Wednesday, 6 July 2011
New York; The Met and the East End.
Wow..I had forgotten how amazing New York is, how much traffic there is and how many people there are. But it has a happy buzz to it, an array of people from diverse backgrounds and no matter how busy people are a smile and a hello. The accent is becoming very useful, traveling alone I am never lonely, once I had opened my mouth there was always a ...where you from..you aint from around here..and conversation was flowing. Even when doing some laundry or standing waiting for the train, and you don't feel at your best to make conversation. Although the laundry is always a neat place to meet people. You can tell a lot about a person by how they wash...do they shove it all in, colours, whites and black, do they sort, hand wash, fold when its dry to lessen ironing or push it with force back into the plastic bag they dragged it down in so it is all nice an crumply!!!
I was little unwell (very unwell in NYC with a sore throat so laid low a couple of days) in NYC so was frustrated not to achieve more. But I met yet another amazing individual, Theresa Bryne. Theresa is a visual and performance artist who does amaing installation and visual art work, she writes and makes film of her work. Theresa has a great little studio in the east end which was quaint and very earthy. I met Theresa as she was wheeling down the street carrying a hunk of wood that she thought would clean up nicely to work with. Her studio is filled with her remarkable work, her books and DVDs. We chatted all afternoon and then she showed me to the bus. It was hot, hot, hot but again I learned something new and made contact with someone I respect and admire. Check her out at....
The next day I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art all day. From when it opened until it shut. The Steve McQueen exhibition was amazing. It was something else to see not one but a room full of Monet, Renior, Van Gough, Cezzame, painting after painting. I felt it helped me to appreciate the techniques that these great painters contribute. To see a number of paintings by Van Gough helps you to see how he built up paint in order to create movement, seeing them in person and being able to walk right up to them is so different to seeing pictures in books and magazines. There is no comparision. Even if you are not into art, go to an art gallery whenever you can.
The next day was to be the Guggenheim but I am feeling
I was little unwell (very unwell in NYC with a sore throat so laid low a couple of days) in NYC so was frustrated not to achieve more. But I met yet another amazing individual, Theresa Bryne. Theresa is a visual and performance artist who does amaing installation and visual art work, she writes and makes film of her work. Theresa has a great little studio in the east end which was quaint and very earthy. I met Theresa as she was wheeling down the street carrying a hunk of wood that she thought would clean up nicely to work with. Her studio is filled with her remarkable work, her books and DVDs. We chatted all afternoon and then she showed me to the bus. It was hot, hot, hot but again I learned something new and made contact with someone I respect and admire. Check her out at....
The next day I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art all day. From when it opened until it shut. The Steve McQueen exhibition was amazing. It was something else to see not one but a room full of Monet, Renior, Van Gough, Cezzame, painting after painting. I felt it helped me to appreciate the techniques that these great painters contribute. To see a number of paintings by Van Gough helps you to see how he built up paint in order to create movement, seeing them in person and being able to walk right up to them is so different to seeing pictures in books and magazines. There is no comparision. Even if you are not into art, go to an art gallery whenever you can.
The next day was to be the Guggenheim but I am feeling
Remember to smell the Roses
Well study has finally ended and have to say I am sad. Dinner at the Harvard Club on Thursday night was a long walk through the hallowed grounds. I was awestruck, amazing gardens and architecture...you can feel the brains in all the libraries whirling. Dinner was oh so very polite...and I walked back to Harvard Square to catch a cab and stopped at the main library for a look. Like nothing you can imagine...
Tonight I had the honor of a wonderful dinner with a new friend Heather. When I arrived she gave me a gorgeous small painting of a red poppy. It is truly a treasure..but check out her website...her paintings are exquisite. We ate great vegetarian food and a little restaurant in Cambridge, the food was great some of the best vegetarian food ever. We chatted about art and the challenge of marketing work and Heathers up and coming exhibition. We clicked immediately and will keep in touch.
On Saturday morning I met Sebouh, a young photographer also from Boston. Sebouh takes amazing photos but is struggling to get people to assist him to really explore what he wants to do. After having a stroke in his early 20's Sebouh is finding that career counselling is centered around him being a disability advocate which does not match his aspirations. This is a real barrier to Sebouh building a life he is satisfied with. His photos demonstrate a real ability for someone who has almost constant double vision...I have some photos in my suitcase to bring home...
Sunday I answer emails, write some notes and take stroll around the Freedom Trail in Boston. Got lost on the train...its okay you just get off and go back to where you a started and try again. Boston is a pretty city on the water...shame I have no photos they are on my iphone that got lost.... more about that later.
Tonight I had the honor of a wonderful dinner with a new friend Heather. When I arrived she gave me a gorgeous small painting of a red poppy. It is truly a treasure..but check out her website...her paintings are exquisite. We ate great vegetarian food and a little restaurant in Cambridge, the food was great some of the best vegetarian food ever. We chatted about art and the challenge of marketing work and Heathers up and coming exhibition. We clicked immediately and will keep in touch.
On Saturday morning I met Sebouh, a young photographer also from Boston. Sebouh takes amazing photos but is struggling to get people to assist him to really explore what he wants to do. After having a stroke in his early 20's Sebouh is finding that career counselling is centered around him being a disability advocate which does not match his aspirations. This is a real barrier to Sebouh building a life he is satisfied with. His photos demonstrate a real ability for someone who has almost constant double vision...I have some photos in my suitcase to bring home...
Sunday I answer emails, write some notes and take stroll around the Freedom Trail in Boston. Got lost on the train...its okay you just get off and go back to where you a started and try again. Boston is a pretty city on the water...shame I have no photos they are on my iphone that got lost.... more about that later.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Perception, Race, Debate & Genetics
Wednesday and I am finally making some friends and getting used to starting class at 8.00am each day and continuing until 6.30pm each night to go home and do the next days readings. I am trying to set a good example..At least I can tell students do what I do! Not just what I say!
