My take on Elsewhere

I was pursuing three aims in my application to the Elsewhere Studios Residency: completing three new projects, interacting with other artists and getting involved with the art community, and immersing myself in unspoiled nature. My expectations were met in all three aspects. I lived and worked in the suite for three months, which was an exceptionally well-lit space, beautifully furnished with a lot of hand-made objects. Since light and space are very important in my work, this living space had an exceedingly positive influence on my work. In addition, the objects in my surroundings inspired me to add new elements to my work.

I made several new friends in various fields of art during my stay at Elsewhere, and something tells me these friendships are going to last for a very long time. Seeing them grow in different stages of their work was illuminating and a delight. Specifically, I was able to closely observe the progress of a writer's work for the first time, which I found to be a wonderful experience. I was also pleasantly surprised by the vibrant art community of Paonia which seemed to outgrow the size of the town.

The structure and the palette of natural colors in Paonia was no less astonishing. Presence in that environment and seeing it every day was a major source of consolation for me as a person who is strongly attached to her family and lives far away from them. All in all, the experience was a blessing. Cheers to Karen and Willow for their exceptional support, and to Tomato, the sweetest cat ever!

Come in, Elsewhere. Over.

My residency at Elsewhere Studios is almost over, and I’ll have been here five months.  That’s a long time, apparently, judging by the reactions I get when I tell people.  But since I’m writing several novels at once, the time has gone by too fast.  I did manage to finish my femme noir mystery, as well as the first draft of novel that is becoming much more than I ever thought it would be, and which I intend to nurse along instead of rush to completion.

But I wanna talk about communication.  It’s been a real honor to have lived and worked in this house for so many days, with many wonderful individuals who have shared with me their art, their humor, and their optimism.  I lived alone for the past seven years, so coming here to a communal space was slightly daunting, to say the least.  I needn’t have worried.  Elsewhere residents are open, honest, fun and responsible.  I am inspired to make changes in my own behavior.

But I wanted to mention that if I could change anything about the way we all communicate around here, I would insist on….a housewide intercom system!!  Or perhaps walkie talkies.  Yes!

The upstairs suite possesses a treehouse-like sense of privacy, the gingerbread house lives in its own outside realm, the basement apartment has a separate entrance, and the Loft Room allows its occupant to choose invisibility via a closed a door.  All residents can move freely between their own sealed-off bubbles of me-time and the group atmosphere of the studio, kitchen and living area.  But sometimes when we want to get together on purpose, it’s hard to discuss plans or gather everyone without sending emails out into the ether and waiting, or hoping that someone’s cell service receives a text.  Walk down to the basement or walk upstairs?  What??!!!

Solution:  INTERCOM!!  Now, I know this will never happen, but wouldn’t it be so fun and so 1983?

Crackle crackle buzz static.

Kitchen comm:  Hey, man, we’re havin' Bloody Mary’s tonight, you comin’ up?

Basement comm:  Eh...I don’t know….I’m working on a woodcut the size of my truck.

***

Kitchen comm:  Bloody Mary night!!  You in?

Gingerbread comm:  ……..

Kitchen comm:  Helloooo?

Kitchen comm:  Bloody Mary night!  You in?

Studio comm:  Dude, I’m right in the next room.  Why’re you intercomming me?

Kitchen comm:  Well you weren’t in the Gingerbread house so…  Hey, Bloody Mary’s?

***

Loft comm:  Are you coming down tonight?

Upstairs Suite comm:  Oh yes.  I just bought a growler from Revolution Brewing and a bottle of vodka.  And we have goat cheese...

***

Paging All House comms:   Woooooooo   wooooooooooooo   (ghostly moaning)

Kitchen comm:  What the heck are you doing?

Loft comm:  What do you mean?  I think there’s a ghost.  This place is haunted.

Paging All House comms:   ooooooooo woooooooooooooooo

Kitchen comm:  If you got time to pretend you’re a ghost, maybe you could come out here and wash your breakfast dishes?

Loft comm:  I don’t know what you’re talking about.  Those aren’t my dishes.

***

Studio comm:  Have you seen Tomato?  I miss that cat.  Haven’t seen him for hours.

Upstairs Suite comm:  He’s up here sleeping on my lap.

Studio comm:  Stop hogging him!

