An artist residency, in the midst of it all
I’m devoted to growing in my artistry, and working hard to make it a core part of my living. This is a mantra I’m coming back to over and over again as I work on paintings at my very first artist residency. My partner suggested I look for artist residencies this Fall and recommended checking out Sou’Wester, a lodge and vintage trailer resort that offers affordable stays for artists looking to work on projects for 5 days at a time. Most residencies require you to apply months, even years in advance and expect you to stay for weeks, or even months. Many are juried by working artists and only a select few applications are accepted. You can find artist residencies across the world, but few are as welcoming and easy to access as Sou’Wester. If you are an artist, a writer, a creative of any kind who needs to get away for a few days to focus on your craft, apply to Sou’Wester! I’ve been here for 2 days and its already been a wild ride in readjusting, mind and art exploring, and figuring out what I want to share through art in my next show…
I’m staying in the lodge. It’s a kooky old building with 4 different old timey apartments. My room has a kitchen that feels like I’ve stepped into cabin in 1910, a wood panel walled time capsule. Yesterday morning, I snagged an hour of alone time at the sauna and outdoor bathtub. I laid in a hot bath, watching the steam rise and hit the crisp fall air while the sun was still rising from it’s slumber. It’s good to get away, to get outside, to find myself in a new environment and also greet whatever comes up inside of me when shaken out of familiarity. The space to relax doesn’t mean that my mind just settles and flows. While in a beautiful morning outdoor bath, my mind spiraled through intrusive thoughts. But I had the space to greet each one, and I visualized pulling out each thought as they came, throwing them into an imaginary trash can. Have you ever tried that trick, when the heavy, the traumatic, and the deep seated thoughts bubble up? It helped. And it also made me realize, those thoughts rose to inform what I need to express through visual art in a show in January. Maybe a little scary as I contemplate the goals I had set for the 5 days I am here:
Start a new series that is more personal, intimate, and that can be shown at the group art show I’ll be in at Slip Gallery in January.
Begin work on a commissioned portrait.
Create smaller, affordable art for a pop up at Hoste in December. Hoste is a gorgeous new shop in West Seattle. Come to my pop up on Dec 9th and 10th!
Honestly, kind of a lot for just 5 days now that my brain is swirling with stories I need to express through paint on canvas. I’ve brought enough tools and supplies… and 2-3 large canvases I may not get to but hey, it’s good to have them JUST in case I have a spurt of speedy inspiration and execution. But I’m realizing today, leaving space to think is just as important as actual art making. Art is so much more than just the image that ends up on a canvas. And I’m seeking to rely on my own consistency to keep myself feeling regulated as I give my mind permission to think deeply.
I hosted Parallel Play, my virtual twice weekly co-working sessions, today as the consistency that virtual space has brought me from 9-11am every Tues/Thurs has been monumental in rebooting my personal motivation and drive. And you’re welcome to join in anytime if you’re in need of a kind and creative community of folks to hype you in getting your shit done. Snap, even more than just the getting shit done, this group feels like a profoundly comforting hug, a source of inspiration and direction, and a communing of truly generous, loving spirits. You deserve to be in community like this too <3 I’m a hermit, a loner at heart. I’m an introvert who learned in my 20s that even though connecting with others can be really hard with my cognitive disabilities, it is worth the effort. I can easily hide away for days at a time, speaking to no one. It’s what feels natural. But not always healthy. So I became the hermit who is willing to reach out and create space for others through my facilitating abilities. Hosting a co-working group helps me help you, and you help me. And I am so grateful.
Ghost Stories,
results of a creative prompt
This last month, I challenged the Parallel Play folks to create something inspired by Ghosts and I want to share their magic with you! The prompt was not a requirement, but a fun challenge if anyone was interested. And I’m thinking I’m going to continue to make a creative prompt a tradition in our monthly groups. Would you like to join in?
