I was given a 2 month residency in Averill Park NY. As an artist, that is pretty earth moving; as a mechanic, not so much. To the guy trying to buy a car part to keep his beater with a heater moving him to work running; not even a blip on his radar. To put it in a different perspective: A young couple put a new roof on their house, all by themselves which helps them secure a new home loan. They sacrificed a whole summer while their friends put a new pontoon in the water and catch the biggest fish of their lifetime, it isn’t equitable is it? It is to them.
It is all about a person’s point of view, which I pointed out last week. Good or bad, sometimes one person’s life is in the middle of an earth-shattering situation and while they are overwhelmed by the experience; everything fades away and time seems to stand still. Their world has exploded into a million pieces, and not one around them seems to notice. Oh they are sympathetic, but sympathy and living in the upheaval is hardly the same.
While here at Arts Letters and Numbers; you are given the chance to unplug from the day to day. Depending on the time commitment you make, it can be a dual edge sword. I signed up for 2 months but here is one of the amazing things about this place; it lets you decide on your immersion. ALN is for the development of the artist and for you to focus on growth and to help you stretch your voice. The founder isn’t about the pretty subject, although you can paint that. He is about being a part of life and creating art that expresses the dynamic growth of it. People of diverse backgrounds come together in the evenings and talk about their life experiences. With any luck, it can help color you as a person and help you grow as an artist; giving depth to your creative voice.
We live our lives plugged into electronics; we carry a hand held computer, strap one to our wrist, carry one under our arm, turn on the tv, and listen in our cars. This place we have our computers but we don’t really carry them around. We have our phones but we set them aside for art projects. There are no TVs in the House on the Hill, so I wasn’t bombarded by news. It isn’t total isolation but if that is what you want; you can create that. The people around you are involved in their own art practices as well and it influences your own focus.
While I have been here; I have lost a great friend, a close friend lost a child and the people here have been able to help me through. Respectfully, graciously and with beauty; all the while helping me do my art. Because life moves.