Comings and Goings
The days just seem to keep drifting by...
Hello again,
While I’ve been showing up sporadically for Collage O this summer, I’ve been having difficulty finding the mental space to share much here. Even now, it’s 3:30 pm on a Sunday afternoon here in Oregon, and I’m just now getting to writing something after planning to do so all week. Much like I’m struggling to get anything done in the studio, I can’t seem to regularly string enough words together to offer a complete thought here.
As a result, instead of anything deliberate, I will share a summer snapshot of “the real life of an artist outside the studio”.
July was incredibly busy and beautiful. If all works out, it may also be the humble beginnings of unexpected new personal and professional opportunities.
100 Botanical Drawings
First, I was grateful to finish up my 100 botanical drawings challenge at the end of June. I’m now slogging through the process of documentation and presentation. Currently, I have the first 16 packaged and ready for display in a 2-sided 8x8-inch white mat, now available on my website (with a mere 84 more to add!) You can find out more about this project in my latest e-newsletter.
Recent favorite quotes
I’ve been receiving a lot book recommendations from friends and fellow artists lately - which means my to-read booklist (which you can follow, if you want, with the StoryGraph app - user name: jenlo) is getting quite long, and hence, I’m trying to read a heck-of-a-lot more - attempting to reserve at least an hour in the morning and evening. I also like to take note of passages I find interesting as I go. When I don’t have my notebook handy, I take a screenshot and use a highlighter on the photo to transcribe it into my analog “quotes” notebook later.
Perhaps the real culprit, the real missing piece of the jigsaw, is our personal connection to rivers, or lack of it. How many of us spend any time during our daily routine with a river or its wildlife?..
Our culture and language journey with rivers. We talk of a flow of inspiration and imagination, and what might be hidden under the surface. Rivers take away the old and wash us clean. We acknowledge the power of rivers, and walk alongside them to find peace, but we never want to invoke their wrath; we wonder at the river’s journey to the sea, travelling to wide expanse and endless possibility."
~ River Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland by Lisa Schneidau
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A market that preys on a false sense of broken-ness, while upholding society’s constricting view of normality? Those are such ugly and one-sided words. Predatory and forced and normality. I cannot be the only one to have wanted a Better-You myself.
~ Portalmania by Debbie Urbanski
Chicago
Last month, I enjoyed a whirlwind trip to Chicago, which included bird watching adventures, a botanical garden, and an MFA information session at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).
Yes, I’m thinking about applying to grad school, 32 years after receiving my BFA. I’ve had several signs pointing in that direction for the last couple of years, and I’m excited that I finally feel ready to take these signs seriously. It’s a lot to think about, and I’m looking at different options, but seeing the SAIC program in person was a great place to start.
Unfortunately, that means my dream studio plans will once again be put on hold. As usual, I will find a way to make it work. Right now, that means I’m cleaning out my garage to try to free up more creative space.
In the meantime, I’ve been applying to residencies, filling out art applications, slowly making progress on a variety of smaller projects, reaching out to various artists for collaboration opportunities, and… changing up where I show my work!
Gallery Changes
The last photo of me at the coast was taken before my work shift at For Artsake Gallery in Newport, OR. While I’ve loved spending so much time at the coast this past year, I have decided, for a variety of reasons, to end my membership at the gallery. Not to worry, though, I will be announcing a new gallery membership closer to my Corvallis home soon - officially opening NEXT WEEK!
Upcoming Projects
Finally, I’ve been enjoying sorting through my collection of nature photographs over the years, trying to compile them in a meaningful way for print publication. One of my most recent images, above, was taken while enjoying a camping night on the coast with family. I am always drawn to interesting shapes and textures. This driftwood stump was a beautiful find at the end of a traveling day. Waiting for the sun to set, I was once again reminded of the fleeting nature of it all.
Maybe, if I try extra hard, I can slow down these last days of summer…
Probably not, though.
Cheers,
~ Jennifer
p.s. One day I will, maybe?, get my ducks in a row and figure out exactly what I’m offering here. Thank you to everyone who keeps reading An Artist's Notes even though you never know what you’re going to get. And an extra thank you to my few paid subscribers for putting up with my indecision about what bonus content to provide. In the meantime, I appreciate all your encouragement and patience and support! This little martini is for you.
Cheers to each next step- and each next breath in the adventure
Very exciting developments!