Nature & My Art

Growing up in Idaho, nature inspires my work more than I realize. I’ve always been drawn to animals, they’re my favorite subjects and have been for a long time. It wasn’t really until I spent a few years on southern California that I realized how deeply the Idaho landscapes were rooted in me.

The beach is nice and all, but I missed the quiet whisper of the forests, the mountains in any direction, the sunsets. In my year living in Los Angeles, I’d take my dog Mazi on long walks. Most days we’d end up walking through a big beautiful grave yard a few blocks from my tiny apartment. One day, while catching up with my dad on the phone, he pointed out that hanging out in the grave yard was strange behavior. “Oh…” I realized I was going there because it was the only solitude I could find, grass. trees. ponds. quiet. This was the moment I realized I needed to move back home. The big city was killing me.

Since, my husband and I have been living in Idaho, hiking, camping, and enjoying the hot springs as often as time will allow. It’s always a peaceful reset. No reception, no social media, no noise of the city. We even embarked on a two month backpacking trip through Ireland and Scotland, but I’ll get to that later. I’ve realized nature fuels my peace and my creativity more than I ever knew just growing up here. And then I look back on my work through the years and see the part it has so vibrantly played.

Photo by @Ahleesiemoments at the Stanley, Idaho Hot Springs

As a seeker of whimsey, I so often find it in nature. The way it vibrates with its own music. Life growing in every direction. The current of the river. The on going love affair between night and day, sun and moon.

I often for for walks among the trees hoping some day I’ll be called to my next adventure among them. Until then, I’ll keep looking for the little doors in the base of the trees or the pair of eyes watching behind the leaf.

Until next time,

Hailey Lioness xoxo