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If you are a keen proofreader, you will have noticed that my title is "Artists' Residency Realized". I used the word Artists' and not Artist's because this residency facility can accommodate several artists on site at one time. This residency was the coming together of the 7 Works Collective therefore I used the plural possessive. Six of our seven members came to Artscape Gibraltar together. Our 7th member stayed behind to work BUT we did include her via Zoom while at the residency so she was not left out. This was an important aspect, as the whole reason that the 7 Works Collective formed was because of a residency that had to be repeatedly postponed due to COVID restrictions. However, now that ALL members are fully vaccinated and we exercised extreme caution along with strict COVID protocols we deemed it safe to gather. Each of us had our own studio plus accommodation, giving us both separate working time along with together time sharing walks on the beach, cycling, meals and studio visits. Everyone freely gave comments on the other's, in progress, works in an environment of creativity. For me, this was my third Artist's Residency at Artscape Gibraltar. In 2018, I concentrated for 2 weeks on cold wax & oils with an artist friend joining me for the second week in her own studio space. The following year the two of us invited two additional artists to join us where I concentrated on large acrylic works. Then in 2020 our group was to be seven artists but of course COVID hit and it wasn't until fall 2021 that we managed to make it happen. My greatest enjoyment at Artscape is the huge studio space that I have, enabling me to paint BIG. I took 6 yards of canvas to create 2 paintings that were 3 yards each. The works I did in 2019 were split into paintings that are 1.5 yards each. But this year, at least one painting, will either remain as one piece at 3 yards in length or I will divide the piece into a triptych. Currently, I have it hanging in my studio (the wrong way around due to smaller walls) waiting for me to make that final decision. The second piece which I am admittedly not as happy with (yet) is rolled up in the corner waiting for me to revisit. It may become a sculpture but that remains to be seen. Sometimes I need as much time thinking about a work and it's next steps, as I need actually painting it.  One Night Around the Campfire Comments are closed.
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