Tag: Acrylic Painting

Art and Travel, LifeInAnAirstream, TinyLiving

Where to? What next?

ElisaMG
“Monday Blues” Acrylic On Canvas 16″ x 20″

Downsizing The Mind, Finding Focus

Living Tiny goes hand in hand with downsizing and downsizing is not just about material things but ultimately about the mind. How do we spend our time? What do we put our energy and thoughts toward? The whole purpose of downsizing material things is to lead us to having more focused intentional purposeful thoughts.

Do you ever find yourself spinning in your mind with way too many thoughts? I find managing my mind a lot harder than getting rid of old shoes and too many outfits. I guess that will be my excuse for not writing in awhile this time. Writing a blog is really putting yourself out there for folks to see into you and your thoughts, and maybe I didn’t want you to see the messy parts. This painting represents embracing the blues, sitting still with the ordinary of a Monday, being there for oneself as one travels through the mundane to figure out what’s next.

“Immersed In The Layers, Where Do We Go Now” Acrylic 36″ x 24″

Loss, Connection, Choices Moving Forward and Art

This painting was pure feeling. The feeling was deep. My dad had been such a big personality in our family. Losing him left us not just with the loss of him, but also the loss of our identity as a family, our identity in our various roles in that family, our sense of purpose and direction. Losing him meant losing our mother too. We had to give her the space to figure out who she was after somewhere near sixty five years of marriage and seventy three years of knowing each other. Our mother couldn’t be who she had always been. As I said to her, “Women in your family live long lives, you’ve got a lot of years left? What’s your next gig?!” Everytime I hoped my mother would find happiness and joy in this new space, I realized I was hoping I would too.

Have you ever noticed yourself wishing things for others that really you want for yourself? I highly encourage getting paint and just putting it on canvas in whatever way is calling to you! Choosing the next color that makes you smile, paint with your hands, or something you think your not supposed to paint with. Have fun. Play. As for travel, travel the same way.

All of a sudden I felt like I was finally a grown up. It’s kind of silly, but it’s what I felt. Each layer of paint in this piece represents a feeling I allowed myself to feel in the moment, layering on the complexities of how we redefine ourselves after we have a great loss in our lives. Someone said it looked like the city. I’m a believer the viewer sees what they are supposed to see for themselves, so I said, sure it could be. I was already slipping away from a nomad existance to one connecting to a community here in Portland. The wealth of beautiful people to make friends with has been overwhelming, although nobody replaces the time tested friendships from past lives long before travel trailer life. So I now found myself looking at my own immortality along with everything else. After all it will come one day. So many questions have been swirling in my head. Should I live closer to mom and family again? Our time is limited and precious. Should I live closer to old friends who have traveled through time with me? I value and miss those types of friendships and know how long it takes to make new ones like that. Do I want to live in some swanky downtown condo where life is bubbling and busy? Or will I miss my little bubbly creek in my back yard? What about my art life? It has been such a gift, overflowing with opportunities that just don’t stop. I’ve become very clear on what aspects of the art business world I like and what I have no patience for. Yet will I have to compromise in order to paint. When paintings don’t move there is a point where I can’t keep stacking up paintings. I’m not sure exactly why I even think that way, knowing my intentions in my vision boards, and my journaling have all manifested themselves in real life, and my work keeps moving. I know how I choose to think about myself is exactly what I will attract into my life. As you can see, there has been a lot of buzzing about in my mind and downsizing the noise that whirls about in there is my next focus so I can get clear on next steps.

“Immersed In The Layers, Where Do We Go Now Ford Gallery PDX __ Surprise Party
“Sandy And Friends” Acrylic 30″ x 30″ City Of Portland Art Collection

Manifesting Your Dreams Starts With Intentions

In case you don’t follow me on all of those other social sites, which I wouldn’t blame you if you tried to stay clear of all of that noise, here are some updates. This last year I put intentions into the universe via a vision board that had me meeting curators, getting to know galleries, and entering shows and answering calls for artists. Guess what happened? All of the above! For me personally the two most exciting things that happened in 2023 were getting to know The Ford Gallery PDX and how shows run there, as there are several opportunities throughout the year to interact with them and the style of art there is a match with mine. Also, selling Sandy And Friends to the City Of Portland for their art collection through the Regional Arts and Culture Council. If I could continue doing things like that making room for and allowing myself to continue to paint, that would be amazing. Also, it has been fun to get some workshops going in The Troutdale Art Center. The Artist’s Way group has been a wonderful opportunity to share gems from Julia Cameron that made such a difference in my journey and Open Studio created a small community of like minded creatives to connect with. Currently we are all trying out her “Word Deprevation” activity where we get real quiet, shutting out tv, social media, even books so that we can hear our own voice and words in our hearts and figure out what direction we want to go.

