I am 30, queer and I live in Portland, Oregon.

I love traveling. I love artistic collaboration. I love painting on walls. I love transformation and I take good care of myself and the people around me.

I have two furry dependants: Martini and Dirt.

I am married to the lovely Bethany.

I am late-blooming into finishing my psychology degree at WSU.

My ex wife is my best friend.

I listen really well to other people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am nomadic by nature. My feet get uncomfortable in one place for too long. This last 5 year stint in Portland, with only trips to the forest, mountains and ocean, wasn't enough. (Though, I was very productive by holding still for five years. So much art acompolished. Three books written. Yes! There is a huge benefit to the computer and supplies being in approximately the same space everyday.)

I want to move. See new things.

Learn new stories. Paint new pictures. Hear new voices. Breath deep and move.

Interests

Painting, drawing, travel, feminist writing, books, novels, stories, visual art, illustration, drumming, exploration, adventure, sketching, fresh food, critters, dogs, kids (nanny for 15 years now!), psychology, music, fiddles, live music, muraling, community art, art therapy, healing, diy movement, lace.

• dogs
• arts
• writing
• books
• poetry
• sketching
• illustrations
• diy
• dining
• cooking
• traveling
• painting
• drawing
• music
• live music
• psychology
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Ah. This one I can't answer.

I paint to everything depending on the need and feeling. I love being introduced to music. Especially deep drum beats and political-poetic lyrics.

Books. I have three in my car. My walls are filled. (No really, I have an Etsy shop: FinnGravesArt and I have to move books away from walls to do product shots.) All the books.
I almost never stop reading something.

Movies... Practical Magic. That one was easy. I watch it whenever I'm sick or exhausted.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Been best friends to Martini for 11 years. (Our 11 year old chihuahua.) Adopted Dirt, our 6 year old chihuahua from Oregon Humane Society.

Been in love with my wife for going on 6 years.

Held still for 5 years.

Written a book every year for the last four years in November. Yeah NANOWRIMO. Each year it's a totally new experience. Each book I write changes my life.

Teach, Learn, Share

Art and Writing!

I love to visit new places and settle in and sketch them. A pen, brush and ink are never far from my hands. (If you wanted to know what's in my daypack, you just found out.)

I have been teaching others (adult, children and the occasional studio creature) how to draw and paint for over a decade now.

Or muraling. If you have materials, and a wall let's do a mural together if I'm with you for more than a week!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Art lessons, cooking, enthusasiasm, stories, writing, poetry, muraling walls together.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Italy, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States