Art Inspired by Travel: Central California Coast | Santa Cruz, Davenport, Pescadero, San Gregorio

At the end of April — early May I got an opportunity to visit a friend of mine that I’ve known since college. We met in Louisiana and both ended up finding home on the West Coast. She’s been living in the Bay Area while I’ve shuttled between Seattle and Los Angeles. Her new home is in Scotts Valley, California near Santa Cruz. I’d never visited the area before but always wanted to, so I was thrilled that our timing worked out!

DAVENPORT

After lunch at Whale City Bakery, we went for a beautiful walk above Shark Fin Cove in Davenport on the day that I arrived. It was exactly what I’d been craving in terms of landscape and sunshine and energy. I’ve felt such a deep need to be in California this year. I’m actually going back to L.A. next weekend!

Scotts Valley

Every morning I had coffee in Kerry’s beautiful backyard. The mountain view is stunning! It inspired me to take out my sketchbook and attempt to capture some of the shades of green and purple that I was drawn to during this trip.

Santa Cruz

We explored shops and some areas of Santa Cruz. Here are a few of the places that we visited and enjoyed: 11th Hour Coffee, Flower Bar, Copal. There was an amazing vegan mole at Copal made with tempeh, chayote, and garbanzo beans. It was incredible. I’m seriously getting hungry just thinking about it.

HIGHWAY 1

I loved our little Highway 1 road trip. We petted goats at Harley Farms Goat Dairy and had brunch at Cascade Restaurant at Costanoa. We visited cute shops like Moonshadow Intergalactic Vending and The Sunshine in Pescadero. Kerry and I walked around for a perfect view of San Gregorio State Beach and Pigeon Point Lighthouse and I was inspired by the rocky beaches of Pescadero State Beach. Before heading home we stopped at the San Gregorio General Store and listened to live music.

And then it was time to head back to Seattle, with all of the beautiful inspiration inside me. I took the coastal California energy back to my studio and, eventually, completed two new paintings: The Possibility of Alchemy and Road Trip.

These two paintings are just the beginning. One of the best things about traveling is that it provides endless inspiration for my art. I take tons of photographs (obviously — ha!) and journal about my experiences to keep them close. The inspiration I gather from the world will inform my work for years to come.

I hope you enjoyed the journey!

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