One Week In Vancouver, British Columbia

Learning to Simplify and Float

After two weeks in my car driving from New York to Vancouver BC, meandering through the Southern desert, I have begun to settle into my new home, finalize artworks to be sent out in the next few weeks for the over 50 individuals who became involved with this project, and stretch my legs a little.

I'd be lying if I said the first few days were very easy, for it is difficult to move into a new place with no phone, no friends, no bank account... but there are finer things here.

The Ocean.

The Mountains.

A Major City.

The Sunshine.

My Health.

Not to mention a new Studio to settle into.

Looking through my completed pieces from my journey Between the Points, I am noticing a theme of simplification.  Part of this could be due to certain landscapes - the endless golden fields of wheat in Idaho, the flat arid landscape of Northern Texas, or the seemingly endless sky of Oklahoma.

A certain amount of this simplification and editing could also be due in part to moving and being mobile.  One must be very thoughtful about what elements to include since there is limited space in a vehicle, and limited energy in packing boxes upon boxes.  Perhaps this process of simplifying my lifestyle through way of purging belongings found its way into my artwork.

An emphasis on color and light still reigns supreme in the pieces, drawing, watercolor, acrylic, photography, and collage.  I am fascinated by the way in which shadows and tones are dispersed across landscapes and objects depending on their light source.

I have noticed more of a sense of humor and light-heartedness in these small works than I tend to exhibit in my larger acrylic paintings.  Maybe due to their size I feel more free to explore and take chances.  Going through these types of exercises is incredibly valuable for it reinforces the importance of taking chances and risks.

I decided to take the weekend to further reflect on the pieces, and get outside while the weather was nice.  I made my way to Garibaldi Park for some backpacking and camping.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of bears the entire night.  The upside to this fear, much like when I camped at Canyonlands in Utah, is that I was happy to get up and out of the tent early.

The rain from the night before, along with the clouds cloaking the mountain range made for a beautiful and inspiring morning.

I can say without a doubt that until staying in the mountains and waking up to this incredible landscape, where the trail head was an under 2 hour drive from my front doorstep, I didn't know how to feel.  Being within the mountains, and spending time out of the studio surprisingly, helped me grasp that I moved to one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to.  I'm excited to continue to build an Art portfolio, become involved in a new community, and see how this fantastic land seeps into my artwork and creative process.

(So Much) More to Come.

Jessa Gilbert

www.jessagilbert.com

facebook.com/jessagilbertstudios

instagram.com/jessagilbert

Day Fourteen - Pacific North West and Canadaland

Press On.

What I liked most about my hotel that night was probably the sign along the driveway stating:

 "Picking up Prostitutes will get you arrested".

Luckily, there were no prostitutes to pick up, my level of cash was low, and my door had a deadbolt.  The other positive things to glean from this was that it was very easy to wake up early and get out of there.

I found myself at a shipyard near Seattle during the early morning exploring the rippled paint, piles of equipment and machinery, and no signs of prostitutes.

I love the way in which natural processes can take over, such as rust, corrosion, and moss.  In particular I enjoy when there is a clearly defined line between past and present take over.  Perhaps its the juxtaposition between the elements that most intrigues me.  A difference in texture, creation, time, etc. 

Into the City on the Sea, and what a beautiful blue day it was.  What a treat, considering I had only heard about how rainy it was.  Thanks for looking out, Seattle!

I strolled down to the water's edge to check out the boats and markets.  Having a sea port of entry, or a well defined system, into the city is so critical to a culture of a location.  I've realized that I'm drawn to these locations, be it by rail yards or sea ports, for the textures they have.  Each location is used and worked incredibly hard, and typically for some time now.  The wear upon the buildings, streets, and machinery feels similar to painting and drawing in regards to its pentimento.

I had been so spoiled with my past city visits of having empty streets.  Seattle's market on a Sunday, however... very much the opposite of empty.  

From fish to fruit, feet to flowers - all senses were aroused upon entering the Pike Street Market.  It reminded me of descriptions I've read about India's markets in being and "assault of the senses", but I would imagine much more tame.  I loved the myriad of texture and color, as well as the energy created within the structure.

I found my way down a quieter alleyway, and stumbled across a small artisan press shop called Pike St. Press.  They specialized in had pressed and printed cards, prints, stationary, etc.  Really unique and well crafted products.  You can tell they had really talented artists working here with a unique, and light hearted, perspective.  I adored their use of text and script in many of their pieces.  I'd definitely check them out.

Not to mention they have a changing artwork outside their building made of chalk.  Chalk is one of my favorite materials to see utilized in public spaces for the same reason I love rail yards and ports - the marks and motions inscribed prior to the top layer seem to always appear.  They may recede to a state where they blend into a foggy background, but that history of motion and action is ever present.

