Next up 2020 - Continuing my Year of Residencies
“All of our travels are rhapsodies on the theme of discovery.” Phil Cousineau.
If I’ve used this quote before, fine. I’ll use it again. It perfectly expresses the deep, enduring impetus that propels me back out into the world. Longing, Curiosity, Discovery. Inward and outward. And “rhapsodies” embodies the ecstatic, swoony, spiritual feeling one gets when the rubber meets the road (at the best of times).
El Dorado 2 Acrylic, toner on Yupo paper 9” x 12” ©Amy Guion Clay
So here I am, on the road again. After 2 months of constant movement over the holidays and into January, I’ve currently landed at a residency in Spain called PINEA-Linea de Costa Air in the town of Rota, on the southwestern coast of Andalusia.
I’ve just begun to paint again after leaving my residency in Newfoundland in early December, and I’ve been cranky to get going. There’s a reason why artists must create, not because the world needs our art, but because WE need our art, and much hell can pay otherwise. A strong statement yes. But true.
So as things start to evolve here in the studio (after some, ahem, “phelgm paintings”, when you just have to clear the pipes first), I’m getting back into the flow.
I’m sticking with a limited palette here - black, white, red oxide, yellow ochre, because that’s just how it feels here. Even with a crystalline ocean within earshot, I’ve no interest in my oft-used aquas and greens. In Andalusia, it feels more earth to me than sea. (The images below are works-in-process, so check back soon for updates).
Studio wall at my residency in southern Spain. All works in process. 2020 ©Amy Guion Clay
After months and months of planning (almost a full time job), I’ve finally crafted my schedule of residencies for 2020. I’ll write another post soon about the challenges of planning residencies back to back - ay-yi-yi!
March: As I’ll be in southern Spain for February, I thought I can’t miss going to Morocco this time. So I’ll be meeting a friend in Marrakesh to do an artist collaboration!
The Morocco trip will be just a week, so I will go on to Northern Ireland for a self-created residency on the beach of Ballygally. What a contrast!
April: Portugal. I’ll be returning to the Alentejo region of Portugal for the 3rd time, although I’ll be going to a different residency this time - called Cortex Frontal.
May: Finland. This will be my first time in Finland. It’s a small little island called Korpo, in an archipelago off the west coast.
June: London Print Studio. This will be my 4th residency at my favorite print studio. Last year was so productive, I’m excited to get back into printmaking!
July: Wales. This residency is on the southern end of Snowdonia National Park, in a tiny village called Corris.
Aug/Sept: Australia. I haven’t been to Australia since 1987, which was a life changing trip for me. This residency is just outside of Sydney, on the edge of the Wollemi National Park which was hit hard by the recent fires. I will be arriving during their early spring so will be interesting to see what I find there in the aftermath.
October: This is yet to be determined - let me know if you have any suggestions! This will be my last residency of the year, as I began my sojourn in November 2019. I’ll be back in my home studio in Boulder, Colorado as of November 1!
I know I’ve been a bit remiss with my blog posts in the past few months with all of the bouncing around, but I plan to resume my weekly posts from this moment forward. So please check back soon!
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If you want to know more about artist residencies, check out my online course via the link below: