Oh, but there was so much to inspire that I simply couldn't resist deviating from the plan. Had I been working on a deadline for a specific gallery show, I would have gladly gone into laser-focus mode and produced only work in this series.
But in this case, I gave myself permission to run with new ideas.
I'm so glad I had this luxury. The spectacular sunrises and sunsets brought me to tears! They made for some great miniatures, and I have photo references for about ten more! Eventually, I hope to do some larger versions of them.
Preparation.
I over-prepared. I took far more materials and canvases than I could possibly hope to use....and ended up using most of them. I lacked for absolutely nothing and this gave me some serious flexibility.
The only drawback to taking practically my whole studio with me, was having to unpack it all when I got home.
Still working on that.
Connections:
I expected to do a lot of live videos on social media. I did some, but had to work around internet issues. I'd be in the middle of something and have to do it over three times because the internet connection would break in mid stream.
Frustrating!
I got a compact little vlogging kit before I left MI, hoping to get better quality sound and video, but never got past the sentence, buried deep in the instructions of course, about needing an adapter.
So what to do when things don't go as expected???
Why, you change your expectations of course! Imagine how much less artwork I would have produced if I'd obsessed over the video equipment.
So I turned my attention back to what I was there for.
Going forward:
I expect that the business of life will gain some of my attention. That is as it should be. The elderly friends who fell sick while I was gone and now need help, the children I teach in Sunday School, the abiding love for my husband...these are far more important to me than my art career.
The folks who say that you should follow your dreams no matter what it costs have no understanding about how life really works.
People we love are far more important than dreams!
Still, I expect to take advantage of the momentum gained in the last two weeks. Make no mistake about THAT!
I expect to continue caring for those I love while I continue to grow and learn all I can about creating art that inspires...
...for as long as God strengthens my hands to do so.
Do I expect ever to do another art residency?
In a heartbeat!!
Have a terrific weekend!
Jan
P.S. I will be posting a lot of new artwork in the weeks to come as I finish the works started during the residency. Let me know if you are interested in getting an early heads-up on any of them. Two people have already asked to purchase a couple of the miniatures.
P.P.S. If you tried to contact me while I was away and I did not respond, it's likely because of the broken internet signals and me running out of WiFi data. Please accept my apologies.
