How has it been more than 30 years already? She donned Dansko clogs back in the nineties when the deadlines were tight, the days were long, and art had to be delivered fast.
The most comfortable clogs haven’t changed since then, but she has. And so has her art work. These days she slows art down, and she teaches the way of this expression to college students and community.
Now, it’s due when it’s done. Because this artwork is a collaboration with Mother Earth, and everyone’s presence matters. The sun, her light, the materials made from plants and the conscious coming together of everything.
She is shifting with the light, supporting students as they grow, traversing each season as Professor, Mother, Artist. Her days are still long, but the pursuit is deeply rooted in a different pace. And this meaningful movement has no deadline.
On Art and Community
Art educates and it gets people to think. Art gets people to look at somebody else's perspective, maybe question ‘why would somebody even make this piece?’ Or, ‘I really understand this piece, and it resonates with me.’
It goes from thinking into understanding how different we are, yet how similar we are. And I think what’s great for the world, and for community, is respecting everybody’s point of view and differences.”
Slow Art? How does that work?
“Most of my students come from a discipline where they're using computers, or they're working in a more fast-paced environment. And in my class, it's all slow exposures in the sun, hand-coded paper hand-coded emulsions.
Ash Leaves Section, Cyanotype on Ash Wood
Everybody has to slow down.
The students come in and they're like, ‘when is this due?’
It's due when it's done, because I don't know if the sun's cooperating, or how long an exposure is going to take depending on the natural light. And it's okay. And my students become okay with it too.”
Advice on Starting Out in Academia
“Anybody new to the world of academia comes in with great ideas. We all have great ideas. And sometimes, those ideas need to be put on the back burner while you're learning how to teach and understand your students.”
Soaring, Gum Bichromate, Unique, 2003
