I don’t talk about the wider world so much on here, because I talk so much about it in real life, on my personal social media, and because I, personally, need at least once space where I can talk freely and indulgently about my own life, plans, projects, and small joys. So please never mistake my silence for ignorance or apathy.
Also, if anyone would like a list of organizations to throw money or volunteer hours at (ones that allow for virtual volunteering as well, given the likelihood of location discrepancy), I would be thrilled to pull one together. I am in the process of figuring out my own giving budget, and would be happy to share those orgs that are nearest and dearest to me.
All that being said, I have been spending time cultivating my own community.
Today is our inaugural (hopefully monthly) figure drawing session. We’re a cohort of six to ten interested, local artists who will be modelling in rotation for one another in 5, 10, and 15 minute intervals; this is partly in response to the lack of accessible life drawing sessions (Essex Art has one that is wonderful, but it’s on Thursday evenings, which is not feasible for everyone), and partly simply an excuse to get together and have a moment of calm, collective creativity. The fact that many of the attendees are both neurodivergent and queer is just icing on the cake for us.
Today we are expecting six attendees for our three hour session, but in future we are hopeful for up to ten (we had four “no’s” this round — one is tabling at a convention in Western Mass, one had a family party, and two couldn’t get out of work) and, who knows, as word get around to friends-of-friends, maybe even more in the future.
This all brings to mind an idea I had ages ago, that was borne out of watching what is probably a hugely niche web series called “Strip Search,” which was a one season show by the creators of Penny Arcade. It pitted ten artists against one another in a variety of art challenges, and I remember watching it and just thinking, “Oh my God, this would be such an amazing thing to do with friends.” Like, just isolate ourselves in a cabin (or like, an AirBNB or whatever) for a week, and just have this competitive and collaborative challenges to complete. It felt like such a great way to connect/reconnect with friends, get a new perspective on your work and process, and just make really fun, cool art.
I’m still up for it, by the way!! If I could find enough interested people able to make the time commitment — (therein lies the rub, really; most of my friends, myself included, not only work full-time, but have kids, which makes something like that difficult) — I would still be 100% for it.
Has anyone had any experience with something like this? Either a homebrew sort of get-together, or a slightly non-traditional artist retreat, maybe?
Anyway. For those local, we are exactly two weeks away from Fiesta en la Calle, and opening reception for The Essex Art Salon Show, where my illustration #NoFilterII will be shown. It’s a great event for families, and a great chance to support a wonderful organization — as both a lagacy exhibitor and a former student, I can very confidently attest to the amazing work Essex Art Center does, and the vibrant artistic and creative community present in the city.
Everyone, take care of yourselves and each other. It’s fucking rough out there.
All Your Crooked Heart 