Jean von Bargen Root is an architect, artist, & traveler.
Her travels have brought her on many of Sellwood Yoga’s Retreats over the years. She has recorded her experiences on these retreats and in other places she visits in ink, watercolor, flower pressing, and collage for over 30 years.

Her new studio Art Exhibit Travel Art debuts with an Open House this Saturday, September 19th from 2:00-5:00pm. Join her to see the new collection and to enjoy food, beverages, and music. There will also be a note taking station for you to try your hand at sketching and drawing as well.

Jean describes her mindful and creative approach to her artwork in “finding presence and meaning through visual note taking below.”

FINDING PRESENCE AND MEANING THROUGH VISUAL NOTE TAKING
As the world moves faster and faster, I look for ways to pause, be present, and check in with myself. My personal practice of sketching and drawing encourages me to slow down, observe with all my senses, and spend time in places that inspire me. These places range from beautiful scenes during my travels to vignettes I encounter in everyday life. This work also lets me record moments I can revisit later and carry ongoing conversations with my past self and memories.

MY PROCESS
I bring the process-oriented methodologies of my architectural education and training into my personal work of memory keeping and mindfulness. This practice gives each moment the attention it deserves and makes space for play, curiosity, and discovery:
I do not worry about perfection, I simply begin. Starting is usually the hardest part.
My first moves are quick and intuitive and help guide later iterations.
Layering over my sketches, I record observations through words, diagrams, color, collage, and found objects from the world around me.
I return to my work and add onto it. Every time, I notice something new and my response often evolves beyond my original idea.
The work is living; I continue the dialogue with my past self when I return to it and decide when the piece feels complete.

CHOSEN TOOLS AND MATERIALS
Because my tools need to move with me, I choose portable materials such as small notebooks, watercolors, inks, and ephemera that speak to the essence of the memory I am recording. I use items that feel meaningful and help bring my experience to the page.

AN INVITATION
My process of visual note taking has allowed me to record decades of my life through memories, travels, and thoughts that I can return to and re-experience. Find a way to be present and turn your memories into something tangible that works for you. Try my process or adapt this into something that speaks to your heart and mind. When both are nourished, your overall well-being can be nourished too.

More information on the event Travel Art Opening & Reception