"I've always tried to go a step past wherever people expected me to end up." - Beverly Sills
A 'residency' is a period of time where an artist commits to developing their artwork in a very immersed atmosphere. Many artists apply/sign up for residencies around the country or world and often times the devotion to their art during that time has some wonderful findings, changes and effects. Recently I read about an artist who chose to do her 'artist residency' right in her own studio - she cleared her calendar of all appointments and took to two weeks of working on her art without interruptions! What a great idea!
Last week I spent the week in Door County studying art history with artist Margaret Lockwood and then painting studio style in the afternoons and evenings. Door County is very different in the winter - there isn't much open or much to do - it was kind of nice to be able to 'totally focus on my art'! Our group was a wonderful mix of creative spirits and Margaret's lectures were wonderful - we had the best time.
During my mini-residency I focused on a different color palette - brighter colors and really liked the new direction. Then when I got home, I was informed by Edgewood Orchard Galleries that they will be using one of my new 'winter birches' paintings in the 2012 calendar so . . . I am excited to be continuing that series for some time this winter.
Being back home in the studio feels good and hopefully it will continue to be a very productive winter.