I am honored to have taken part in the inaugural launch of Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts RESIDENCY FOR ARTS WORKERS AS ARTISTS conceived of by artist and Director of the EFA Project Space, Michelle Levy. This truly is a unique residency program created specifically for artists who support their artistic careers as arts administrators.
“This program honors these individuals' longstanding commitment to supporting fellow artists-- one that necessitates sacrifice of time and flexibility-- with a unique environment to build on their own art practices. Seven residents are selected from nominations based on their outstanding contributions to the art community plus their potential for artistic growth in a shared interactive environment.”
This first season consisted of the following awesome artists and friends:
Tova Carlin
Sean Carroll
Paul Clay
Chantel Foretich
Felicity Hogan
Sebastien Sanz de Santamaria
Amber Hawk Swanson
Beatrice Wolert
When I first learned that I have been accepted to the program along with 7 others, I immediately felt a collective responsibility and ownership. The idea that the program was to be a time for self nourishment and was intentionally structured very loosely, felt very comforting. I had set up goals for myself before my arrival, but the freedom to stray from them allowed me to take different directions and approaches in my work. I enjoyed the level of intensity I set up for myself and the support I felt in working in an open environment with such a group of talented and knowledgeable artists.
This environment allowed for a close-knit community to form bonds naturally, it allowed for critical dialogue, self reflection and meshed nicely with my own personal work ethic. I most valued the time I had for self reflection and the time to really push my concepts further in such a concentrated time.
I explored ideas of masking and facades through layered masking tape drawings and through thickly impastoed paintings utilizing cake tips and decorating bags filed with oil or acrylic paint. I explored decorating with tips creating basket weaves, scallops, flowers, leaves and dots, all the while thinking about how decoration related to meaning and value.
