Eastsider

There is a cool review in the Eastsider online about the DRESS show. I will be doing the first of my knitting sittings for that exhibition this weekend from 12-5. It's a very quiet, intimate piece, and I wonder how that will transpire in such a public space...

I am spending all my time in the studio painting right now. The light is so good in there, and I listen to classical music all day. It helps that Max is a classical music fanatic, and I have lots to choose from to put on my iPod. Right now I'm really into Nigel Kennedy and Yo Yo Ma.

It hit me like 10 tons of bricks that I am back to the solitary life of an artist. It seems that Helena (my studiomate) and I have completely different schedules, and I'm almost always here alone.

I had my studio next to Scott Oliver while I was at CCA. I went to hear him speak on a panel at Southern Exposure last week, about a show he's in there right now. I was at the back of the room, but he saw us come in and smiled. As I sat and listened to him answer questions, I suddenly realized I will never have the feeling again that I did at CCA in my studio. Often Scott and I would walk into eachother's spaces and talk. Or chat over the wall. Or just listen to eachother's music. And I loved that. Even just knowing he was next door was enough. But I'll never have that again. I am suddenly remembering all the artist talks and class lectures where people kept saying, '...because once you leave grad school, that's it. You won't have anyone to talk to about the work. You'll be on your own. And you'll have to figure it all out for yourself.'

Yikes. I hope it wont be that bad. But I am definitely feeling the solitude right now.