Summer 2021

I have been working on a new series of paintings using different kinds of textured papers, using pens on the layers and gloss mediums. I currently have my art on display at the local Eugene YMCA in Eugene, Oregon. I am excited to be showcasing my work at the YMCA. I had the opportunity to teach art camp there in the summer in 2019. The YMCA holds a very special place in my heart. I was a volunteer there as a teenager and valued all the amazing experiences I learned as a camp counselor. I have a huge passion for learning, teaching, growing and sharing my creativity.

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Beginning Oil Painting with Sarah Sedwick - By Sophie Navarro 2.23.2021

I signed up for Sarah Sedwick’s Beginning Oil Painting class! I am excited to explore mixing oil paints and creating new values for my subject. I find going back to the fundamentals in art is helping me look at objects in a new way. I hope to add more depth in my art and continue to grow. This is what I love about the art process. You never really arrive somewhere. It’s all about the journey and the discovery of playing with light and dark. I normally use acrylics so this is a nice change for me. I will be sharing some of my paintings and drawings here as I navigate the world of oils.

If you are interested in taking a workshop with Sarah, here is a link below.
Sarah Sedwick Fine Art

What inspires me these days - Sophie Navarro Matchett

I have so much to be inspired about these days. It’s seems a bit ironic with how things have been in the last 8 months. However, I honestly feel more connected to my creativity even more now. When you are in a position where working from home is the new normal and helping your kid succeed virtually, it changes something inside of you. It opens up new ways to connect with others in ways you wouldn’t have otherwise. You start to see reach out more in new ways. You call instead of text. You video chat instead of call. You plan a quick lunch or coffee chat only 6 feet apart. You change the ways you connect. You have meaningful conversations because you deeply care about your friends, family and colleagues. There is more depth in what is happening all around us. My art is a portal to diving deeper into what it means to really connect. This is why I love playing with layers of mixed media, mixed papers, collage, text, words and create new textures onto of other layers. I want my art to connect with others in new ways. I want to let others know that they can experience depth and connection too. I sometimes used to feel as if I was looking from outside the world and looking in. Now, I see from so many different perspectives and it’s incredibly freeing. I love how my imagination just wants to explore new sounds in music, colors and patterns. I also try to get outside more and go for a walk. This fall has taught me to slow down more and to enjoy what matters in our lives. Instead of focusing on the news or a random scroll, it’s really important to look within and hear that voice inside. This voice often gets overlooked or disappears in the noise of the world. This past summer I tried to let myself really experience life from so many different angles. I am so grateful I did. Now that we need to pause here in Oregon and go inward a little more, I am embracing it rather than feeling any resistance to it. I am allowing it in. It’s important to slow down, hear the rain fall, cozy up with some extra blankets, stock up free little pantries with lots of good food around town, write in my journal or doodle a new drawing. These are some of the little things I relish in. Slowing down and counting each blessing as I see them. Hope you all have a lovely Fall and transition into a beautiful winter season. Stay healthy and safe!

Mama Goddess By Sophie Navarro

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Mama Goddess by Sophie Navarro

Pen & Ink Illustration created with mixed paper, Koi brush pens and gel pens.

Imagination By Sophie Navarro

What I love about tapping into my imagination is it is limitless. It just appears and then once I get all my art supplies in order, I get so excited to play with new colors, mediums and create new patterns. For me, I love to listen to new music. That often puts me into an inspiring space, where no distractions come up. When I am painting and or drawing for hours truly makes my heart soar. No matter what is going outside of me or what may be happening in the news, I just let myself come back to the joy in creating new art. I take imagination as a huge gift and a huge blessing each day. It matters to me when I take that time to carve out of my day to create something new. It allows for more space to play with new ideas, designs and splashes of color.

I believe that everyone has the capacity to tap into their imagination. It just takes a little practice and at times a moment of stillness or creating space. Enjoy your time today by creating something new even if it’s a small drawing!

