I'm home!

I'm home, writing this with Oscar purring on my lap. And I'm super tired. It's quite a leap from Nebraska City to Eugene. It's downright balmy here. I will never again complain about the cold when it's 40 degrees! I had a wonderful month, met great women writers and artists, made a lot of work and had a lot of fun. Back to reality tomorrow... yawn... more soon.

The Judge and Jury

These little figures have been my judges and jury. They only tell me one thing; "You're doing great! Keep going". They believe anything else is useless information. I'm glad I brought them.

This afternoon I just stopped working. It was time to say "I'm finished".

I did a lot of work while I was here... good? bad? in the middle? I have no idea.

What was really good was the process of making it. I loved working until I had no idea what to do, taking a break, a few hours or overnight and then coming back and knowing what came next. It was amazing not to have to backtrack from one session to the next.

Tomorrow I get to spend some time at the high school teaching them to do xerox transfer. Then it's pack, pack, pack and hike to UPS.

Yawn, goodnight all.

Someone is jumping off the deep end!

Today was a social day. First, the high school students came to visit us. They were very quiet, but spent a lot of time looking at the work on the walls of the studio. When they left one boy gave me a big hug!

Then all the residents, and Denise and Pat went to lunch at Lied Lodge, a beautiful conference center that reminds me of a national parks lodge. Yummy lunch. Then our writers read to us, and we took a last tour of the studios to see what we all had been up to.

Tomorrow is my last day to work in the studio...

I'm going to take at least an hour or so to make more drawings. Nadine next door says sometimes she hears me laughing. I laughed when I made these breakfast girls.

A month has flown by...

Love to all, Janice

Keep going despite what your mind tells you!

I had a really fun day painting today. If you listen to Pandora internet radio, type in Mahalia Jackson and you will hear the BEST gospel music.

I've got my coaster project moving right along. I now have a system worked out which really helps. That and the four big tables I have to spread my materials out on.

I've been thinking about the challenges I have been working on while here and the biggest one by far is just self confidence. At least a couple times a day I think I'm not good enough for art.

Why am I talking about this? (again) Because I have to pass along that the only logical response is to just keep going despite what your thoughts tell you.

I still have 2 full days to get things wrapped up. Ok, off to open a can of soup, rest a bit and then back at it!!

Sunday at the KHN Center for the Arts

The sheath dress girls are finished. Their story is written in the sky behind them. For those of you who would like a translation here it is:

They were only heads on a billboard. They stepped out.

Their hair turned grey. Jackie? Jackie? Are we singers? Our hair is like EH's.

O' where am I giant sister? Do you want to step on some cars? Sing gospel? Worship Della?

They were only heads on a billboard. They stepped out.

They joined the church and Della loved them. They drove the cars and liberated other girls trapped in billboards.

The church grew large. The sheath girls were as tall as a billboard. They were reserved and dignified in public. They were what they were. People were afraid of them.

They were only heads on a billboard. They stepped out.

They sang the sheath girl gospel. A choir.

Why did you come hear them? Are you afraid?

They were only heads on a billboard. They stepped out.

They loved Della. Their hearts were pure. They did not step on cars.

They had other things in mind.

EH wrote their songs.

They were only heads on a billboard. They stepped out.

Be not afraid. Be fearful. Bring joy.

Artist Food

Today we three visual artists drove to Omaha to visit the Bemis Center.

I love this sign "because creativity matters". For every person I have ever met, myself included I assign (as Queen Janice) a broad and encompassing meaning to the term "creativity".

The Bemis Center is HUGE, 5 stories high and 170,000 square feet. They also offer artist residencies. Today we were attending a gallery talk about the current exhibit.

We were lucky enough to get to tour all 5 floors, huge open spaces filled with materials and collections and art installations.

Here are Nadine and our tour guide Joel in "the cave:" It's literally a cave created inside a warehouse. They have concerts and gatherings here and it is lit by candles.

There was so much more... we also toured the Phillip Schrager Collection of Contemporary Art which was full of huge works by well known artists.

And then we drove home and saw the sunset on the prairie. All in all a day filled with great discussions and lots of inspiration. Thanks Nadine and Skye!

Experimenting

Because I have lots of time I can try out ideas that I would discard at home. Last night I started experimenting with playing cards, ink and transfers on paper.

Another idea that came to me was drawing figures over my used paper painting palettes.

Each day at the end of my work I clean up, put everything away, make order and make a list for the next day to get me started. It makes me feel grounded and accomplished.

