How is it possible for 4 days to go by in only 4 hours. Of all the years I've been at Art Fest, this year seemed to be the one that was most affected by some sort of time compression process. Even the fact that I drove there (870 miles each way) didn't seem to extend the experience. Art Fest always seems to serve as my creative happy new year. I hang on to the thought of it the way I held on to the promise of camp when school let out. I could be my mother's minion for the first few weeks of summer -- pulling weeds, repeatedly vacuuming spotless floors, trimming countless dress patterns -- with comforting knowledge that in a few weeks, then a few days, I would have the utter freedom of camp. I approach Art Fest with the same secret glee in my heart. After all, this is just the grown-up version of camp with extended arts and crafts section and no physical competition demands! (Much as I loved it, I really sucked at volleyball.)
I had a remarkable line-up of teachers. Every year I tend to have a favorite class or teacher. But this year I had three instructors who were more open, warm, and encouraging that any other year. I'd planned on telling about my experiences each day as they were fresh out of the oven and then never actually took my laptop up to my dorm room. Too much to see, do, share, to poke my head into the machine.
I want to share each day on the blog but I came home with a miserable cold and slow thinking so first let me tell about starting on Thursday with Lynne Perella. If you don't know her work, check her out (http://www.lkperrella.com/). Her newest book is called "Art-Making: Collections and Obsessions" and features the work of 35 different artists, many of whom are AF teachers and/or students. Years ago, she designed a fabulous line of stamps for her company called Acey-Deucy and I have always admired her art. What a treat to discover that she is also a remarkably patient and generous woman. She is somebody who encourages her students and finds something truly worth admiring in each person's efforts. She believes in great slathers of paint and layers upon layers upon layers. Then, after piling on the color and the texture, one "harvests the images." What a great expression, eh? We painted, collaged, and painted more. I was surprised how disappointed I was with my final outcome but the process and seeing other students' work thoroughly inspired me. I really had to work at figuring out just why I was so upset with myself after class and in referring back to my journal I read:
"Her class got me so excited about the possibilities related to colors and countless layers of colors. And yet, the strangest thing happened as a result of the class!! In th morning, I was all pumped up about layering colors and adding texture and when I returned to class after lunch, I was completely stymied regarding what to do next. I felt like a complete hack-poser-fraud-fool."
Yikes, huh!? What I decided was that I was all gung-ho about laying down color and texture but when I started to make it "mine" I freaked. I've decided this will bear more examination. Key points that I will certainly remember from the class (and even took notes on) include: "gesso is your friend," if you have black construction paper and story to tell you can create art, red rosin paper makes a super (and cheap) painting surface, and, my favorite idea is that this sort of work gives an artist "freedom from the tyranny of being literal."
Take a look at some of the work that was produced in the class. (Lynne is holding the artworks.) The third from the right was a particularly compelling piece. It was created by Nikki Blackwood, a New Orleans' native now living in Portland, Oregon. The words are "August 29 2005 7:30 AM Levees Fail Fail." Viewing it gave me chills.
Colleen! It was so great to see you at Artfest and reconnect over sycronicity. I come home from Artfest with so much enthusiasum, but it sure is a trick to keep a hold of it and put it to work. I need to add some links to my blog. Can I link to you as a fellow blogger? Hope you are well! Hugs Clarissa
Posted by: Clarissa Callesen | April 23, 2008 at 01:22 AM