“When The Stories Get Told” Acrylic on Canvas 36″ x 24″

Listen For Your Story, Hear Your Unique Voice And Journey With The Ebb And Flow

When The Stories Get Told depicts a common scene of the elders sitting around sharing the stories. Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to be a mouse in the corner and witness the stories being told, know there is so much to treasure in hearing and holding the stories for future generations. The stories tell how we became who we are, how things changed over time and also give hints at where we might be headed, all things I contemplate as I look at possible choices and whirl around contemplating what the consequences might be of any one given choice. Will I actually make it to the real Tiny House I desired when I started out? Will I continue on in my trailer content with things as they are? Will I end up in condo in the Pacific Northwest? Or will I end up in a 1900’s condo with built ins that uses space wisely, like a tiny house, but in another city closer to family? Time will tell. I do know if I include my truck trips, which I wouldn’t have done if I weren’t living trailer life, I can add North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho to my map. Montana, Oklahoma and Texas are all I need to complete my Western Adventures. Of course that’s not counting Hawaii and Alaska, both of which I have no interest in hauling a traielr but do plan to visit. And I do know it would be fun to have a base and travel Van Life style going forward. There is an ebb and flow to this travel thing, as there is an ebb and flow to life. I’ve witnessed other Airstream friends in it, and see myself in it too. I gues the trick is to enjoy the journey. For now, Troutdale, Oregon is still home sweet home.

Photo Actually Taken at my first site in Southern California 2018
pre pandemic, pre everyone jumping into trailer life.

Thank You!

As always… thanks for the follow and sticking with this forever transitioning blog. 😉😘

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Truck Tripping: My Latest Escape

ElisaMG

My intent in writing about my travels is not to freak people out about all of the “what ifs” and negative stuff. That said, I do have times with more anxiety than others. Some of what I’ve been through in months of Airstream travel includes out driving tornados, near misses with grapefruit sized hail, flooded over highways in the midwest, eighty mile an hour winds, three feet of snow and the need for chains in mountain passes, chasing bears at midnight, flying microwaves and falling cupboards while going sixty down the road, expensive fixes on broken handles not covered in wrranties. I’ve dealt with homelessness while the shop has my rig, fighting to get warranty approved fixes completed and losing, recalls that were paid for but never done, and more direct lies from Airstream repair shops. This is just naming a few things briefly. Yes in life things wear out, however when something is still fairly new, one doesn’t expect to have to deal with piles and piles of horse manure. So I find my advocacy skills useful, I have worked on my patience and I have tackled the anxiety all of this brings by enjoying a new kind of adventure for myself. Airstream Headquarters is helping right the wrongs that have happened so in time things will get fixed and all of my horror stories have made for good just that fun stories.

As for my new adventure, I have learned to enjoy what I call Truck Tripping. Even though my trailer is a symbol for a life of freedom, a life where one can just get up and go. Because I live in it fulltime it does start to feel no different than a sticks and bricks house in some ways. There is a lot to just getting up and going when one lives fulltime in the trailer. When the trailer needed fixing I had to think about where I would stay and my first Truck Trip began. I started out at Edgefield McMenimins in Troutdale, 75 beautifully landscaped acres of walking paths filled with wineries, breweries, restauraunts and a hotel, as well as a spa, soaking pools, a golf course, gardens, a movie theater, and glass blowing house. Here are just a few shots from my stay at Edgefield.

Edgefield McMenamins Gardens are absolutely lovely!

The Power Station
The Little Red Shed
Black Rabbit Bar

The service was top notch. The bars were delightful and the drinks even better! Everywhere one looked there was something to treat the senses.

It kind of defeats the purpose of saving money on warranty work if I were to stay in a hotel the entire time my rig was in the shop. So, off I went using the time to catch up with relatives. It had been two years since my maiden towing adventure where I rolled my trailer up to visit my aunt and uncle in Manson Washington off of Lake Chelan. The drive up the Columbia River and through the forests in the mountains was such a treat.

The best part was feeling so light. It was just me and the truck. I didn’t have to lock down all of my personal items inside of the trailer for fear they would become flying torpedos. I left my outside chairs and plants right where they were. I didn’t have to determine ahead of time whether or not I could get in and out of an upcoming gas station stop. I could easily stop at vista points and take in the views. And I had no worries about whether the trailer was following safely behind. Driving in general was much more relaxed. I’ve started following more Van Life folks as I can see the appeal!

Looking out across vineyards and apple orchards with 360 degrees of valleys around the house helped me forget all previous anxiety.

Auntie’s garden was beautiful and she made delicious dessert with figs from her fig trees.

It really was a delight to be able to just pick up and go in the truck and not have to worry about leaving the silver home behind. My neighbors watered my container garden, but in all honesty planting a container garden I let go of any outcomes. Whatever grows is a delight.

