Space

but I never had a stable base of operations. Perhaps the best example of my situation is an ongoing art project I call the visual journal. I began the project one summer while travelling and teaching in Europe. I need to make art; it is a discipline I use to navigate life. That particular summer posed a dilemma: How would I maintain this discipline while constantly traveling? So, I devised a system that took up a small space in my backpack.  It included a gallon sized zip-lock that held my paint, brushes, pencils and glue. I also had an industrial clipboard that was used as a work surface, a place to mix paint and to store enough paper to get me through the summer. I endeavored to paint three small paintings every day for the entire trip. I painted on small desks in hostels, at cafés and in a park. The process was so intoxicating that I have maintained this practice for the past 25+ years.

As a result, when it comes to making art, I have always worked with what I had and the space that was available.

I never allowed my lack of resources to get in the way of art making. There was one point when I salvaged all my art materials from dumpsters—as my grandma used to say, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” I have never embedded myself so deeply into a space or situation that it would keep me from exiting swiftly if needed. I usually have several places where I do my work. At the moment my main work area is located in a corner of my garage. When I do larger works, I find a well-equipped shop/studio and temporary work space. I use my home to store and display work between exhibitions. My family has grown accustomed to work appearing and disappearing from the walls and rooms. I enjoy the time I get to spend with the work I produce. Contemplating and living with the work is a vital and delightful part of my process. After an exhibition my home does not have a bare wall or empty space. One friend once remarked that our family lived in a museum. I don’t believe the comment was intended as a compliment, although I took it as one.