Today we started with a small group discussion. Twice each day my study group, group 7 meets with our facilitator Rachel to discuss and debate issues and concepts raised. These sessions are invaluable. We are a diverse bunch with Hope from Hawaii, Karen from Costa Rica, Daisy working in Georgia (former USSR), Philip from New Orleans, and several others. This is valuable time, we dont always agree but it feels like a safe place to debate. Our early morning wake up discussion was followed by a presentation on perception and the impact of this on learning.
I had a quiet lunch - a roll I made in my suite and brought in myself, along with a banana and V8 juice I grabbed at breakfast while chatting with Debra MCall from New Hamptons in New York. We had a great chat about the Obama administration, dance therapy, the reversal of much of the social change achieved by the protests and civil movement in the 1960s the frustration about the ability for USA states to bring in legislative changes that take back many rights fought for and gained in the 1960'70 & early eighties.
Do you know that in the USA women actually get paid 20% less than a man for doing the same job!!! What!!!!
This was followed by Nancy Hills presentation on race and culture and she was like fingers down a blackboard - she advocates for a whole range of ideas around race that I dont believe, like race has a biological basis...aaagghhh. The Canadian's agreed and said listening to her was painful and they would rather have a root canal. The local participants loved her and believe in using race as a way of labelling people - they say so they can support variability. I am not advocating colour blindness, but I argue that ethnicity can provide acknowledgment of different life experiences without all the negativity. Least this session was followed by another small group discussion. My group were able to douse me with water to put out the fire!!!
Now I am listening to session on Genetics and Learning. Did you know that humans and fruit flies have similar genes linked to eye development!! What the! They are now saying that the environment within a cells,DNA & genes have a chemical impact on genes as much as cultural environment.Cognitive ability and height are both highly heritable but do not have individual genes that contribute much to their inheritance, AND MILLA EXPECTS TO BE TALL - not much chance of that.
Then one last session and home.
Harvard is like a precinct and is very preppy!! But it has a real sense of learning, people here are either students, teaching staff, researchers or retail and hospitality workers. People are all talking, or sitting in a cafe reading, the bookshops are packed and every second shop is a cafe. You can smell the money!
Today we started with a small group discussion. Twice each day my study group, group 7 meets with our facilitator Rachel to discuss and debate issues and concepts raised. These sessions are invaluable. We are a diverse bunch with Hope from Hawaii, Karen from Costa Rica, Daisy working in Georgia (former USSR), Philip from New Orleans, and several others. This is valuable time, we dont always agree but it feels like a safe place to debate. Our early morning wake up discussion was followed by a presentation on perception and the impact of this on learning.
I had a quiet lunch - a roll I made in my suite and brought in myself, along with a banana and V8 juice I grabbed at breakfast while chatting with Debra MCall from New Hamptons in New York. We had a great chat about the Obama administration, dance therapy, the reversal of much of the social change achieved by the protests and civil movement in the 1960s the frustration about the ability for USA states to bring in legislative changes that take back many rights fought for and gained in the 1960'70 & early eighties.
Do you know that in the USA women actually get paid 20% less than a man for doing the same job!!! What!!!!
This was followed by Nancy Hills presentation on race and culture and she was like fingers down a blackboard - she advocates for a whole range of ideas around race that I dont believe, like race has a biological basis...aaagghhh. The Canadian's agreed and said listening to her was painful and they would rather have a root canal. The local participants loved her and believe in using race as a way of labelling people - they say so they can support variability. I am not advocating colour blindness, but I argue that ethnicity can provide acknowledgment of different life experiences without all the negativity. Least this session was followed by another small group discussion. My group were able to douse me with water to put out the fire!!!
Now I am listening to session on Genetics and Learning. Did you know that humans and fruit flies have similar genes linked to eye development!! What the! They are now saying that the environment within a cells,DNA & genes have a chemical impact on genes as much as cultural environment.Cognitive ability and height are both highly heritable but do not have individual genes that contribute much to their inheritance, AND MILLA EXPECTS TO BE TALL - not much chance of that.
Then one last session and home.
Harvard is like a precinct and is very preppy!! But it has a real sense of learning, people here are either students, teaching staff, researchers or retail and hospitality workers. People are all talking, or sitting in a cafe reading, the bookshops are packed and every second shop is a cafe. You can smell the money!
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Mind Brain and Education - Grad School or Boot Camp
Sunday was a quiet day, the climate is strange, it is not that hot, yet, being outside sees you sweating heaps even when outside for only a few minutes. I notice that many people in New Orleans walk around with a face washer that they use to wipe away the sweat. It has taken me a few days to work that out. My last night at the Bombay club, great martinis, jazz and Steven the worlds best bartender. Met some nice people from Texas, had a chat, had a steak and home to pack for an early start tomorrow.
Monday morning up and at the airport at 6.15am, much quieter and more manageable than Austin which was a huge shock. But I got a little confident and stopped to check emails and missed my flight. A moments panic and definite destain from American Airlines agent and I was on priority standby to go to Dallas (no not again, this is ground hog day, my third connection via Dallas, but will it be my last?). I got on yeah, now I have to do this again in Dallas. In Dallas I managed to get on the flight to Boston. Sleep on both flights still not managing jet lag well. Should have taken a couple of days at the start of this trip to acclimatize...yeah I know you all told me, but I am also so eager...cant waste a minute...
Boston is beautiful but I am now here at 4.10pm and not 2.30pm and I school started at 3.30pm. Feeling stressed, long taxi ride to the hotel as it is now 5pm and peak hour traffic. Hotel is lovely a suite and nice staff. The bed is amazing, really want to lay down, it is calling me with its high pile of soft feather pillows and soft feather doona...oooh but now need to go to class. I throw on a dress, shoes a little makeup and grab a cab. Get in the cab and he has no idea where I need to go...bugga could this day get any worse...probably!! I google it using my phone...what is the bill going to be like?? I have been spoilt in Singapore with Taxis that know where they are going.
