Adventure into the Art:
Lightening Bolt

Sometimes We All Need a Charge!

Each drawing comes out in its own timing, and I don’t overthink the why or the when. Lightening Bolt came out of this left hand of mine in an electric spark back in October. At the time I didn’t know why, but I trusted it. This past week as we were driving back from Telluride in the rain and I realized why.

September 2022 marked a turning point in my life as our daughter turned one. This is a monumental time for all parents, but this one felt so different from when our son hit numero uno. This moment marked making it through a really fucking hard year and seeing a spark of my autonomy coming back to me.

See, here in the Vail area of Colorado, childcare is sparse or expensive, and mostly both. It is next to impossible to find childcare for kiddos under the age of one. I get that this may not be that relatable for some, but having a child here costs parents a career in so many cases. Without childcare, or affordable childcare many parents have to make the choice to leave careers they love and are passionate about to take care of their children. We struggled with our first child to get childcare full time until he was 18 months, and then Covid shut the world down which is a whole different story about life with children and businesses, but let’s stick to this story. So, as I write this, I realize how crazy it sounds, I mean, why wouldn’t a parent want to stay at home with their kids and care for them instead of work? Well, it isn’t that simple for us or a lot of people since many of us need two incomes just to pay the bills. But for me that isn’t even it. Both of us deeply love our kids, we would literally do anything for them. So the question is, how to do that? Looking at my needs as a mom, woman, wife, business owner, creative, I see that for me to be my best self and support them fully, I need my space. When I have this separation and routine, I can then play, create, adventure and grow with them fully. With the right childcare I know they are learning fundamentals, working on skills, friendships, and finding balance and routine. Props to the moms and child care givers that deeply love being integral in these moments day to day, but it is not for me at this time in my life.

I feel the mom-guilt for this, but there are moments like in September when Ember took her first steps. This moment brought tears of joy. She was surrounded by all of us and even my sister, dad, cousins, grandmother and many more as she joyfully hobbled across our grandmother's dining room. Anyone would agree these are tear jerking moments, but this also meant she could go to school at the same place as her big brother with the best teacher we could imagine for these moments in her growth. This also meant I could have consistency in my work and schedule. As we flew back from this trip to see family in upstate NY I felt revitalized from not only a beautiful trip full of connection with family and nature but also the spark of knowing that there was a shift happening. Lightning Bolt was designed a week later.

Lightning Bolt is a moment of finding yourself again. Finding the spark that makes you feel alive. We all have times of turmoil and hardship, but when you find the spark again it can bring you back to you, back to your passions.

 

About Elise

Elise Holmes is the co-owner and designer behind everything here at Ketsol. When she isn't doing 50 things for the business, designing, or playing outside with the kids and dogs, dogs, she heads out into the wilderness to snowboard, splitboard, hike, camp, paddleboard, or travel the world. Elise has been a graphic designer in the outdoor industry including at Warren Miller Entertainment and manager in the design world of advertising before starting Ketsol with husband, Matt Holmes.

 

Caribou Camp Mug - Ketsol

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Caribou Camp Mug - Ketsol

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Caribou Camp Mug - Ketsol

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Caribou Camp Mug - Ketsol

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