My Life & Artwork - June 2020

July 2, 2020 Teressa Jackson

June is always a time of celebration for me. It’s my birthday month, and I typically try to celebrate to the fullest… eat lots of good food, take a trip or two, see some friends, and enjoy being on this Earth. Of course, everything looks a little different this year, but I did manage to still do a little celebrating turning the big 4-4.

My wanderlust got the best of me, and I took a little road trip to Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah. Bryce Canyon is located at around 8,000 feet above sea level, so the temperatures there are much cooler than Phoenix. The drive was about seven hours, and you’ll be happy to know that over the course of five days, I didn’t eat at a restaurant once and managed to only use a public restroom three times. I never thought I would be reporting on such things, but such is life in the time of coronavirus.

I enjoyed some wonderful weather (60’s and 70’s) and gorgeous hiking. The park was definitely less crowded than it would typically be, which made it all the more enjoyable for me. I also visited Kodachrome Basin State Park and Escalante Petrified Forest State Park while in the area. Kodachrome was a unique landscape featuring an abundance of rock spires and even a slot canyon cave. Escalante was irresistible to me because I have a slight obsession with petrified wood. The landscape there was very different from Petrified Forest National Park and the Bisti Badlands in New Mexico. I visited Bisti for my 43rd birthday, and it also contains petrified wood.

Ahh, that sweeping northern Arizona landscape, on the way to Bryce

Those creative Bryce hoodoos inspired me to make a little hotel room art, and I created a couple of small paintings while I was there in a brief reprieve from the painting that was my focus for most of June (and part of May), Home Sweet Homestead. This piece was the largest I’ve created in years, measuring 30x18”. I was happy/sad to finish it in time to create one more painting this month, this time on black watercolor paper. The black paper really gives a completely different look and approach, and I’m finding it to be very enjoyable as a change of pace.

The only other excitement I encountered during June was at home. We had new windows and a sliding door installed, a major improvement from 74-year-old casement windows. I also finally got the new studio/office setup I had wanted for months and I absolutely love it. My desk converts from sitting to standing, which really helps the neck strain I experience when painting for long periods of time. I honestly think it makes me want to work more - I call that a big success!

My new workspace - sitting. New window above my desk and new sliding door to the right; note the trim was not finished yet at the time this photo was taken.

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Serpentine Shade 6x4”, Watercolor & Gouache on Paper For sale as of this blog post - visit my online shop to purchase. — *Serpentine Shade*
6x4”, Watercolor & Gouache on Paper
For sale as of this blog post - visit my online shop to purchase.

Steller View 6x4”, Watercolor, Ink, & Gouache on Paper For sale as of this blog post - visit my online shop to purchase. — *Steller View*
6x4”, Watercolor, Ink, & Gouache on Paper
For sale as of this blog post - visit my online shop to purchase.

Home Sweet Homestead 30x18”, Gouache on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper For sale as of this blog post - visit my online shop to purchase. — *Home Sweet Homestead*
30x18”, Gouache on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper
For sale as of this blog post - visit my online shop to purchase.

The Skylark Umpire 8x10”, Gouache on 140 lb. Legion Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress Black Paper For sale as of this blog post - visit my online shop to purchase. — *The Skylark Umpire*
8x10”, Gouache on 140 lb. Legion Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress Black Paper
For sale as of this blog post - visit my online shop to purchase.

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Are We There Yet?

July 1, 2017 Teressa Jackson

The sunset as I left Devils Tower National Monument

After a week filled with love, kisses, and birthday celebrations, I had a long haul ahead of me and a lot to accomplish before the next leg of my travels. How quickly could I drive from Corvallis, Oregon to New Albany, Indiana (around 2,500 miles)?

I decided to take the "northern route" since it was June and many other times of the year the locales I'd pass through would be buried in snow. Leaving bright and early Monday, I wound my way past Salem, through Portland, and along the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. After passing through The Dalles, the Oregon landscape began to shift from lush green to desert. I have to admit, it wasn't the most picturesque desert I've seen in the past year, but then again, I didn't get out to explore it either.

Next, my route took me through the corner of Washington that is home to Kennewick and Spokane. I made a brief effort to see a bit of Spokane, but it was rush hour and I decided that my attempt was taking up too much time (plus, I really detest traffic). Back on the highway, I was soon passing through the gorgeous Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and traversing the Idaho panhandle through beautiful forested mountain wilderness in the Coeur d'Alene National Forest.

The amazingly bright green hills near Garryowen, Montana

After around 10 hours on the road, I took a rest in the lovely town of Missoula, Montana. In the morning, I was right back on the road again. It took me almost the entire day to drive from the western end of Montana through Butte, Bozeman, and Billings to its eastern end. I loved the state's scenery, which looked precisely as I'd pictured Montana... mountains covered in trees, sloping down to valleys criss-crossed by clear rocky streams, and a railroad running beside the highway for most of my trip. I wanted to stop and explore more, but nothing in Montana seemed like it would be an even remotely fast stop. So, I put that on my list for a future adventure.

I dipped down into the northeast corner of Wyoming to make a special stop at Devils Tower National Monument. I couldn't resist working this unique landmark into my route, and it was truly worth it. The formation of the tower is totally unexpected and bizarre in the context of the rest of the area's landscape. I arrived just before dusk, with just enough time to hike the trail around the monolith and perfect timing to gaze at a beautiful sunset scene in my rear view mirror.