Finally here, have a glass of wine and there is food - yeah have not eaten all day. Class was interesting, if this is what it will be like it will be amazing. Get back to the hotel and decide I need supplies so I head off for a walk. I left my adapter at the Princes Conti in New Orleans so went searching,it is late and dark. The houses around here are lovely, walked for an hour and found a little supermarket but now I am lost. A couple of young women give me directions so it is home for white oreos and milk...the milk is nutritious!!! I did also have a cheese sandwich and an apple don't panic.
Back here at 7.45pm the next morning after leaving at 8.30pm last night... it is incredibly fantastic and interesting. Today we have been discussing neuroscience of learning, universal design for learning and a fantastic activity whereby all 60 of us were neurons and we had to be a neuonal network, with David Rose as a facilitator - too complex to explain ut it was fun.
Back tomorrow at 7.45am is this grad school or boot camp?
Monday morning up and at the airport at 6.15am, much quieter and more manageable than Austin which was a huge shock. But I got a little confident and stopped to check emails and missed my flight. A moments panic and definite destain from American Airlines agent and I was on priority standby to go to Dallas (no not again, this is ground hog day, my third connection via Dallas, but will it be my last?). I got on yeah, now I have to do this again in Dallas. In Dallas I managed to get on the flight to Boston. Sleep on both flights still not managing jet lag well. Should have taken a couple of days at the start of this trip to acclimatize...yeah I know you all told me, but I am also so eager...cant waste a minute...
Boston is beautiful but I am now here at 4.10pm and not 2.30pm and I school started at 3.30pm. Feeling stressed, long taxi ride to the hotel as it is now 5pm and peak hour traffic. Hotel is lovely a suite and nice staff. The bed is amazing, really want to lay down, it is calling me with its high pile of soft feather pillows and soft feather doona...oooh but now need to go to class. I throw on a dress, shoes a little makeup and grab a cab. Get in the cab and he has no idea where I need to go...bugga could this day get any worse...probably!! I google it using my phone...what is the bill going to be like?? I have been spoilt in Singapore with Taxis that know where they are going.
Finally here, have a glass of wine and there is food - yeah have not eaten all day. Class was interesting, if this is what it will be like it will be amazing. Get back to the hotel and decide I need supplies so I head off for a walk. I left my adapter at the Princes Conti in New Orleans so went searching,it is late and dark. The houses around here are lovely, walked for an hour and found a little supermarket but now I am lost. A couple of young women give me directions so it is home for white oreos and milk...the milk is nutritious!!! I did also have a cheese sandwich and an apple don't panic.
Back here at 7.45pm the next morning after leaving at 8.30pm last night... it is incredibly fantastic and interesting. Today we have been discussing neuroscience of learning, universal design for learning and a fantastic activity whereby all 60 of us were neurons and we had to be a neuonal network, with David Rose as a facilitator - too complex to explain ut it was fun.
Back tomorrow at 7.45am is this grad school or boot camp?
Friday, 17 June 2011
Layafette, Deyne and New Friendships
Under Construction...remind me to fill you in on
Driving without a GPS
Leaving my cell (I mean mobile) in my hotel
2 hours was actually 3.5 hours
Deyne
Sarah and St Pierres
Kim, Stephen, Miss Breda and David
Mike and his family
Caroline
Lisa
Katherine
Art Walk Abouts
Recipe cards
The Blue Dog, catfish, crawfish, shrimp and stuffed crab as well as raspberry beer (yes only in Louisiana). Dr Peppers and tabasco.
Diane and my new inspiration Lynette...next time I complain of being tired just say Lynette!
Driving without a GPS
Leaving my cell (I mean mobile) in my hotel
2 hours was actually 3.5 hours
Deyne
Sarah and St Pierres
Kim, Stephen, Miss Breda and David
Mike and his family
Caroline
Lisa
Katherine
Art Walk Abouts
Recipe cards
The Blue Dog, catfish, crawfish, shrimp and stuffed crab as well as raspberry beer (yes only in Louisiana). Dr Peppers and tabasco.
Diane and my new inspiration Lynette...next time I complain of being tired just say Lynette!
Nawlins
It is 8.32am Friday morning here and Saturday night in Australia. I am sitting in the cafe at my hotel (Princes Conti in the French Quarter). I got my first decent sleep since leaving Australia, more than 4 hours that is. Might have had something do do with my arriving back at the hotel at 1.30am after a long day working in Layafette, 3 hours north of Nawlins. Yesterday's data collection, another amazing day...I will get to that later. My impressions of New Orleans...pronounced Nawlins. Louisiana is everything I imagined and more. I mixture of hot, steamy, jazz music, cigarette smoke (yes heaps of people smoke!) southern hospitality, old french architecture, and a diverse population all held tenuously together by an undertone of sleeze and and the suggestion that secret glances on street corners suggest life here has secrets not for visitors. But don't let that put you off. By day it is all grits, tasso gravy, cornbread and southern greens (that is what I have ordered for breakfast. The only thing I recognized on the menu was the eggs!). I managed to type between mouthfuls and it is amazingly good. The generous amount of red and green stuff in the cornbread is not capsicum it is CHILLI. By night the hustlers are out in the French Quarter and its girlie bars and huge foam take away cups of frozen daquiri, the mixture o Nawlins has enchanted me and if you have not already guessed and am so in love with the South. Maybe I can lost in the heady and soulful sleeze. Such a contrast from the inherent gregariousness and seeming innocence of Texas, where whether true or intended they live up to the stereotypical country bumpkin!
It makes you questions, how does a society develop a sense of identity and culture? Despite being ajoining states, Texas and Louisiana might as well be Jupiter and Mars. Yet, both have made me feel a connection, like I belong. But my first true love will always be Nawlins. My first impressions were an experience of extremes, as if to remind me to take nothing for granted. Nawlins wants you to remember, just you think you have a handle on this place, suddenly you realise you know nothing. I arrived and went into the Bombay club here at the hotel. First impressions, small, dark, velvet curtains, french influenced, 1920's, martinis, bar in the middle of the room with leather stools around, a loaded tiered bar with ever liquor imaginable (a monkey gland martini for me), booths for dining, stiff white table cloths, leather, a 3 piece Jazz trio and an old Marilyn Munroe movie playing on loop in the background...you get the picture. I am served by a waiter in black with a red tie and waist apron..I have Louisiana Crab Cakes...another 4 days here, will it be enough, I think not...
