epic

Things move forward. The Bemis application is in. I have friends working on contacts in the local and federal government and hopefully some correspondences can arise out of that. I am reading and researching about the Great Plains and as I do so it is nearly impossible to have any meaningful discussion about the area that does not include environmental concerns. I know there are people for whom the word "environment" causes a knee-jerk response, but what I am finding is that this is a very serious and very much shared concern across political lines. If anything, the differences arise from questions of "how" not questions of "if" or "should." This is an unforgiving land. It demands respect, as settlers in the area have found out for hundreds of years.

As is the case here in SC, I find that hunters are often some of the greatest champions of the environment. I know this upsets some of my friends, but my own interaction with people who hunt has proven this again and again. There are always the few that tarnish the reputation/perception of the many (as is the case with artists too), but I think most hunters have tremendous respect for the land and its creatures. In the Plains, hunters and hunter organizations have helped to save massive areas of natural habitat.

So I think this is part of what I'm after. If I can see into another world, perhaps I can help people who might not think they care, see into the world of art. Though I see that a particular style of painting is very popular in the area, perhaps by getting my boots on the ground and having conversations with people, they can understand and appreciate what I do and maybe even entertain what less representational painting has to say. When we let go of our assumptions, very often we are introduced to new worlds. To quote Holly Golightly, "the time to make your mind about people is never."

The photo above (via Wikicommons) shows a wall cloud. I first saw one of these in Wyoming, and they are both terrifying and beautiful. Literally giant walls of weather pushing across the plains at speeds that are amazing. People say that if they can make it in New York, they can make it anywhere. I feel that people who can live on the plains might give them a run for their money, but to be fair it is apples and oranges. I spent the last two years of high school in Kansas and my recollections of the winters there stay in my mind.

I think art can have a similar effect on people as this kind of epic weather and environmental conditions. I am striving for that at least.

All that Money wants

The search for funding continues. The world of grants is so overwhelming and it takes hours and hours to even isolate ones which are relevant. What's interesting about this so far is I've had to write letters (anyone remember those?), as some of the organizations don't have public websites.

I'm so far undaunted. This is a mission.

The paintings are changing in my mind, and I find this very interesting. New ideas are presenting themselves. I get paid tomorrow and can get the Bemis application submitted before the deadline. I have some more reference books coming my way this week and hopefully I can sit at the computer for a few hours tonight looking for more funding.

Captain Nebraska

Perhaps it is inevitable that along this journey I would encounter the writer Roger Welsch. Curling up with "My Nebraska" over the weekend was thoroughly enjoyable, if also a bit daunting.

Again and again the issue of scale comes into play. Though I have an understanding of the West that most here do not, when I am reminded of the vastness of it I find myself a bit overwhelmed. It is increasingly clear that, while residencies in Omaha and/or Lincoln would certainly be beneficial, they are a long, long way from the parts of the state I really want to see and largely impractical as bases for operation during short visits.

I knew from conception that these trips would involve a lot of driving. I don't mind that. The extent and distances are nonetheless surprising.

I think the good news is that the paintings should be big, so in that way I am going in with an honest attempt to present what I see with integrity. The adventure is only beginning.

This week is about more research. I plan to devote most of the nights this week to grant searches and other sources of funding. A little here, a little there.