Champ Ensminger is a Thai American filmmaker born in Chiang Mai, raised in Spokane, WA and now living in Seattle. He has since pursued opportunities in filmmaking and digital storytelling in Seattle, Brooklyn and Chiang Mai. His ghost themed project was creating the treatment for a Thai ghost story short film that he wants to produce. I’ve gotten a sneak peek at the full treatment and WOAH, I want this film to be made. Wow wow wow. If you know of any film folk, or are someone in the film industry, shoot Champ a message. He’s a beautiful storyteller and I know you’ll fall in love with his work.
Ashley Rose Coleman is an embroidery artist, pet care provider and death worker in Portland, OR. This ghost prompt was actually inspired by her! She spent the month of October stitching this adorable scene of ghosts busying themselves around a haunted mansion and is now offering prints and glow in the dark stickers of this piece! Ps, if you are someone needing support in processing a death, or know someone currently going through the transition of life to death, Ashley is someone who can support you. Death is something so many avoid, but everyone must face. And Ashley, (and strangely and beautifully, a few others in our Parallel Play group) is a death doula. Yes, there are incredibly kind, compassionate people who are End-of-life doulas, providing companionship, comfort, and guidance to those facing a terminal illness or death, as well as those impacted by transition and death. I can’t even explain how profound it is to have such kind and supportive people like Ashley in my co-work group.
Katherine Meikle is a mental health advocate channeling her ADHD creativity/hunger into exploring different art mediums with support from fellow neurodivergent creatives in Parallel Play + artist mightyPigeon's Flight School classes. You can check out other student pieces on Instagram. "Rideshare" ghost art made with watercolor layered with colored pencil.
Rachel Knapp is a multidisciplinary artist currently focused in polymer clay art. She creates detailed one of a kind pieces + accessible everyday wearable art. This Halloween, her daughter requested a ghost costume to match the Ghost Cloche that Rachel stocks in her Etsy shop and I cannot handle how adorable it turned out!!! Check out Rachel’s insta to see more things she’s made recently, like her mushroom earrings and her daughter’s up-cycled pixie coat.
Victoria Castro created a reel of her working on her ghost project, and tells the story of it here! “The story behind this tiny ghost is that I’m just trying to get back into the practice of painting, and I’ve found that starting small and making little gifts out of them is most motivating to me. It also helps that you gave us a theme! I remembered that my little neighbor specifically told me these were some of his fave colors, so I gave it to him and his sister on Halloween when they came by to trick or treat. Don’t worry, they also got an assortment of Japanese candies! Lol.
I used to sell some prints of my watercolors and have had my stuff on display in my fave coffee and ice cream shops back home in LA, but have yet to do that since my move to Tacoma, WA. I’d love to get back into it here and build those connections with my new community!
Maura Allard shares, “As a 'ghost' project, it's been my dream to support MAPS (multidisciplinary association for psychedelic studies) and in particular, to bring equity to the use of psychedelics for healing and end of life (ghost-ish implications!) care. I used the ghost project prompt to manifest my dream role and submit a letter of general application to the organization.” Maura is a Project Manager and Public Health Innovator and currently on the job market! If you think she’d make a great fit with your organization, shoot her a message on Linkedin.
I find it beautiful how each person found a way to channel the theme of ghost into their creative lives, artistic expressions and personal pursuits last month. And I look forward to sharing how we explore this months prompt… which I decided is IDENTITY. I’m exploring the concept of identity through 2 art mediums at the moment:
Through the pieces I am creating for the show in January.
Through dreaming, planning and mapping out my hopeful next book. I’ve got a call with my publishing agent tomorrow to talk about it more… it’s something she has been encouraging me to write for a few years now. And as of the last month or two, I finally feel ready.
And now, I bid you adieu.
I was able to reserve the outdoor bath and sauna for a 9pm, moonlight sesh and I’m ready for a dip. Let’s hope no ghosties creep on me. I like my moonlight bath dips to be private.
Moorea, I’m so glad you were able to begin artist residencies this season! I loved reading your update and learning what you’re working on/working towards. Thinking, in my humble opinion, is so important to creative practice 🖤