Once
again I am getting ready for an adventure. I've just finished my
presentation for the upcoming 9 day International Artist Symposium
and Retreat at North Lands Creative Glass in Scotland led by Jane Bruce, it's fourth incarnation, whose theme this year is 'location
and self'. Here's the descriptive paragraph, I don't think I could
have said it any briefer...
“Our
idea of self is rooted in a sense of place and is formed by our
immediate surroundings and traditions. Location and all of it's
manifestations...inherently affects the ideas we have and the work we
create. How often do we actually consider this relationship between
location and our work and what can happen to that work when (we) are
relocated into a new and different environment.”
So
this should be interesting because my work, at least, is very
connected to location and what lives and grows around me.
I
finished one of the full size drawings for the A&M job this week and laid
out the paper to start on the next but it's Friday and I work at the
antique store on Saturday and Sunday I'm going in to the city take my twin grandgirls out for their 18th birthday and
then it will be Monday and I will have one week left before I leave.
Somehow I'm not feeling the urge to power through another drawing. I'm feeling more like making lists.
So
back to my presentation. I had to do that three years ago for the
residency in upper state NY with Catharine Newell at the Buddhist
meditation retreat. I started with that and updated it a bit and
added 9 more pictures. Jane wanted a bit about where we physically
live since people from other countries will be attending. I think it
will still fit in the 15 +/- minute time limit. I'll have to time
myself.
one
of the new pictures
Well,
we had two days in a row with no rain and then it has started back
again. Doesn't rain all day every day but we are getting some rain
every day. Believe it or not, that's an improvement.
Some
things have liked all this rain though...the banana trees are growing
tall as is the ginger and all three groupings ore putting out flower
spikes.
The
plumeria likes it too
and
the ground is sprouting some weird stuff.
Damn- That's it! Why you and I are so connected. We are absolutely defined by our sense of place and our places are so similar!
ReplyDeleteLove you, woman. I do.
I so agree, my work and my location are intricately tied together. Light, being not the least of the factors.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have fun talking about your experience around this theme because you are so connected to the world you have built in work and life. Good luck.
i saw some of the same growth as your weird stuff the other day and wasn't sure what it was.You always have the loveliest blooms going around your yard.
ReplyDeleteSound like you are going to be doing some interesting stuff and the break will do you good and charge your creativity.
ReplyDeleteI do like the new "self and place" picture. Have a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteI've never thought about how my art is reflective of "place." I need to think about that a bit more.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to fall in love with Scotland.. or hate it. Nothing in between. Bon voyage!
ReplyDeleteA change of scenery is good for the soul! Have great fun!
ReplyDeleteThat IS weird stuff. What are those things? Some kind of mushroom?
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear how this opportunity in Scotland unfolds. I'm glad Big Mama and Minnie made it into your presentation. :)
We are definitely products of our environments, even though we tend to think of ourselves as independent and as broad minded as anyone anywhere. What we see and experience becomes part of our DNA, for good and for bad.
ReplyDeleteI would never have thought that your particular art is location-influenced. Just goes to show how wrong one can be. Or perhaps thoughtless is more the word.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t been following any blogs, so don’t know what’s with your rain, but aren’t you GLAD that the drought is over? You’ve got some marvellous plants to show for the wet.
I wish you lots of good times in Scotland and all the success you deserve.
I'm so excited for you! And I love that picture of you & Marc.
ReplyDelete