Vermont Studio Center (Part 1)

As some of you may know, I received a residency at the Vermont Studio Center this summer for a month.  The day I arrived to the town of Johnson, Vermont (population: 3300) and stepped into my studio without a clue of what I was going to make, I could feel the sun pouring through the skylights. It was magnificent! I was in art heaven and somehow I knew the ideas would come to me- perhaps not on my time because…The first two days were HOT! I could barely think straight. Do you see the little fan on my table…it did not even feel like it was on-

 

My buddy Wei Lun Ha, painter/architect from New Zealand, made me this vase and flowers. So sweet!

I picked handfuls of wildflowers on a daily basis. Would you blame me?

First 2 paintings in Vermont-

I spoke with my professor from RISD, Wendy Seller about preparing for a residency. She suggested that I consider challenging myself – “Take 2 colors” she told me. Say what? I thought…and that is exactly what I ended up working with.-This was sage advice coming from a woman who I deeply respect and who has travelled to Ireland 8 times to various residencies.

Early stages of experimenting-

The space is filling up! Amazing what happens when I get to make art all day & night!

I basically taught myself a whole new way of painting. I began working with the flowers themselves, pressing, rubbing and carving the wildflowers I picked in the woods, alongside the road and sometimes in other people’s gardens….

Oil on panel-thank you buddy, Edwardo Cabrer from Puerto Rico for giving me this board! It was exciting to work on something new-wood.

For our second open studio night, I went forging (a new word I learned from Canadian friend/photographer, Lisa Graves) and made these leaf wrapped drinking glasses with green stuff growing alongside the river.

Thank you:  Parents for my education, especially RISD (You have no idea how much I loved every minute of being there) and for believing in me-

Hank and Beverly Murrow-Thank you for my artist stipend and all of your support. Love you!!! Check out my uncle’s beautiful pottery he creates in Oregon and Japan. http://www.murrow.biz/hank/hankweb-all/page1.htm

Erica Gerard Di Bona- Thank you, to the thank you queen herself! I sincerely love everything you are and do-You are a true inspiration, fashionista, go-getter, my collector, brilliant writer and what can I say, you get the job done!  Go to her blog now:  http://artofthankyou.com/

Jay Coogan- Thank you for your support and conversation! The next time you are in Los Angeles, I would love to see you-

Wendy Seller- You taught me how to mix paint! I am so grateful for hearing from you after all these years-you are an amazing artist and person! http://wendyseller.com/

Visiting Artists- Ellen Harvey, John Gibbons, Susie Ganch and Odili Odita- Thank you so much for stepping away from your own careers and immersing in ours!  You are all so inspiring! I truly appreciate the time we spent talking about my art.  Your feedback helped me make the breakthrough I was ready to have!

Check out their art here:

http://www.ellenharvey.info  http://susieganch.com/home.html       https://www.johngibbons.org.uk http://www.odilidonaldodita.com/