The views were gorgeous. Smoke from Eastern Washington was sad.

Driving back down the Columbia to pick up my rig was a bit more nervewracking. There was no way to tell where the smoke was coming from, but that didn’t stop me from yet one more truck trip.

Off I went, leaving my trailer at my base camp in Portland Metro. I headed out to meet the girls from my book club in Fort Bragg and do an in person delivery of one of my paintings I love. Being able to bring my. painting in person to it’s forever home and not have to maneuver Highway one with a trailer was a treat. I actually got to see some of the coast and Redwood scenery along the way. Not that trailering along Hwy 1 can’t be done, It’s just for me. It was much more relaxing driving the highway dropped off into the ocean and left only a single lane to alternating passing on…. without my home dragging behind.

I wrapped up my painting “The Yoga Class” inspired by self care during the Pandemic and fit it nicely into the truck along with a comfy auto inflatable mattress for the back seat, a collapsable cooler, some blankets, food, lanterns and my dog and camera gear.

When I started my trailer life I was asked about how I prefered going fulltime. The movie Nomadland definitely is good commentary on one way we live. However, there are so many other ways we live this life as fulltimers. And I have discovered that I really enjoy base camping in an area for an extended period, making new friends and building community, and taking smaller day trips or truck camping.

Thanks for sticking with me as I catch you up on my last year. Thanks for your follow!

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Flying Microwaves & Falling Cupboards

ElisaMG
We have left the desert and traveled to the rainforest of the PNW.

Flying microwaves, falling cupboards, leaking water lines, expensive door handle fixes and I need new tires is what the title of this blog really should say. I haven’t written for four whole months because none of that sounded very sexy or fun. In reality, it all served its purpose. The universe was telling me to sit still.

Rolling down the road in my Airstream has taught me to be open to the possibilities. I have really been fortunate to see a lot of the western  and midwestern states and quite a path through Canada in my travels. I hope to travel across the south and all around the eastern states eventually. But for now, I am still in awe of landing in Troutdale, Oregon. It feels like home.

There is a lot of inspiration for my work right outside of the trailer.

I think Oregon is the most beautiful part of the country. I hesitate to tell you as I don’t want everyone to come here. Haaaahaahaaa. Those who know me know most of this story. I walked out of my new parking situation and found a lovely little town that seriously looked like a Hallmark Movie set! I actually am not a fan of those movies, but the sets always amaze me with their picket fences and perfection. And as we know from the last few years of life, reality is not a picture of perfection.  I sat down at a lovely little outdoor coffee shop and enjoyed a view where they actually were filming a movie. I guess a lot of filming happens here. There were three different coffee shops to choose from within a few blocks, a sushi joint, a couple of pubs, a delicious pizza bar, yummy Chinese food and a dentist, chiropractor and all of the other things one looks for when you get somewhere new. But best of all there were art galleries! Notice I said galleries… plural!

The Sandy River RV Park is a real gem. It’s affordable, beautiful, and run by folks who really care about the park, and the community.

 

Then walking from my parking in other directions  I found so many breathtaking, beautiful places to walk, as well as the Troutdale Art Center. Staying open to making a base camp here, staying seasonally, and sitting still has allowed me to really connect with the community as well as delve into being an artist. If everything in life had been swell… not sure I would have slowed down. I am thrilled to announce that I am now a regular artist at the Troutdale Art Center and have established Artwork By ElisaMG LLC.  I’m grateful for the warm welcome from all of the artists there and encourage you all to come for a visit. 

I also am thrilled to share I am the featured artist at Nalu Kava Lounge Tea House in North Portland. Nalu Kava is a wonderful place to go for some Kava, which is known to have amazing properties that reduce stress and increase joy. I also found my way into a live book club there, which I’m excited to say I look forward to after only being able to meet on zoom for the last couple of years. The book is “Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah” by Richard Bach, which Ironically  starts out with a diary entry about a charachter who lets go of clinging to safety and trusts the river currents to take them on an adventure. Kind of like Airstream life….. I have found in letting go of (or trying to let go of) controlling the outcomes, I will bump along and hit a few rocks in the current, but ultimately I will be lifted up and float down stream experiencing things far beyond my wildest imagination. 

I still think I’m dreaming where I live a life that I get to paint and people like my work and want it. I’m totally honored that anybody still follows my silly little blog that is not regular, doesn’t tell you much technical about this life and is really all about me. And I’m thrilled that I get to find forever homes for my art in your homes.

I will try to not wait four months for the next share! (When I wrote this it was four months…. in reality I think it’s been more like seven. See I promised if you followed you would not get bombarded with tons of email. lol) Thanks for the follow!

If you are in the area, I would love to hang hang out with you at Nalu!