The Artist's Residency

What

You go away, you make art, you reflect. Sometimes the art is tied to the place.

Why

As an artist we can never get enough input or stimuli.

Where

Once I went to Pawley’s Island. The house had a front view of the ocean from the 3rd floor but oh that breeze. It could be felt all day. The place backed up to the marsh. Each hour was so different. I tried to capture the shifting light and airy feeling. And ooh those seabirds.

Who

I was the painter, welcomed by mosaic artists. I didn’t know these women on day 1 but could never forget them if I lived to be 100.

How

It was peaceful yet invigorating. 

When

I retreat to this place again and again in my imagination. It became an anchor when I felt anxious during the pandemic. 

Now

The most important part of any retreat is the reflection. We get caught up in production, the process, the learning. We move on to the next project. But we didn't do the deep work of evaluation and acknowledging how it affected us.

So what to do with all that I learned during my Big Q artists residency. I know I am different. And I can see it in my paintings. How do I express it in words? Let me reflect a bit more.