Making Your Own Artist Residency
Lorraine Glessner, encaustic monoprint on Masa paper, 8” x 10”. Inspired by sun, sand, and light.
Many artists struggle to carve time out of their lives to create. We have been inspired by R&F Tier Artist Lorraine Glessner’s decision to design and create her own residency opportunities. We reached out to her to find out more about what she was looking for and how the time alone benefitted her practice as an artist.
How did you come up with the idea of a self-made residency?
When I was teaching in academia, I often got invited to residencies. When I applied to them, I either got in right away or was at least waitlisted. After leaving academia, I found that most residency programs weren’t really interested in what I was doing. This doesn’t mean that all residency programs are only interested in academics - this may have just been the programs I was interested in applying to.
After being rejected by too many residency programs, I decided to save the application money and put it toward my own residency.
Hiking and photographing the natural world is part of Lorraine’s residency practice. She noted that her residency in Florida is the only place she sees pink lichens.
What are some of the benefits from your self-made residency that might be different from a more traditional artist residency?
The main thing that I love about organizing my own residency is that I say when, where, and what. I schedule a residency during a time that is convenient for me and with amazing sites like Airbnb, I can choose anywhere in the world to create my residency. Most residency programs ask that you do something to earn your keep. It could be as simple as an artist talk, donating a work to the program, or teaching a class, or it could be as difficult as working in the kitchen, cleaning, etc. During my own residency, I clean and work in the kitchen when and if I want.
How is a self-made residency different from going on vacation?
In a lot of ways, it can be very much the same as going on vacation. You really have to go into it with the mindset that even though you’re set free from the everyday doldrums of home, you’re doing this residency in order to contribute to your studio work. You really must set a structure or plan and set some goals so you’re ready to get to work once you get there.
A rare cloudy day in Florida is actually better for photographing the landscape - less reflections allow Lorraine to focus on the layers.
How do you structure your time during your residency? Do certain times of the day lend themselves to specific activities?
I don’t like every day to be the same, but I do like to do certain things every day and usually plan each day the day before, so I know what I’m doing. I make sure I paint, read, write, and draw every day no matter what, but the time of day I do these things may differ. Other daily considerations might involve weather in case I want to hike or take part in other outdoor activities. I like to get out and see some art a few times during the residency. Then there are life chores, like laundry, food shopping, which I only do every other week so it doesn’t impede on my time while I’m here.
Before my residency, I make a list of studio and studio-related goals that I frequently consult during the residency to make sure I’m completing a few of those goals each week. Studio goals are self-explanatory and include painting, working with new materials, etc. Studio-related goals are more about marketing and could be any project that supports my work and/or livelihood. I usually choose to do projects that I don’t have time to do at home, things that involve concentration and learning. For example, this year, I’m brushing up on my book-making skills for a class I’m teaching this summer. I’m also learning more about video editing, watching tutorials, etc. as well as updating my website and developing new classes.
Creative studio set up that protects surfaces and floors is essential when staying in someone else’s space.
Do you bring art books or other types of reading material with you? Do you have supplemental creative processes that you explore while on residency?
If I do bring art books, it’s only 1-2 special books. I like to travel light and art books are just too big and heavy. If I do find myself in need of art book inspiration, most places - even small towns, have a public library that I can browse. There are also some great flea markets and used book stores in some of these Floridian towns I’ve stayed in and I’ve found some real gems. I usually do bring a few books to read that are non-fiction and related to my creative interests and/or to my practice.
I also spend a lot of time hiking and photographing during my residencies. Because I’m interested in landscape, hiking allows me to explore the area while also exploring new terrain, geographical features, plants, insects, and animals. I spend a lot of my residency time choosing and embarking on special hikes that allow me to see unspoiled terrain devoid of tourists.
Setting up for encaustic monoprinting on the deck at this year’s self-made residency.
What are some factors to consider if bringing encaustic or Pigment Sticks to a self-made residency?
Your materials are a huge consideration, especially if you’re staying in an Airbnb or another place that isn’t yours. Unless you have a designated area and/or have asked permission of the owner, encaustic, Pigment Sticks, oil paints or anything that requires solvents are probably not a good materials choice for your residency. All of these materials have a certain pungent odor that may hang in the air long after you’re gone. There are also mess and safety concerns with all of these materials and an Airbnb host may not be comfortable with you using them on their property.
Encaustic brings electricity and ventilation concerns in addition to the other concerns I already mentioned. If you do have an outdoor area that is suitable for you to work with these materials, make sure the host knows what you plan to do.
Lorraine started this painting at her residency last year and completed it this year. Ink, gouache, graphite, mixed media on Duralar, 11” x 17”.
I generally stick with water-based media for my residencies. I like the limitation that not having my usual materials at hand provides me. Using only water-based media on these residencies in the past has allowed me to explore a new way of working and develop a whole new series.
That said, this residency year is different for me in that I am actually teaching an encaustic workshop here in Florida at the end of March (Encaustic Fiber & Line, March 24-26, Aya Fiber Studio) and have my encaustic materials with me as a result. I set up an encaustic area on my back deck and made a few monoprints for an afternoon. I didn’t plan to do this, but it was nice to know I could if I so desired.
How important is it to be alone during your residency vs planning a residency with a fellow artist friend?
For me, it’s important to be alone on my residency. When I applied for residency programs, it was important to me that there weren’t too many people on campus and/or I didn’t have to share a studio with too many people. Don’t get me wrong, people are wonderful! I just have a tendency to get caught up in others’ energy and it can distract me a bit.
Inspiration in terms of line, color, texture, and form.
As for planning a residency with friends, I am planning a few with a few different groups. These plans have been in the works for a while and got derailed because of covid, but I’m excited about doing this. Like I said above, it’s all a mindset and when I’m on my own, that’s where I want to be. When I’m with a group, I’ll be happy to be there as well.
Would you share one highlight of your residency experience?
I have many highlights and thankfully only a few lowlights. One highlight occurred during my first year here on my last day. I was sad to be leaving and went to my favorite state park to do some painting. This park was very new, few in the area even knew about it, and I had only seen the park ranger there most days I visited. As I settled in to paint, he approached me and asked where I was from, what I was doing, and then offered to show me around the park.
Thinking I was just going on a short ride, I hopped in his golf cart. I was happily surprised that it turned into an hour-long tour. He showed me areas of the park where only staff were allowed to go, areas that were yet undeveloped, and some that were nearly impassable. I took so many great photos. It was an exhilarating ride and an awesome finale to my trip.