I'll buy paint before I buy food

Courtney's life is an artful journey. While there is both dark and light in her experiences, what is most beautiful is how she leans into all of it. Openly. She is constantly creating.

"I need to be sculpting and drawing and painting and making clothes. It's like I have to be doing something all the time that's creative, I just can't help it, I have a very active mind."

When talking about her life she shares how important it is for her to stay in the now, to be open to new directions, new impulses, and to reflect. Always to reflect. Always searching.

"I just have a lot of energy to put into life, you know? It's a stream, it's never ending. If it were to stop and wane here and there, that's very scary to me. I mean wow, I don't know what I would do. I really just love the process of art. I just really do. I dream about it all the time."

Courtney's journey led her into homelessness. For a good while she lived under the viaduct downtown Seattle and then in the woods along the west side of Queen Anne Hill. Often large painted canvases formed side walls of her tent. There were many times she thought she would freeze to death, in fact, she doesn't know how she survived it.

Aside from the horrible conditions, there is the day to day struggle, "The little things like just taking a shower is an all-day thing. Laundry, forget about it, that's very rare and then food. It's always a thing." In the same breath, she then says, "You know, it just takes longer to get things done but you're so grateful about everything. You share everything that you have, it's sharing community when you give."

Courtney now lives in half of a shipping container. There is a small couch that flattens to a very small bed. Everything else is for her art. Completed canvases stack against the walls. An easel with a painting in progress is surround by paint cans, brushes, and her chair, where she spends every moment available painting.

I am looking forward to my new friendship with Courtney, hearing more of her artful journey.
I have a bigASK. I am hoping this community can overwhelm Courtney with gift cards for art supplies!!! I know it will mean the world to her!!!
Please call Artist & Craftsman Supply at 877-545-0091 to purchase gift cards for Courtney. Ask for the cards to be mailed to Rex Hohlbein 2025 East Howe Street, Seattle WA 98112. Please include your name so Courtney will know who it is from.

She's a really good person trying to stay true to herself through unimaginable conditions. I hope this is the beginning of a bright beautiful next stage of her life. She deserves it!