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| Just Arrived to our New Temporary Home |
This past September I had an amazing Art Experience!!
I was on an Art Residency on Gabriola Island for a week. My sister and I stayed in a wonderful 1 bedroom house with a separate studio in a rustic farm setting.
It was Awesome! . .
As I shared my experience with friends and other artists, it became obvious that many do not really know what being ‘in a residency’ is all about. It is understandable, no two Art Residencies are the same.
Knowing more about Residencies can be a real boon for artist. Going on an Art Residency can really charge your Art Practice.
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| Ready for a Day Trip: A Sketching/Photo Shoot Hike |
What is an Art Residency?
This is an opportunity for you, the artist, to
move to the residency location for a specific period of time to work on your
practice. The cost can range from
subsidized living to being paid a salary. These are meant to support both the professional and emerging artist.
There are 2 main types of Residencies:
1. Work & Engage Residency: You are provided with housing, a work space and time to develop your own practice. You may be alone or sharing accommodations with several other artists. There may be a requirement to interact with the public in the form of lessons, demos or art talks. The Residency may also require you stage a show at the end. Usually you would receive your accommodations free, a stipend or moneys from your lessons and sales at your show.
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| On the Trail, Awesome ideas for sketching & painting |
In August, 2014, I was in this type of Residency as an Artist in Residence at Mount Revelstoke National Park. I was with 2 other artists. We had a beautiful studio to work in and needed to be available for the public to view us “working” for several hours a day. We also needed to prepare for a show that was to occur approximately 2.5 months after our stay. You can read about my experience in a series of 3 blogs starting here: August 4, post "Look Out Bugs Here I Come"
2.
Work Only Residency: This type does not
involve any level of community engagement but is rather an opportunity for you
to focus on your practice without interruptions. The accommodations may be free or
subsidized. The Gabriola Art Residency was this type.
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| Sketching on the Beach |
I have experienced both types of Residencies.
The Experience has really resulted in New Inspiration; New Contacts in the Art World; New Exposure for my work; New Ways for me to Challenge Myself and my Personal Growth; and most of all the Confidence and Impetus to pursue more in my work.
On Sept 7, my sister and I headed over to Gabriola Island. This was the second type of Art Residency. There was no obligation to interact with the community. (I was only there for a week, but if I was longer, I think I would have set up some public activities.)
My focus: to create Social Media content around
my practice in Outdoor Sketching.
Gabriela Island is a small rural island off the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. My sister, Sherry came with me to be my photographer.
I am sure It was the fastest 7 days I have ever experienced.
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| Lots of Awesome places to set up to Sketch & have a Photo Shoot |
As a nature sketcher I was looking for shots depicting my process. We were able to get numerous
photo shots as we:
- Hiked the trails scouting out landscape references and sketching
locations
- Kayaked the little bays along the coastal waters scouting out
waterscape references and sketching locations
- Visited the museum and botanical gardens to see and learn about the
foliage
- Video taped and photographed me as I painted rocks, plants and trees
- Posted daily on our progress on two social media sites
- Talked with local farmers about the types of plants cultivated on
the island
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| Who is not inspired to paint nature when days end like this!! |
Yes, we were busy but we also really enjoyed
ourselves. Exploring nature with my
sketchbook is my passion. My sister
loves the outdoors but is not a sketcher.
She did however, find she learned a lot about conducting photo shoots in nature.
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| Got there great sketch of a Garry Oak Tree, a rare find on the coast |
Many places that post Artist Calls also include Art Residencies in these Calls. One place I have found residencies in British Columbia is in The Artist Journal. Even if the call has closed you can learn more about it for the next year. Res Artis has Open Calls for places around the world.
Enhance Your Drawing Skills -- Light, Line, & Shadows can make your work Come Alive
Date: Thursday, October 12, 19 & 26, 6:30-8:30pm PST.
Cost: Early Bird $60 Before Oct 8, $75 after
Registration: Wendy@artbywendy.com
These are Live Group Classes including,
· A Fun, Relaxing Atmosphere for Making Your Mark
· When to Erase and when to Wait
· Making a A Setup Drawing that Works
· Understanding the Subtle Points that create Success in the Drawing
· Exploring how Light affects the Shadows in your subject
· How to Harness Your Inner Critique so he works with you
· Use your Line, Shapes and Shadows to Control the Eye Movement and keep your viewers in your space
Contact Wendy to Register
Gift Certificates Available
"Thank you for a great workshop! I have enjoyed myself and learned a lot and am loving my pencil!" Patricia, artist
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