I arrived back at Badlands National Park yesterday after two days in the car with enough art supplies and clothes to last eight weeks.  It's time for my Badlands Residency, take three.  I am so excited to be back here, though of course it's tough to leave my family, band, Sorensen, and my many other commitments behind for so long.

So what's on the agenda this time around?  More expeditions into the south unit lands of the park which lie within Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.  I have an exhibition scheduled at the Dahl Art Center in Rapid City for a year from now, and am looking for material to build a show around.  I have some strong ideas in my head of what I want this to be, but of course it will be an evolving process, the outcome depending on particular experiences.  I do know that the majority of the work included will focus on the Stronghold and Palmer Creek Units (together referred to as the south unit) which are intended to be split off from the north unit, creating the first Tribal National Park.  These areas are largely remote and unfrequented.  They have important history and stories.  I was fortunate enough to spend a handful of days in these areas a year ago when I first came to Badlands as an artist-in-residence, and have already painted several experiences from that time.  I'm not done yet though; these are places that draw me in and I need to go back.

While I'm here I will also be helping out with the second Badlands Youth  Camp which takes place next week.  More on that when the time comes.  For now, here are a few photographs.  Can't believe how much space my apartment has.  They gave me a one bedroom, which is like a palatial spread after the last two efficiency studio apartments I happily stayed in here.  I'm almost not sure what to do with all the space!

High up in the Idaho Rockies.

Lookout pass on the Idaho/Montana border, also where my family likes to ski.

Deer along the Badlands loop road as I drove in yesterday.

My living room and dining area - converted to studio space.

Kitchen

Front door and the hall that leads to bedroom, bath, and closet.