Tomorrow we are going to Omaha, about an hours drive from here. We are attending a lecture and exhibit at the Bemis Center. They also offer artist residencies that are several months in length. I'm excited to see another program and a new city.

Hope everyone is preparing for a great weekend.

Day 18 at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts

The snow slowly melts. Today it was almost 40 degrees. A beautiful brick sidewalk through the snow.

Anyone know what F.O.E. stands for? Fathers or founders of eagles?

For a while I loved these sheath dress gals. This afternoon I was sick of them and sanded them down. They look much better. I am so glad I brought the sander with me.

And this is the runza I ate yesterday. A runza is a mix of meat, cabbage and spices covered with bread. That is not a hot dog bun! There are 70 fast food runza restaurants, mostly in Nebraska. I ate this at about 1:30pm and was full til the next day!

This morning I had many brilliant things to say and I had art all figured out. This afternoon I don't know anything. I'm going to take a little rest and then return and hopefully it will all become clear. Maybe.

A mishmash of topics..

Done. Or well I think they are done. I am tired of looking at them, (paintings above and below). I'm ready to move on, so they will have to travel home in this state. That being said who knows?

This gal (above) made me laugh today. She looks like Connie Francis.

And there is my studio all lit up as the sun is going down.

And this... Have you ever seen a Melmac bowl this color? It's Royale Melmac, lavender. (I looked it up on line.) I love looking at it's mystery tint. Is it grey, or blue or purple... such pleasure for 5o cents at the thrift store.

Here are a couple things I am learning:

1. Read the helpful sayings you have posted on the wall, they really do help.

2. Write a list of the next days art tasks at the end of the studio session. When I come in kind of groggy and not all here the next am, I just start right in on the more mindless tasks.

3. Look at books, art books and other books. I have used every book I brought.

I have 8 more work days here...

love to all!

The coaster project continues

I'm excited again about my coaster project. I'm determined to finish these 100 2-sided paintings. I like how they look on the wall. Wild color. Here are some I've completed while here.

I had a great studio day. I had the experience of just working, without too much judgement. I read everyone's really nice comments about the orange man picture except I think I gave the wrong idea! He's just one corner of a big painting...

I had a great talk with K. today about what constitutes big. I think I'm working big, but it's true I have friends who measure art work in feet, not inches.

Well, I'm too tired to make much sense of my art world, I'm just happy to be "making".

When painting goes right...

I love this orange man. I'm not as sure about the rest of the painting... Tomorrow starts the third week of art making. I'm wanting to push hard to get a lot done. Things are happening, I'm learning because I'm spending so much time working.

Hope every one's Monday gets off to a good start.

We took the day off!

Val, Nadine and I took the day off from creative work. (Well, most of the day) We started with lunch at a local spot... Nadine is enjoying homemade cabbage rolls.

We then moved on to the Lewis and Clark center. Nebraska City was a spot near the beginning of their journey.

Nadine and I moved on to the Arbor Day Center where we had the trail through the trees all to ourselves. It was foggy, white and magical.

We finished up with pie and tea at a local truck stop.

A painting (8x8) that I like. Wish I were as clear about other paintings I'm working on!

It was good to get away from all the focused studio work and look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow.

It was an incredible day. Everyone we met at both centers, and at restaurants were kind and helpful. The KHN center even paid our admission fees today. Have I said I love Nebraska City?

Rhythms and Energy

Today the world here looked a bit like Oregon. White-grey sky and fog. And everything was covered with ice crystals. I was so afraid they would melt that I was out taking photos in my pajamas and coat!

In this residency world where there is no schedule I can sleep and work when I like.

Last night I got a lot done between 10pm and 2am.

I'm working on "big" paintings which is a real challenge. (Big being 16X20)

Tomorrow we (my residency mates) are going on a big adventure to the Lewis and Clark Center. Looking very forward to this.

It's probably hard to read these quotes, but this one from L. has really helped me a lot: "Mostly I just start and observe what happens without judgement. Something always happens so I continue from there. Then I continue from there or I start fresh." It's a good thing I have such wise friends. It takes a bunch of faith to start, get in the middle, get stuck, get unstuck, have resolution or toss it out.

Here is a little video...

I keep describing myself as a teletubby in my poofy winter coat. I think I like being a teletubby! After all following in the footsteps of Tinky Winky who was persecuted by Jerry Faldwell for carrying a purse can't be all bad. Tinky I salute you... and I'm nice and warm (Thanks Ging)

I sound really cheerful, and mostly I am except I got into a bit of a funk today thinking I haven't done as much as I want to, and I had no idea what to do with the paintings I had started.

