The Importance of Time When it comes to my art practice, I can take years to carry out an idea. Time, I’ve learned, is key to my process. The years that pass between the initial sketch and the final project are as vital as the actual paint or paper I use. Sure, I never follow… Continue reading Bird Abstractions
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Summer Research Trip II: National Archives
Last week I discussed my most recent excursion to New York to wrap up Chapter 2 research. A few days after I returned, I headed out a second time to undertake a long-awaited research trip to the National Archives. Let’s take a look at what I’ve been doing. Record Group 69 at the National Archives… Continue reading Summer Research Trip II: National Archives
Summer Research Trip I: New York
One of my dissertation goals for the summer is to wrap up outstanding research. This includes finishing secondary readings, processing archival documents I haven’t read yet, and undertaking any final research trips. During the last week of June, I took a big step toward completing on-site research by spending a week in New York. Let’s… Continue reading Summer Research Trip I: New York
Dissertation Work, June Update
Summer may be underway, but I remain busy with my dissertation work. In the weeks since the writing retreat at the beginning of the month, I’ve been working to maintain the momentum I experienced there. Let’s take a look! Drafting a Conclusion During the week immediately following the workshop, I wrote a conclusion. Actually, I… Continue reading Dissertation Work, June Update
Excursions: Pittsburgh
Getting Out Brandon and I love traveling together. While we both travel on our own for work, we rarely get to do so as a couple. Yet we like visiting new places together, both for the opportunity to try new things, and to reflect on our current life and potential changes we could make to… Continue reading Excursions: Pittsburgh
Arizona Reflections
Googling Prescott Valley Every few years I’ll Google a town called Prescott Valley. Officially incorporated in 1978 (though with a history dating much earlier), Prescott Valley is located in central Arizona. It’s east of Prescott, the capital of Yavapai County and former capital of the Arizona Territory before Phoenix claimed that designation. At an elevation… Continue reading Arizona Reflections
Halleran Writing Retreat
Jump-Starting the Fellowship Last week I officially inaugurated my year as a Halleran Dissertation Completion Fellow by participating in a week-long writing retreat. Over the course of five days, I wrote, learned about dissertation deadlines, and got to know my fellow cohorts. Let’s take a look! About the Writing Retreat Mandatory for all Halleran Fellows,… Continue reading Halleran Writing Retreat
Another Post About Relevance
Debating Manet When I was a Master’s student at Williams College, my classmates and I attended lectures at the Clark Art Institute. Aside from the promise of free food, these events offered graduate students opportunities to see senior scholars share work in progress and receive feedback, something we’d all have to do for our Qualifying… Continue reading Another Post About Relevance
Dissertation Work, May Update
Two Lines of Work Last month I finished the initial drafting of Chapter 5. As of now, all five chapters of my dissertation as outlined in my prospectus exist, albeit in need of additional research and revision. To keep from losing momentum, I’ve started looking ahead to the coming year by scheduling new research trips… Continue reading Dissertation Work, May Update
Oh, deer!
Last summer I started painting animals around the house. Highlighting critters I’d seen in our yard or on the patio, I painted smaller fauna like songbirds, along with the occasional skink or frog. Yet we’ve also seen plenty of larger animals in our yard, including rabbits, the occasional opossum, and deer. After months of painting… Continue reading Oh, deer!