On the road, on the rocks and waves, and on the canvas

One of my greatest joys as an artist isn’t just the time I spend with a brush in hand — it’s the adventures that lead me there. Our family has fully embraced a life powered by curiosity and fresh air: van camping, plein air painting for me, rock climbing for my son, and kite surfing for my husband.

At first, these passions seemed like separate worlds — one rooted in careful observation, another in vertical challenge, and yet another in the wild pull of wind and water. But somewhere along the winding roads and coastal breezes, we discovered how beautifully they fit together.

While my son scales cliffs and pursues his next route, I set up my easel nearby, chasing the changing light and capturing the landscape around us. And when we trade mountains for shoreline, my husband dances with the wind across the waves — a vibrant blur of color against sunlit water — as I paint the rhythms of the sea.

These experiences remind me that art doesn’t always live in the quiet of a studio. Sometimes it’s found halfway up a canyon wall, soaring over white-capped waves, or tucked in the shadow of tall pines — always accompanied by laughter, motion, and the love of family.

Life that happens outdoors!

Dolina Będkowska, 2023