Arrival at my residency/first day of class

Hello Everyone,

Today, I arrived at my artist residency in upstate New York, after a very early flight to New York City, a ride in a van with 11 strangers from the airport to the bus terminal, and then a 2 hour bus ride from New York City to Rosendale, during which a visibly drunk man got forced off the bus.  Ahhh...this is why I travel...the adventure!

I am here for several weeks making my own work, which is actually a perfect time for me to teach this class, at a time when I am so deeply connected to my own creative practice. I have done several artist residencies in the past.  A residency is, first and foremost, something you apply for.  To start, you have to come up with a project that you propose to the people that run the residency.  If it gets approved, you get to go somewhere and make the project. The advantage of a residency is being away and having the time to make make make!  It is a time without distractions, which is very important for the creative process.

The Women's Studio Workshop, where I find myself right now is a very well known and respected organization.  When I start working, I will share some pictures and videos of the facilities.  The workshop has facilities for most types of printmaking, paper-making, book arts, and ceramics.  The other advantage of being at a residency is meeting other artists.  I am sharing an apartment with another artist, whom I have not met yet because she took a day trip to New York City.  I have met other artists today, and the creative energy here is infections.

Today, I have also participated in my other passion, which is running.  There are many great trails here, and I am looking forward to running all of them!

Today, I'll share some websites with you that you can look at to get inspired for your first project:

I put this one in your assignment sheet, but it is certainly worth another look:

http://www.postsecret.com/

This is a blog of photos from an exhibit that was all made up of mailed, hand-made postcards:

http://digitalmailart.blogspot.com/

And here is an organization dedicated to collecting postcard art.  They do an exhibit of postcard art every year and it is quite a big deal:

http://www.teicharchives.org/

I am very very tired and still have some other things to do, so I will leave you with that.

Good night.

Monika