And then I got this giant care package from my girlfriend with way yummy things to eat. It cheered me up to the max. You can see it just opened in the video.

ok, that's all. hope everyone is warm and dry and pretty happy.

Day 10 at the KHN Center for the Arts

Today was such a good day. It was in the high 30's (balmy) and there was not a cloud in the sky. Sun glinted off melting snow and I could see the streets really are paved with brick.

This afternoon we had readings from our two writers, and tours of the studios of the visual artists. It was great to see and hear what everyone is doing.

The director here is a printmaker and letterpress artist. We viewed her work too, what a treat.

Then a yummy group dinner and more good conversation.

It is true that the place one resides influences the images you make.

Below is an early layer of the painting I'm working on. These buildings are on the main street.

The figures will live here somewhere... It's kinda like playing with a dollhouse. Where will they go? What is their relationship with each other?

I had so much fun today in the studio. I worked on back and forth on coasters and paintings.

And I'm in love with the image below. This one has a nice internal "clunk" that lets me know it works. I don't get to this place too often so it felt good.

And then I went to lunch and to the beautiful bank on the corner. They let me wander about upstairs and I took this photo of downtown Nebraska City.

All in all a great day. I'm absolutely pooped out, but pretty happy.

Week Two, Day One at the KHN Center for the Arts

Dean asked me if I was counting the days so they would go faster, but it's just the opposite. I'm counting them to try to savor them and I guess slow down the passage of time (impossible). I do wish that someone had written a set of guidelines for this experience, but it's probably true that it's different for each individual.

This time is like an ocean. In real life I steal time for art making. And even the time I take gets interrupted. The dogs go in, the cat goes out... dinner needs to get made and eaten... and on and on. I am used to working with less than full concentration. The hardest task here is to figure out the flow of time in relationship to making art. How many hours a day can I work? And when I am in the studio the quiet can be overwhelming.

John Cage says to just work, persevere, continue and the way will become clear. This is true. I spend lots of time in the mucky unknown, and then suddenly the painting becomes clear.

I'm working on 4 things at once, going from one to another when I get stuck. They are:

1. Two large 16 by 20 paintings, just started

2. Six small 8 by 8 paintings.

3. Drawings in ink on paper

4. Coaster project

I have told myself that the drawings are just for fun, doesn't matter how they turn out, and of course they are the things I like the most so far!

New paintings I started today using photos of Nebraska City buildings.

Small paintings with xerox transfer, first stages

Finished (I think) paintings. I have been propping everyone's words on top of them. I love what those cards say...

This is me about 2:30 pm each day. I read and read and then snooze a little.

More of the beautiful sun and snow. Today was balmy at 29 degrees.

Hope everyone is warm and dry. Much love to friends, co-workers, and family and to Ms. G who is my heart.

Walking and Painting

It warmed up a bit today and one of the residents and I had a BRISK walk in town.

Sun and snow are beautiful.

Homemade apple pie and tea in town aren't bad either!

This is the county courthouse.

Things are coming along in the studio. These paintings are 8 by 8 and they aren't quite done. I get to a place where I like some of what is going on, but don't know how to finish. But, I'm moving and want to keep moving. It's hard to lay down and go to sleep because I just want to keep working.

It really was a great day. I'm enjoying my sister residents. Tonight we walked 3 blocks to the local theater to see "Sherlock Holmes". Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law were really fun to watch. And then I got into my human sausage costume (my jacket, hood, hat, scarf and gloves) to wander home. Yawn, ok off to bed, full studio day tomorrow...

Day 5 at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts

Day 5 in Nebraska City dawned crisp and cold. The cold snap is supposed to ease after tonight's low of minus 19 degrees! Weather in the 20's and 30's is sounding balmy to me. But, it made for a good work day. Each day my ability to relax and focus has improved. I think I am about 85% "here".

I am so glad I brought my sander. In fact I'm glad I brought everything, I'm using it all.

This is my strange grey lady plastic model who is chasing a drawing of herself.

It's a good day when drawings make me laugh. I like all these women with their various types of socks. I'm working on 4 paintings too, but not evolved enough to share yet.

Tonight our group agreed on how much we like Nebraska City. I continue to appreciate how a town this small can be so supportive of the arts, to tree planting and to preserving their culture and history. 5 days have flown by. I wish somehow I could slow it down...