I first met artist and mountain leader, Jessica Emsley, when a request went out for her to chat to people about their experiences of outdoor landscapes in Cumbria, as part of a creative project she was working on. I loved what she was exploring as part of her PhD and I need to find a date to get on one of her art walks in the Lake District when I can.
It is the fact that Jessica runs art walks and is a qualified mountain leader that made me think she would be perfect to book for a group stay here. You could be a group of artists, team building colleagues, a retreat organiser, or even a group of friends and family who are looking for something different to do as an activity.
So as with all our local experts, I asked Jessica about her services and passions, so you can learn a little about her and her business.
As mentioned, Jessica is an artist and mountain leader and combines these two areas of expertise to offer workshops and tailored art walks in the Lake District. As an Artist, she is particularly interested in how outdoor and walking-based creative practices can help to connect us with nature and the world around us, and is exploring this in a PhD with the University of Cumbria.
Session can vary from a one-hour workshop to a day spent walking in the fells. Different walks and workshops require different levels of fitness, with some involving short periods of walking on easy terrain whilst others may involve more extended periods of walking on rougher and higher terrain. Jessica feels it is important that participants feel happy with the fitness levels outlined for any event and are comfortable and prepared for spending time outdoors (e.g. having appropriate shoes and warm clothing).
The experience of walking, drawing and being creative outside offers people the chance to slow down and tune into the surroundings, often noticing things they wouldn’t otherwise notice. An outdoor art walk or workshop gives the opportunity to experience the Lake District differently and offers an alternative to the more extreme and active activities often associated with the mountains.
The walks and workshops Jessica runs allow participants to determine the objectives and nature of the day, however she always takes a slow approach and aims to achieve a receptivity to ‘nature’ and the world around us.
Walking and art are the two things that really get Jessica going.
“I love getting outside whenever I can, whether it’s for a day-long hike in the hills, a quick dip in the lake or an afternoon drawing in the sunshine!”
Jessica feels if you have an interest in experiencing the outdoors differently or at a slower pace, an outdoor art workshop is a great way to try this. There is no requirement to be an artist or to have any particular artistic skills; the focus of the workshops is to explore creativity as a means of tuning into nature which means there is no pressure to make anything finished or ‘perfect’.
“I love the moments when people notice new things outside and discuss these, often towards the end of the workshop when we have been able to find a receptivity to our surroundings and uncover this through drawing”
Inspired … get in touch with Jessica …
jessicaemsley.com