Haystack Heaven
I was so grateful to return to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine to be a Studio Technician for their Open Studio Residency this spring. I was in charge of the Graphics (printmaking) studio, helping residents get settled in and find the tools and materials to make their work. We had an amazing group of artists in the studio making a huge variety of work: screen prints, etchings, woodcuts, cyanotypes, paper sculpture, drawings, natural dyed paper, papermaking, and more!
Left: The Graphics Studio before the residents began work. Right: my studio setup early in the residency - making watercolor monotype plates, and gathering supplies to teach a Zine 101 workshop.
Haystack is a very special place to me - where I feel peaceful, inspired, productive, friendly, and connected. Having amazing studio facilities, wonderful people, nutritious food, and a beautiful location in one place was a rare opportunity - I truly soaked up every minute of every day.
I had the chance to work in every studio on campus - which was such a blessing. By the end of my two weeks, I was so used to being in "learning mode" that I could pick up new skills without as much effort. Thank you to everyone for helping me and sharing your skills. You inspire me!
Annalise Rubida showed me how to make beautiful brooms/brushes out of cherry wood and tampico fiber
Natalie Lowe created an incredible enamel pin workshop. I felt so supported and inspired!
Left: Maia and Annalise in the woodshop, making wooden brushes. Right: Enamel pin, in progress.
Jocelyn Reid and the entire ceramics crew welcomed me into the studio and answered all my questions about salt/soda firings, glazes, wax resists, and getting 50 small bowls made on a short deadline
Nate King arranged a wonderful silkscreen demo including illustrations from residents - some folks printed the design on their freshly dyed fabrics and shirts.
Left: My beautiful cabin, overlooking Jericho Bay. Right: Making brushes in the woodshop!
Maia Malakoff set up an incredible set of natural dyes and my yellow bandana was dyed in lac to create a soft orange. Maia also set me up on my very first loom on my last evening in the studio - thank you!
Left: Natural dying workshop led by Maia Malakoff in the incredible dye kitchen. 5+ different colors of dyes; residents must have dyed 75+ pieces of clothing and fabric. Right: Maia taught me how to weave on the loom!
But perhaps my favorite was being in the blacksmithing studio with Lisa Geertsen. I was very scared to cut metal with the bandsaw, use the forges to heat and shape the steel, and use the sanders that sent sparks flying. But, by the time I was a few minutes in, I started to really enjoy it and said, "I grew so much this afternoon!"
Left: Forging my first steel spoon (!) Please note the amazing Lisa Geertsen in the background, smiling. Right: My first experience loading and unloading a kiln. My work is the stacks of small bowls and spoons on the left.
Some of my favorite things at Haystack:
(list inspired by Alex Kalil!)
Nutritious food
Walking up and down hills
Fresh air
Access to tools and high quality materials
Being out in the sun
Rocks and moss
Seeing shooting stars, the milky way, and bioluminescent water
The library (open 24/7)
Meeting and working with staff members
Limited cell service/internet
Finding connections with people
Quiet sunset
Seeing people learn and grow in the studio
Being surrounded by artists
Eating breakfast outside
Ceramic studio night with Yasmeen, Maia, Lisa, and Natalie
Left: The dining hall at night, viewed from the Fibers deck. Right: A magnificent lunch.
Thank you to the entire staff + Tikva Lantigua for inviting me to Haystack last year.