There’s something about visiting conservation land or state and national parks that feels a bit like walking through a piece of art. Maybe it’s because they preserve some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes, but the feeling never fails to transport me. This past month I visited my family in New England, and had the chance to reconnect with the vistas and forests that shaped my view of the world as a child.
Illustration of Pemaquid Point
Growing up in rural New England is incredibly freeing. Everything is densely forested and it feels like there are secret hiding places, paths, and treasures over every ridge. As a child, looking up at towering forests and exploring the woods created an impression of the natural world as majestic and unmovable. There is a feeling of stability that comes with the knowledge that even when you’re gone, the tree named after you will probably grow for another 100 years.
Seeing the same trees, lakes, and beaches year after year creates a bookmark in the mind. I could see myself as a child, standing in the same places, just as thrilled. Seeing your past and present just as at peace with the world in those little moments is a bit trippy, but fulfilling in a way few things are.
Views from ME
Views from ME
As an artist, stepping into places that dwarf you is incredibly thrilling. From a purely compositional point of view, the scale and proportion are interesting challenges. Epic rock formations have a way of making the sheer magnitude of nature clear in a very visual and bold image.
The sheer power that went into shaping the jutting rocks of Pemaquid Point will never fail to impress me. As a kid, I ran and explored all the little crevices and tide pools there. The formations seemed to hold infinite numbers of secret treasures and hiding spots. Going back on this trip, I had the chance to illustrate and document the parts that excited me (then and now). Even with the wind blowing my sketchbook around, I found the experience so satisfying that I drew for a few hours without really noticing.
Thunder Hole at Acadia National Park
Aside from Pemaquid, I had the opportunity to hike in Acadia for the first time! Due to the rainy weather on the day of my visit, I didn't get the chance to do plein-air sketching, but the experience was invigorating in and of itself. The time spent there only convinced me that I should come back for better weather. There are so many wild places in Acadia to draw, that I left with the impression that I had barely scratched the surface. I did take reference photos and videos to sketch from later and I plan on putting them to good use!
Taking reference photos is a good option for those of you who don't want to have to lug all that sketching gear on a hike. I also took reference pictures when I hiked at Dodge Point and the images I took while there will be very useful for inspiration in the future. For me, documentation can include more than photography. Collecting things like rocks or pressed flowers can be useful anchor points for reliving an experience after the fact. Even capturing video can be helpful to record the soundscapes that were around you on location.
You also don't need to hike deep into the woods to find something stunning. I got in the habit of bringing a backpack of basic sketch gear in the car, just in case there was a chance to stop and draw something. This choice paid off when we had time to kill before dinner one day and I got to sketch at the nearby Owl's Head. It always pays to be prepared for art!
Views from Owl's Head, ME
Honestly, this trip came at the perfect time for me. As much as I love being in Chicago I’ve found myself making more and more of an effort to find new drawing spots. I’ve also been missing the sheer abundance of nature that fueled the bulk of my inspiration when I was still a kid. The chance to draw felt more thrilling than it had in months. I can’t stress how helpful going to the middle of nowhere with little to no cell service was to me. Not only did I feel artistically invigorated, but I felt more perceptive of the world around me.
View from Pemequid, ME
Views from Owls Head Beach, ME
If you feel as though your practice is becoming monotonous or less exciting, changing your setting can be highly beneficial. New surroundings and stimuli can provoke new ideas or inspiration. Find your painting, and walk in it!
Memories of Pemaquid and Owl's Head
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