BRUSH CREEK ARTIST'S RESIDENCY FALL 2019
Brush Creek Ranch is a high-end "luxury" ranch located in the Medicine Bow area, about 15 miles from Saratoga, Wyoming (which is about 80 miles from Laramie).
Funded by ranch owners Bruce and Beth White, the Artist's Residency is a free-standing collection of buildings located about half a mile from the main complex. Housing and excellent studio space is provided for four artists, two composers and two writers. Meals are delivered from the employee's kitchen in excess: about 40% more food than our group could eat!
Photos of the Snowy Mountains between Laramie and the ranch and of the ranch follow.
All of the participants were enthusiastic, accomplished, and keen hikers. Gin and tonics in the evening at a beautiful overlook about half a mile from the artist's camp were especially enjoyable.
Executive Director Sharon Hawkins was amazing: super supportive, resourceful, down-to- earth.
My studio time was very productive, resulting in a series of twenty-four 10x10" pattern pieces:
And six digital murals, up to eight feet long. Overall, a great experience! I encourage artists, writers and composers to apply: https://www.brushcreekarts.org/
ARTE STUDIO GINESTRELLE RESIDENCY, ASSISI ITALY
In 2016, Dr. Blatherwick and I spent three weeks at a wonderful artist's residency in Umbria, central Italy. At that time, Arte Studio Ginestrelle was located in the forested hills near Assisi, in a very large stone house that was built around 1800.
Each of the five artists was provided with a comfortable yet austere bedroom and had access to the immaculate bathrooms-- one on each of the three floors. Director Marina Meril lived in part of the house.
For 370 euros a week (in 2016), residents were provided with housing, trips into Assisi as needed and interesting breakfasts consisting of bread, fruit, cheese, cured meat and museli plus wonderful coffee, and occasionally, raisin pancakes!
It was quite distinctive. It was one of the most supportive residencies I've done and all of the other artists were excellent--not only in their artwork but in their housekeeping. (Usually, shared kitchens are a headache--I'm always washing someone else's dishes--but that wasn't the case at Ginestrelle).
This residency has now moved to a historic building right in Assisi. More photos follow. For more details contact: artestudioginestrelle@gmail.com
JENTEL ARTIST RESIDENCY, BANNER WYOMING, 2018
Located about 20 miles from the pleasant town of Sheridan Wyoming, Jentel offers eleven month-long residencies a year to four artists and two writers per session. Designed and supported by artist Neltje Doubleday, Jentel provides private bedrooms, shared living room/kitchen and outstanding studio space (with very high ceilings.) Located on a working ranch, it is dissected by a small stream and surrounded by curious Angus cattle. Hawks, eagles and deer are common.
I arrived with a batch of topographic map images that I planned to combine with drawing/paintings of stones from the area. However, I soon realized that working digitially would be more productive, and I bought an inexpensive computer monitor which I attached to my laptop. A few examples of the resulting work follow. All reference a quote from philosopher Heraclitus: "You can never step in the same stream twice. You are a different person and it is a different stream."
Stonestream combines ideas about continuity and change with colors that are characteristic of Wyoming. This image is projected to be 12 feet long. Lines and Spaces is also strongly influenced by prairie grasses and colors. If you look carefully, you may spot two images of red-tailed hawks in this mural. Ricawater, completed on my return, is more aqueous.
Living with 5 strangers is always interesting. My 2018 group was both dedicated and playful, with several serious jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts. I soon realized that I have little interest in or aptitude for puzzles, but took part moderately, just be part of the community. Most were enthusiastic cooks, and kitchen remained in remarkably good shape, thanks to everyone pitching in.
International artists are welcome to apply, but must be residents of the USA when they do so. Details are provided on the very informative website: http://jentelarts.org/
Final shots are from an overnight trip to the Black Hills and Badlands National Park. The Little Bighorn battlefield is also nearby.