***

Paging All House comms:  Elsewhere?  Come in, Elsewhere, over.  Please report to the kitchen when you hear the ghost.

Paging All House comms:  Wooooooooo oooooooo aaaawwwwwwwooooooooooo

Fact: February really is the shortest month.

As I write this blog entry I am taken back to a conversation I had with a dear friend while I was living here at Elsewhere: 'who really has time to blog?'  As life is going on around you, when is it the right time to take a step out and reflect?  I suppose the first of March will have to do. This was my first experience of an artist-in-residency program.  I came across Paonia with a friend on our way to Telluride.  We were meeting up with another friend for lunch at the Back Country Bistro(which is quite the local staple for lattes and conversation), and afterwards she walked us to Elsewhere.  I knew then that if & when I could find the time and space in my life to have a month dedicated to creativity that I would want Elsewhere Studios to be my place of refuge.

Naturally I am a very social person, as is the town of Paonia.  At first I kept myself from my urges to communicate and socialize with people in town so as to get the ball rolling and to be as productive as possible.  In retrospect, I think that this process did me a disservice.  I think I would have gotten in touch with my creative sensibilities much faster and more naturally if I had just gone with the flow.

I feel that my time here was very helpful for me in my development as an artist.  I found the walls within me that I had to question, inspect, calculate, deconstruct, and re-evaluate.  There were days on end where I couldn't create anything that felt worth a damn, and these periods of stagnation were enough to kill a man.  Fortunately, I did not die and I did not quite.  I really had to do some internal work and process my feelings and experiences in order to get to a comfortable and creative place.

I did my best to stay busy every day.  The main studio space here at Elsewhere is bright and open, with tall ceilings and natural light.  It is a very encouraging place to work.  The first two weeks I was here were cold and grey outside which made it easier for me to stay in and and create.  When the weather turned around and the snow started to melt I was able to go out and walk by the river which was very helpful in my process of creation, though a double edged sword.  Now that I was feeling truly inspired to stay in and create, all I wanted was to be outside and experience Paonia and the wonderful people spilling from the woodwork.  I suppose one month just isn't long enough for a guy like me in a place like this.

I would recommend a stint at Elsewhere for anyone looking to experience themselves in the heart of a vibrant and supportive community.  Willow and Karen were very pleasant and helpful as the facilitators of the studio.  My fellow residents were very nice to have around for the sake of their support and conversation and shared meals.  The people I have met who live here in Paonia have given me the desire to return and create something more.  I am happy to know that I have a place here in this community.  It is a gem and I am grateful to have been able to call this town my home.  Thanks Paonia.  See you next time.

p.s.

Aside from getting plenty of work done, whatever your medium may be, here are some things that you should know about this town.  Get some strudel down at Hightower Cafe, go see a show or a movie at the Paradise Theater, get to Chris' tango class(I regret that I didn't go once! Chris is a great guy and I imagine a fantastic teacher), listen to KVNF while you are here, take many a walk down at the Paonia River Park, get involved with some sort of Yoga credit(month long unlimited yoga is what I wish I had gotten for myself), order fresh potatoes, carrots, garlic and onions from Scott Horner from Small Potatoes Farm, and Emily's goat cheese is worth every penny so get some for yourself.  And last but certainly not least... Tomato, the house cat, is a great friend to anyone.  Bye for now.

Ray Wilson - Elsewhere Resident September 2013

Elsewhere Studios is a magical hub for people in almost any stage of development. I’m 28, have a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, 7 years of work experience (corporate), and am an energy intuitive. I quit my job in April 2013 unsure of what to do with my life. I was certain that the corporate world wasn’t for me, and that my life purpose wasn’t working for someone else. However, I didn’t know what that looked like or how I was going to go there.

 Elsewhere gave me an opportunity to find my path and expand it. I’ve always been interested in film and recently found a passion for rock-hunting to make macramé pendants with. Moreover, I was also giving Reiki sessions and readings to people and was unsure how all of this would combine into me. Being a public psychic was not something I was ready to do, and Elsewhere helped me step into my power comfortably.

 Not claiming that it was easy to find myself, but that the space and support at Elsewhere Studios enhanced my ability to find myself. I inevitably would have stepped into my power, but most likely would have taken longer. At Elsewhere the director Willow and manager Karen go out of their ways to ensure that you have everything you need during your stay. Furthermore, the community enhanced my stay at Elsewhere because there are scheduled events to share your art (in whatever form your art takes), and people are open to experience your art without judgments.

