Nature's Majesty — why as an artist I love to travel
People often ask me what inspires my paintings. I usually answer that the images come from within, guided by my own meditation practice and the impressions that arise from inward contemplation. In fact, the very act of painting is itself a meditation for me that requires deep listening, surrendering and trusting the process.
But that's not the end of the story. I am inspired outwardly by the world of nature and the colors that I perceive through her magnificence. The purple undertones of distant mountains, the golden fuchsia of a bold sunset, the warm siennas of canyon rock ... color feeds my soul.
I've had the privilege over these last couple years to do some cross-country travel to lead painting workshops. Road trips are my favorite way to travel. From the road I can witness the changing terrain and the the sun's position across the open sky. I can squeal in excitement when the moon begins to rise big and orange on the horizon, or when I spot a wild animal grazing on the side of the highway. From the Smoky Mountains to the canyons of Utah, from the Rockies to the Cascades of the Pacific NW ... a return to Mother Nature is a return to balance — guided by cycles, seasons and splendor.
My absolute favorite time of the day is the "Golden Hour" before the sun goes below the horizon — that magical time that artists have chased for ages. The beauty of dusk, with its radiant hues and shadows, was part of what inspired the piece at the bottom of this post titled "Majesty." And there will be many more pieces to come.
While I do not identify as landscape painter, I do love to incorporate aspects of nature into nearly every piece I create — even into the figure itself. This is why it's important to study nature and to paint from life whenever possible. When we travel we have the chance to step out of our regular day-to-day routine and see the world with fresh eyes. And to allow new ideas to enter our consciousness. Sometimes they'll even end up in a painting :-)
Majesty, by Jenny Hahn
