On the other hand...

I’ve always said that the art I hate the most changes me the most. And that can be said for life experiences too. In fact, the Dalai Lama tweeted something to that effect earlier this week.

I wrote last week about how uncomfortable I was with the grad school residency. So when the Survey Monkey evaluation link came, I dug right in, held nothing back. I tried to be constructive. Worried I be labeled difficult.

So, it’s interesting to note, that despite this being a break week before the first semester officially starts, I’ve been positively possessed. I’m keeping notes on everything! Every movie I see, every show, and every thought connected to art. Now I see why student work always seems so self-conscious and self absorbed. It is. And I am.

I’m hoping this will wear off a bit and I will find a groove that works for me. Right now it’s a little too much wear and tear on the soul. I’m introspective enough as it is. I don’t need further prodding. So discovering and experimenting with how to be gentle with myself is going to be key.

It’s going to be a busy couple of months. I am in two shows this month; one at the 14th Colony in Millerton, the other at the Emporium in Red Hook. I have ArtEast coming up with an opening in September at the Wassaic Project's Luther Barn and the open studio tour in October.

All the while I will be doing my grad school work, sending off packets to my advisor every 3 weeks for feedback. It’s about a 25 hour a week commitment and since I’m not working right now, that seems easily doable. But also in the mix at the moment is a full time opportunity that’s popped up and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for it. While it will make time all the more precious, I’ve been out of work for a year. Federal loans for graduate school are 7.5 percent these days. No bargain really. So work would be more than welcome. And it seems to me that working while going to grad school is more norm than not. So I say bring it on. And think quietly to myself: be careful what you wish for.

I am apparently in a jaded stage. Not so much prone to inspiration as to judgment and even disappointment.

I went to the Wassaic Project yesterday, expecting (oh how I need to stop being so expectant) to be somewhat blown away. So much press. And chatter. I was hot, tired and hungry. So either very open to impression or too far gone to recognize it. Most of what I saw was a big yawn. For me.

So what?, I kept saying to myself.

Cheerios? Really? Or are they Fruit Loops? Well, maybe. Hmmm. Now, after a day of pondering it, I kind of love it. Looks like crochet.

Earlier in the day I’d had a conversation while hanging work in Millerton, about Henry Klimowicz’s work being in the portopotty. The artist I was speaking with thought it was disrespectful. I thought it was fantastic. It wasn’t like they put Henry’s work there. He installed it. If only all portopottys had Klimowicz growing from the walls.

The other work I really loved was also seemingly growing from the walls.

Because I operate from a place of feeling (and am so tired of thinking and talking in general) I’m not going to go all critical on the work. I’m just going to post here, what I saw and thought enough of to take a photo or a video clip.

Enjoy the virtual visit.

 

May the Magic Medicine of feeling, doing, thinking and being find their perfect expression and balance in your everyday experiences.