That night, I stayed in Rapid City, South Dakota. I worked in a couple more scenic opportunities there, taking a jaunt down to Mount Rushmore followed by a drive through Badlands National Park. I could have stayed at the badlands all day, with their unique formations, colors, and contrasts. I had always wanted to see the park, and it certainly lived up to my expectations.

On the highway again, the day went from beautiful rolling green South Dakota landscapes to the cornfields of Iowa. Western Iowa was more picturesque than I'd imagined it to be, with curving plots of hilly farmland, but I was becoming too exhausted to appreciate it. I finally dropped onto a bed in Fort Dodge and called it a night.

The next day, my goal was to make it the rest of the way to New Albany. Never before this past year would I have imagined that anyone would drive from Iowa to New Albany in one day. It didn't even sound possible to me. Forging ahead, I crossed the Mississippi River at Davenport, and made my way across Illinois.

Home was feeling closer, and when I made it to my home state of Indiana through Terre Haute, I got pretty giddy for a moment. Of course, I've driven to Terre Haute before and I knew that I was by no means close to home. The landscape down I-65 south of Indianapolis looked a little different than it had the last time I set eyes upon it, with some new solar farms and some added lanes on the expressway.

I started to wonder if I would make it without stopping for another night. My eyes were getting bleary and I was feeling a bit loopy, but I finally arrived in the city I've called home since I was three years old. Strangely, I didn't feel especially at home or out of place, but I suppose my sights were focused on the next leg of my travels and my giant "to do" list to accomplish before I embarked upon it.

The Long and Winding Road

October 13, 2016 Teressa Jackson

This post was edited on November 29, 2016 to include later blog posts related to this one.

Tonight, I officially hand over the keys of my home to its new owner. I'm too worn out right now to be very sentimental about it, plus there is lots to look forward to! The past week has involved selling stuff, moving stuff, packing stuff, trashing stuff, and cleaning stuff. I hope to never have that much stuff again.

On October 23, 2016, I begin my travels. My ultimate destination for the entire month of November is Las Cruces, New Mexico. I am taking a few detours along the way to see some new sites and one location that has special significance to me. My stops will include:

1. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

At the suggestion of my mother, I will be spending a short time in Eureka Springs. This city is located in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. As an historic architecture enthusiast, I was excited to see that the entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I'm sure I will find some great photo ops and welcome a chance to feast my eyes while I stretch my legs.

Read my blog post about my time in Eureka Springs >

2. Hot Springs, Arkansas

A big fan of our National Parks, I've wanted to see Hot Springs for quite some time, so I couldn't resist adding a stop there. I will be spending a few days enjoying the sights of the town as well as the scenery along the National Park's hiking trails. I'm especially looking forward to seeing the wealth of art deco architecture there.

Read my blog post about my time in Hot Springs >

3. Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Leaving Hot Springs, I will take a drive on the Talimena Scenic Drive, a 54-mile route that twists and turns throughout the foliage of the Ouachita National Forest. The byway is known for its stunning views of the highest mountain range between the Appalachians and the Rockies.

Read my blog post about my time on the Talimena Scenic Byway >

I will continue on and stop for the evening in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in the heart of the Cherokee Nation.

Read my blog post about my time in Tahlequah >

My family in front of our home in Enid in 1976. I'm the littlest one.

4. Enid, Oklahoma

My next destination is the only one along my route I have previously visited. Actually, I did more than visit Enid, Oklahoma - I was born there and lived my first two years in the city. I have not returned in the 38 years we have been gone. I plan to check out the "Queen Wheat City," which apparently has the most grain storage capacity in the U.S., and snap a photo of two of the old homestead on Kiowa Drive.

Read my blog post about my time in Enid >

5. Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo by morning, Amarillo's where I'll be... great song, George Strait! I'll admit it, though, I haven't found a place in Texas that I love yet. Necessity has me giving the state another try in Amarillo. Apparently Amarillo was once known as "Helium Capital of the World" for its helium fields (I never really thought about where helium came from...). The "The Yellow Rose of Texas," Amarillo operates one of the largest meat-packing areas in the United States. As a vegetarian for the past 24 years, I'm super excited about that. ;-)

6. Roswell, New Mexico

With the nickname of "Alien City" and kitschy touches like street lamps painted to look like aliens, Roswell looks like a place with a sense of humor. I plan to visit the International UFO Museum (when in Rome...), Roswell Museum & Art Center, UFO-shaped McDonald's, and other sights around town. And, hopefully, avoid becoming a part of an X Files story line.

Read my blog post about my trip from Enid to Amarillo to Roswell >

7. Landing Point for November: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Las Cruces looks like a great place to soak up some fantastic November weather. I look forward to enjoying views of the Organ Mountains, eating lots of New Mexico chile, patronizing their extensive farmers and crafts market, and day trips to locales such as Mesilla, White Sands National Monument, Silver City, Gila Cliff Dwellings, City of Rocks State Park, Cibola National Forest, and Gila National Forest.

Read my blog post about my arrival in Las Cruces >

Where to in December? I'm figuring that out! Stay tuned...

Read my blog post about my time in Las Cruces and my location for December >

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