What to do with Yourself
by Robert Genn

Yesterday, Caroline Planting wrote, "I'm packing to attend a residency at the Vermont Studio Center. It's a bit scary, thinking about what I'll do with all the time in the world for two weeks, just painting. Even packing is hard--what to take?  How will my mind be affected up there?"

Thanks, Caroline. Good questions. The effect on your mind will depend on how it's already affected. You can take the girl out of the county, but it's not so easy to take the county out of the girl. Stressful as it may be, most of us would welcome the opportunity for "two weeks, just painting."

Once, when much younger, I took two weeks on a remote island. I was pretty well by myself, and I pretty well went nuts. I was stuck with an unpleasant companion--myself. After a couple of days of creative non-abundance, and mosquitoes, I chopped wood for the remainder.

Now, much older, I've come to terms with concentration. It happens. Left alone to just paint, I'm as happy as a cow in a stall, even while being bitten by black flies the size of Stealth bombers.

If you're driving up there, you can pack everything. When you get to the center you may decide you're not a painter but a filmmaker or a flyer of two-string kites. It's amazing how Zenlike and procrastinatorily fun stunt-kiting can be. Don't forget the kites. There's a lot of wind in that part of Vermont.

The downside is "residency." That implies you are the resident artist and thus must at all times let others see how driven and creative you are. That's why you scored the residency, right? Well, I've got news for you. Because you're an artist, people will tend to think you're okay no matter what you do. So when you're out there trying to push a brush in the bush, you can have a sign that says "Go away," and the folks will think you're wonderful. Eccentric, but wonderful.

Then you can show them your work when you're ready. Preferably in the evening under poor light. If they have any good wine up there you can hobnob. Personally, I find the après-paint the most self-destructive. It's possible to get the idea you know what you're doing.

There is one last possibility: The people who run the residency may want to open your eyes. This is when you need to kiss the folks who brought you there. Take your camera. As Diane Arbus said, "My favorite thing is to go where I've never been."

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." (Saint Augustine)

Esoterica: You may find the first few days awkward and non-productive. When you get into the daily routine of painting, eating and sleeping, the eternal roll begins to bless you with an unexplainable grace and joy. Accept the gift. When you start to do something lousy, put it aside and start again. Tomorrow will be another day. You have all the time in the world. Life's a residency.

Robert Genn has given ARTAZINE permission to post from his twice-weekly newsletter. To view more of his artistic insights, visit his site at www.painterspost.com