Happiness = A Walk with My Camera

I was out for a walk recently after not walking for a few days due to bad weather and a non-functioning camera when I realized just how happy I am when I'm walking and taking pictures. It's one of my favorite things to do and one of my happiest times during the day. I love wandering, seeing new things or the same things in a different way, and then documenting my observations in photographs. I have no technical or aesthetic training in photography and I prefer using a simple point-and-shoot digital camera. I take hundreds, even thousands, of photos and I believe I have gotten better at it through all this looking and shooting. I have also grown to adore taking pictures.

I looked at my Flickr stats the other day and realized I have uploaded over 10,500 photographs: pictures of travel and things that inspire me, pictures of my work and my process, and pictures of teaching and student work, among many other subjects. Over 10,500! I really try to edit my photos and only post the best ones on Flickr and the best of the best on Facebook. I do hope you will take a look!

I am off to Reykjavik tomorrow to go to a number of museums and galleries and to also attend the Icelandic Tattoo Convention. I'll be back Monday with new posts and more photos, of course!

Thanks for reading.

Evidence of Process

I thought you might enjoy seeing the back of the piece...I think it's pretty interesting. I also thought I would show you my pile of ends and my hands working away. All evidence of how I made the work, all important, and all deserving of some attention.

Thanks for reading.

Done

I completed my embroidered piece on Friday. I estimate I worked on it about 28 days and just over 200 hours. This is the longest I've ever worked on one piece and also the first time I've worked on only one piece instead of several things at once. (I did make those wool necklaces in tandem, but I consider those a fun exercise.) I'm happy with the final composition but as per usual I feel detached from the work. This happened after I completed both solo show bodies of work, too. It's a strange feeling and difficult to describe. I wonder if it comes from simply becoming so close to one's work after being with it day in and day out and the deep focus that occurs during the process. I may never figure it out, but now that I am feeling it for the third time, I'm at least beginning to accept it as a natural part of my process. Anyway, as I said, I am happy with the piece and I am also excited that I accomplished my goal for the first month here at Nes. I'm now working on a title and accompanying statement and will post those for you when they are ready.

Take a look at the near daily progression on Flickr here.

Thanks for reading.

Guest Star Friday #118...Nes Friends

Jahnne Pasco-White, Australia

I've been spending a lot of time with some wonderful fellow-residents here at Nes, including my two roommates and three others. In addition to being interesting, intelligent, and fun people, they are also incredible artists and musicians who've been inspiring me each day. I hope you will visit their links...

Jahnne Pasco-White, Australia

mixed-media 2 and 3D works

Kristen Keegan, Canada

watercolor and acrylic paintings of the landscape

Guido van Helten, Australia

street art

Max Stein and Jen Reimer, Canada

music and sound

(there are lots of sound clips made here in Skagaströnd 

on their blog)

Thanks for reading.

Progress Report No. 4

Week Four has come to a close...Today I will begin layering knots and detailing the edges and will complete the piece on Friday when it feels done. I'm really happy with what's happening, very excited, actually...I will show the finished piece on Monday! Let's review the last few weeks...

 end of Day One

 end of Week One

 end of Week Two

 end of Week Three

Progress images on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

What I'm Reading

I always read books and listen to podcasts when making a new body of work. They provide inspiration and help me to process, understand, and articulate the meaning behind the pieces. Recently I read Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke and then read it two more times. Rilke writes about being an artist, finding inspiration and motivation, and the importance of solitude, among other topics. This is a favorite quote and the one that brought me to read the letters in their entirety:


"What is necessary, after all, is only this: solitude, vast inner solitude. To walk inside yourself and meet no one for hours - that is what you must be able to attain."


I'm enjoying the writings of Agnes Martin, too, as well as an interview with her; her words are appropriate for the very solitary place I'm in both here in remote Iceland and in my mind as I work quietly every day. Also see more Agnes Martin on Artsy.

The Sea by Agnes Martin, 2003

I also just finished the catalogue that accompanied the Běla Kolářová exhibition I saw at Raven Row in London in April. I am particularly interested in the implied duality in Kolářová's work and her interest in the mundane and the small. In addition, the essays in the book have lead me to some research on deconstructivism, but I've only just begun there so I can't speak to it yet.

Finally, I've been reading a variety of short online articles about knots from ones in the brain to others in jewelry and mourning.

the brain and Alzheimer's Disease

As for podcasts I have been listening to lots of TED talks including ones by Brené Brown, Sherry Turkle, Susan Cain, and Julie Bernstein about vulnerability, connection, introversion, and creativity. I recommend all these talks!

Thanks for reading.

Maí Opið Hús

Nes had its May Open House yesterday. It was a nice opportunity to connect with people from Skagaströnd and to tell with them about my work. I especially enjoyed talking with the Mayor, Magnús B. Jónsson, who has wonderful insights and a kind personality. It was also great to see what the other residents have been working on: photography, painting, installations, drawing...

Here's a list of the current Nes residents with links to their websites: 

Jahnne Pasco-White, Australia

Guido van Helten, Australia

Kristen Keegan, Canada

Jen Reimer and Max Stein, Canada

Stephen Ellis, US

Marlaina Read, Australia

Yogan Muller, France

Shaun Fraser, Scotland

Sam Heydt, US

Rudolf Romero, Holland

the Mayor of Skagaströnd, Magnús B. Jónsson, 

and the Director of Nes, Melody Woodnutt

work by Jahnne Pasco-White

Find Nes on Facebook.

Thanks for reading.