Tag: New Blog

Climb On

Sandstone of Red Rock Canyon Number 1 — SOLD

Backpacking the tiny human into a wonderland of rocks was amazing! Sandstone, limestone, and the variations of each were breathtaking! She loved looking out at her new height of six feet tall and being able to touch plants that are usually too far out of her reach. We went back to the Red Springs Area. I love how every time I am out in the desert it feels like a new experience. I can walk the same trail for example, or even run it, and each time it feels as if I could get lost. The desert changes so magically even in the different times of day, and it moves or flows with an amazing color spectrum. I feel pure joy sharing these moments and this time with our daughter. An entirely new way to gaze upon this world.

She finds holes in the distance and we must walk to them. I set the backpack down and her smile shines so brightly as she knows walking on the ground is about to happen. Her little hands are going to get to touch the “dirt” she kept telling me about in the car ride over. She loves the sand going through her fingers as well. We find sticks to write and doodle in the sediments around our feet. We find bushes and learn which ones are safe to touch compared to ones that are protecting themselves with thorns or needles. Then, in one magnificent moment…we start to climb for the first time outside. Learning how important foot placement is and how to trust our bodies. Growing and changing how we move while our brain is evolving with new information. “Climb” is becoming our new favorite word and is used simultaneously now with “dirt.” Oh the joy and wonder of a child are endless. “Climb on” little one!

Thank you all for reading and I hope you have a Marvelous Monday!

-Karen Hilliard

Also, if you would like another way to show support, I have a few options. “Buy me a coffee” which is a way for anyone to contribute to the creative process behind the paintings. Fuel the artist so to speak. Here is the link if you are interested. The funds go to supplies and gas to get out to the trails. I truly appreciate the support and the fact that you are liking these blogs, as well as my art posts. I am working hard to bring you all fresh content! Here is the link to my Instagram where I try to post daily. You can also find me on Facebook at my art page Karen Hilliard Art.

If you would like to, please leave your Social Media handle on the “Buy me a Coffee” page so I can thank you in my Instagram/Facebook Stories! 🙂

Thank you again for all of your support!

Tags New Blog, red rock canyon

These Trees Are Tall!

So many smells surround me and the sounds of this forest are unique. It is wet and damp here in certain places. The ground beneath my paws is soft and mud is bouncing back up on my stomach. My muscles feel rejuvenated and strong. The air in my lungs is crisp and fresh, unlike the dust of the desert I call home. The trees…the glorious trees…where do I begin to leave my mark? Everyone needs to know I was here. My humans are keeping me close on this infernal leash, yet I know it is for my safety, as well as there’s. Apparently there is a plant here called poison oak and even if I get the oil in my fur, they can catch it by petting me. It is okay, the hold on me is loose so I still feel grateful to explore. There are so many puddles to drink water from and the rain feels nice on my fur.

Karen Hilliard Art | Blog | Redwoods | These Trees Are Tall

My eyes are always watching this baby by my side and my ears are perked up to hear for miles in order to keep her safe. She sure does love to splash in puddles. The tiny human gives me treats, throws my ball…not far…but she throws it and gets excited, so I must keep her near me at all times. The joy of this creature is interesting and I find that my heart feels warm when she is around. The forest is welcoming and the whole family seems to really enjoy it. I wonder if they are going to leave their mark? My mom is taking pictures, so many pictures. She is an artist and wants to paint…EVERYTHING! I am writing this blog to tell you all that she painted some of these trees and we are all super excited. She is releasing them tomorrow with prints as well. She is offering a 10% OFF COUPON in her Newsletter, so make sure to sign up for that. I think she did a great job with the mood, since that is what I can see clearly in her work. I hope you all get a chance to get outside with people you love this weekend. I am looking forward to my humans taking me somewhere awesome! Thank you for reading!!

