Solo travel and a Self-directed Art Residency
Travel, and in particular travelling solo, has granted me space and inspiration to fuel my practice over the years. Many of my recent paintings have been inspired from travels around Australia and internationally. Having been on two official art residencies last year (one in the Coorong and the other in Oatlands, Tasmania), I was curious and wanted to experiment with the idea of how I could design a Self-directed art residency for a two week stay in Bali.
I am currently writing from a café in the heart of Ubud’s art district, Penestanan, nine days into a two-week solo adventure. Adventure might be a slight stretch of the word, as this is my fourth trip to Bali and my third time specifically in Ubud. Having travelled here before, I felt confident in my decision to come here by myself, with the opportunity to return to many of the places I’ve visited in the past.
My intention with this trip was to recharge and gain perspective on what has been an interesting year. It has come to my attention recently that it is the year of The Snake in Chinese Zodiac, which has provided a way to contextualise the themes of endings and ‘sheddings’ that have occurred in my own life. It comes after burnout and ‘stuckness’ although on a positive note, it has helped me surrender to the idea that not every chapter is meant to be about forward motion. Some seasons conceal their value in perspective and redirection.
So, I decided to return to Bali with the hope of encouraging some fresh inspiration through this distance and perspective. Bali seems to have a way of attracting people on this journey of seeking and healing. After speaking with a friend who reminded me of all the beautiful things about this place- the people, the lushness, the relaxed rhythm of daily life- I knew it would be the perfect environment to bring about these intentions.
Alongside seeking inspiration for my art and journaling practice, I wanted to deepen my yoga routine. I wanted to write, photograph, and play.. to exist for a short while in an environment that contrasted from my everyday life back home.
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Thoughts on Structuring a Self-Directed Art Residency
1. Set your intention.
This idea i’ve borrowed from the yoga classes I have attended over the years. Arriving on the mat, getting still, and asking what you truly need in that moment before the class commences. Getting clear on my intention gave me structure while leaving room for inspiration to flow in its own form. It also helped me be selective about what materials to bring (which was helpful as I am known to over-pack!). For this trip, I wanted to focus on creating in my art journal and “zooming out” to see how my themes for my paintings might evolve.
2. Establish your anchors; rest and connection.
Solo travel can bring moments of loneliness, so I planned small anchors to ground myself. I chose accommodation near familiar cafés and have spent most mornings working in one close by. Having people around me and a morning ritual gave shape to my days. I used my goal of attending as many yoga classes as possible over here as a way of connecting in round about ways. I also scheduled phone calls with family and friends to check in through out the trip.
3. Engage with your surroundings.
Even if the landscapes or details differ from what you usually explore in your work, hold your expectations loosely. Recently, my focus has been on Australian landscapes, so I wasn’t trying to replicate that here. Instead, I’ve been drawn to textures, colours, and botanical layers.. all of which are visually so different from what I would usually come across at home. I also enrolled in a one-on-one wheel-throwing class at a beautiful ceramics studio called Mahteh. Recently, I have been attending hand building classes and this class provided more inspiration for making with my hands in a way I can’t with paint. In saying that, I have always been drawn to ceramic glazes which remind me of the way that watercolour pigments granulate when you let the medium do its own thing.
4. Document your process.
On this “residency,” as with others I’ve attended, I try to capture my experience multidimensionally- not just through painting or taking countless photos on my phone, but through writing, journaling, and voice memos to capture soundscapes. I notice scents (in Bali, it’s the incense from the multiple offerings adorning the streets) and I have created a playlist to capture the mood of my time. All of these elements will assist when I want to be transported back to this time and place. I can draw from these sensory layers when i’m back in the studio.
On the left, a loose watercolour sketch I made on one of my first mornings in Uluwatu versus a small study I had done of an Australian landscape in my art journal.
As I am nearing the end of my stay here, I am reminded of the importance of seeking out new experiences, places and people to reignite my creative practice. Julia Cameron, author of the infamous ‘Artists Way’ speaks of the idea of “artist dates”- the habit of scheduling experiences that stir your curiosity and help to fuel your practice. She suggests a weekly solo appointment to indulge your inner-artist. And it doesn’t need to be as elaborate or costly as an overseas trip. It could be visiting an art supply store, an exhibition or gallery, sketching in the park. Taking this time to travel and create new experiences is inline with this philosophy.
“No matter what your age or your life path, whether making art is your career or your hobby or your dream, it is not too late or too egotistical or too selfish or too silly to work on your creativity.”
― Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
Mt.Batur Sunrise trek on the morning of my birthday- a trip highlight!