Abigael Tripp: The artist behind Here Studio on becoming embodied in the creative process

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what makes you feel embodied?

“riding my bike. hiking. drawing. doing yoga. swimming in the river.”

ABIGAEL TRIPP

Abigael Tripp is the Missoula-based artist behind Here Studio. Abigael focuses on landscape imagery and design inspired by the magic and beauty of the natural world. She joins the Montana Diaries podcast to talk about what art means to her — what art comes naturally, what it is to be a maker, and the feeling that her art evokes. I was drawn to Abigael and her art from the moment I stumbled across her, and it was a delight to speak to her about her process.

“Getting Into” Painting

Abigael was working her day job as a graphic designer in Portland, Oregon — a job that she loves, that for all intents and purposes was “the dream.” when she realized that her priorities were out of alignment. She felt creatively depleted and suddenly unable to meet deadlines that were manageable in the past. She went to her boss and mentor, distressed and apologetic, but then something amazing happened:

She was met with grace.

Her boss told her to take a beat, to figure out what she wants, and to find alignment with herself again. Abigail thought about what she wanted, and the answer surprised her a bit: she wanted to paint.

At the same time, she received an email from her college advertising a painting class.

“I forgot about joy. I forgot about enjoying this life — it’s my life, what’s the point if you’re not doing things that make you feel alive?”

— Abigael Tripp

Prioritizing joy

Painting was the catalyst for Abigael to make the decisions she wanted to make and to let the universe catch her — she felt it was finally time to be herself. Learning to paint was hard, but it was a new skill that enabled her to feel completely embodied. The physicality of the paintbrush and supplies grounded her in the earth.

What is it to feel IN one’s body?

Abigael opened up about how therapy made her realize how much time she spends in her head and detached from her own body. She is constantly reminding herself that she is a person present in a body — it’s why her studio is called “Here —“ a reminder to be rooted in the place that you are.