Photo Collage by Karen Godfrey
February 12, 2020
“We must not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.”
-T.S. Eliot
Since arriving back home from our 2 month odyssey last fall, I have enjoyed being able to reflect on all the events that occurred on our trip. I think what I have discovered is that our journey out West helped me to “see” more parts of myself. I got to see the part of me that loves the unknown, the adventure, and the strange and wildly wonderful experiences that only happen when you take a trip far from home. It is the part of me that feels more alive when I’m in an environment that is totally foreign and unknown to me. Waking up to the sound of coyotes in the middle of the night or the braying of feral burros, while sitting at a campfire, heightens your senses and connects you to something much bigger than you are.
What I have discovered, is that this spark of aliveness that I feel when I’m exploring, has been a part of me ever since I can remember. So, this in a sense is nothing new and yet by going through these heightened adventures, it feels fresh and brand new, like I’m experiencing life for the first time. To me, it is important to have this revelation, as a reminder to apply this to all aspects of my life.
I realized that I can dedicate these memories to every menial task that I do. It is this feeling of wonder and amazement that can spill over, not only into my artwork, but also my workouts at the gym, the washing of dishes, and my drives to the grocery store in the country. It is the rediscovery of my wild soul that has been the biggest gift and something I hope to reclaim over and over again.
To see more of my artwork got to http://www.karengodfrey.net
Karen Godfrey 