The coffee is served by Bobbi and she promises it will have a kick. It's like the rest of Nawlins it is smooth, creamy and served with the suggestion of being more than it seems. If I am still awake tomorrow it will have lived up to its reputation. This place oozes, art, diversity of people, some of it positive, some of it a uncomfortable reflection of the haves and have nots. Other places try to hide it, here it is there on every street corner. Despite this people seem happy, there is great food and amazing music, Summertime is playing and its breakfast, I think I am in heaven.
It makes you questions, how does a society develop a sense of identity and culture? Despite being ajoining states, Texas and Louisiana might as well be Jupiter and Mars. Yet, both have made me feel a connection, like I belong. But my first true love will always be Nawlins. My first impressions were an experience of extremes, as if to remind me to take nothing for granted. Nawlins wants you to remember, just you think you have a handle on this place, suddenly you realise you know nothing. I arrived and went into the Bombay club here at the hotel. First impressions, small, dark, velvet curtains, french influenced, 1920's, martinis, bar in the middle of the room with leather stools around, a loaded tiered bar with ever liquor imaginable (a monkey gland martini for me), booths for dining, stiff white table cloths, leather, a 3 piece Jazz trio and an old Marilyn Munroe movie playing on loop in the background...you get the picture. I am served by a waiter in black with a red tie and waist apron..I have Louisiana Crab Cakes...another 4 days here, will it be enough, I think not...
The coffee is served by Bobbi and she promises it will have a kick. It's like the rest of Nawlins it is smooth, creamy and served with the suggestion of being more than it seems. If I am still awake tomorrow it will have lived up to its reputation. This place oozes, art, diversity of people, some of it positive, some of it a uncomfortable reflection of the haves and have nots. Other places try to hide it, here it is there on every street corner. Despite this people seem happy, there is great food and amazing music, Summertime is playing and its breakfast, I think I am in heaven.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
VSA Texas, April and Crab Cakes
Qualitative research is a time consuming process to undertake well. To do so internationally when you have no contacts, networks or understanding of the local culture an processes is bordering on impossible. Oh how I like to take on the impossible. Most research requires the development of collaborations and relationships in order to gain access to participants. This project was no different, based on my relationship with Tutti locally, I wanted to understand if the experiences of our local artists living with disability were similar or different to those of artists around the globe. So armed with only Google I started looking for artists living with disability and programs that support and facilitate disability arts. VSA was a large national organisation in the USA with international affiliates, including Arts Access Australia. I was planning to go to Texas I emailed Cecilia Hughes, Carol Stenard and April Sullivan, and their immediate encouraging response kicked this project off. The support of VSA Texas has been crucial and without them this project would not have had the start it has. April emailed every artist she knew and the response was incredible, I feel this is based on the trust the local artists have in her and VSA Texas. While April and the team of 4 represent and attempt to support disability arts across Texas which is about the size of South Australia, having face to face contact with many artists is impossible. Contact and support happens via the telephone or email, and while there is incredible trust aand appreciation April and the artists know how much more could be achieved if they had the resources to have more face to face contact and run workshops in regional areas.
Tonight I had the mosty amazing crab cakes at the bar of the hotel. I love them and plan to ry them in every place I go in the South. Tomorrow its off to New Orleans of Nawlins as I am reminded along with the constant "I love your accent",seems there is no hiding my national identity in the USA. But it has helped crease the way I think. Oh and you will all be pleased to know I am listening and I will have some down time there to absorb the creativity of Louisiana and take stock...after I have a couple of mad data collection days driving around again.
Tonight I had the mosty amazing crab cakes at the bar of the hotel. I love them and plan to ry them in every place I go in the South. Tomorrow its off to New Orleans of Nawlins as I am reminded along with the constant "I love your accent",seems there is no hiding my national identity in the USA. But it has helped crease the way I think. Oh and you will all be pleased to know I am listening and I will have some down time there to absorb the creativity of Louisiana and take stock...after I have a couple of mad data collection days driving around again.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Tired but Inspired
Well having prided myself in driving over 900 miles around Texas in the past 3 days and not hurting myself or the car, today someone damaged the side mirror while I was parked. Wonder what Budget will say!!!
Yesterday and today saw me complete the drive from Dallas to Austin and another 7 interviews taking the total to 11 in 3 days. Each interview lasts much longer than I expected around 2-3 hours, the artists are so keen to talk about all aspects of life, their history, their art, their challenges. Added to this was the driving. I have to say Texans are mad. The further south you go the more sedate they get, but the drivers in Dallas are something else and so are the spaghetti freeways. I did have more than one ground hog day experience and the navman thinks I have no spatial orientation skills and is starting to become exasperated with the need to RECALCULATE each time I miss an exit??? I can hear the attitude developing in its tone...LOL.
But the artists of Texas are amazing, talented and warm. Most of these artists have websites so you can see their work if you google them.
Randy Souder is the painter who believes his spinal cord injury at 18 years stopped his chasing the distractions of youth and therefore kept him focussed on his art. Would he be where he is today if he had been distracted? Randy's paintings, particularly those of buildings have an amazing 3 dimensional quality and the detail astounding. Randy intellectualises art as much as he creates it...listening to Randy is like listening to philosophy.
Joe Cole is a 67 year old retired photo journalist, who was a rodeo rider (and chick magnet..e wont mind me saying that) before crashing his corvette in his twenties and losing a leg, draws using only graphite (lead pencil) on paper with such detail and in a way that makes you contemplate what the subjects of his portraits might be thinking. While Joe has drawn in graphite on paper for years, he is now taking art classes in an attempt to become more free in his art by taking lessons in using pastels.