New Beginnings By Sophie Navarro

It has been some time since I have posted on my art blog. With everything that has changed in the last few months, it does feel like our life has stopped and yet I think it’s only beginning. I think with Spring and the new changes on the horizon has given me an opportunity to look at my own mental well-being. I created this design a few months ago. I think it reflects how at times we can feel stuck in the same routine or around the same energy. I know for me I value my individuality and my creativity. It is something in me that I need to nurture. Lately, I have to admit that I had a block for nearly 4 months. This block was about making time to create something new and I found myself judging my work. This kept me from working consistently. I also balance work, parenting and a new partnership. Now that we are experiencing a global pandemic, it has become even more important than ever to really look at what I create and how art can impact others on a whole new level. Art is incredibly healing, both from the perspective of making it and viewing it. For me, it brings me back to self and helps ground me deeper into who I am. Art is a form of meditation, a sanctuary that can birth new ideas, new designs and help me stay connected to my own spirit.

My hope with my art and my own legacy as an artist is to impart even more light into this world. With all that is going on, may you all know you are deeply loved and deeply supported by this huge universe. There is so much more that meets the eye or so much more outside of the news. Take the time to pick up that paint brush, pick up a canvas and start that first smear of paint. Take a risk. Dive deep into something new. This is your chance to grow and evolve into a new person. Heal your heart. Heal your energy. Take the time to nurture who you are at the deepest core. Sometimes it take courage to jump into that place. We are moving into a whole new world and new beginnings are ready to open a new path for you. You just have to be willing to see the possibilities. Listen to your dreams. Invoke your imagination. Stay Sparkly friends!

Stay tuned for new colors, new textures and new beginnings!

XO,

Sophie Navarro

Be Original By Sophie Navarro

Pen & Ink

Fall 2019 - Sophie Navarro

I will be showing my work at Pearl Gallery and Framing in Portland, Oregon. The collection will feature a variety of colorful paintings of women in bright tops, with embellishments of mixed media, paper, glitter, tiny gold glass beads, words, embedded butterflies and words of love. It will be a part of the First Thursday ArtWalk and run from December 5th - December 31st, 2019. Stay tuned for more information regarding the reception.

Newsletter: Sophie Navarro - Pearl Gallery & Framing

Pearl Gallery & Framing

Twitter: Sophie Navarro

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Summer 2019

Summer Projects YouTube

I wanted to share my thoughts on how my summer has unfolded as an artist. I have learned an incredible amount of wisdom that I would love to share! I learned that you are never ready to start your business, so I dove in pretty much head first at the end of May. I got my 8 x 8 booth. I ordered prints from FedX. I started talking to all my friends at the market and picked their brains about how to go about this or that. Then I just did it! Along with that, I taught art camp at the YMCA on July 8th - July 12th. I had 24 kids and we had a blast! I taught the kids how to paint with watercolor, pens, India ink, comics and mixed media. We played games outside, went swimming and built amazing friendships with one another. Most importantly, I learned that when you take initiative with your passion and you share it with your community, it’s a ripple effect on your community. The YMCA is incredibly important to me. I used to volunteer there at 14 years old. For me, to become an art teacher there, it inspired me so much. I felt so honored to be in that role there. I learned that you can take your passion and share it! You never know how other businesses will respond. Trusting myself along this journey has been a huge teacher for me too. I am learning to be patient, focused and balance my time with fun too! I am so grateful for all my friends, family and new connections I have made as I have taken on so many projects this summer!

I also mentored youth with the City of Eugene. I had 5 apprentices and taught them the importance of self-care, creativity and taught them how to create vision boards. The experience was amazing and also inspiring as well. The energy I pour into preparing for these classes is full of joy, passion and dedication. I look forward to continuously giving to my community and learn so much from all the new connections I am making.

Summer bought a print at the Saturday Market!
Ocean Kiss Jewelry
http://www.oceankissjewelry.com

YMCA Art Camp July 8th - 12th 2019

I taught at the YMCA my first art camp! I had 24 kids! 1st - 5th grade! It was amazing! We made lots of art! We painted pineapples, used watercolor, India ink, played with colored paper, mixed media and glitter! We enjoyed games, swimming and lots of fun time being very creative! We even went to visit the Jordan Schnitzer Museum and had a lovely art tour! The kids got to learn how to look at art and learn how to see art! It was amazing! I am so grateful for Kaitlyn Orr, Eden and Nora! These ladies helped me so much with keeping the kids focused and also happy! It was a lot of work and incredibly rewarding!

