A.T.-Inspired: Monica Aguilar

This year's festival hosts an invitational art show, "Art of the Trail," featuring the work of A.T.-inspired artists. Here's a guest blog from one of our artists, Monica Aguilar of Chasing Trails Art.

In 2018, I hiked from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. This was a 2,200 mile journey that spanned six months of hiking up and down the mountains of the East. It was hard work; sometimes I cried because it was so difficult and other times I cried because it was so beautiful.

I was inspired by the beauty around me. The big and small views from the small flowers that bloomed as I walked into spring and summer to the sweeping vistas. Hiking the trail showed me that life is about slowing down, creating and living the life you want to live. That journey inspired me to pick up a paint brush and create again after many years of not painting. 

Since then, I have completed numerous "human-powered" adventures, including bike-packing the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and part of the Pacific Crest Trail. These adventures have served as an inspiration for much of my work.

​I believe that in nature, we find ourselves and are able to challenge ourselves in ways that the synthetic world cannot. My goal as an artist is to be able to help bridge that connection for people to discover a love for the outdoors and find their own challenge to inspire and drive them. 

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