"Commitment Issues (blogging)" and "The perfect job"

First, an apology... I didn't quite meet the blogging goal I set for myself, of posting regularly about "arty" things as they occur -- actually, i did do 1 or 2... make that 1.  As is the case with almost everyone I know, life moves quickly, and unpredictably, in ways that tend to obliterate "the best laid plans..."!

A lot has been going on since my last post, in art and in life (different? separate?), both good and "interesting"!  I hope to share bits and pieces in future posts.

So, my new blogging commitment... to do it sometimes!

Second, that perfect "job"...  for me, at this time and place in my life...

I don't think I could improve on my new position as Artist-In-Residence (AIR) at "Cordia, Grand Traverse Commons"!

Cordia is an exciting new "Residential Club" for seniors, located in Building 50 at the former State Psychiatric Hospital grounds, now known as Grand Traverse Commons.  As AIR, I have been provided an art studio for the next year, where I have committed to work (paint!) several days per week.  The idea behind the AIR position is to provide access to the arts, among many other amenities, to residents of Cordia.  To that end, artists work with an open studio door inviting interaction with residents, as well as providing direction, lessons, and classes periodically.

This pretty much covers the stuff I enjoy most as a fine artist!  

As much as I love creating art, I love "opening doors" for others to enjoy it.  It can be so wonderful to see the excitement of a new "artist" who'd previously identified him/her self as one "with no talent" for art.

What is also really great about this for me, is 1) having studio space away from my home, with all its distractions -- some tedious, and some irresistible (my family!), and 2) the commitment that goes along with the residency, to PAINT (!) -- to spend several hours each week, in my studio, actually PAINTING -- an activity that for me (and by me), has always been relegated to  the status of indulgence-which-I-allow-myself-only-when-all-else-is-done, or to be executed between the hours of 11pm and 6am.

I'm so excited with the prospect of putting those proverbial "miles on the paintbrush"!

That's it for now... but i've lots of ideas for future posts.  So "hold your breath"... watch my blog for the next post... it'll be there SOMETIME!