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The Value of Solitude By Sophie Navarro

I am currently working on a new series titled “Dear Future Partner” and the inspiration for this series is tapping into the concept of finding the “One” and instead of searching for the “One” - it becomes more about being the “ONE” for you. Our society has a tendency to push our desire for a specific kind of relationship that has to somehow match everyone else. Your dream relationship is ultimately your decision and how you love yourself determines what kind of depth you truly want. I value looking at these ideas, assumptions and enjoy challenging my own assumptions through my writing and my art.

Love is pure and simple. It is energy. It comes in many forms. Love has become something entirely different now in 2019. You can find love in the grocery store, the bank or in a bookstore. You can choose not to find love. You can choose to be single, independent and happy.

Love has created so many different scenarios that ultimately it puts a lot of pressure on what the “ONE” actually means. Does it exist? I wonder if it does. I value romantic comedies that give you that hope and feeling. I love romance and the feeling of uncertainty when you will fall in love or how it will happen.

So, instead of focusing on searching for that one perfect person in the world, I choose myself over and over again. I learn to love my heart and soul again by myself. If I have a bad hairdo, I still choose myself. If I feel deep feelings, sadness, anger or worry, I love myself through them…alone. I value that solitude. It allows gratitude for a rainy day and grilled cheese in ripped jeans. How often do you get to relax and just be with yourself? How do you relate to yourself? What do you like about yourself or what do you not like? These are good questions to ask yourself as you think about your future partner. All these moments are part of the journey and I am painting a series of fashionable, single women who are owning being single and fabulous! They are choosing to love themselves through color, patterns, textures and words. They are bright and filled with passion. They dance in the kitchen while cooking. They sleep in and enjoy knowing that they can sleep in. They go out dancing with friends or alone. They figure out how to manage life on their own and recognize that they have it going on after all. Their self worth has nothing to do with anyone at all. It has nothing to do with friends, family, past partners and that self worth comes from inside.

The value of solitude teaches me depth and creates inspiration. I realize I do embody a new kind of light and energy. This energy doesn’t come from swiping on dating apps. It doesn’t come from anything outside of us. It doesn’t come from what others think who we are. It comes from being truly alone with ourselves where a new kind of personality emerges. This energetic pulse of light is beautiful. Nurture this daily. Watch how your life unfolds. Let your colors show.

Our energy and deep love comes from inside of us. My art tries to tap into this source of magic through doing time lapse videos while drawing or painting. You see the words in her hair, clothes and coffee cups. You see it in the way her eyes look to the right or left. You see it in her grace, femininity and masculinity. She carries both energies and is beautiful inside and out.

With this knowledge, there is no need to hurry to find the one! You are the One!

Be colorful. Be bold. Be You!

Take time for solitude and love yourself whole,

Love,

Sophie Navarro

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Spring Changes By Sophie Navarro

As the sun starts to come out more, my inspiration grows deeper. The winter provided a time to go inward, focus on self-care and stay connected to spirit. Spring brings out a renewed feeling, a feeling of change and transformation. I look forward to Spring with all the freshness that it brings. My inspiration comes from the simple moments, such as having a cup coffee with a dear friend or creating new art for close friends.

I also love paying close attention to sunrises, sunsets and home cooked meals. There is something to be said about these moments. Colors in new flowers, sounds of birds chirping in the morning and the sound of walking on dirt along the trails. It’s the simple things that bring about the most magnificent shifts in our lives.

Take the time to see the colors, sip that delicious warm drink and laugh more with your children!

Sophie Navarro

You Tube Channel - Sophie Navarro

Sophie Navarro - My Art Process

Edited by Antonio Ochoa

I have been adding new content to my You Tube Channel and it has been so much fun creating new videos. I have found that as I am diving into my creative process, I have learned that the process itself is very important. The value I get in creating new art is deeply satisfying, connects me with a deeper self emerging and I love knowing that I can share this process with my dear friends, colleagues, new friends and the world. I am also seeing that those who I admire on You Tube have really inspired me deeply and I am starting to see how accessible these people are. It is no wonder they have become a success! They keep showing up, sharing their stories, ideas and visions. Now I am getting inspired to share too! Stay tuned!

Thank you for your support!

Sophie Navarro

Creating Opportunities For Yourself By Sophie Navarro

For me creating art isn’t something I take for granted. I value my process, creating new designs from my own inspiration and promoting my art within my community. There is an exchange between myself as an artist and with community. I enjoy painting live in the streets at First Friday ArtWalks. I love setting up my table with my cards, magnets and paintings. I value meeting new people as they look at my art. There is a feeling that I feel when I am out there putting my work out there. There is a great deal of passion in not only my process and there is also passion in meeting new people. I value connections.

