Greetings, everyone, and Happy New Year! December inspired me to delve into a dragon theme to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Dragon. The rich legends and history surrounding these mythical creatures provided a fantastic point of inspiration for the artistic direction. However, this diversion into the realm of dragons briefly paused my broader pursuits over the past few months, including Long Trails, Dharma Bums, and Pilgrimage. These topics are my initial steps into a deeper exploration of the intersection of Buddhism, art, poetry, and wilderness on the American West Coast. My tentative destinations for the coming months include:

• The American wilderness / westward expansion / Shinrin yoku (Forest bathing)
• Wildness and play / Gary Snyder / Zen koans
• Exploring the poets of the American West and the influences of poets of Asia / Henry Thoreau / John Muir / Basho / Gary Snyder/ Mary Oliver / Hanshan
• Engaging in walking meditation / the feet as a sense organ / the power of walking
• Delving further into trails and pilgrimage / El Camino de Santiago / Shikoku Pilgrimage / Marathon Monks of Mt. Hiei / Rucksack revolution
• Exploring the concept of vagabonds and wanderers / Ikkyu / Santoka / Kerouac / “Life found in the gaps”
• Contemplating Zen koans / tipping points
• Exploring the connection between moments of retreat and of being in the world.
• Reflecting on the Pacific Ocean and its connection to the American and Asian coastlines.
• Seeking serendipity through travel.

Throughout this exploration, I will continue experimenting with a layered, collage-like approach to block printing. I’ve been enjoying its ability to introduce more happy accidents into the artwork and to tell layered stories, akin to a wall of graffiti or a heavily tattooed individual. The history within these themes is expansive, and I envision revisiting them multiple times, exploring alternative visual expressions, modes of conveying stories, and their points of interconnections. 

It’s also feeling crucial to keep this inquiry experiential rather than theoretical, and I am enthusiastic about the prospect of embarking on another multi-week hike next summer in my home state of Washington. Despite potential obstacles, my focus is on making it happen, and I am committed to being back in the mountains in July and August.