My time at Zero Foot Hills

A view of the artists residence at Zero Foot Hills in Durham Connecticut — *The residence at Zero Foot Hills*

From December 4th through 7th I spent some time at the Zero Foot Hills artist residence in Durham, Connecticut.

It was a week filled with solitude, learning, and creating.

First things first, what is an artist residency? A residency is a program that gives artists the opportunity to live and work outside of their usual environments. It provides artists time and space to reflect, research, or create work. Typical residencies are for an extended amount of time, like a month to three months, and artists will live at the residency location for that time. Each residency program is different in terms of what is provided for room & board, workspace, and stipends. There is a wide range of residencies artists can apply for, from highly competitive fully funded opportunitues to do-it-yourself programs.

My residency at Zero Foot Hills was perfect for an artist parent and primary caregiver. I was able to design my own program, and my family was welcome join me if I wanted.

*Image: Artist guest book at Zero Foot Hills*

I chose to stay for a week alone with my art. One week away is easy for my family to manage right now: it doesn’t require a lot of extra effort and expense around child care.

I chose to go alone because solitude is very rare, but something I am learning is necessary to my practice. I need the time to just be with my art and my thoughts.

Allison sitting at a desk working at a computer surrounded by houseplants at Zero Foot Hills. — *Me working at a studio desk surrounded by houseplants.*

So what did I get up to while at Zero Foot Hills?

Because I was able to make my time my own, I decided to spend it playing and experimenting. What I mean by that is I allowed myself time to just make art and not have a set goal like “make three paintings” or “create a series of collages about lichen.”

I settled into a routine of sleeping in (a luxury), having a quiet cup of coffee (also a luxury), and then going on a walk. I’d take time to notice my surroundings and photograph things that caught my eye. Then I’d go into the studio and work.

Allison at work in a studio printing gelatin plates by hand. — I really got into gelatin printing and spent a lot of time experimenting with that. It was good to get back to my printmaking roots, and fun to print with materials like grass, lichen, and torn paper.

*Image: Me handprinting gelatin plates.*

As I worked I would let my ideas come and go. I’d follow the ones that really grabbed my attention and see where they took me.

*Image: In progress prints, collages, and mixed-media artworks*

I created many prints, and then I started combining them by layering or tearing them up and piecing them back together. By the end of the week, I had several stacks of prints and the beginnings of several ideas for more finished artworks.

I left Zero Foot Hills feeling recharged, refreshed, and rested. I have new ideas that I am very excited about exploring in the new year, and am looking forward to sharing with you.