By Teresa Smith

I go north to gather. A gathering of new inspiration and a fresh look at wild places.

It isn’t easy for me to leave my nest on San Juan Island, but it helps me to grow as an artist and as a person. I am traveling alone. Not exactly alone but with no other human. Just my collie, Finn. He is a good travel companion other than his occasional whining.

Traveling with myself is interesting. I have more time to think, contemplate, muse, and meet the locals. When I travel with a friend we get to know each other better. When I travel alone, I get to know myself better. There is no, “What do you want to do?” “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” It is just me and my considering my very own wants and desires. I don’t have to take care of anyone or their feelings. It’s just me and my feelings. This requires knowing what I want. Sounds simple enough. As it turns out, this trip is about going deep into learning more about who I am.

Here is what I found out so far. I like wild places more than cities. I like walking through dense forest more than vistas with beautiful views. I like lakes more than the ocean. I like winter as much as I like summer. I’d rather be on land looking at the water than on the water looking at the land. I would rather paint in my studio than on location. Some folks want to talk about themselves, and some want to know about me. But one thing is for sure. People who live on Quadra Island are about as friendly as people get.

Other things I learned. Trails and roads on the Quadra Island trail map are subjections only. A moderate hike is a lot harder than I thought. Hiking in the deep woods where there are no people but there are cougars, wolves and bears is a little spooky.

This place, north of where I live, feeds my soul. It nourishes and inspires me. I hike, I paint on the beach, I write in a little coffee shop. When it stops raining, I will go to the farmers market and hopefully meet some artists. Then a hike through the woods and along the coast. After that, with a tuckered-out dog, I will paint.

I think through the things that captivate me about this place. I wonder why it is so inspiring. I think about what is important. If I turn this entire experience into paintings, how will they be different?

Up here in Canada, a ways north of where I live, I feel at home. The lovely people, the beautiful trees and beaches and this special time with my best friend, Finn. One thing is for sure. I will be back.