Naomi, the daughter of holocaust surviving Jewish parents has spent years searching in the USA and Israel for home and identity through the veil of mental illness. Naomi's art has a real developmental feel and shows her journey from drawing, to pottery, to portraits to a new geometrical phase of oils on canvas. Naomi has moved from a period of black and white clean and minimalist line drawings to her current work reflecting colour and movement. Naomi and her husband experience the difficulties of limited income and the impact on this in being able to purchase art supplied to create work, to be able to afford health and dental care and being unwell impacts on the time and resources to be creative. Naomi so elloquently stated that art allows her to hang onto her last remaining marble. As a group the artists also talked about expense involved in shipping works of art to gallerys and art shows. Apparently, art shows and competitions are essential to gaining exposure in the wider community, developing a reputation and getting your art out where people might purchase it.
Joney lives with Aspergers just outside of Austin and is limited in her interactions with the arts community and potential buyers of her work due to anxiety around being with crowds and driving. Joney has consistently found peace and inspiration from her environment and her oil pencil drawings and photographs of the cloud formations in the skies around her property reflect this. Joney's drawings are patterns of colour and patterns moving in and out. They reproduce well as posters, bookmarks and magnets. But having the energy, skills and motivation to market her work is difficult given her challenges with driving.
Kemi broke her neck in a car accident yet managed to complete her bachelors program in arts at college by shifting focus from metal sculpture to oils. Kemi would like to return to sculpture but that would mean finding a support person who could follow instruction and not undermine Kemi's creative control. Kemi has some arm and hand movement due to beg an imcomplete quadraplegic but does not have the strength and power at this time to beat and shape metal. Art is still very initimate and personal for Kemi. Unlike some other artists who talk about paintings not belonging to them once the process of creating them is over, Kemi is not ready to take the risk of someone assisting her with the creative process yet. Kemi acknowledges this is part of her future journey. At 24 years of Kemi does not see her art as her profession at this point in her life. However, she is no less driven than others and art is a crucial aspect of her identity and ability to cope with life. Like the other artists I met, Kemi is driven to paint and draw and was very happy when post her accident she realised having lost so much, she had not lost the ability to be an artist (Randy also talked about how he felt after his accident when he realised he could still draw and paint). This realisation occured when one of her art teachers from college brought crayons and paper into the hospital during early phases of her rehabilitation.
Cindy, produces very spiritual art, reflecting her christian faith. Cindy has an acquired brain injury as a result of hitting a telephone pole swhile driving in her car several years ago. Like the other artists, Cindy finds marketing her work a major challenge but is interested in developing skills in this area. This is a different perpsective from some of the other artists who feel the need to market, enter endless numbers of art shows and take a business approach to selling their works a burden that takes their creative energy away from creating. Each of the artists talked about the need to focus on creating regularly, that they are driven and that it is as essential to them as breathing.
Joesph lhas 8 siblings and lives with autism. Supported by his mother Theresa, Joe expressed loving art and spends many hours per day creating cartoon like drawings and stories on his computer. Joes now attends a formal art program once a week for 4 hours and in this time is opening up to pictures and drawing of trains and soldiers. Theresa and those close to Joe have find that Joe communicates his inner thoughts and understanding about the world through his drawing and creations. Joe finds expressing these thoughts verbally a challenge, but often uses characters such as Mr Toad from Wind in the Willows to represent his frustration at some of the limitations he experiences. Such as, Mr Toad getting told off and not being allowed to drive. Joe would like to drive a white car and can talk about white cars extensively. Joe also talks often about going to Austin Community College like his brother now that he has graduate from high school, but currently has no pathway to do this. Joe finds it difficult to understand why his life path is different to his siblings and what he sees are the experiences of other young people when they graduate from high school. Joe's art and communicates his views on the world and his relationships far beyond that he can express verbally. Without art as a medium to comunicate complex perspectives, it could be assumed Joe does not understand or have feelings and thoughts about many aspects of life. Joe's prolific production of art leaves those who see it and know him with no doubt he comprehends many complex aspects of the social world. In chatting with Joe and his mum, his facial expressions were animated when discussions reflected how he feels and he gives eye contact when discussing how art and painting makes him feel. Despite his communication difficulties he had no problem telling me art made him happy and is fun. Joe did me an improv drawing in my note book and his big personlity has considerable potential for him to explore other creative outlets such as drama and theatre. But there are few opportunities post school for Joe other than traditional employment options. There is no Up the Hill or Tutti Arts Program in Texas and with 9 children ranging from 20's - 18 months, Joes parents have limited personal and financial resources to continually search and support Joes participation in a disperate set of opportunities. Joe might live with Autism, but he and I developed a rapport in the hour we spent together - he is awesome. Joes extensive collection of art sits unsold in his mothers wardrobe - how to sell and market it when you have 8 other children to support.
Tomorrow I am travelling to New Orleans and catching my breath ...back to driving and interviews on Thursday with a trip to Layafette, 2 hours north of New Orleans...lets see if I can keep the next rental car in one piece and that the Budget people wont be too horrible when I get to the airport.
Catch you later
Caroline
Yesterday and today saw me complete the drive from Dallas to Austin and another 7 interviews taking the total to 11 in 3 days. Each interview lasts much longer than I expected around 2-3 hours, the artists are so keen to talk about all aspects of life, their history, their art, their challenges. Added to this was the driving. I have to say Texans are mad. The further south you go the more sedate they get, but the drivers in Dallas are something else and so are the spaghetti freeways. I did have more than one ground hog day experience and the navman thinks I have no spatial orientation skills and is starting to become exasperated with the need to RECALCULATE each time I miss an exit??? I can hear the attitude developing in its tone...LOL.
But the artists of Texas are amazing, talented and warm. Most of these artists have websites so you can see their work if you google them.