-Spector

Karen Hilliard Art | Redwoods | California | Shining Light | Watercolor and Ink — SOLD

Redwoods Spreading Light | Karen Hilliard Art — SOLD

Tags california coast, New Blog, Redwoods

Desert Life

Jackrabbits, Chollas, Beaver Tail and more! So many things that became in store. The clouds above were full and grey with cotton like wondrous white speckled in. We still talk of “hop” and how it ran off…hip hopping away in the distance. As we looked up, we saw a lovely light illuminating the mountains beyond. They called to us and we decided to walk over in their direction. I went where she pointed and enjoyed what she found. The leaves on the bushes that dried where they hung, the pebbles in the wash moved throughout time, and the textured sandstone of the boulders that stood. Out of everything…we talk about the “hop” still and it was requested to be drawn in our book.

This is the first creature she saw out in its element. In its ecosystem. We saw some jackrabbits prior at Sunset park along with little bunnies, yet this one was gigantic compared to those. I can see why she is fascinated by it and talks of it days later. Have any of you seen wildlife while out hiking or walking? What types of animals have you encountered or are there any stories you would like to share? Please leave them in the comments below. We would love to hear about them. I am very excited for what we may see next, on another trail, on another day. Until then…have a Wonderful Wednesday and thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

If you would like to, please leave your Social Media handle on the “Buy me a Coffee” page so I can thank you in my Instagram/Facebook Stories! 🙂

Thank you again for all of your support!

Tags Backpacking, New Blog

Flow

Rivers flow and carve beautiful canyons with time or by powerful force. Thinking about life, I have always found it moves like water. Sometimes there needs to be a change or a bend to flow around, over, or through something. Sometimes force needs to be applied while other times subtle soft flowing needs to happen. We headed out to our usual trail and found some activity there so decided to keep driving. When there are questionable people I like to move to a less populated area, especially now that I have a little one. Deciding to flow like a river and see where it would take us, we happened upon a lovely new trail and saw so many wonderful things. Also, we had to watch the sky and the rain coming in the distance to know when to pack up and head back to the car. The desert can have flash floods which can come quickly with little warning.

This being in the forefront of our minds, we did stay near the vehicle while playing in the wash. The first creature she got to see was a Black-tailed jackrabbit almost the size of her! We followed slowly in the direction of the rabbit but would not have caught up with them. Giving the animals space in nature is very crucial to their survival. This little path took us to some gorgeous sandstone boulders with mountains in the distance. Our daughter touched plants, played in the sand, stacked rocks, and talked about everything she saw. We had discussions about getting to high ground if it started to rain and respecting wildlife. There were so many teachable moments but the fun was by far the best part of the hike. Seeing her face light up in wonder is purely magical! Thank you all for reading and I will write more on Wednesday with added drawings. Have a Marvelous Monday!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog

Change

There are subtle and drastic changes in the topography of the desert landscape. Weather can carve new paths and crevices in the rock faces, washes, and leave flora twisted upon itself. The past few times I went hiking was on the same trail yet it was different in so many ways. Lighting on one particular day was glorious and magical. A cloud covered a section of the mountain while the sun peaked through and shone so brightly on another. To be there in that moment and witness the light was breathtaking. This space of time literally had me pause my breath for seconds, it was truly amazing. The picture below does it some justice, but as we all know a photograph from a phone does not get the light exactly as it was during the moment. Looking back at my photos from the hike prior to that day, the mountain looked drastically different as did the wash. I long for the day to paint these photographs even if just in a sketchbook to immortalize the memories of each beautiful day.

