I recently road-tripped from Wisconsin to South Dakota to participate in Douglas Beasley’s annual Dramatic Portrait: Figure in the Badlands Workshop, which has been on my wishlist for the past few years.
This photography workshop experience is well known for the fantastic group of people who attend, along with the dramatic portraits that are created in this remote, and sacred land with its sculpted soil, sweeping vistas and extraordinary light.
Recent events in the world surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others have brought into focus where we can do better, and be better. If you read my recent newsletter, you’ll know I am actively working on an action plan to better shape my mission at Open Air Places in a more diverse and inclusive way and I look forward to publishing that soon.
I admit, it’s been a challenge to stay active on this platform with all of the uncertainty in the world, and my own worries that I’ll do or say the wrong thing promoting travel or retreats (my two main gigs) when obviously those two things are responsibly on hold right now. I feel deeply that words matter, messaging matters and I always want to be an authentic voice sharing positivity and inspiration in everything that I do here.
This month I had a fun trip on my calendar - a week of Island Time in Hawaii where I intended to explore a handful of unique places to stay. This planning is in preparation for a 2021 retreat that I am producing with my friend and photographer, Douglas Beasley. The COVID-19 pandemic has paused my travel plans this month, but I remain excited to bring this trip to fruition when traveling is safe again.
Inspired this week by Kitty O’Meara’s “In The Time Of Pandemic” poem posted on her lovely blog The Daily Round: Living From The Spirit Level I wanted to share some of the ways I am staying inspired at home during this time of social distancing.
I’d love to hear what you are doing (….or not doing) in the comments below. Please feel free to share your silver linings! We’re all in this together.
XOXO
JENNA
If you’re anything like me, your ideal weekend escape is probably filled with beautiful cabins secluded in nature, proximity to Lake Superior and plenty of time for rest and reflection. Enter the space that rolls all of these goals into one: The RicePod™ - the first of the Salmela Architect cabins at Wild Rice Retreat, in Bayfield, WI.
It’s - 10 degrees today where I am, and my views outside are a palette of white and various shades of gray.
I know a few artists who do grays exceptionally well. My favorite is Joseph Zbukvic, known worldwide as a Master Artist, and who is famous for his use of grays in his watercolor paintings. He’s even collaborated with Daniel Smith to create three luscious grays which are lovely for studio and plein air painting.
All that BLUE! Don’t you want to dive in?
If you haven’t signed up yet for our giveaway for a 2 night stay on Yacht SLAINTE, you still have time to JUMP IN on the fun! We’ll be selecting a winner on March 7, 2019.
Last week I made a fun list of ten things I did to stay inspired during Wisconsin’s Polar Vortex. This week, I am highlighting item #6 on my list which involves an Island getaway, with piles of sunshine and a super unique place to stay.
If you’re looking for a bucket list location to add to your list of travel destinations, you must add ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA to your list!
Last month, Jenna Erickson our OPEN AIR PLACES Founder, & Lead Travel Ambassador toured three gorgeous properties that literally have it all - Art, Ambiance, Elegance and stunning volcano views! Read on for Jenna’s OPEN AIR PLACES trip highlights and recommendations…..
Our summer season has been wonderfully busy, as we've welcomed new guests from all over the United States to our unique places to stay in beautiful, Bayfield, WI. Our Lake Superior location has so much to offer guests and we love connecting them with the best the area has to offer.
With September aright around the corner, we're getting ready for our upcoming travel to the ever-enchanting city of ANTIGUA Guatemala, and to one of the most magnificent lakes in the world - LAKE ATITLAN.