Randy Souder is the painter who believes his spinal cord injury at 18 years stopped his chasing the distractions of youth and therefore kept him focussed on his art. Would he be where he is today if he had been distracted? Randy's paintings, particularly those of buildings have an amazing 3 dimensional quality and the detail astounding. Randy intellectualises art as much as he creates it...listening to Randy is like listening to philosophy.
Joe Cole is a 67 year old retired photo journalist, who was a rodeo rider (and chick magnet..e wont mind me saying that) before crashing his corvette in his twenties and losing a leg, draws using only graphite (lead pencil) on paper with such detail and in a way that makes you contemplate what the subjects of his portraits might be thinking. While Joe has drawn in graphite on paper for years, he is now taking art classes in an attempt to become more free in his art by taking lessons in using pastels.
Naomi, the daughter of holocaust surviving Jewish parents has spent years searching in the USA and Israel for home and identity through the veil of mental illness. Naomi's art has a real developmental feel and shows her journey from drawing, to pottery, to portraits to a new geometrical phase of oils on canvas. Naomi has moved from a period of black and white clean and minimalist line drawings to her current work reflecting colour and movement. Naomi and her husband experience the difficulties of limited income and the impact on this in being able to purchase art supplied to create work, to be able to afford health and dental care and being unwell impacts on the time and resources to be creative. Naomi so elloquently stated that art allows her to hang onto her last remaining marble. As a group the artists also talked about expense involved in shipping works of art to gallerys and art shows. Apparently, art shows and competitions are essential to gaining exposure in the wider community, developing a reputation and getting your art out where people might purchase it.
Joney lives with Aspergers just outside of Austin and is limited in her interactions with the arts community and potential buyers of her work due to anxiety around being with crowds and driving. Joney has consistently found peace and inspiration from her environment and her oil pencil drawings and photographs of the cloud formations in the skies around her property reflect this. Joney's drawings are patterns of colour and patterns moving in and out. They reproduce well as posters, bookmarks and magnets. But having the energy, skills and motivation to market her work is difficult given her challenges with driving.
Kemi broke her neck in a car accident yet managed to complete her bachelors program in arts at college by shifting focus from metal sculpture to oils. Kemi would like to return to sculpture but that would mean finding a support person who could follow instruction and not undermine Kemi's creative control. Kemi has some arm and hand movement due to beg an imcomplete quadraplegic but does not have the strength and power at this time to beat and shape metal. Art is still very initimate and personal for Kemi. Unlike some other artists who talk about paintings not belonging to them once the process of creating them is over, Kemi is not ready to take the risk of someone assisting her with the creative process yet. Kemi acknowledges this is part of her future journey. At 24 years of Kemi does not see her art as her profession at this point in her life. However, she is no less driven than others and art is a crucial aspect of her identity and ability to cope with life. Like the other artists I met, Kemi is driven to paint and draw and was very happy when post her accident she realised having lost so much, she had not lost the ability to be an artist (Randy also talked about how he felt after his accident when he realised he could still draw and paint). This realisation occured when one of her art teachers from college brought crayons and paper into the hospital during early phases of her rehabilitation.
Cindy, produces very spiritual art, reflecting her christian faith. Cindy has an acquired brain injury as a result of hitting a telephone pole swhile driving in her car several years ago. Like the other artists, Cindy finds marketing her work a major challenge but is interested in developing skills in this area. This is a different perpsective from some of the other artists who feel the need to market, enter endless numbers of art shows and take a business approach to selling their works a burden that takes their creative energy away from creating. Each of the artists talked about the need to focus on creating regularly, that they are driven and that it is as essential to them as breathing.
Joesph lhas 8 siblings and lives with autism. Supported by his mother Theresa, Joe expressed loving art and spends many hours per day creating cartoon like drawings and stories on his computer. Joes now attends a formal art program once a week for 4 hours and in this time is opening up to pictures and drawing of trains and soldiers. Theresa and those close to Joe have find that Joe communicates his inner thoughts and understanding about the world through his drawing and creations. Joe finds expressing these thoughts verbally a challenge, but often uses characters such as Mr Toad from Wind in the Willows to represent his frustration at some of the limitations he experiences. Such as, Mr Toad getting told off and not being allowed to drive. Joe would like to drive a white car and can talk about white cars extensively. Joe also talks often about going to Austin Community College like his brother now that he has graduate from high school, but currently has no pathway to do this. Joe finds it difficult to understand why his life path is different to his siblings and what he sees are the experiences of other young people when they graduate from high school. Joe's art and communicates his views on the world and his relationships far beyond that he can express verbally. Without art as a medium to comunicate complex perspectives, it could be assumed Joe does not understand or have feelings and thoughts about many aspects of life. Joe's prolific production of art leaves those who see it and know him with no doubt he comprehends many complex aspects of the social world. In chatting with Joe and his mum, his facial expressions were animated when discussions reflected how he feels and he gives eye contact when discussing how art and painting makes him feel. Despite his communication difficulties he had no problem telling me art made him happy and is fun. Joe did me an improv drawing in my note book and his big personlity has considerable potential for him to explore other creative outlets such as drama and theatre. But there are few opportunities post school for Joe other than traditional employment options. There is no Up the Hill or Tutti Arts Program in Texas and with 9 children ranging from 20's - 18 months, Joes parents have limited personal and financial resources to continually search and support Joes participation in a disperate set of opportunities. Joe might live with Autism, but he and I developed a rapport in the hour we spent together - he is awesome. Joes extensive collection of art sits unsold in his mothers wardrobe - how to sell and market it when you have 8 other children to support.
Tomorrow I am travelling to New Orleans and catching my breath ...back to driving and interviews on Thursday with a trip to Layafette, 2 hours north of New Orleans...lets see if I can keep the next rental car in one piece and that the Budget people wont be too horrible when I get to the airport.
