Arteventura Residency January 2022, Aracena, Spain

“Uncover what you long for and you will discover who you are.” Phil Cousineau

Travelogue Arteventura 1. Folding book. Amy Guion Clay ©2022

I boarded the plane like a newbie. After 2 years of being grounded, I finally headed across the seas to my first residency abroad in all that time. What was a regular occurrence pre-pandemic was now a novelty, to be appreciated but not without some trepidation. Although despite Omicron I declared to myself, “If they’ll have me, I’m going!”

Arteventura Artist Residency:

I was accepting into this residency back in November 2019, but after several reschedules, I finally arrived at Arteventura, an hour north of Seville, at the start of the New Year 2022. Immediately I knew I had come to the right place. My private mini house cantilevered over the rolling oak tree hills - perfectly quiet but for the owls, birds, sometimes barking dogs and crowing roosters.

There were 2 other artists living here for January, and they, along with our wonderful hosts Hilde and Peter, were all Belgians. Thankfully they spoke better English than I, so I could sit back on my English speaking laurels and be the lazy one. Although I enjoyed when they would slip into their own animated Dutch while I was distracted elsewhere.

Travelogue Arteventura 2. Folding book. Amy Guion Clay ©2022

As usual we became fast friends. Being artists is our common language and there is no need for small talk. We were of 3 generations - 20, 40 and 60 somethings, yet age was never a dividing factor. I have come to love my young artist friends I have met over the years, and continue to keep in touch with them.

I had decided I would focus on the Travelogue at this residency. While all of my work is some kind of Travelogue, for me - meaning a reflection of the journey in visual form, I was also committed to the BOOK as the format, the structure for the work.

Once I began to paint I realized I kept reaching for highly saturated yellows and reds of the cadmium variety. I usually prefer an earthier palette, but I could feel a jolt of adrenaline every time I squeezed out more cadmium yellow and orange. It was having it’s way with me, as it is want to do, and I surrendered.

The wall of in-process works starting to take shape. ©Amy Guion Clay 2022

My next residency is in Santiago de Compostela for February 2022. Sign up for my newsletter and join me on Instagram @amyclayart to see the latest photos of the journey.

I am currently preparing for a large exhibition at the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder, CO this summer. These and more works to come will be included in the show along with my fellow creative Caroline Douglas’ beautiful ceramic sculptures and paintings. Stay tuned for dates!

Sunrise view from my deck. ©Amy Guion Clay 2022

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If you want to know more about artist residencies, check out my online course that explains all you need to know. I’ve been to over 20 residencies around the world and I share it all with you - how to research, apply, and attend a residency:

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