 weeks, so I am allocating 4 weeks for the Allegheny trail. This will allow me to take low-mile days periodically so I can focus on painting for several hours at certain viewpoints. I anticipate this making the logistics a bit more challenging, as I may have to adjust my mileage and plans based on weather forecasts to ensure I reach the viewpoints and vistas on days that are well suited for painting outdoors. My goal is to create a minimum of 10 paintings that are 16”x20” throughout the 4 weeks I will spend on trail.

Additionally, I will be packing an entirely different painting set up for this experience. Rather than a lightweight sketchbook like I have carried in the past, I will be packing 16”x20” watercolor paper carried in a durable mailing tube (and wrapped in plastic to ensure protection from the elements). The paper is thick, and only about 4 sheets can be packed into a mailing tube at a time, so I will also be mailing myself fresh tubes of paper, and mailing the completed paintings home for safekeeping. I will also be carrying a bigger paint palette with more colors to choose from, as opposed to the smaller but more limited palettes I have carried on trail in the past, as well as a wider variety of brushes.

For weeks, I pondered over how I would actually paint on paper of this size while on trail- what would I bear down on and how could I keep the paper flat? I couldn’t find any collapsible drawing boards that would fit in my pack. Finally, a friend suggested that I find a board game at a thrift store and cut it to size. The board would already be made to fold into a more packable size, and binder clips on the edge could hold the paper down. I immediately tested out this idea, and it has worked like a charm for my practice paintings!

Between the tube of paper, board, and larger paint palette, I am carrying just shy of 3 pounds of painting equipment. I would love to find some lighter alternatives but can make do with this set up easily if no better solutions come along.

And finally, I thought finding a hiking partner for this style of hike would be a challenge. My mileage will be all over the place, from 20+ mile days when I need to get somewhere, to 4 mile days when I need to paint. However, Gray Squirrel, a dear friend from the AT and my hiking partner from the Pinhoti Trail, was unphased by the sporadic hiking scheduling and was eager to join. I encouraged him to bring a hammock and a book to help pass the time while I paint. As someone who has finally acknowledge that camping along just isn’t for me, finding a hiking partner was a very important part of the planning process. I am thankful for retired friends, who can plan a month-long hike at a moment’s notice!

How do I follow along?

Instagram, Facebook, TicTok, and Youtube will be the best places to keep tabs on my hike, and I plan to post updates regularly. The hike will be this summer (2024) and come September I look forward to attending the Allegheny Trail 50th Anniversary, where I will have the completed paintings on display (and for sale!) and will be hosting a watercolor workshop that anyone is welcome to attend! You can register to attend this exciting event here. After the festival, my artwork will be on loan to WVSTA for 1 year, where it will take a tour through some of the towns and communities that surround the ALT. I will be sure to share where and when the artwork can be viewed when those art shows are secured, and I look forward to returning to West Virginia for a few artist talks about the entire experience as well.