The value I get from showing my art in art galleries, cafes and/or restaurants is exposure, creating new connections with businesses and also potentially selling my art. What I take from that as an entrepreneur is I build on those connections, continue to nurture the new relationships I build and gain more inspiration when I go back into my art studio. These new relationships can lead to creating new opportunities for something down the road. This can manifest into new art shows that show up, teaching an art camp at the YMCA, creating freelance art for a mom who wants a special gift for her daughter for Christmas or someone needs a special custom painting for a wedding gift. I am now seeing opportunities are everywhere. You just have to keep your eyes and ears open at all times as an artist.

Wanderlust Umbrella Project - ArtCity

Wanderlust Umbrella Project ArtCity

February 19th, 2019

The Umbrella Project embraces the rain and the darkness of winter by illuminating and transforming Downtown Eugene with an ever-changing display of live, time-based art.

The Umbrella Project is presented by ArtCity Eugene and Cultural Services, City of Eugene.

Upcoming

Umbrella Project

Appearances

Wanderlust February 19, 5:50-6:50 pm

Nimbus February 20, 5:50-6:50 pm

Zoe Troupe February 22, 5:50-6:50 pm

Vanessa Fuller Dance February 25, 5:50-6:50 pm

David CP & Apprentices February 26, 5:50-6:50 pm

Vanessa Fuller Dance February 27, 5:50-6:50 pm

The Umbrella Auction March 1, 6:30-7:30 pm / Kesey Square

Keep an eye out for your favorite umbrella. All umbrellas will be auctioned on Friday, March 1 in Kesey Square during the First Friday ArtWalk. Umbrella proceeds will benefit 15th Night, participating artists, and ArtCity Eugene (40-40-20)

Kesey Square

Wanderlust Umbrella Project 2019

“to love is to risk, not being loved in return. to hope is to risk pain. to try is to risk failure. but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in my life is to risk nothing.
― Leo Buscaglia, Living, Loving & Learning”

— https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/27573.Leo_F_Buscaglia

Balancing Act By Sophie Navarro

Queen of Passion

It has been some time since I have updated my blog! I have been working on a new series of black, red and white paintings. The theme is tapping into my own self-love, self-acceptance and embracing my solitude. Many of my faces in my paintings have closed or open eyes, the reason for this is, I value the power of going inward through meditation.

As a single mother, I have found it is very important to take sacred moments even if it is 15 minutes here or 45 minutes there, to close your eyes and breathe. The consistent balancing act we perform in our outer lives can impact our inner world dramatically.

Painting regularly in between meditation sessions have provided me with the ability to tap into my intuition on a deeper level, keeping me grounded and reminding me that I have everything within me. I have inspiration, creativity, love, passion and freedom from just pausing and going inward. The act of painting on canvas is also soothing and very meditative for me.

It is often easy to look outside of ourselves to fill up on media, shows, movies and even certain types of food that seems to fill a void, however if we can remember that we are enough without all this outside noise, we can truly pause and accept ourselves fully. I recognize when my emotions feel intense, it means I need to pause with myself in a quiet space.

The red signifies adding more passion into my life. The gold represents the divinity inside my heart. The white adds a layer of clarity and freedom. The black reminds me of the contrast in the everyday, such as the yin and yang balance within my life. Using these different variations in my paintings shows how these different meanings provide a powerful message of love, passion and balance.

I have also been working on adding more love into my life by writing regularly in my journal. I have found by writing regularly, keeps me connected to my higher self, spiritually and also reminding me that I have so much to offer just as I am.

These pieces are like puzzles from my heart. I question regularly where do I fit in and who will fit with me? I choose to create paintings that reflect parts of my heart. The heart is a temple with little worlds within it, each reflecting doors or portals to a new place. I open my heart to you to see my journey to love.

By Sophie Navarro

“There was no question in my mind. This state of complete and utter love is our collective birthright, the state we are born to inhabit, the way of being that is eagerly awaiting humanity at the end of a long, perilous journey. We either walk toward love as a way of being, or we walk away from it. There are only two directions. This decision shapes our life and our world.” 

