April 27, 2012
Last full day here
in the Badlands. I'm trying not to dwell, but am certainly having
trouble with the idea of leaving. I do look forward to returning to
my life at home, which I love very much. Yet there are so many
places and people I now love out here, and it is very hard to be
looking at the end and preparing to say goodbye. I never expected to
come away from this experience with new, lifelong friends. Had a
lot of packing, organizing, and some cleaning to do today. Finished
one more painting as well. For dinner a bunch of us went to Cowboy
Corner for Chicken Fried Steak night, but they weren't cooking today.
So instead we went over to the Wagon Wheel, put on some music, and I
had everyone fill in a page from my sketch book. Also decorated a
dollar bill for the wall, a Wagon Wheel tradition.
My residency was
over the top in all ways, simply beyond words. Creatively, I gained
so much. My expectation had been to spend time painting on location
every day. Instead I was taking longer hikes, delving deeper into
the crevices of the park, coming home each night with a plethora of
photographs. I did finish more paintings in a shorter amount of time
than ever before, so I was plenty productive. I am coming home with
seeming endless material for future work. By spending the majority
of my time on foot, moving throughout the landscape, I'm coming away
with a far better knowledge of the park than I envisioned. The
endless encounters and experiences along the way, whether solo or
social, only add to the depth of feeling I now have for the Badlands.
All of these pieces come together to give me incredible motivation,
even hunger, to paint. What I most did not expect was to meet
kindred spirits, make lasting friends, and gain multiple perspectives
on the park. I do have to offer a special thanks to all the park
employees I met who offered ideas, information, insight, and more.
Especially Ed and Ryan from whom I learned about and was exposed to
aspects of the Badlands that I imagine are rare for any visitor or
artist in residence, perhaps even rare for many employees. You guys
are the best, BNP is very lucky to have you. It was also exceptional
to have a fellow artist around to chat and explore with. While our
art forms require rather different approaches, Steven and I would
hike together as artistic comrades, always wanting to know what's
around the next butte, or up the next canyon. We found ourselves in
some great locations thanks to curiosity. I won't individually name
all the friends and acquaintances who impacted my experience, but you
know who you are, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and look
forward to seeing you again someday.