After being completely mesmerized by the light and sharing the moment with our daughter, she brought my attention to something else entirely. I love how toddlers can do this. All children have different attention spans and I love how their imagination can take over in an instant. We started to gather rocks and began stacking them up in towers, or carins for my outdoor friends. We found that releasing pebbles and sand from our grasp at different heights onto the stones made different sounds. Some were high pitched noises whereas others were subtle and soft. We started to hum and sing little tunes while making music out of natural objects. It was a lovely day outside. I hope you all have a Fabulous Friday and get a chance to go outside this weekend. Thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog

These Precious Moments

Bountiful rejuvenation happens in the desert after moderate levels of rainfall. The luscious green plants spring up all throughout the land. Some may say, there is nothing as far as the eye can see, but I see everything! The ankle breaking cholla cactus that drops its seeds everywhere are quite interesting. The dog has to learn to avoid such plants. Some plants are friendly to the touch and tickle our palms as we walk by. Our daughter loves reaching out and feeling trees or bushes so I am constantly on the lookout for thorns or unfriendly protective plants while hiking in the desert. This plant was lovely and she really enjoyed the texture. It had yellow and green leaves and was set inside a crevice of sandstone. Plants amaze me how they can grow in cracks. They are so resilient.

Karen Hilliard Art | Blog | These Precious Moments

I have been working on this small sketchbook of our hikes and backpacking trips for her memories. Hopefully, as she ages, she can look back and remember some of our wonderful moments outside. So much happens out there. This sketch is from hiking at Red Springs in Calico Basin. The parking lot is the turn off right before the loop of Red Rock Canyon and it is free to hike Red Springs. A natural spring! There is also sport and trad climbing right near the parking lot. The boulder field is up a ways and past the houses. It is a great out and back day hike and wonderful for children. They get to run around, climb, and explore what looks like another planet. I hope you all get a chance to go and if you need any more information, I linked it here! May your Monday night be magical and thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog, red rock canyon, watercolor painting

Sands of Time

Letting sediments run through the spaces between my fingers and watching it fall to the ground is truly enjoyable, calming. Listening to the “woah,” and “wow” coming from our child was wonderful. I loved watching the sand change my perspective when I put it in the sunlight versus the shadows our bodies created. She loved watching the “dirt” float in the breeze and move in different directions. We did not travel far, as I stated in Monday’s blog, but it was enjoyable and an overall remarkable experience. Time stood still in moments and slowed down in others. Having a child has been a constant reminder to take time and treasure every second of the day. I have learned that when I speed myself up or try to take on too many tasks, that becoming overwhelmed can happen. Juggling many ideas, jobs, etc. at once used to be easy for me and not even a thought process. I went from task to task with speed yet accomplished so much. Putting my all into everything so it was all done right was very important to me.

Work in progress…

I have recently learned that breathing and slowing down opens up an entirely different world of unknowns. I had no idea that moving at a slower pace would be so lovely. Now I am seeing the world all over again with new eyes. I think I mentioned this before in a previous blog but everyday it happens again and again. Nothing could have prepared me for this new adventure. Sands of time are unique and different for every individual. Over the years I have been fortunate to create a thick book of life for my short existence on this planet. It is filled with chapters and stories of many loved ones and countless adventures. Backpacking with another human on my back is amazing and I can honestly not put into words how it truly feels. I hope to fill all her days with wonder, art, music, exploration, and so much imagination. Where are some places you have traveled to that sparked happiness in your life? I would love to hear about it. Thank you for reading and I hope you all have a wondrous Wednesday!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog, red rock canyon

Play Time

Traveling from California forests to Nevada deserts was a huge climate change for our little one. Not only were there vast topography changes but also stimulation and shifts due to weather differences. In California we had the cold, wet, damp, and dewy mornings combined with rain. This led to luscious forest growth and green all around us under the redwoods. In the desert we shared moments of sand running through our fingers and staying in the crevices of the lines in our hands. Both climates were cool, however, California had a bit more of a chill due to the coastal midst. Hiking in the desert is also magical how quickly the temperature can drop once the sun sets behind the mountains. Both states shared a winter chill that our daughter and I enjoyed. We both love wearing hats so it was nice to be able to share fun memories with our knitted wear.

