Inspiration For Change!
Winds and Unexpected Lessons - Sightseeing and Setting Goals
MIND / BODY /SOUL / SPIRIT
Encouragement Only!
Greetings and Happy Weekend!
I hope you are opening up to some creative time.
As I collected my thoughts for “With the winds, comes inspiration for change!” I received an unexpected opportunity to embrace change and learn.
I received an email from a UC Berkeley senior working on her capstone project in Sustainable Environmental Design focusing on sustainable tourism and an emphasis on relationships between tourists and locals.
OK, I admit I had never even heard of Sustainable Environmental Design as a major – and being somewhat skeptical of unsolicited emails, I asked where she found my name and more about the project. She found me at photographer and filmmaker, Casey Kiernan’s site, Visit Joshua Tree - Visit Joshua Tree -- Local Artists.
She proposed a zoom interview to explore my perspectives as a local. I love to encourage students and, as a longtime desert dweller, I was curious.
Nancy and her teammate, Rufei, are researching three different sites: Marfa, Texas and Slab City and Joshua Tree in California. They seek to learn more about how social media has impacted businesses and the local environment and promised to share their final project.
I often paint our unique Joshua Tree landscape and have watched our community move from near obscurity to international fame. However, Joshua Tree has a delicate balance. Most Joshua Tree gateway residents understand that these ancient and treasured trees are now protected by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act which allows the iconic trees to remain a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act.
When I first moved to the sleepy town of Yucca Valley to teach school, none of this was on my radar. I was not initially drawn to the desert, but grew fond of the Joshua Tree National Monument (as it was then known) and married and had children. We enjoyed picnics, barbecues and camper expeditions in the park. I am grateful that our daughter’s high school required regular visits to the park and guided tours with a Joshua Tree National Park Ranger. I began to learn more. I began sketching and painting in the park and became an instructor with the Joshua Tree National Park Association. This spring, I am teaching a painting workshop at the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve on March 30.
I have wondered how tourism affected California art colonies like Carmel-by-the-Sea and Laguna Beach which attracted painters over 100 years ago. I am certain these communities have experienced a love-hate relationship with sightseers who often arrive with preconceived notions of beauty. The term “Paris Syndrome” describes the malaise some tourists experience when reality does not match their expectations.
Social media, especially Instagram, transformed ordinary photographs into advertisements – attracting crowds. Of the 429 National Parks in the United States, Joshua Tree ranked 9th most visited in 2023.
And that is the rub—do we love having our park loved? Of course! I love to meet visitors. Often tourists purchase my art. However, the quantity of Air BnB and “glamping” sites has jumped drastically.
The World Tourism Organization describes sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities."
The National Geographic website addresses “overtourism,” and a 60 Minutes segment a decade ago reported on a tourist campaign in Venice, Italy which discouraged visitors. According to a recent National Geographic survey, consumers most familiar with sustainable travel are young: 50 percent are 18 to 34 years old.
ABOVE: Built in the 40’s by Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and more, Pioneertown is a genuine attraction. In 2016, Paul McCartney, put Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace on the map with a surprise performance.
How might we continue to hammer out some of these issues in our own community?Nancy suggested that rather than wishing to go back to how things were before, sustainable tourism can help all stakeholders adapt in a positive way for a good outcome. (I could hear the academic vocabulary!) I reminded her that “good” will have many definitions and perspectives. And so it goes. Definitely come visit us—and cherish, but don’t miss what nature has created!
ABOVE: I recently visited Auto Camp in Joshua Tree - to see it for myself. A high-end camping experience.
THE WINDS OF CHANGE - This week we had gusty winds up to 34 mph, common for the “Hi-Desert” near Joshua Tree. However, I never enjoy them and wish for the quiet stillness.
Too windy to enjoy the outdoors, I saw everything in motion through the windows. Each bit of vegetation waving in sunlit motion and the loveseat swinging (despite being attached permanently to a pillar after many topples).
The wind’s ever-present whooshing surrounded the house!
In motion....
Although we often resist change, our lives and paths are ever in flux. To be alive means to change, hopefully in a positive direction. The winds howl, blow up a little dust, and we see things in a new perspective.
How do we clear our object strewn path to creativity?
As humans, we are creative beings! We may not think of ourselves as creative, but I assure you – you have a CREATIVE SPARK inside you!
This week, I present two goals!
GOAL 1- Carefully choose activities in line with YOUR mission (prioritize and eliminate!)
I have learned to set priorities. I enjoy painting and writing, but I delete forces that distract me and take me to dead ends. I am narrowing my goals and reviewing my personal mission. Our small community strives to showcase local vibes, but occasionally suffers setbacks. You may be experiencing progress – or community clutter along with the rich adventure of family and responsibilities. And there will be things beyond our control- expect them and keep moving!~
I encourage you to dream of and focus on what you really love for part of each day, week, weekend, or month.
Seek a time and place to develop the interests, skills, fields of knowledge that are unique to YOU. These interests began to grow like tiny new leaves when you were a child and have been seeking sunlight for years.
Fill in the blank: I wish to _______________________________________ paint, sketch, sculpt, sing every: (circle one!) day week month season
Study, develop your God given talents, paint what YOU want, not what has been suggested, deemed sellable, or required by an exhibit. Take a mini vacation to create!
An impulsive sketch from roadside (sharpie on paper)
GOAL 2 - Multi-task less. Attempt to do 1 or 2 things at once (not 14!) Focus. Meditate. Be present in the activity and purpose.
I am a master at multitasking, but in my hurry to accomplish much, experiences are diminished.
Life is a huge smorgasbord offering delicious ideas and treats along the way, and I want to partake and participate, often at the same time! I want to be creative, enjoy my family and friends, promote important community causes and stay sane.
Taking on too much can dry up creative juices. If you are participating in activities simply because you started, someone else thought I should, or it was just the next step, STOP.
What do YOU want to do? Find a time and place of your own (even the car on the way home or to work); stop at a garden, café, library or a private place.
· Turn off the computer. Read. Light a candle or incense
· Place a bowl of fruit on the table and sketch.
· Pack a basket of drawing materials (charcoal, pastel pencils and a tablet) in your car and stop when you see a beautiful sunset, shadowed landscape and sketch-record.
· Find a documentary about an artist, country or other passion and watch (without texting or computer surfing). Doodle if you must!
· Place the ingredients for your next meal preparation on your counter (multitasking by listening to music is ok!) Focus on their color, texture and your end creation. Sample along the way. Think of painting each ingredient.
· Yoga takes me out of my busy world and forces me to quiet my brain and feel the movement. I create my best paintings and projects (in my mind) during these sessions.
If you feel a need to set goals and enjoy the process more, join me, on this journey to burst out-and clear a path to a meaningful and creative process.
You may wish to find a creative partner who will listen to your ideas and share theirs!
Stress, fatigue, over stimulation can deprive us of our own ambitions. Take time to remember your sacred flame, your inner spark - that seed within you that yearns to be nurtured.
And you may want to discuss creative plans with a visiting sightseer!
Happy creating!
I invite you to visit my fine arts website at janiscommentz.com and my online shop, French Press & Mojave Inspiration.
Inspired by all of you,
