Artist Residency in Iceland: Part 2

Baer_phixr

 

June 14th, Hofsos, Iceland

I’ve been slacking off a bit on the diary entries, assuming that I would have endless amounts of time while at Baer Art Center to sort out and execute all of my ideas.

What could possibly distract me, being here at the edge of the world? It turns out that there are many distractions here, albeit good distractions.

In the long run, these will add to the strength of my work. In the short run, I will keep my mind open and start referring to “distractions” as “opportunities.”

Baer Studio_phixr

 

Surprisingly, entering a new environment, especially one so hospitable to creativity, can take some time to adjust to. Now, almost halfway through the month, I am starting to really get into the flow.

There is a lot to absorb at Baer. There is a chef — a very good chef at that. There are four other kind and talented artists here — each with their own stories. There are around 20 Icelandic PONIES at Baer?! (I have yet to hear of another residency that offers ponies.)

Baer Ponies_phixr

 

There are field trips around the region and trips to the most stunning swimming pool that one can imagine. Most of all there is land – vast expanses of it. The land includes fields, a giant lake, dramatic basalt cliffs to the ocean and a huge cape. There are views of mountains, an island and a slightly phallic looking sea-stack.

An overwhelming sense of gratitude to Steinunn Jónsdóttir (Baer’s founder) keeps sweeping over me. Do I deserve all of this? Whether I do or don’t, I am making the most of it.

Baer pool

Here’s Part 1 if you missed it.

 

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About Liz Tran

 

Liz Tran’s work is influenced by the connection between the natural world and the internal environment. Tran utilizes mixed media and painterly brush strokes in a playfully layered, yet emotionally nuanced way to depict her imaginary landscapes.

Tran is a graduate in print art and painting from Cornish College of the Arts and exhibits both nationally and internationally. Public collections of Tran’s work include the City of Seattle’s Portable Works Collection, The El Paso Children’s Hospital and The Child Center. She has been awarded multiple fellowships and grants, including the Clowes Fellowship for residency at the Vermont Studio Center, the Nellie Cornish Scholarship and residency at CAMAC, Jentel, Millay Colony for the Arts and The Center for Contemporary Printmaking. She resides in Seattle, Washington.

 

2 Comments

  1. everettecartoons on June 18, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    Hi Liz! So great to see you here. Hope your summer is swell! Edie

    • Lizanne on June 19, 2013 at 5:43 am

      Thanks Edie. Hope you are well! xoxoxo

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