The wind is sweeping down the plains here, as usual in Oklahoma. It’s too much at the moment, relentless even. But, still spring has broken through and the yard is alive with those perennial signs of hope. And, wow, do we need them right now!
As I mentioned in my last dispatch, I am very lucky to be on a studio residency right now! This means that I have the use of a beautiful space, right here in Norman. I can work, have my normal routines, I walk the dog, I sleep at home, but every weekday afternoon I spend some time in the studio. It couldn’t have come at a better time. The studio has felt like a respite. It has been a safe zone where I could try out ideas with no pressure, no need to make a cohesive body of work.
Art walk was last Friday and I was seriously dreading it. I haven’t had an art walk show in Norman in years that I actually enjoyed and I can’t remember the last time I sold a piece of artwork at one. Mostly it’s awkward and very quiet. But, sharing this space with my friend Ruth Ann meant that there were two of us to soak up the conversation and when it became too much I could just sit at my desk and continue what I was working on. I loved showing my work in progress and how even though none of it was a series, it all looked harmonious taped to the wall. I did myself a favor and took some old work to studio that was unfinished and some things that I wasn’t quite happy with, so that I wouldn’t just sit there and stare at the blank paper for the first week. This worked a charm! I made a lot of small things and spent quite a bit of time recycling old ideas. All of it felt very productive.
This week I’ve been too rattled by the news and the weather to feel like I’ve got anything to really lay on the page, but sitting there yesterday was still a lovely experience. Even if all I did was crosshatch for 30 minutes and paint little glittery dots on a cosmic self portrait. It will all amount to something, even if I don’t know what that is yet. I’m trying to remember that in a larger sense as well. I have no idea how we are going to turn this around. I have no idea how to make any big progress against such a horrible onslaught of terror being brought down upon our nation and the world by our leaders. I have to keep believing that whatever small things we are doing today will eventually focus into something larger and stronger as we move forward. It’s OK to admit that things are terrible and still have a good day. It’s OK to be angry about the injustices and still support our friendships with joy. It’s also OK to rest.
I’ll be open again for second Friday in April. Come see me if you’re in town!
Sending love,
Roshni
I love all of this! And I want many more pieces with silvery lady holding sun and moon!
Great piece, Roshni and so happy you have studio residency. I’m pretty privileged to have an IPad I can take anywhere and an Ipen wannabe that I can actually write with. Your joy of creating art is so evident in your beautiful work. Thank you for this Roshni.