Catch you later
Caroline
Monday, 13 June 2011
Well I am off and running and driving in texas
Well, its 6.41am here in Dallas Texas, been awake for over 2 hours, still cant sleep, but I am managing to drive without rearranging myself or the car, although I have been honked a bit!! Well its hard, with all those confusing exits and my GPS thinks I am completely challenged when it comes to spatial orientation. If I had 5cents for every time it has had to 'recalculate' my route because I missed an exit or took the wrong one.
So catching up, Friday was a good flight and my friend Jenny had no idea I was coming to surprise her. Tim and her 4 children did a great job of keeping a secret, she was silent for about 3 minutes. So we had fun. Saturday I headed to Los Angeles, its a long flight but can't say it was too bad, and then I managed to sleep the 3 hours from Los Angeles to Dallas. Dallas is gorgeous and the airport something out of the Jetsons (for those old enough). Great airport, and you get this amazing shuttle ride to the hire car place. Managed the drive into North Dallas, find the hotel, answer emails, mark some Singapore papers, go for a 1 hour walk, have some mexican, and then could not sleep. 3.00am and wide awake despite my efforts to drink several of the customary local margeritas and chat to some nice people here for an ASME conference. Very smart engineery types.
Sunday was a fantastic day and why I am here, after walking to Wallmart across the street (which is open 24 hours and is the size of AAMI Stadium) I met with Shannon and her mum Shirley. Shannon showed me some of her art and then danced for me. We then went to have some lunch and chat. We spent nearly 3 hours together and really clicked. Shannon, Shirley and I are so like minded and Shannons aspirations to study arts in college is supported by her mother who works hard to negotiate new pathways not just for Shannon but young adults in general.
Then I met Jeremy and we talked at length about his passion for writing poety and photography, a great young man who was involved in a motorcycle accident with his dad aged 9 years and despite the resulting head injury is studying Studio Arts at Texsas University in Arlington. Jeremy drove 2 hours across town to meet me and it was well worth the experience. Jeremy writes his own music and is dabbling with film making so I put him onto Oska Bright website so he might pursue that. Jeremy is successful because he takes risks and tries a variety of art forms, enters competitions and often wins.
Following my time with Jeremy, I met with Edie, a creative writer and painter who lives with mental illness. Edie has worked hard over a number of years to emerge whole from trauma and therapy to find and hang onto who she is in essence. Art has been the thread that has held her many pieces to an anchor point. Edie has an amazing talent for writing, both pieces that are autobiographical as well as fiction. Edie has immence courage, demonstrated by her driving across town which she rarely does, getting lost but still managing to share he tales, experiences and stories.
Finally, I drove to Irving Texas to meet Beverly and her service dog Otis at a local art gallery. Berverly is a gutsy, hard working, yet sensitive individually who has managed to maintain a punsihing regime of creating her drawing and paintings, volunteering and advocating for services within her local council area. Beverly was honored with an award this weekend and it is sincerely deserved. Beverly has a funny and slightly naughty side, yet her passion for animals is well represented in her work. A fine arts graduate, Beverly's pencil drawings are exquisite there is no other word to describe their beauty and realism. Otis is a little cheeky and could do with some Geraldine discipline.
Today I drive to Austin and meet more people, I cannot believe I am so fortunate as to be spending time and sharing with such talented people. In listening to each of these individuals, I find it difficult to understand why resources and support is not available to assist people to continue to develop their art, but also to give it to the community more. Some of what I have heard represents not just a lack of support, but active undermining in some cases. Each of these four individuals is not only a different person in personality, life experience, age and artistic style, yet there is already an emerging commonality in their experiences. That art is more than an activity or leisure or a profession, it is a life line. Each of these artists is driven to create and does so against diversity because they have to do it, because for each of them it is a place of escape, joy and pure pleasure. It keeps them going and frankly sane. How I wish I had my books on 'Flow' by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who considers that people engage in activities that bring a sense of timelessness, that challenge personal growth and are enjoyable for their own sake.Google it!
I feel humbled sharing these personal experience...and so I should!
Will fill you in soon...probably when I cannot sleep next.
Caroline
So catching up, Friday was a good flight and my friend Jenny had no idea I was coming to surprise her. Tim and her 4 children did a great job of keeping a secret, she was silent for about 3 minutes. So we had fun. Saturday I headed to Los Angeles, its a long flight but can't say it was too bad, and then I managed to sleep the 3 hours from Los Angeles to Dallas. Dallas is gorgeous and the airport something out of the Jetsons (for those old enough). Great airport, and you get this amazing shuttle ride to the hire car place. Managed the drive into North Dallas, find the hotel, answer emails, mark some Singapore papers, go for a 1 hour walk, have some mexican, and then could not sleep. 3.00am and wide awake despite my efforts to drink several of the customary local margeritas and chat to some nice people here for an ASME conference. Very smart engineery types.
Sunday was a fantastic day and why I am here, after walking to Wallmart across the street (which is open 24 hours and is the size of AAMI Stadium) I met with Shannon and her mum Shirley. Shannon showed me some of her art and then danced for me. We then went to have some lunch and chat. We spent nearly 3 hours together and really clicked. Shannon, Shirley and I are so like minded and Shannons aspirations to study arts in college is supported by her mother who works hard to negotiate new pathways not just for Shannon but young adults in general.
Then I met Jeremy and we talked at length about his passion for writing poety and photography, a great young man who was involved in a motorcycle accident with his dad aged 9 years and despite the resulting head injury is studying Studio Arts at Texsas University in Arlington. Jeremy drove 2 hours across town to meet me and it was well worth the experience. Jeremy writes his own music and is dabbling with film making so I put him onto Oska Bright website so he might pursue that. Jeremy is successful because he takes risks and tries a variety of art forms, enters competitions and often wins.
Following my time with Jeremy, I met with Edie, a creative writer and painter who lives with mental illness. Edie has worked hard over a number of years to emerge whole from trauma and therapy to find and hang onto who she is in essence. Art has been the thread that has held her many pieces to an anchor point. Edie has an amazing talent for writing, both pieces that are autobiographical as well as fiction. Edie has immence courage, demonstrated by her driving across town which she rarely does, getting lost but still managing to share he tales, experiences and stories.
