Through Pen and Lens

It appears I have been neglectful in my duties. Instead of writing I have been internalizing – quite a bit. Perhaps part of that is all the solitary time here in Dallas. Another reason: I have a tendency to go into my head; always have. So, when I see my kids do the same thing, I try to draw them out. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with focusing in; balance is key. And sometimes my scales can get a little wonky. So what’s been up? The 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition – the Chicago World’s Fair. I’m in a humanities course centered on “the Fair that changed America.” At first, I thought, what the hell? But this fair shows up in literature, everywhere. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , Devil in the White City , Against the Day , Sister Carrie , The Conjure Woman and Sweet Clover , just to name a miniscule few. Everybody was there except Samuel Clemens; he made it to Chicago but spent the time in his hotel room because he became ill. What a spin he would have put on the experience of the fair...

I just applied to the UT Dallas graduate student artists residency program. It would be up to two years in a live-in studio space at the CentralTrak gallery in Deep Ellum (an historic and artistic area of Dallas), rent and utility free. I will be able to focus on my work and studies sans all the worry of having to spend family funds on housing. If I get in I would move in this fall semester. If not, I will be applying again, with an updated statement of purpose for those who were able to send comments on the original statement after I sent off the packet. Whether I get in or not, I will be researching the history of Deep Ellum, the artists and writers from the area (particularly female artists and writers), and I will be working on a photographic study of the area and those artists. It would just be easier if I was actually living down there. Quote for the day: We make our own luck, but having someone with us enriches the composition.