Speaking of history revealed... I had to check out one of the more foul public works I've heard about: The Infamous Gum Wall of Seattle.  Not only is everything sort of dripping and full of, I'm sure, living and breathing organisms, but the smell is... well... less Fruitalicious Gum and more repulsive.

I couldn't help myself, but I can assure you I got out of that hallway about as fast as I found my way into it.

Before I left Seattle I felt like I needed to see a few more cleanly places, so I continued around a few blocks before hopping back into the art mobile for the last leg of the journey.

The landscape started to become much thicker during the trek from Seattle to the Canadian border.  It went from more open freeway streets into thick forests, always with mountains looming in the background.  I could tell I was heading in the right direction.

I love entering British Columbia, whether it is by plane or automobile, because they have done a great job making it feel beautiful and well designed.  At this particular border they have a state park with a Peace Arch.

And with that, into Canadaland I went!

I was ushered into Vancouver with a setting sun, mountains getting ever closer, and an incredible sky of clouds.

In 14 days, I made it to my new home, and what a creative and inspiring journey it was.  Before I get to packaging up the artwork for Between the Points Project, I had to take care of a few things first.

What can I say... after well over 4,000 miles, I think I earned it.

Thank you Artists' Mediums of Williston Vermont, Black Horse Fine Art Supply of Burlington Vermont, Desillusion Magazine, and to everyone who became involved with the project along the way!  I look forward to sending the work out to you all within the next month.  I'll be updating this with the status of shipments.  If you ordered an artwork and are concerned about the address you gave, or have any special instructions please feel free to contact me directly.

Thank you for being a part of the journey and creation Between the Points.

Jessa Gilbert

www.jessagilbert.com

facebook.com/jessagilbertstudios

Thirteen - Idaho, Oregon, Washington

Locks and Bolts - Greens and Golds

I woke up in Twin Falls, Idaho with a weather forecast of upper 90's and smokey skies.  I decided to hit the road quickly before any chance of getting caught in the fires near Sun Valley decided to move themselves West.  Being from the New York originally, I can't say I had ever experienced the effects of a devastating forest fire.  This was certainly eye-opening, and I wasn't even in the worst part.

Boise, Idaho is about 2 hours West of Twin Falls, and is a nice, youthful city.  Not to mention, that's where the amazing Old Idaho State Penitentiary from 1870 is.  My first impression was - well, at least the prisoners were situated within beautiful mountains in a state known for it's sunshine.  How bad could it be?

Then you step inside the stone walls.

The Women's Ward is the first building you come across, which is in a separate plot from the Men's.  This was constructed by the prisoners from 1905-1906.  Prior to this, the women served their term in the same buildings and grounds as the men.  Now, although the photos and stories of these women prove they were some seriously bad b*tches, the idea of being locked up with the men is unfathomable.

The main grounds, or where the men stayed, is made up of a series of buildings within a large, stone strong hold.  There were roses planted within the grounds, but I find it very hard to believe these prisoners had any flowers to enjoy during their sentences.

I'm a sucker for old buildings and facade's, so I found these structures incredible.

I'm very happy I live on the outside of prison walls, rather than being locked up with people like this,

who were wielding things like this:

Not to mention, you slept in one of these halls with the most model citizens.

Some were seemed to be very good at personalizing their environments.

But what did they do other than sleep and write on the walls?  They got put to work by The Man.  They were in charge of cleaning their linens and personal possessions, as well as cleaning uniforms for soldiers during the wars.

It was incredibly interesting to see the old equipment, seemingly untouched since the prison closed its doors in 1973.

Shadows and sounds began to play tricks on me, making me aware I am afraid of ghosts, so I got the heck out of the beautiful old, but terrifying spaces, and back on the road.

It's $5 to enter and check out - so DEFINITELY do it if you're in Boise.  If you're into hiking/mountain biking, you can do a few trails directly behind the buildings as well.

I pushed West, and found myself in the Historic town of La Grande, Oregon.

It's a cute town off the main highway, at the base of some small mountains, along a very large, and what looks like very busy, set of railroad tracks.

The town is full of very cool, old buildings,

a slew of fully functional, rad older vehicles,

beautiful, artistic murals,

and incredible texture.

Did I mention the cars?

Pressing on to Washington I went through fields of green and gold, mountains of tall pines, then back to fields.  There is something so beautiful about the glow of these endless fields.  They reminded me of a painting by Van Gogh, "Wheat Fields with Crows".

After miles of these rolling flats, you enter wine country.  I decided to pull off in a town called Yakima, Washington, situated along the Yakima river.  Really interesting Historic district.

Since it's located right along the train tracks, it also had a very cool shipping area.  I loved the myriad of products, crates, and objects in the area.  It creates a sort of rhythm I find very inspiring.

These three states definitely took a toll on me and my car, but in the best way.  I will absolutely be coming back to this area and spending more time perusing the landscape, downtown, as well as the wine!