Hike Thru the Biv: Artist Lindsey Fox and the Pacific Crest Trail

Artist Lindsey Fox (trail name Miyagi) hiked 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada with a sketchbook and watercolors in tow. She is a former Bivouac employee, and graduate of the University of Michigan, with a degree in Art and Design, and a focus in textile design. We are proud to announce the launch of her paintings for sale at Bivouac!

Lindsey’s work has always centered on her relationship to the wilder places in the world and the natural wonders that lie within them. When she started thinking about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, she immediately started to think of it as more of a project or an artist residency. There are many artists that hike the trail each year and capture its beauty through a lens; whether in words, or on film…in this case it was a brush. She came to the decision early on to take those beautiful moments during the hike to paint as much as possible…even when the miles were rough.

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“When starting this project, I made sure to make a habit of drawing at the very beginning. At the start of the trail you are doing everything you can just to hike a bare minimum of miles…usually to the next water source. You get into camp or lunch or a break and you feel like collapsing on your sleeping pad. I made a point to start drawing during those times, no matter how tired. Painting on the trail presented all sorts of challenges, but the reward of painting outside in such stunning locations was worth it.Painting while looking at actual landscape is so different than painting from a photograph. The point of bringing a sketchbook on this trail was to capture those raw moments that no photograph could ever capture. Watercolor allowed me to express my feelings on the trail as well as how the landscape affected me. There were so many times that I remember walking by a beautiful vista and thinking that I should stop and draw. Sometimes I stopped and sometimes I pressed on to get into camp before dark. The moments captured when I took the time to sit and do a quick sketch and wash of watercolor were some of the most magical memorable of my hike. It is my hope this body of work inspires others to experience the many natural wonders of this land in their own and unique ways,” -Lindsey on her project. Read her full interview with Backpacker Magazine.

Lindsey is currently living in Portland, Oregon. She continues to work in her home studio creating watercolors and illustrations communicating the magic that she finds in the Pacific Northwest. View more paintings on her website here. The trail allowed her to see the landscape of the west coast in a whole new way. This walk has brought on so many changes for so many people over the years, and she was happy to have the opportunity to capture its beauty. Lindsey will continue to be inspired by the trail and hope that the work here will encourage others to protect and explore the wilds around you.

Lindsey’s advice to those hoping to hike the PCT: One of the most important things that I will stress about the trail is to make it your own. Make your own project out of the trail, whether it be an athletic goal or an artistic one. Carry a sketchbook, a camera, a lightweight ukulele, carry what is important you you and if you have to skimp in other areas, just make sure you don’t skimp on food otherwise you might find yourself drawing hamburgers and pasta!

Lindsey’s paintings are available for purchase in-store beginning the week of March 6th.