Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. It helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Hiking and spending time in nature has been a part of my self-care routine and hiking is where I feel the most alive. It is a way to slow down, be present in the moment, and practice gratitude. Gratitude hikes are an activity that can promote a positive mindset and also help manifest goals.
Building off of my preferred choice of media, photography, the three wood panels consist of photos that were transferred onto the panel. The images are from hikes I’ve been on and things that caught my eye during those hikes arranged into a collage representing a journal or scrapbook. Additionally, the mason jars include sticks, leaves, pine cones, and other various items in nature collected from gratitude hikes. These together create a fictional trailhead map that is a guide for an imagined hike. Through collage and assemblage, I was able to explore a wide range of photographs and objects while allowing the viewer to connect with the artwork, creating their own story.
