the power in an unchanging plan
the power in an unchanging plan
lessons from four weeks in residence in Cape Town
Yesterday marked four weeks in residence at John Bauer Ceramics in Cape Town. Prior to this experience, the longest I’d been on/in residence was two weeks. Four weeks, with four more to go is a lot longer than two and that’s all I’ll say about that. This residency is asking me for a deeper lever of engagement and commitment—not only to the experience and all it has to offer, but to myself and my work.
Much is still crystalizing, becoming clear, so I thought I’d share some lesson/reminders from my time here thus far and save the bigger downloads/stories for later…
For me, feeling like a Negative Nancy out of nowhere or with no situational context means some level of care taking has been missed or needs extra support. I need to hydrate, sleep, eat, journal and then try again.
See also: thoughts can have working hours. Mine are from 11 AM - 11 PM, but outside of that window, I really couldn’t tell you.
Infrastructure. Infrastructure. Infrastructure. Support. Support. Support.
So much of this game is being in the place, at the time, and having something to say.
Ritual. Ritual. Ritual. Adapt. Carry forward. Leave behind as necessary. They are best when they are your own.
Clarity about the work comes in and from the whispers.
I am capable of whatever output I desire.
Resilience is a muscle, like a full-time studio practice, it can be built.
It can be easy.
Loft Editions, a beautiful space where I’m taking a class in woodcut prints. January 2024. Let it be intuitive.
No pedestals.
I must protect my hands (wrists, joints, body).
Efficiency can be a differentiator.
Just send the email.
New headshot (I have a non-grainy version lmfao). Cape Town, South Africa. January 2024. The practice is the portal.
Everyone has their own shape.
It is safe to be selfish.
There is power in an unchanging plan.
more soon,
Gabrielle
Invitations:
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with my friend and Internet Coworker
about the relationship between trying and trusting, how it feels to be an artist who also creates content, the systems I use to organize my breadth of references and notes, the process of becoming a working artist who travels across the world for residencies, and so much more. Check out our conversation here.In May, I will be teaching my workshop Applications for Artists: How to Apply to Artist Residencies, Fellowships, Grants, and Other Opportunities again. We’ll write your artist bio, project statement, and develop any other materials you need to successfully hit submit and also receive what you asked for on the other side of your effort. Fill out this form if you’re interested in being contacted directly when the offering is available again.
who took the workshop in its first iteration last October was recently accepted to her first artist residency and credits that acceptance in part to the material covered in the workshop. She also said the Notion dashboard alone was worth the cost of the workshop. Fill out the form, join me in May, and get resourced!
Other ways to engage with me + my work :
Instagram | Visual Art Portfolio (the work—vessels + prints—I’m making here in Cape Town will be shared + available here soon ) | Studio Visits (reach out to set one up)