Meet Charlie Stevenson

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charlie Stevenson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charlie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Creativity has always been a part of who I am as a person; it’s the way I connect, communicate, and interact with the world. Creativity is an aspect of myself that I take with me into every part of my life, especially my career.

I work as a nature-based therapist and artist, both of which require me to think creatively. Surprisingly, the process for both is actually fairly similar. First, I observe a situation and then respond to it with intention.
In my career as a nature-based therapist, that might look like finding the appropriate intervention or activity that suits a client’s specific needs, and then adapting to what nature has in store for us during that particular session. As an artist, it might mean adjusting my color palette as the light changes over the mountains, or finding the right subject matter that will convey a specific feeling or emotion to my viewers.
I love those spaces, where genuine interest, the known, and the unknown all meet to manifest something new. There’s a really unique opportunity for connection that exists within that space, whether it be with another person, the earth, or yourself.
I think that because of this, I put a lot of value into finding a community that would help me grow those creative aspects of myself, and I believe that played a very large factor in why I chose to move down the career paths that I have.

However, over the years, I think I’ve realized that anyone can act creatively within any career or field. I think creativity isn’t necessarily based in any one job or career path, but rather within each of us as individuals. Creativity doesn’t have to be limited to artistic pursuits; instead, creativity can be lived in every aspect of our lives.
I see it every day when I work as a therapist, and it has been one of the most powerful tools I’ve seen to help people transform their lives. I think we all have this deep and innate sense of creativity that lives within us; the difficulty comes in figuring out how to connect with that aspect of ourselves, even when we think it isn’t there.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artwork lives at an intersection between playfulness, nature, and inner transformation. Through my artistic persona Psilly Goose, I attempt to explore the fun, exciting, and deeply human sides of our connection to the earth. Whether it’s through sculptures, paintings, home goods, collectibles, and occasionally even clothing, my goal is to remind people that healing and self-discovery don’t always have to be serious; they can be fun, joyful, and a little silly too.

My path getting here has been a process of integrating my two worlds. In my undergraduate program, I studied studio art with a minor in psychology and later earned my master’s degree in wilderness therapy. I quickly realized that these weren’t two seprate callings; instead, they were different expressions of the same thing. Both of these aspects are about connection, reflection, and transformation. Art became my way of continuing that exploration through playfulness, storytelling, and imagination.

The journey getting here hasn’t been straightforward or easy at all. I’ve had to learn to trust my own inner wildness, to stop fitting into the boxes that were made for me, and create a space where art, therapy, and nature all coexist and start a new conversation. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that feeling of authenticity is a form of connection; it’s a way for me to interact with people outside of standard communication. I think it helps both me and my audience to feel seen by one another, and it seems like people really resonate with that.

I’m really excited to see how this all comes through in my newest series.

While interning at a wilderness therapy clinic in New Mexico, I started to wonder why some outdoor activities, like hiking, were considered “therapeutic” by insurance companies, while others, like skiing or gardening, were not. It made me question what really qualifies an activity as being “healing”. Is the insight we gain from hiking any different from the insight we gain from other activities? That question became the foundation for my latest series as a way to celebrate nature, play, and recreation in all its forms. Each piece is meant to be a reminder that self-discovery can come in many different ways; there’s no one right path to healing, especially in nature.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being born and raised in Boulder County has been such an amazing opportunity. The Front Range of Colorado is, in my opinion, one of the most amazing places in the world, so finding something fun to do isn’t a challenge in the slightest. I think I’d plan a day balanced with some adventure, leisure, and excitement.

I’d probably start the morning by running us over to the Dushanbe tea house in Boulder for an amazing breakfast, then up to the NCAR trail head and taking us up to the Mallory cave. The trail is a little bit of a workout, but completely worth it. Being slightly off some of the more popular trails gives you time to chat and feel like you have some space away from the rest of Boulder. There are also some excellent opportunities for rock climbing along the way.

I’d follow that up with lunch at NADC Burger and a trip to the Mewowolf convergence station. Having worked as a volunteer artist at their original location in Santa Fe, it helps me feel a little more involved in the experience and like I was able to contribute something to their trip.

Lastly, I would end things back in Boulder at my absolute favorite cocktail bar, Jungle. The atmosphere, drinks, and service never disappoint and has always been my go-to spot for a nice evening. Afterward, we’d take a leisurely walk down Pearl Street, enjoying the lights and planning our next adventure.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Like many people, college was a transformative experience for me. School allowed me to connect with myself in a way that I never had before. I want to Shoutout my fellow Naropa wilderness therapy cohort and all my amazing teachers! The lessons and adventures I had during my time as a graduate student in their wilderness therapy program helped to shape me into the person I always knew I could be. Thank you.

Website: https://psillygoose.com

Instagram: @psillygoose

Image Credits
Psillygoose, Charles Stevenson.