What inspires me these days - Sophie Navarro Matchett

I have so much to be inspired about these days. It’s seems a bit ironic with how things have been in the last 8 months. However, I honestly feel more connected to my creativity even more now. When you are in a position where working from home is the new normal and helping your kid succeed virtually, it changes something inside of you. It opens up new ways to connect with others in ways you wouldn’t have otherwise. You start to see reach out more in new ways. You call instead of text. You video chat instead of call. You plan a quick lunch or coffee chat only 6 feet apart. You change the ways you connect. You have meaningful conversations because you deeply care about your friends, family and colleagues. There is more depth in what is happening all around us. My art is a portal to diving deeper into what it means to really connect. This is why I love playing with layers of mixed media, mixed papers, collage, text, words and create new textures onto of other layers. I want my art to connect with others in new ways. I want to let others know that they can experience depth and connection too. I sometimes used to feel as if I was looking from outside the world and looking in. Now, I see from so many different perspectives and it’s incredibly freeing. I love how my imagination just wants to explore new sounds in music, colors and patterns. I also try to get outside more and go for a walk. This fall has taught me to slow down more and to enjoy what matters in our lives. Instead of focusing on the news or a random scroll, it’s really important to look within and hear that voice inside. This voice often gets overlooked or disappears in the noise of the world. This past summer I tried to let myself really experience life from so many different angles. I am so grateful I did. Now that we need to pause here in Oregon and go inward a little more, I am embracing it rather than feeling any resistance to it. I am allowing it in. It’s important to slow down, hear the rain fall, cozy up with some extra blankets, stock up free little pantries with lots of good food around town, write in my journal or doodle a new drawing. These are some of the little things I relish in. Slowing down and counting each blessing as I see them. Hope you all have a lovely Fall and transition into a beautiful winter season. Stay healthy and safe!

Setting New Intentions for 2019

During the holiday break, I had a significant amount of time to enjoy family, friends and some solitude to get creative with new art projects. I was able to pause and reflect on the past year. The lessons I learned was to continue to create new work even on my most challenging days and to trust the process of uncertainty. There are moments when you think you are not sure how a specific event will turn out, if it will rain or shine or if you have enough art to sell, but the truth is you always have enough, people will come to see what you are doing and will appreciate you showing up. The hardest part is showing up for yourself. I did the First Friday ArtWalks all summer long and enjoyed painting in the street. I sold magnets, talked to new people and met so many amazing artists at each event. I am very appreciative for Lane Arts Council with all the coordinating, marketing and the connections I have built from showing up. My hope for 2019 is to continue to participate in these ArtWalks, build a better booth with more inventory and set myself up for more success!


 
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