The art of getting outside: spotlight on artist Antra Švarcs

At HiRoad, we believe many things contribute to a fresh and centered mind. That includes focused time behind the wheel

and away from it. Psychologists and researchers have studied the positive effects of spending time outside, including thecognitive benefits that can help us calm and focus our busy brains. What’s a great way to celebrate the positive results of taking a break from driving? Viewing three inspiring and refreshing illustrations we commissioned from artist Antra Švarcs. We asked her to create a trio of images to help us all take a pause from our hectic activities and get outside. Her artwork beautifully represents the joys of…

spending time at a lake

stopping to take in a stellar view

feeling the grass under your feet (flowers too, for bonus points!)

Antra’s approach to her work is grounded in an appreciation for nature and a disciplined practice to help ignite the creative process.

Three questions for Antra

1. We’re drawn to the mindful aspects of your art. How do you describe it?

I strive to make my images beautiful, however, I also think a lot about the themes in my work and how these speak to the human condition. What do we need more of in our lives? In what areas are we deficient? Maybe it's feeling grounded in the places we live, maybe it's being present for our friends, maybe it's simply smelling the roses or admiring the beauty of the line of a mountain against the sky. Thematically my work often speaks to either celebrating the natural world or positive interpersonal connections. I'm really enjoying the evolution of my practice where the things I'm engaging with outside the studio are flowing back into my creative practice. 

2. What keeps you focused on a busy work day?

I usually start my days by writing my 'morning pages' which clears my head of noise and helps me set my intentions and stay focused for the day ahead. “Morning Pages” is an exercise from a 1990s book called The Artist's Way; the idea is to write in an unstructured and unrefined manner whatever comes to mind. For me, this practice enables me to process any personal things that might be going on, practice gratitude and set intentions for the day ahead. It's become a valuable recentering exercise. It helps me stay grounded and to move through my day with more purpose when life's business can feel overwhelming. 

3. What’s your current inspiration—either from books, streaming content, art, nature or another source?

Nature is always a big inspiration for me. Whether it's the dramatic vistas of the Sierra Nevadas, or the curvature of a leaf I see on the pavement, I find that my experiences in the natural world are constantly informing the work I'm making. I'm currently really interested in simplifying complex landscapes to their most compelling essence, and translating these to different mediums like paper collage, digital artwork and even weaving. I just received my first loom and am really excited about experimenting with a new tactile medium. I've been really inspired by Julie O'Rourke's recent weaving project, illustrating a scene using natural fibers. 

Illustrating the benefits of nature

Dip into the colorful, positive and rich artwork of Antra Švarcs on her site. We hope her creations in pen, ink and paper collage spark your intention to take a few moments away from driving and deadlines. And take some time to enjoy the mindful benefits of the outdoors.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with HiRoad®. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. HiRoad is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. HiRoad makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.