I’m settling in to my lovely little niche of the Chautauqua Institution for the summer.  Having attended the program two summers ago, things are feeling veeeeery familiar.  I’ve moved from studio one to studio twenty-six, but I’ve somehow landed in the same bed of the same room as last time.  Same smells, same mediocre cafeteria food, same sound of gravel crunching walking in and out of the art quad.

The Chautauqua Institution Main Gate

 

The weather began a bit cold and gloomy, but this afternoon I got a taste of what’s in store: blue skies, sun, warm, thick air, and an overwhelming sense of peace.

I’m looking to take it easy this summer.  I’m going to just let it all flow to me, with no massive effort or heated pursuit, this summer is all about enjoying the experience of the moment.  I may not make as many paintings as I did two years ago, but I expect to enjoy myself more, and for the work I produce to be of a higher quality.

There’s a crew of amazing artists all around me, some of my favorite professors here to teach me, and seven weeks to paint my brains out.

I’ll be updating an album on the “Art” page of the site titled “Chautauqua 2011”, so check there to see what I’m up to.  Wishing all of you a fantastic summer.