Finally, I drove to Irving Texas to meet Beverly and her service dog Otis at a local art gallery. Berverly is a gutsy, hard working, yet sensitive individually who has managed to maintain a punsihing regime of creating her drawing and paintings, volunteering and advocating for services within her local council area. Beverly was honored with an award this weekend and it is sincerely deserved. Beverly has a funny and slightly naughty side, yet her passion for animals is well represented in her work. A fine arts graduate, Beverly's pencil drawings are exquisite there is no other word to describe their beauty and realism. Otis is a little cheeky and could do with some Geraldine discipline.
Today I drive to Austin and meet more people, I cannot believe I am so fortunate as to be spending time and sharing with such talented people. In listening to each of these individuals, I find it difficult to understand why resources and support is not available to assist people to continue to develop their art, but also to give it to the community more. Some of what I have heard represents not just a lack of support, but active undermining in some cases. Each of these four individuals is not only a different person in personality, life experience, age and artistic style, yet there is already an emerging commonality in their experiences. That art is more than an activity or leisure or a profession, it is a life line. Each of these artists is driven to create and does so against diversity because they have to do it, because for each of them it is a place of escape, joy and pure pleasure. It keeps them going and frankly sane. How I wish I had my books on 'Flow' by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who considers that people engage in activities that bring a sense of timelessness, that challenge personal growth and are enjoyable for their own sake.Google it!
I feel humbled sharing these personal experience...and so I should!
Will fill you in soon...probably when I cannot sleep next.
Caroline
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Almost ready
Well I have had a bex and a lie down with the glass of wine as recommended by Barb Matthews, so am feeling more in control. Today I managed to complete some marking and pack all the technology I am taking and some clothes! Peggy gave me an echo pen lesson and using that is going to be such a treat. A pen that records a conversation and you can then create links in that conversation by make notes in a special book. When you are finished, upload the recording, it brings up the handwritten notes that they become links in the conversation you can click on to navigate what was said. You can jump around the recording to find what was said using the link you created by writing notes...Must have been a frustrated qualitative researcher that designed it. No more listening to a 2 hour conversation over and over again to find that 'gem' from a participant. Its not like I blather or anything. Check them out by googling Livescribe. How did I ever complete a qualitative PhD without one.
Sent more emails to potential participants in Texas and Boston, they are all being so wonderful, I am just busting to get there and meet some of these fantastic people face to face. I have to say Carol and April from VSA Texas, Lyn and Sarah in Louisiana and now Heather in Boston have just made this process of accessing people so easy. Julia Farr Association confirmed today that they will promote the opportunity to participate among local artists and people attending an art exhibition they are planning. Robbi and his team have always been so supportive of research.
I am starting to think that leisure and community development theorists like Stebbins and Tserio and Kenny, have it right. Social capital and support comes from shared interest and an investment in the development of social assets. People interested in arts and disability clearly share in that investment and my experience has been since I started this project, that they give so freely of their time, their energy and their intellectual and creative property . This thread of social capital for me is stretching across the globe, only hope I can pay justice to peoples trust and confidence by doing this research well and ensuring the results are published.
When I return home I will being interviewing local artists, although Elle the wonderful and patient student on placement with me, is itching to have a go at interviewing so hopefully there will be some Adelaide artists for her soon.
A farewell dinner with family... and the dog will get her last walk for a while (they say they will but lets see how fat she is when I get home at the end of July). More tomorrow
Cheers to you all
Caroline
Sent more emails to potential participants in Texas and Boston, they are all being so wonderful, I am just busting to get there and meet some of these fantastic people face to face. I have to say Carol and April from VSA Texas, Lyn and Sarah in Louisiana and now Heather in Boston have just made this process of accessing people so easy. Julia Farr Association confirmed today that they will promote the opportunity to participate among local artists and people attending an art exhibition they are planning. Robbi and his team have always been so supportive of research.
I am starting to think that leisure and community development theorists like Stebbins and Tserio and Kenny, have it right. Social capital and support comes from shared interest and an investment in the development of social assets. People interested in arts and disability clearly share in that investment and my experience has been since I started this project, that they give so freely of their time, their energy and their intellectual and creative property . This thread of social capital for me is stretching across the globe, only hope I can pay justice to peoples trust and confidence by doing this research well and ensuring the results are published.
When I return home I will being interviewing local artists, although Elle the wonderful and patient student on placement with me, is itching to have a go at interviewing so hopefully there will be some Adelaide artists for her soon.
A farewell dinner with family... and the dog will get her last walk for a while (they say they will but lets see how fat she is when I get home at the end of July). More tomorrow
Cheers to you all
Caroline
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Getting Ready
Thursday 9th June 2011
Well it is only 24 hours before I set out and it is 3.30am and I am awake setting up my blog.
The past few months preparing for this trip have been busy and exciting. The response internationally has been better than expected, I cannot wait to have the time to focus on this research project for the next 6 months. I am sure I will miss teaching and the students from our program, I will certainly miss my colleagues from our program and others, but this is a long awaited first sabbatical and I intend to enjoy the opportunity to focus on research.
Creating a Life will take me around the world in June and July but really represents the beginning, hopefully my contact and discussions with artists living with disability will continue beyond this first trip.
Need to try and sleep
Well it is only 24 hours before I set out and it is 3.30am and I am awake setting up my blog.
The past few months preparing for this trip have been busy and exciting. The response internationally has been better than expected, I cannot wait to have the time to focus on this research project for the next 6 months. I am sure I will miss teaching and the students from our program, I will certainly miss my colleagues from our program and others, but this is a long awaited first sabbatical and I intend to enjoy the opportunity to focus on research.
Creating a Life will take me around the world in June and July but really represents the beginning, hopefully my contact and discussions with artists living with disability will continue beyond this first trip.
Need to try and sleep
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