My Time At Hambidge (fisher studio and the first of winter)

January 16, 2019

I recently spent a couple weeks at Hambidge Center near Rabun Gap, Georgia. It was my second art residency at Hambidge. The first residency was a couple years back at the tail end of winter. This year’s residency was just past the peak of fall colors at the end of autumn. Both visits required me to warm myself by sitting next to the glowing red propane heater. Both residencies were times of great solitude as well as almost limitless time to create.

For an artist with a busy creative mind, being left alone in a studio in the woods is wonderful gift. I had everything I needed to create while at Fisher Studio. I worked as many hours as I could, doing what I liked for as long as I liked during my 2 week (12 day) stay.

To walk away from the restraints of everyday living and domestic duties allows one to focus in an extreme way on their craft and art. You can work as much or as little. You are free to sit and think or to sit and do. Nature is all around and you can escape on trails and let the woods soothe your thoughts.

Four evenings a week we convened as a group to eat and discuss our time working at Hambidge. This led me down a creative path because I saw others working hard on their goals and listened as they discussed what they were called to do. I was inspired by their work – writing and sculpture.

A few years ago I did not know much about art residencies, or what they were for. I have learned now they are a valuable tool for folks such as myself. I look forward to another time when I can challenge myself to become a better artist by times of quiet contemplation in nature and the freedom to create in an environment solitude and beauty.

Thank you Hambidge.

see you soon,
Kyle BlackCatTips Brooks