― Jeff Brown, An Uncommon Bond

Full City Cafe - Art Exhibit - Sophie Navarro

Sophie Navarro Art Exhibit

Full City Cafe
842 Pearl Street
Eugene, OR 97401

February 4th - March 3rd, 2019

A mix of acrylic paintings, pen and ink illustrations and mixed media.

These pieces are like puzzles from my heart. I question regularly where do I fit in and who will fit with me? I choose to create paintings that reflect parts of my heart. The heart is a temple with little worlds within it, each reflecting doors or portals to a new place. I open my heart to you to see my journey to love.

By Sophie Navarro

“There was no question in my mind. This state of complete and utter love is our collective birthright, the state we are born to inhabit, the way of being that is eagerly awaiting humanity at the end of a long, perilous journey. We either walk toward love as a way of being, or we walk away from it. There are only two directions. This decision shapes our life and our world.” 

― Jeff Brown, An Uncommon Bond

https://soulshaping.com/

Setting New Intentions for 2019

During the holiday break, I had a significant amount of time to enjoy family, friends and some solitude to get creative with new art projects. I was able to pause and reflect on the past year. The lessons I learned was to continue to create new work even on my most challenging days and to trust the process of uncertainty. There are moments when you think you are not sure how a specific event will turn out, if it will rain or shine or if you have enough art to sell, but the truth is you always have enough, people will come to see what you are doing and will appreciate you showing up. The hardest part is showing up for yourself. I did the First Friday ArtWalks all summer long and enjoyed painting in the street. I sold magnets, talked to new people and met so many amazing artists at each event. I am very appreciative for Lane Arts Council with all the coordinating, marketing and the connections I have built from showing up. My hope for 2019 is to continue to participate in these ArtWalks, build a better booth with more inventory and set myself up for more success!

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What does it mean to be an artist?

Re-inventing the artist By Sophie Navarro

An artist’s life evolves over time. They go through a variety of experiences that shape their perceptions, assumptions and often challenges those assumptions to learn how to stay open. As an artist who is learning to shift from a different mindset that assumes to have it all figured out, I am learning to lean into the discomfort of how to build my business by creating new designs and products and test them with friends and family. I have learned that I will never feel ready when it comes to creating my store. It is an ongoing journey that will continue to test my assumptions, creativity and patience. The win out of this discovery is the process of re-inventing who I am as an artist. The unraveling of who I am meant to become.

The process I am now in is a time where I get to explore my inspiration and create designs that can both be functional, fun and whimsical. I am currently working on flowered barrettes, flower headpieces with LED lights and a variety of magnets. I am passionate about fashion, words, women wearing butterflies in her hair, mixing in textured paper with glittery shimmers, gold paint and love. There is a whole lot of love in each of my designs. This is where I get lost into an hour or 2 and just lose myself into my art. This is what it means for me to be an artist. The sheer love of creating something new and watching it grow into something new over time.

The value of support from friends and family is hugely important. I am finding now that we are close to finishing this year, it’s a good time to appreciate all the ups and downs of the year. I have learned how to navigate through them with a new perspective that involves more patience, radical self-love and acceptance.

I am so deeply grateful for all the work I have done with ArtCity Pro and ArtCity! Charly is an incredible mentor, friend and artist! I value how much ArtCity does for our community. All the events I have had the opportunity to be a part of has deepened my gratitude for all my new connections I’ve made this year. I am also grateful for Lane Arts Council First Friday ArtWalks and the Saturday Market. It takes a certain amount of courage to step into these opportunities and risk. However, through that courage and self-discipline, I have learned that I am stronger than I realize.

May next year bring an abundance of new art, passion for ArtCity and new opportunities to share with my community.

Your Value Comes From Within

EMU - Aperture Gallery
Sophie Navarro
University of Oregon
November 15th - December 15th, 2018

Artist Statement: This series represents the value that comes from within ourselves. Solitude teaches us to go inward, taking in the quiet moments that are often taken from us from the outside world and teaches us to pause. These paintings represent my desire to hold onto my identity and celebrate by going inward. I create my own inclusivity by accepting myself with all my patterns, ideas, inspiration and colors. My value comes from within not outside of myself. I remind myself this every day and to not allow others to define who I am. I am beautiful inside and out, colorful patterns unravel and I am whole.