I just got back from Kentucky, where I was a visiting artist for a few days at my alma mater,
Murray State University.
And it was so good.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17tEQR3RV3hHlXCBw0-nlxg27R-GPwYkl5YWMewmbeEWB_FznRIgHix4v90UfCmGapV78QFSUtW3Ru_8qwZC89bvaYeY3YZC1xRupDBLQ1S2N4LHSHFq0gq2PvKFbEBbK0qI0LXvoYtAt/s320/DSC08239.JPG) |
I love these women. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMfr6n5w2HbQFvyJl8dmB1N1-vGx7CsoJhFaRDv3lBs2OFciplqN_CTFB2OjfBBTnlUCFPAgKAiwL_ZgU_wQsEtQuPdGhR1GqsfmkfBOgbdXR3hHWvMrYNv1sg2AdQ1vMklZvCbO4wAS-/s320/DSC08289.JPG) |
Bonnie showing. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfKcFZKvFDHEKvMLS-3lYklkcxrMmOscfY5G5Bc9nYjuBHXUnV50P7EeHVCyw-8kuvRpGfdq4JKMb8GEYHAXrExkFK2VgM3JfGvL7M4yJTbYTVenjLIPYwfvjg0ysbvUDX1b-5NcGYoxs/s320/DSC08304.JPG) |
Look! TACKETS!! |
My mentor
Bonnie Stahlecker, who I meet up with as often as possible, (Maine, Milwaukee, Wherever.) was doing a two-day workshop with my former professor's bookarts class. I was there as her "assistant," but mostly
Nicole and I were chatting and being troublemakers and unfocused bookbinders at the back of the room.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt0_M0VSD8B0h90FjsiRxvf4CYDl74qQDi9rU1GY-7-noVDtWtIU0kNuR7_LZDYUvH32c-IOGT3du9xV4IRfmHeu7MkO8HZXi4K9-WYHXmiPzH0Jm3wErBojEuso1KeVr_rwdJ8RyzEk6/s320/1453317_10201684031960831_363177748_n.jpg) |
I need a haircut. |
I did thread a needle for Bonnie. That's assisting!
I had individual critiques with the advanced drawing students, did some figure-drawing with the intro to drawing students, caught up with my former professor
Dale Leys, whom I have known since 1996......and took photos in the ol' drawing room on the 7th floor of the fine arts building...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQ1FxTBG2Mgw_FQ7lYGkctcj1GpfkTmdT97U7F8tG1u84eyRXveRFE8Vfvge_UnxpQ9qsgJjDwTUQ2PkPNSoTQeHBYlWBPN7NcHPbwPbtAvfryupfMDWDLjn9OZE_OVk344wWi8ryfEqt/s320/DSC08236.JPG) |
These couches are gone, but the cushions remain. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezrMc4BcWT8Q4GgpIG-oLKuhWUJLR1x7nuYRUXiEL9a9xLn8_mLjsp5bQwcXGn71W_6GJcy6RNWVd9ViwZht5k8-qZLcVZU9T8luv843neyYOlh7AxRfHKOnimxq3xHnpY-hKSCbK18WI/s320/DSC08231.JPG) |
I am comforted by how long this has been where it is. |
I also manically talked about my work with two groups of unresponsive high school art students, awesome introductory printmakers, quietly intense bookarts students, and intelligent, engaged advanced printmakers. I had brought sort of an odd mix of work, and probably said some odd things about it...
There were also lunches with Bonnie, a swell dinner party at Nicole and Jim's, where I manically waved my hands around...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWju40IENSVRoQgUhmAFIG1Y5FySlSWlgPukywU3E0sI7xGmki2K3VNV7Ry4zMWIs4MX6LHz871GM5w_ItJ3M2uVeRHyRBaDDjjo2EhAt9pyKMH39VR4BvrT2lxkBNil6b0Egj5SY4vx9n/s320/482427_10201671967819235_19363309_n.jpg) |
Do I talk with my hands a lot? |
I lived in Murray for about eleven years; my family relocated there from California just before I started eighth grade (the day before, in fact!) and I stayed there through college. I have been back to Murray many times since, but this was the first time that I was visiting the art department knowing none of the current students.
I'd describe it as comforting. All different characters, but some things have not changed a bit. And I was haunted by many ghosts and memories of my college days, and the misfit trouble-makers I ran around with. We owned that place and took good care of each other.
I also spent much quality time with my best friend Jenni, her husband Matt, a poodle named Lola, and my almost-three year old god-daughter Susie....
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4HXkB8A8rOKK_4PqmdH2-V9SfI7fyP6iFHYbB4zjKcDTbVLbs_GUesWdqYBvZ5sP_9fkOKQNwJV8kPTRD01Eiy0VT9qx3KHvmgeAhi_0jsCDoOoYXFnRrjhjhJjJK3yrGgINoYebxtuu/s320/DSC08210.JPG) |
Reading, negotiating, tickling, princess-ing, all good. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-nI271X5Fp4zJJsc4OBcyNElAmO_Wk45cWeEhIiSxcRZ_R6KnFS69EBUn7_ZM6_2Rdu9JTVl16O6cx7cb9TcKhF8VSRPFQ7P1VsvbkMrYTCuFfsOg8nFWDzn1b5FzYcivOVA4I9lz8qM/s320/Photo+on+2013-11-12+at+19.52.jpg) |
Lola is like a muppet-pony, and we are very fond of each other. |
I was there three full days, and it is an eight hour drive between Spruce Pine and Murray. And I was delayed in both directions, by rain, and detours, and sun in my eyes. But no regrets, and I find myself actually wondering if I could pack up some etching plates and sneak back for a few days in December after the gallery closes. We'll see.
Thank you for reading!