Play

or, Spring Break Day One.

The Scenic Columbia Gorge, Oregon:

“Don’t go chasing waterfalls
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to”

-TLC

The past month and a half has left me reeling. Changes for the worse at work, heavy course loads all around, application season and other professional obligations have left me with very little personal or creative time. However, after this weekend, I am able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, at least for this quarter. Winter 2010 wraps up in a month. Evaluations week and Spring Break give some needed rest before Spring Quarter begins at the beginning of April. For the break week, which corresponds with my 31st birthday, I’m planning a solo roadtrip Salt Lake City, Utah. A few days on the road there and back, a couple days in the city, and of course, the highlight of my pilgrimage: The Spiral Jetty.

This morning I work to a dense fog descending upon the south sound. The house was quiet, the ambient light peaceful. I grabbed my camera and let the chickens out to run around the yard and eat worms…

A President’s Day Photo Essay:

The last week at the Vermont Studio Center involved a giant cement mixer decked out with over 80,000 lights, a trip to Burlington following a dead dear stuffed in the back of a sedan for miles on end, a very special John Waters Christmas, and a brand spanking new edition featuring a favorite quote by John Baldessari.

It’s been an extremely long week and a half filled with days that end too quickly. I’ve been working diligently yet I feel I have little to show for it. I’ve finally consolidated and edited four + years of student work. I’ve also been battling code (with the help of Forrest, Avi and some dude from Australia that posts on my hosting forum) and the skeleton of my gallery pages are working. If you want to take a peak, check out the  student work page. Hopefully sometime soon, I’ll have everything uploaded and properly running. I’ve also been applying for a few positions, which I didn’t really intend on doing.

The Vermont Studio Center is situated like a little village within a small town. There are several housing structures (old houses turned into dorm-like boarding rooms) and studio buildings with a few shared structures grounding the residency. There is a library/lounge/ meeting space located in the basement of the dining hall. A small river runs alongside the building which is itself an old converted mill, hence the name Red Mill Hall.  The studio spaces are fairly large, and several buildings house 40 + studios. I am located in the Barbara White Studios – the farthest building from the main campus cluster. The town of Johnson, Vermont is very small and holds little distraction. I’m going a bit stir crazy at the moment but there is a planned visit to the home of Bread & Puppet Theater on Friday.

Vermont Studio Center is one of the largest residencies for artists in the United States. Each 4 week session throughout the year houses 40 – 50 artists working in an array of mediums. Clearly, one of the big draws of this particular program is the amount of social interaction between artists from varied locations, their breath of experience and diversity in practice. However it’s just as easy to lock yourself away from everyone and concentrate on yourself and your work.

I have a lot of thoughts and musings concerning my experience thus far but I’ll save those for a late night ramble.

Photos below are of the Red Mill, my studio upon arrival, Thanksgiving dinner, new friends and the only piece of work I’ve made that I remotely like so far (guoache on paper, 22″ x 30″):

Halloween was a piecemeal holiday this year. At the last minute, housemate Shawn and I bought candy and candles, hoping to entice kids to venture up our long, dark driveway. I quickly decorated the front porch and stairs with candelabras, jack-o-lanterns, and 50 tea lights. Shawn rocked the scary sound effect records. Unfortunately, we only had 8 kids (and accompanying parents) who were brave enough to approach the house.  After we realized that we weren’t going to have any more costumed visitors, we decided to head downtown for the  Thrill The World performance in which an amateur dance troop staged the choreographed Michael Jackson dance from Thriller. After observing downtown Olympia’s usual freaks and geeks, we returned home to our own adopted family of misfits at the ABC House who were preparing for a mischievous night on the town.

Ah, another year, another Procession of The Species. If I recall, y’all missed out on last year’s photos so I doubled the amount this year. Also, I was able to scramble up onto the Capitol Theater’s Marquee and watch the festivities from above for a unique perspective. Enjoy the freakiness that is Olympia!

I spent Tuesday morning at the Capitol Theater here in Olympia. The Olympia Film Society was projecting the inauguration ceremony on the big screen. Since we’re on the west coast, the ceremony started at 8am. When I arrived at 8:30 or so, the place was jam packed, from the aisles to the balcony. Everyone wanted to be a part of history. I watched as the President was sworn into office, thinking of how much my appreciation and love for this country has grown in the last three months. Inspiring.

January 20, 2009: The Capitol Theater in Olympia, Washington

January 20, 2005: The Streets of Washington, DC

The last month plus some, in pictures.

In mid-December, Olympia was snowed in for almost a week. It was a few feet of snow, unheard of at this altitude. People were housebound for days as streets remained un-plowed and impassable. The house looked like a winter wonderland from the backyard.

Housemates Erin and Lenny

Getting to Evergreen was almost impossible. When I arrived, I learned the campus had been closed due to inclement weather.

I was one of the lucky few who were able to fly out of Seattle during a small window of time, as outgoing flights were briefly allowed to leave during an afternoon block of time. From Seattle, I flew to Buffalo to visit family and friends. I can’t say I overly enjoyed my stay. There is no reason to be in Buffalo during winter.

Marisa, visiting from NYC, walks in front of a massive snow mound at the mall. We went for a last minute gift for her dad at JC Penny’s.

My mother and father were glad I was home. I however had reservations. I automatically turn into a petlulent teenager when I step foot in their house.

I did go Christmas Bowling at Voelker’s with Candace, Andy and the rest of the gang.

I spent a day with my father driving and walking around Buffalo, looking at houses and wandering through old neighborhoods. It was a surprisingly adult interaction.

All in all, it was a nice visit. I’m glad to be back on the west coast. I know now this is where I belong. It’s helpful to have a reality check once in awhile.

Dear Internet,

I love you. I really do. I have immensely enjoyed creating and updating this blog over the past four years. On days I feel lonely or unaccomplished, I cherish going through the archives, looking at photographs of my friends and realizing how much I have grown as an individual, a friend, an artist. I love the community you provide, however far removed. I love my blogroll and reading about my friends’ interesting lives, even when they think their lives are nothing but mundane. But Internet, I’m growing again. I’m changing. I need some space to figure things out quietly. I want to understand the part I’m supposed to play. That’s what it’s about, right?

Play. Our roles. The things that matter most to us.

Internet, I need a break. Some time away. I need to stop feeling guilty when I realize I’m not feeling guilty enough about not writing to you. That’s not to say I won’t come back; I still need you. You’re part of my life now. You’re family. I just need to do this on my own, OK?

My Undying Affection,

Judy

Happy Holidays, friends. From my house to yours. Talk to you in the new year.

Thanksgiving 2008