2010

20 ways to Put a little "Haystack" in your day

2010, haystack / /
© 2010 linda germain
5″ x 6″ X 2″ copitc stitch book with sea shells and prints

 Okay so Haystack is really a whole experience not just one outstanding class, meal, lecture or accomodation.  Today when I was walking in the woods by the lake and putting a little “Haystack” in my day I started thinking about all the ways I could bring that Haystack experience into my days.  Here’s what I came up with so far.

1. Get up when the sun or cold wakes you up.

2. Eat good food at 8 AM , Noon, and 6PM

3. Don’t use the tv, telephone or internet or radio

4. Don’t talk on your cell phone around others or in your studio space

5. Listen to other artists talk about their art for 2 hrs a day

6. Use poetry and writing to give you a focus

7. Walk in the woods

8. Swim in the ocean

9. Sit by the sea

10. Sleep on a very firm twin bed

11. Eat Fruit or cookies anytime you feel like it

12. Be in your studio at set times like 9-12 or 1-4

13. Find an art friend and talk about your process/project

14. Work less and make art more

15. Make your art your priority (in some way/at some time)

16. Drink water instead of soda

17. Put your name on your beer

18. Share wine at supper with your friends

19. Eat 3 healthy veggies at lunch and dinner

20. Be open to learning from everyone you meet today

Post by Linda Germain

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Three great things about Haystack

2010, book arts, handmade books, haystack / /
Three things that were great about Haystack – the people, the place and the project.  It was still 90 degrees all week but I had the crystal clear ocean to cool down in.
My routine was
  • get up when I woke up,
  • do morning pages by the shore or in the woods,
  • breakfast at 8:00 – wonderfully prepared for us
  • in the studio by 9 AM to noon for demos, sharing, instruction or artmaking
  • noon Lovely lunch –  which I ate fast so I could get in a
  • walk to the point and a refreshing swim in the ocean
  • 1:30 – 4:30  More studio time with classmates and instructors
  • 5:00-8:00 my work study duties in the kitchen (with time off in the middle to eat)
  • 8:00-9:00 Artist’s talks
  • After that either crash or work in the studio
It was a busy week and next time I would try to go for 2 weeks.  I had just got settled in to the routine and was able to work until 2 AM and it was thursday and I had to think about leaving in 2 days.
dining hall at Haystack

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Back from Haystack

2010, handmade books, haystack / /

So needless to say I did have a life changing experience at Haystack.  I did not realize all that I was learning and how supported I was until I got home to my studio.  The amazing location, accommodations and community is like a cocoon for the artist.  I found myself wanting a bit of community yesterday.  However when I was at Haystack I often sought out a solitary place to work, eat or rest.  Do I want what I can’t have?  Hmm?  So this is a picture of the Haystack truck with the lobster hood ornament.

Some of the transparent books that I worked on while at Haystack.
© linda germain 2010

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Playing with Transparent Books

2010, altered books, artist book, haystack, mixed media printmaking / /
In a few days I will be heading up to Haystack, on Deer Isle, ME to spend a week making Transparent books with Sas Colby.  I have played with any transparent material that has crossed my path.  I tried, dryer sheets, tracing paper, bubble wrap, clear packaging, tea bags, cd case, vellum, envelopes, zip lock bags, paper with cut outs, sheer ribbon and an old bait bag that I found at the sea shore.  I like tracing paper, vellum, and bubble wrap.  I am reminded of Angela Lorenz.  I saw some of her work at a show at the Addison Gallery at few years back.  I loved how her books took all sorts of shapes, from a bacon bits can to the shape of denim jeans.

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