How an artist residency fosters creative flow in the atelier

My hands have known clay for 30 years - and yet I want to approach it with the innocence of a beginner. When you know something well, maintaining ‘beginner’s mind’ is not always easy. I believe this artist residency is one way to do that and open my creative flow. On June 25th, I began my five weeks in France at A.I.R Vallauris to pursue my path to creative exploration and renewal.

In my French studio, each day is a new day with the touch of this plastic and malleable material. Each touch is a new touch. I have an accumulation of knowledge  within me and an idea of what I want to explore, but what it will look like, I do not know. This residency began three weeks ago and it has been a process of surrender. France, and the program at AIR Vallauris, provides an opportunity to tune the world out and tune into creative exploration. In doing so, I decided to approach the month with no expectation. A clean slate. A beginner’s mind.

The first week at Vallauris was filled with the unfamiliar, from the clay, glazes and studio tools to the language of the land. It is not my studio, so everything is different. I tried some ideas that I either didn’t like, or where the process frustrated me. This, combined with my heart not responding to what my hands were doing, was my call to move on. By week two, my mind quieted, my hands took over and I watched with objectivity how I began to work in France, what I want to say, and where my influences slipped in. I am fully in beginner’s mind and this residency is opening my creative flow.

The beauty of the French Riviera is inspiring and opens the doors of creativity

The outer beauty is pivotal in informing the inner exploration. There is art and ceramics everywhere, in each town I visit, on the pebbled beaches, in the way nature has carved calanques and coves into her land. The lyricism of the language, of which I know little, is a song in my ear, like a bird. I hear the joy or the frustration without knowing the ‘story’ and so I appreciate hearing it without understanding. My own thoughts are enough for me to temper, I do not need anyone else’s in my mind.

Our community studio work is part of the joy

My colleagues, all of whom are different in personality, region and focus, are also guideposts to appreciate and watch. We talk about how they approach clay, what they see, how they teach, projects they’ve created. These discussions breed new ideas, pull our attentions to new places. While there is discussion, sharing and processing among us, my inner stillness gets more pronounced. The space and quiet allows my hands to celebrate a symphony of creativity, like a typist on a familiar keyboard, my fingers move the sculpture clay fast and in ways that surprise me. I am not thinking, I am being. My mind watches. Hmmm. That’s interesting. What else? A chuckle. Oh yes, this feels right. What else? And then quiet again. The clay speaks, I listen. The hours pass us by. The French Riviera breeze churns it all together. This is the perfect unfolding.

Turning our Inspiration into our Ceramic exhibition in the French Riviera

We are all preparing for an exhibition in the center of town on July 20th, the most important day in Vallauris - Fete Picasso. The festival of Picasso celebrates the day Pablo found Madoura Pottery and transformed his love of art into a passion for clay. While Picasso explored clay, the press highlighted Vallauris and all its artists here benefited. It was a spotlight no other person could have provided. There is a love of Picasso - ceramics - sculpture - function - and hard work in this humble little Vallauris, on the hilltop above the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea. It is so far from the glitz of Cannes and the hustle of Nice. So close, and yet so far.

Soon, we five American ceramicists will show the work we created in this intensive month-long stay to this clay enthusiastic town. This program is designed to share cultures and creative expressions, so everyone comes to the opening, the Vernissage. I came here wanting to explore curve, line and sculpture. The beginning of the thought is almost complete. It’s like the first line, or paragraph to the next chapter. It will be exciting to continue to open up these ideas once I’m back

Each day is a awe inspiring walk through art history

 When I need to step away, my one mile walk down to the sea is always a joy. I release the dust of clay and stroll into a civilization I know and appreciate. Eating, drinking, swimming, walking, shopping. It’s all there. Then there is the ascent home, back to my cocoon of creativity - my gift to myself - my inner exploration. This is how I see and feel Vallauris, as we enter week three, in preparation for the upcoming exhibition. Today, this artist residency has opened my creative flow to explore new avenues with a beginner’s mind.

 Ahh, Vallauris, France!

Vallauris-Golfe Juan, France