 While I was at Elsewhere, I was able to put my hands in art and become familiar with multiple art mediums. Discovering how I want to express myself, which is invaluable. Elsewhere’s space provided a beautiful place to teach Reiki; I attuned 8 individuals to Reiki Master during my stay.

 With all this said, Elsewhere Studios provides a safe fun environment to express you. In any form you choose appropriate, and enables you to change directions if so you choose. The town of Paonia is rich with experiences that will help define you forever.

 Staying at Elsewhere was monumental for my transition. Yes, my transformation would have happened regardless of being at Elsewhere. However, we get to steer our 3D experience and by attending Elsewhere’s residency program it will launch YOU to another level; that level is up to you.

 I choose to step into myself and confidently share with the world who I am without fear of what others think. Elsewhere helped me find that confidence.

 Welcome 2014! May 2014 be full of #awesomeness for you.

Mat Dubé - Residency August 2013

Elsewhere Studios Residency - Paonia, Colorado 09/01/2013 By Mat Dubé · Facebook, Twitter, Google+ This was my first time participating in an artist-in-residence program and it definitely won't be the last.  It was a full month of maximum creativity in a super inspiring environment!  Worked on a new technique I've been wanting to try for several years...mixing watercolour, sculpture and drawing.  I'm really happy with the end result! Also got to live and create with some amazing artists: Diana Naccarato from New York, Megan Yankee and John Osburn from Columbus, Ohio and Mark Winston from Chicago. Check out the video below to see my live/work space and the rest of the studio. A big thank you to Karen and Willow at Elsewhere! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CqrKIg_Hy-Q

Place Specific Timestamps

Every place has its own rhythms, its particular headliners. Time slows or speeds up depending on routine. Arriving from the city where my own personal signatures of time are bulleted by public transportation alerts, crowds or lack thereof in patterns like flocks of birds, the last rays of light escaping as I cross the bridge home after a day of work. The feeling to rush while on the clock makes large parts of day the dissolve into thin air. Of course there is beauty to be found in the city, but the breaks that Paonia offers are welcome especially the isolation and stillness to drink it all in.

Not a day has gone by in Paonia wherein I haven't exclaimed to anyone in my company to- Look!

You don't have to go far, the two minute errand into town from the studio nearly does you in. The mountains sit in full view and the sky stays always a breathtaking blue. At night the stars are dizzyingly clear, the moon hangs large. There is usually something unique to see in the mix. You can count that the days and nights will be just as beautiful as before. At 5 I make a point to look out at the sunset-it is always a radiant blaze. It is comforting to see, the continuity within nature here especially as our world seems like it will go out like a matchstick at anytime. These points in the day where time slows into a further quiet.

If I had another month here I think I would spend more time just watching..

A Toast to 2014!!

Oh, you thought I meant a glass of champagne and some pithy remarks about resolutions?

No, no no.  Talkin’ ‘bout toast.  As in Bread and Buttah.  A toast post, if you will.

I mean, Elsewhere Studios is right next to a bakery, The Flying Fork, so I daresay this is appropriate.

So far I have taste-tasted (toast-tested?) several of the Flying Fork’s bready delights.  Whole wheat, rosemary foccaccia, cranberry walnut…I’m thinking about firing up the toaster oven right now.

Wikipedia defines toast as bread that has been browned by exposure to radiant heat.  I don’t know about you, but that is dang sexy.  Red hot coils!  Tongs and open fires!  Maillard reaction turning that bread to a perfect golden brown.

From what I’ve read of toast history, it sounds like toast arrived on the scene as the best way to make stale bread palatable.  So toast is like, recycling!  Sweet. But of course I think it’s better with fresh bread, and not grocery spongey wonder-white.  I’m just gonna put that out there.

Toast can be really personal, though.

I’m not here to tell you that your bread needs to have gluten in it.  I’m not here to debate the knee-knocking deliciousness of melting salted butter versus cholesterol-free Smart Balance, or mock your vegan coconut oil-white miso whip (cuz that stuff be good).  Do you like honey on ya toast?  Get it.  Is jam your thing?  Avocado and sea salt?  Maybe a full-on lumberjack shit-on-a-shingle manly meal?  Dry toast and tea for a sick tummy.  Massive mayonnaisey BLT for some big yummy.  Toast is versatile.  Toast is the most.