Today we hiked the beautiful Red Rock Canyon here in Nevada. This place used to feel like our backyard as we were a bit closer and now it is a journey. Luckily, it makes the hiking there all the more wondrous and enjoyable. Sharing these moments with a toddler is a completely different experience than how my husband and I used to run 4 to 6 miles in a short amount of time. Now, the time is still the same, yet the distance may not even equate to a mile. Immediately out of the backpack, her hands glide into the sediments below her feet and around her being. The smile on her face illuminates everything and everyone on the trail. I love how when people see a baby they immediately smile and wave, or say hello. At least, out in nature this has been a welcoming experience. While greeting every human and dog on the trail, we were also fascinated by animal poop, wild plants, and above everything…rocks. More will be shared this week in future blogs so stay tuned and stay safe out there! Thank you for reading and I hope you all had a marvelous Monday.

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog, red rock canyon, watercolor painting

Forest Love

Canopies of California Number 3 | Karen Hilliard Art | Tiny Paintings — AVAILABLE CLICK HERE

Canopies of California Number 2 | Karen Hilliard Art | Tiny Paintings — AVAILABLE CLICK HERE

Back at the root of my inspiration and depths of my creative awakening in the heart of California, I walk into the forest and take a deep breath. The fog rolls in all around me and I look down at my feet to see the small seedlings bending with dew drops. The heaviness of the weather may weigh these small plants down, however, one day they will be mighty and taller than myself. The smell of fresh rain travels through my nostrils and my eyes light up with the cool morning temperatures. All of my senses are awakened in the forest. Traveling around with my little family this December has been wonderful as always. The roots beneath our feet remind me of my own family tree and the memories we made on this trip. The baby lasted a wee bit in the backpack and then chose to run around splashing in puddles. So much fun was had in this forest.

If you ever get a chance to visit the Grove of Old Trees in Occidental California, I highly recommend it. Also, the town has lovely artisan shops to peruse. Make sure to dress warm and bring a rain jacket as well as boots to be safe. Totally worth the trip! We were in the hunt for a new coffee mug and found a wonderful piece by a local artist. This mug took half an hour to choose and I went with the one that reminded me of the splashing puddles. Overall that was a huge memory. The dog drinking from every puddle and stream was also joyous. Every rain drop that fell on my husband’s shoulder and coated his sweatshirt with patterns were also fun to watch. Looking up at the canopy above reminded me to slow down and enjoy all the tiny moments. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog

Winter Solstice

The shortest of days and longest of nights is upon us! Winter Solstice has come and with it the first day of winter. A time to celebrate the return of the sun and the welcoming of warmth returning. My family and I celebrated this magical day with a hike, a meal, and reflection on everything important to us. We dried oranges to decorate our home while giggling and enjoying each other’s company. Our first attempt at a sugary delicious Yule Log was a success and the fire was lit in our fireplace. This is a time of year to remember those who are important and reach out to loved ones with open arms. We are fortunate to have many wonderful people in our lives and each one fills us with gratitude for their existence. The wonderful experiences I have with those around me really sparks the fire of my artistic journey. Today was about appreciation for loved ones and reminders were all around.

The hike was lovely with the sun shining overhead. The dog had a blast and was in full protection mode for our little one. Even though the parents were both there to watch out for her, he only left her side to fetch a stick. Keeping a watchful eye at all times, the stick was quickly dropped the second she even stumbled. He is an amazing dog and we are blessed to have him. Our daughter loved feeling the sediments between and beneath her fingers. Climbing up and down sand drifts as well as rocky paths were her favorite on this day. My husband and I just enjoyed the ambiance around us and carried it with us back to our homestead where we created some magic. Twinkle lights, orange slices, crafts, food, and more, illuminated our day with light. This solstice has been a wonderful start to an exciting new journey. I love the idea of rebirth associated with the return of the sun. Did any of you celebrate? If so, what did you do? Also, I made candied oranges which have a nice association with St. Nicholas and the gold coins he gave away, along with chocolate. Gift giving this time of year is by far my favorite. Thank you for reading and I hope you had a serene Saturday!!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog, watercolor painting