The missing weeks…

So much time has passed. I am truly sorry for failing in my mission to keep you all up to date on my activities here in New Mexico. Much has happened and very little has happened at the same time… hard to explain. At this point though I am struck by how fast the time has gone by and how little time there is left for me here in Albuquerque and I am motivating myself to try to post consistently once again. I hope you’re still with me…?

I believe the Balloon Fiesta photos are where we left off so allow me to go back in time a bit to this past October. I wasn’t able to attend due to a flight delay on my return trip from Ann Arbor. Here’s a taste:

Jade, Adrian and Kate woke up very early and set off on their bikes to make it to the grounds for around 6am. I wasn’t looking forward to the waking up early and riding in the freezing morning hours but seeing the photos, I am truly sad I missed joining them on this adventure.

It gets very cold in the early morning in Albuquerque, which is what makes it so ideal for hot air ballooning as I understand it.

I can only imagine what going up in one of these must be like, I am very tempted to try it out!

Apparently the balloon creations are judged in a competition.

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Dias de los Muertos was the next exciting event outside of the studio, Sunday, November 4. I believe the day is celebrated differently depending on location. David, a fellow Tamarind student from Xalapa Mexico, explained he is accustomed to marking the day by going house to house visiting friends and family, enjoying food and drink.

It took me a good half hour to ride to the parade route and there was some confusion over what street it would actually run along once I got there. It was a beautiful sunny day though so hanging out for a while made no difference to me.

There were a lot of children and families involved and it seems almost everyone had their faces painted, even the onlookers.

Some of the floats had themes which I am not sure I understood.

The tricked out cars were amazing!

Not sure if you can make it out in the photo below but both the truck and car were on hydraulics and popped up almost sideways. Crazy!

The parade ended in a park where live music was featured along with craft vendors and food trucks.

Skulls made of sugar- a traditional sweet.

The food trucks in Albuquerque are quite something! I tried nopales for the first time.

This is a photo I took back in September of a cactus that grows just about everywhere… and despite it’s dangerously sharp spike, it’s delicious!  The nopales were grilled and wrapped in a freshly made corn tortilla with Mexican cheese, black beans, fresh salsa and green chile…of course! Nummm.

This was a welcome outing as my focus switched at the beginning of November to completing a comprehensive print studio business plan for our business course taught by Tamarind Director Marjorie Devon. I wrote forty eight pages of research and financial information in support of a hypothetical business plan. A very interesting exercise but hard to juggle on top of all the work that was still going on in the studio.

American Thanksgiving on November 22, was marked by a big group dinner party at Bill and Vera Lagatutta’s house. Unfortunately my camera did not make it along but my bike did. The weather was still quite warm and sunny during the day. We had cocktails and appetizers outdoors it was so nice. We feasted on a traditional dinner inside with turkey, all the trimmings and then some. We each brought a side dish and mine became my main course; a gorgeous barley, beat and black bean salad. Sorry, this is starting to sound like a food blog! Making myself hungry.

In the studio we worked on a few photobased techniques: egg albumen on stone, negative diazo, four colour separation and waterless lithography before the holiday break.

A big studio clean-up was scheduled for our last day of class and I arranged a trip home to Toronto for a few weeks to see my family.

My time in Toronto was very low key. I popped into Open Studio very briefly. I guess I should have organized things differently as I missed seeing everyone except for Sara Kelley, Associate Director and Doug Guildford, a long time studio artist member. I had intentions to visit again but I was so burnt out I really didn’t make an effort to spend time with anyone other then my daughter Sydney and my partner Andrew. We spent a quiet Christmas at my place despite my hopes of  making it home to Montreal to see my father, stepmother and brother. The days went by so quickly and before I knew it I was on a plane again heading back to Albuquerque. My apologies to all for being antisocial! Truly my loss.

Well rested and recuperated from the hectic pace of the first semester, we launched into our second semester on January 14^th, 2013, the final four months of the Tamarind program.

Tamarind Institute: week eight… and I’m not there!

I am actually in Ann Arbour this week, visiting my good friend and client, Endi Poskovic. I have been invited by the University of Michigan as the Roman Witt Visiting Artist in the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design.