Plus, making toast is a no brainer.  Drop bread slice in slot.  Depress button.

Perfect for those hungover mornings when you need that extra two minutes to stare off into space and groan and think about all the embarrassing things you did or said mere hours earlier in the midnight hour.

Ding!!!

Toast is ready to comfort and soothe you, belly and psyche both.

Why not have another slice?  Maybe with some peanut butter slathered on it this time.  Oooohhh.  Perhaps a little midmorning (or afternoon?) pot of coffee alongside?

However you love your toast, here’s hoping you enjoy it this new year.  But should misfortune befall you, and you accidentally drop that delicately browned slice of awesome onto the floor, may your toast always land butter-side up.

Lace, Rhinos, and Sea Anemones

Lace

(this is the first piece I made at Elsewhere.)

Rhinos

(These are the rhinos from the Houston zoo.  They are the inspiration for my second piece at Elsewhere)

Sea Anemones

(This is a glass scientific model by Blaschka , titled Sea Anemones Fighting.  This is the other inspiration for my second piece at Elsewhere )

Rhinos and Sea anemones fighting (a work in progress)

Nicole Banowetz (me) with the rhinos fighting among velvet.

(photograph by fellow Elsewhere resident Landon Newton)

If interested you can see more of my work on my website or my blog.

http://www.nicolebanowetz.com/

http://nicolebanowetz.wordpress.com

Study Break!

Elsewhereain Carrie and I went on a skiing adventure a few days ago to Grand Mesa. After bickering over whether or not we would run out of gas climbing the some 4,000 feet on the snowy roads, we made it to the top.

We only lasted about and hour but with the sun setting and below zero temps we were still happy we made the trip. That is not to say we were very happy to climb back into the car… Our trip ended (after refilling the tank) at Zach’s Bar and Barbecue, which we can recommend to future residents. If you like ribs, homemade sugary pies, and dead animals on the wall, this place is for you my friends!

 

The In-Between Place

I came to Paonia from Moab. Or, I came to Paonia and I brought Moab with me. I've been writing about Moab, letting Moab dominate my mental landscape, for much of the last two years. And there's something about Paonia--where the desert meets the mountains, where canyon country is reachable but not too close--that settles me and helps me bring Moab into focus.

I've done this before. My first residency at Elsewhere was during the summer of 2012, and I was immediately smitten. When it comes to places, I'm easily smitten: I go to Moab and fall in love. I come to Paonia and fall in love here, too. I go home to Brooklyn and remember that I've loved it there all along. When so many places seek to claim you for their own, how do you choose where to be?

Long-term decisions aside, I choose to be in Paonia, to work in Paonia, because I like knowing that Moab is close, that I could go there if I really wanted to or needed to. And I like knowing that Moab is also far: far enough that I can begin to process the experiences I had there. The plane flight over Canyonlands. The 100-foot rappel from Morning Glory Arch. The afternoon with a 94-year-old woman who at first couldn't place me, and whose whole face changed, twenty minutes into our conversation, when she looked at me and said, "I remember you now."

Close: I still feel freshly infused with energy, with the rush of two perfect weeks savoring the red rock and yellow leaves of desert autumn. Far: I can begin to detach, to read my own notes and memories critically. I can reflect. I can pat myself on the back for making it through that pack raft trip without getting tossed into the rapids. I can blush with shame about the moment when a former county commissioner wanted to know my environmental politics ("Are you more wilderness-prone and Sierra Club and SUWA [Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance]? Are you... one of them?”) and I hedged and told him I'm kind of in the middle instead of telling him the truth: that I'm practically-minded with an environmentalist heart.

Paonia is my in-between place, where I'm closer to Moab than to home, and far enough from everything to clear my head. I like knowing that the North Fork Gunnison River is flowing by on its journey to join the Colorado, which slices through Moab. With the last of fall's yellow fading to brown, leaves crunching underfoot, and the days growing shorter, Paonia is gently reminding me that it's nearly time to go home. Home being Brooklyn, for now, while I wait to see which spot on the map will steal my heart next.

Rebecca Worby

@bworbs