ISSUE No . 40
From the
Editor
ROBIN BISHOP
Robin Bishop is Art Chowder ’ s editor in chief . She loves a challenge
and has an affinity for asking questions that invite innovative solutions to individual and team challenges . She possesses a deep aversion to a “ We ’ ve always done it that way ” existence . Robin has a diverse background , but her passion is writing and bringing others ’ stories to life . She holds a bachelor ’ s degree in Professional and Creative Writing from Central Washington University and master ’ s degree in Organizational and Change Leadership from Gonzaga University .
robin @ artchowder . com
Whether you ’ re a creature of routine or one of those rare unicorns that thrive on change , major pivots are never easy . They can be unnerving , scary , even exhilarating , but they will always include unique sacrifices and blessings . My husband , Eric , and I have just completed one such turning point and as much as I was excited for it and anxious to move into a new phase of life with my best friend , let me tell you , it was incredibly difficult and presented substantial moments of poetic release . We sold our family home . This is not just the place that we raised our children for the past 25 years , but it was also the home Eric ’ s grandparents built . With that there was an entirely deeper level of sacrifice taking place .
Sorting , tossing , giving , and selling away a quarter century of your life is no easy task . It did , however , shoot the awareness of “ stuff ” to the forefront . While it is freeing to minimize and let go of things ( it can get addictive ), there are still emotional attachments to things that we now realize are included in the mourning and loss inherent with this process . Now that we are on the other side of it , having purchased an RV that we will be traveling the region in , we are also experiencing culture shock and an awkward period of adjustment to not having a “ home ” to call our own .
We all work very hard to achieve specific goals in life , home ownership being at the top of most of our lists . I have to say though , we began asking ourselves if the family home had to remain our forever home . Is it just “ the American way ?” Is it fear of the unknown and loss of security that so deeply commit us to this single idea ? Every “ home ” we have ever lived in , and that was many prior to putting down roots in the family home , we infused ourselves and souls into . Thus , home truly is where the heart is .
We are doing our best to think outside the traditional box and embrace the unknown at an age when most of our peers are retiring into their comfortable and secure routines . We have made statements to many of our friends and family over the past few months , like , “ You only live once .” “ Life ’ s an adventure .” “ You never know what tomorrow will bring , so live every day like it could be your last .” I ’ m starting to realize there is an art and poetry to truly owning these idioms .
Artists are probably familiar with this feeling , as every new project is an unknown . In fact , I believe many artists rely on this as they engage in their creative process . I ’ ve interviewed dozens of artists over the years with the majority confessing that creating new art has a life of its own – that a piece creates itself , with them just being a vessel . I guess that ’ s my goal now . Every day has the potential to be a work of fine art . It is my desire to be a vessel for something beautiful to flow through in each new acquaintance , experience , and engagement along the road , literally and figuratively . This late summer issue of Art Chowder has many such experiences and stories in its pages . I invite you along for the adventure as you engage in the stories and meet more individuals that make life in the Northwest a unique experience .
Stay tuned as I hope to engage you in this journey with me , via social media , as we travel the region finding new artists , venues , restaurants , and other artistic ways to engage in an alternative way of a life well-lived in the Northwest . Until then , find a festival to attend , purchase a new book , or find an incredible work of art that adds something special to your life . Enjoy , and as always , feel free to tag us with your experiences . # artchowdermagazine
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