University of Michigan Art Museum

“Orion”, Mark di Suvero, 2006, Painted steel

I arrived in Ann Arbor on Sunday after an exhausting all – nighter at Tamarind, finishing up a drawing and preparations for our first collaborative project. We are now at the stage of printing for each other to hone our collaborative skills. We had certain criteria for the image, making sure we gave our printer a good challenge both in the processing and printing stages. It felt very strange to produce a drawing in a single session that will be printed only in black, very unusual for me,  but it had to be done before I left Albuquerque. Kate Goyette, my former press partner is my printer for this project, while I will be printing for David Dominguez. He has promised to be done by the time I arrive back this Saturday evening. I know I will not be spared as his drawings are lovely and complex. Sorry I haven’t found a link to any of them to share with you.

Ann Arbor is very pretty this time of year and it’s a real treat to be back in a climate, only four-five hours from Toronto, that is a lot more brisk this time of year then New Mexico.

The fall colours are on full display.

I spent Monday morning presenting my own work and some of the projects I’ve worked on to Endi’s printmedia class. It was wonderful to share my prints with the students and receive feedback from Endi. After 4 years working together I don’t believe he’s really seen any prints of my own.

In this photo I was attempting to explain the technical aspects of registering this huge piece by Joscelyn Gardner.

I should mention that one of the prints from Joscelyn’s most recent series is being featured in the International Print Center New York’s “New Prints 2012/Autumn” show, on view from October 20 to November 17.

We moved into the studio where I gave a lithography demo that continued through to Wednesday.

After experimenting on his own this summer at the Frans Masreel print studio in Belgium, Endi is challenging me with tusche washes in this, his most recent piece. This is new in our repertoire of collaborative work and terrific timing given all of the testing I have been doing at Tamarind.

We made it through to proofing the stone and the image looks fantastic. Very exciting to think of the work Endi and I will continue together once I know where my feet will land in the New Year, after the Tamarind program is complete.

I think the students were really enthused to see the dynamics between Endi and I working together. They are well on their way towards beginning their  lithography projects, bringing new energy to the studio at U of M.

I was also guest of honour at a wonderful party held in Endi’s home Monday evening, although the true star of the show was without a doubt his extensive print collection. Not only does he have works stored in his studio/attic but the walls of his big 1800’s brick farm-house are quite literally plastered with prints. More important prints in one place then one can really imagine.

Students and a handful of faculty were in attendance and we were treated to a display of some exciting and unique pieces from his archives, including prints ranging from those of contemporary artists Kiki Smith and Michael Barns to well-preserved works by Goya, George Bellows, Kathe Kollwitz and many, many others – I should have been taking notes!

The students and I gathered around to view a very special Japanese Ukiyo-e accordion style book that seemed to have endless panels. It was lovely and precious and a rarity to be able to experience a historical piece like this in such an intimate setting. We all helped to flip the book work over as the other side was as equally ornate.

I shared some time with a few graduate students and Endi’s family, I visited the Art Museum and walked around Ann Arbor in what little free time I had. All in all it was a wonderful visit! Thanks again everyone for the hospitality, this was truly and excellent experience.

Tamarind Institute: week two complete and on to week three.

No photos this time, I apologize, I simply haven’t had time to take any.

It’s been a week of firsts. I have completed my first two editions, projects that were submitted today. I am waiting for my appointment with the Tamarind educator Rodney Hammon  to review my work and assess any problems in consistency, inking and paper preparation. I’m actually looking forward to it! It’s what I need: a reality check to see my printing with different, more experienced and analytical eyes. It’s the only way I will improve so I am very open to being ripped apart now, in Rodney’s very kind and supportive manner.

We have begun our next two editions and I am up to the proofing stage. I think things are going well and I am able to keep up with the pace, no problem, but the projects are getting more and more challenging. We are now printing flats along side subtle tonal ranges, learning roller control and doing it all the Tamarind way, which is already out of my comfort zone. I will confess I could have photographed my editions but I honestly don’t want to spoil things for the next round of printers in training, so I very purposefully won’t be showing you much of my work… for now anyway.

Wait, did you click on the link back there? Here it is again: click here. Did you see my ponytail? Yup, that’s me on the far left, in true form, stealthily avoiding the camera as always! Guaranteed my OS co-workers will have a good laugh at this. I suppose we can count this as my first not-quite-there-photo on the Tamarind Institute website.

I saw my first cicada up close- it was the strangest looking thing! I have become accustomed to their droning serenade, day and night, but I have never actually seen a cicada other than in Jenn Law’s beautiful art work- thank you again Jenn! Your piece has all the more meaning for me now. I’ve also been shown my first black widow spider – no joke! We have been warned to be cautious when we are on rag duty as they live under the lids of the big fire-safe rag cans kept outside, and sure enough… they are HUGE!  I also saw a roadrunner for the first time in my driveway of all places. I mentioned  them earlier on in the post Exploring. I regret not getting photos to share but I assume there will be other opportunities as these creatures are all new to me but pretty common place here. Just like the cockroaches the size of small dogs…. I’ve decided against posting photos of the them!

