Winter in Orient

Daylight savings time occurred last night, the bulbs are sprouting from the ground, and it’s one week until the First Day of Spring. I only have two more seasons to experience while here in the residency, and they are without a doubt my two favorite seasons, Spring and Summer.

I don’t have a plan when the residency wraps up in October. People ask me all the time, and I just start babbling about returning to Portugal, or staying around this area, or heading west. I never just say, “no, I don’t.” I should probably consider that as an appropriate answer to save time.

The reality is that, in the last year, I have just begun the lifelong task of how to grow as an artist, maker, and business, so the fact that my most favorite and productive time of the year is barreling my way, I can only imagine what will evolve, and man, I am so excited for it.

In the meantime, I did want to reflect on how this past winter has been for me, out here in Orient, New York.

Living in Orient is similar to living on an island. There is a narrow causeway to arrive from the mainland of the North Fork. It is an idyllic piece of land with farms, homes, an oyster pond, marshes, and a walk to view the bay on one side, and the sound on the other. It’s a place where many people close their houses for the winter, and head for warmer climates. To say it’s been quiet would be an understatement. Arguably, I have felt more isolated living out here by myself, than I did living in a foreign country during a pandemic. But it absolutely has never bothered me.

In fact, I feel more resolute that I could live in the middle of nowhere with a dog, my studio, and some good nature walks and feel completely content. The last couple of years have been a bootcamp for that lifestyle, because I am never bored, I am always busy, and I just enjoy a quieter place.

Making new work by experimenting with enameling and drawing techniques was always my aim, and the winter was the perfect quiet time to try some new things out.

My work is has never been about finding a faster way to make, it’s all a part of the journey, and emersion in my studio, parred with the ability to make whatever crazy idea comes to my mind, has been a real gift.

So winter in Orient? It’s been quiet, it’s been cold, and it’s only been half of my journey to stay totally open to see what unfolds.