CURRENT MISSION

I seek to see the world, walk through it, photograph it and when not traveling advance my career in the fine arts as an oil painter. I hope to expand my connections and meet others with powerful dreams.

ABOUT ME

I am a visual artist, dedicated to preserving and investigating visions of the world. I believe strongly in the power of aesthetic sensibilities. The beauty of the physical world inspires me to change myself and see as much of it as I can. I want to do honor to my surroundings with visual reflection and engage myself fully in the conversation taking place.

PHILOSOPHY

I have a lot of personal philosophy but near the bottom of it all is the desire to remain open-minded and continuously changing. I believe we are made by our circumstances, and it is my task to place myself in situations that will allow me to grow or change. Sometimes it becomes necessary to 'inflict' a situation on myself because it is the only way to re-see my attachments and motives from another perspective, and to move on. I am completely non-religious, and when it comes to understanding the systems around me I love to consider possibilities but prefer to ground myself in the specificity of what I experience. I believe the experience of witnessing beauty is perceptual and not a matter of judgment, and that the aesthetics of a moment are something we control and create for ourselves. I am resolved to maintain an aesthetic of awe and a conviction to keep walking and painting. And thankfully, this is made graciously attainable by the immensity and intricacy of the phenomenon ever-present in our lives.

Warum ich bei Couchsurfing bin

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Right now I am searching for a place to live with other artists, but I don't really believe in having a permanent home. Whenever I have a place to stay I will gladly offer my floor or couch to travelers from around the globe. I know throughout my life I'll travel as much as I can without compromising my artistic practice, and couch surfing seems like one of the best ways to travel with more meaning. I look forward to those I might meet via couch surfing, whether it's to simply share a meal or some time in a new place, or glimpse into a strangers life unconditionally via piercing dialogue.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've yet to officially use couch surfing, having recently graduated from college, but I've done some similar things. In 2009 I walked a part of the Pacific Crest Trail, and on my way I was shown exceptional hospitality and once or twice a place to stay for the afternoon or night. There was a sense of camaraderie amongst travelers and those who knew what it was I was doing, and to instantly have this connection with others was a boon. I imagine couch surfing will be similar in that those who would do it are kindred in their interest to connect with those around them, or to simply become acquainted with others from the vast and diverse spectrum of life.

Interessen

Oil painting, Backpacking, Photography, Hiking, Traveling in the wilderness and far away from where I've ever been, Fine Art, Technology, Architecture, and of course reading. In reading I enjoy the occasional fiction, political and aesthetic philosophy, cosmology, all the new neuroscience, and history. I am also a gamer (PC mostly), and have dabbled in level design.

• arts
• humanities
• architecture
• design
• photography
• beauty
• walking
• technology
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• hiking
• backpacking
• surfing
• history
• neuroscience

Eine tolle Erfahrung, die ich gemacht habe

The section of the Pacific Crest Trail around Mt. Jefferson in Oregon provided me the most beautiful day of my life. Sunrise at Olalie Lake, lunch in the meadows by the mountain, and the steady ascent to Shale Lake. Then, gigantic silver thunderheads in the distance and golden-umber forest passing by, until a ridge with all-around views of the three sisters and Jefferson where I slept for the night and saw sunrise the next morning. The intense wind, which is also a favorite experience of mine, kept away the mosquitoes.

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