I was invited to my first Albuquerque house party- my press partner Kate and her roommates had a potluck at their lovely house in Old Town Albuquerque. I plan to explore the area a little further in an upcoming post so stay tuned for that. It’s quite touristy but a fun place to window shop and get a sense of the city’s history.

I’ve attended my first on campus exercise classes- yoga and kettlebell. Love the UNM student discounts! It’s nice to get back into a bit of a workout routine and the hour-long break and mental distraction from my work in the studio is refreshing, particularly since I am in the habit of returning to work until quite late into the evening.

I had my first day off of school- it was Labour Day holiday (or Labor Day in the US) yesterday but I was in the studio for most of the weekend… so does that count? Not sure. I managed another ride along the bike trails in the sweltering heat, on my “day off”, before dropping in to the studio to proof a plate. It’s still beautiful and sunny here most days, with temperatures between 32-35C (90-95F). The evenings are cooling off just slightly these days at around 18-20C (65-68F). I have been warned to look out for beautiful sunsets and mountain views as the air cools at dusk. Although I hate for the summer to end I am very much looking forward to my first fall and winter in Albuquerque.

So you see, I am enjoying the small moments; some all new experiences and some quite familiar. I’m enjoying my Tamarind experience. Holding my breath a little for what is to come.

What a Party! Oh my…

Sorry it’s taken me a bit but I’ve managed to track down a few photos from my big party last Friday.

What a night! I won’t name names but there are a few only now recovering from the after party- madness I tell you. No photos to share of that. None. I swear. Ok. I’ll admit that there are photos, but no one needs to see that!

What I would like to share with you are some special moments with a pretty special group of people:

Hungry well wishers and good food, as always.

So nice to have the support of so many wonderful people!

Hate having my picture taken! Starting to get self conscious…. thanks Sara, you just kept on snapping them! Only problem is you aren’t in any of them.

There was a speech given by Jennifer Bhogal, Open Studio Executive Director and I was presented with a card filled with lovely messages, many from those who could not attend.

There was lots of laughter.

I did have a difficult time holding back my emotions though. I’m not good being the center of attention so it was a little overwhelming when Heather Webb, former Open Studio Executive Director, spoke as well. She and I share ten years of hard work together! It was lovely of her to come and offer such complimentary remarks. (What about that show title on the wall?! Kind of  prophetic.)

My dear friend and my longest standing client in lithography, Joscelyn Gardner, also spoke about how we embarked on our first project together back in 2007, when we produced 7 editions of her work in stone lithography in just over 4 weeks, and how we have worked through the good and bad times at the press over the past 5 years. Our work together culminated in an exhibition of her seriesCreole Portraits III: “bringing down the flowers” and corresponding publication, Bleeding and Breeding this past January. I am so proud of the recognition her work has been receiving recently- well deserved! 

Last but certainly not least was Jenn Law, Vice-Chair of the Open Studio Board of Directors, who gave a very well written, thoughtful and complimentary speech (I still want my copy Jenn!). Her words really meant a lot to me. Jenn and I have had discussions about the notion of “mastery” and what it is to to pursue this in one’s field. She also interviewed me for the wonderful section she wrote in Joscelyn’s catalogue Bleeding and Breeding. Let me know your thoughts when you read it.

I feel very special to have been so spoiled not only with gifts but with the support of such a wonderful group of people.

It was me chasing my dreams that brought me to Toronto and to Open Studio to begin with and here I go again – I feel extremely fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to continue to chase my dreams.

Thank you, thank you, a HUGE thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The party continued into the wee hours… you know it’s all down hill after the arm wrestling begins!

They’ve named it the ‘Jill’s “desert”-ing us party’!

Tonight is the night! Open Studio is throwing me a going away party. I know everyone has gone to a lot of effort on my behalf and I really do appreciate it.

Feels like my days in Toronto are numbered now. Only 3 weeks of work left. Just over a month before I hit the road for Albuquerque. Should I start a countdown?!

Tonight will be a good laugh. I look forward to seeing those that can make it and saying my farewells. I’ve received some truly heart warming messages from those who can’t attend and will be sure to raise a glass to them.

No promises but some photos of the madness may follow…

Will I see you later???