AIB June 2012 Residency

Wall Drawing, Encaustic Monoprints, "39"

Having just returned from my last residency I am trying to digest all the feedback on my work and ideas as well as develop a plan on how to move forward this semester. I feel that I am finally moving in the right direction with my work.  The decision to return to clay is a large part of this. I am so glad that I took the advice of my previous advisor and moved out of my comfort zone by experimenting with materials I was unfamiliar with. Because of this I am now able to bring a whole new perspective to my ceramic work and I can not wait to see where this all leads!

Whitney Biennial 2012

Untitled, 2011 Kai Althoff

Untitled, 2011, Liz Deschenes

The Seasons, 1957, Lee Krasner

I was very lucky to have a chance to get down to the city and see the Whitney Biennial last month. It was an amazing experience and I have posted a few images from the exhibit. I wish I could of taken more photos but in many rooms it was not allowed. But by far my favorite part was the space dedicated to Agnes Martins large "white" paintings. I have posted a few images above for you all to enjoy!

 

Letter circles

"What is not to be"

"What is not to be", Detail

For the better part of this semester I have been using the content of a letter written to me from my Mother. This was written when I had just left home to begin my Air Force career and my mother was expressing her loss over her "little girl being all grown up" and "spreading her wings".  This letter marks a crucial turning point in both our lives. Our relationship would never be the same again. Over the subsequent years we have tried to maintain our bond but it has been tenuous at best.  This has made me realize that sometimes what is lost it can never be regained.
Using the actual letter as the material  or this work I copied, shredded, cut and formed the paper into circles then dipped these circles into wax. I joined these "letter circles" by crocheting them to each other creating a dangling web like structure. I choose to use crochet for two reasons; first because it was my mothers craft of choice when I was a child and second because she never taught me how to crochet, I learned by using tutorial internet videos. The relationship between the content of the letter and the fact that she did not pass on this traditional women's craft before I left home to make my own way in the world is a key component of this piece. 

Residency Drawings

Wall Drawing

Detail 1

Detail 2

Detail 3

 Detail 4

 During my time at the VSC I gave myself a daily drawing exercise to get the creative juices flowing. I put up a roll of drawing paper that was about 4' tall x 20' long. Every day I would start my studio time with the drawing, using whatever medium was handy.  Also whenever I had a "block" or was waiting for another work to dry or my hot box to heat up I would work on the drawing until I was ready to get back to my "real" work.  A funny thing happened during this process. My drawing project ended up being one of my favorite things I did during the residency! I guess there is something to just letting go!

VSC Residency

Studio View

Triptych, Untitled

Today was my second day the the Vermont Studio Center. So far it has been a productive residency. I am amazed at how much I am able to accomplish here. Without distractions and demands I am quite prolific! I am working a few pieces that have been floating around in my head for the last month. As well as trying out some new ones.  When I set up my space I hung a roll of drawing paper around the perimeter of the room. I am going to use this for my daily expressive drawings and for a way to work through any creative blocks. The studio here is spacious and I have a wonderful view!

"39"

"39"

"39" detail

 

 

This piece is titled "39".  It centers on my maternal Grandmother who when she was 39 was already a grandmother.  I turned 39 this year which has made me look closer at my life and how easy it would of been for me to have had a similar life if I had taken a different path. This work is about the choices we make in life and where they lead. My Grandmother was a single mother of 6 working the night shift in a ball bearing factory to make ends meet. No child support or state aid she did it all by herself. Everything she did was for her family. With only a high school education she worked herself to death literally so her children and grandchildren would not go without. I was just 18 when she died at the age of 56. A massive heart attack due to poor health, too much stress and too little money.  She helped to raise me when my parents divorced when I was only 6. "39" honors her memory and creates a personal family archive though imagery, correspondence and documentation.

...........and there was much rejoicing!

After a few weeks of renovation I have finally finished converting my ceramic studio into a multi-medium workspace!  The top image is my worktable and storage for encaustic and printmaking. Notice how neat and organized it is, I don't expect it to ever be this tidy again! The bottom image is of my new "hot box" for encaustic monotype. A large sheet of anodized aluminum sits on a wooden base with 8 lightbulbs on dimmer switches that raise or lower the heat. A pretty fantastic design inspired by Paula Roland and built by my husband.  Also I now have a large expanse of white wall for working on as well as an area for hanging installation pieces from the rafters.  The most challenging aspect of this studio redesign was taking a fully equipped ceramic studio and condensing it into half the previous space while keeping it operational.  I am very pleased with the new layout.  It is open, filled with good light and allows me work across multiple mediums in the same space. Excuse me I am going to do a happy dance now!