Residency 2013: @BrushCreekArts Overall

This is an overdue post. And for that I apologize. Reality hit me smack-in-the-face as soon as I landed back in NYC with the humidity enveloping me after being in a WY hailstorm just several hours prior. And being atop a mountain means rain turns to snow, people. Snow in May. Yup. So what sums up my thoughts on Brush Creek? Peaceful. QUIET. Calm. Comfortable. Yes. What I may have missed out at Ragdale I had at Brush Creek. So, as I am prone to do. Let me break it down for you:

PROS

Space

For the writers this is spacious and warm. Mine was designed more for comfort while I feel like the Rancher's Daughter studio beside me was a bit more stylish. Either way I really liked both spaces as they were twice the size of Jentel (which was lovely and cozy) and separate from my room unlike Ragdale. Each writer's studio equipped with extra chairs (each studio had a La-Z-Boy), a couch, I had bongos for some reason, and lots of pillows, lighting, and a blanket. It was definitely cozy and if I could have or had more time I probably would've napped in there at some point.

The visual artists studios are a bit smaller than ones I have seen. Lighting comes in straight through the glass doors in the front and via some windows higher up that you'd need a ladder to reach for on the other side. They are spacious but again, not as big as I've seen visual artists work in at other studios.

The composers have houses! The Schoolhouse is massive and was a school house so it has several rows of pews and a stage. Armstrong studio has a piano and a good amount of space for a couch and fit several people in for a jam session so I'd say that's a nice space in and of itself.

The resident rooms were small, not really meant for lounging, but more as a place for rest and storage. But the bed was super comfy (foam) and the bathroom spacious. You get a robe and several sets of towels and cute toiletries. You have a big dresser and area to hang items with wooden hangers and a nice spot for your shoes/boots. There's a lot of light and a heater/air conditioner and it is QUIET. Everyone is respectful of being quiet once back in their room and you cannot hear sounds from the other studios. The housekeeping ladies are the sweetest and clean every Monday morning and they do a phenomenal job. Love them to bits.

The artists lounge is a bit small in terms of the library and computer area but very cozy as I read in there a bit. The library is still being built so feel free to add to it and send donated items! There are also games and some more additions we made when we went to a couple rummage sales on Saturday in the town of Saratoga. The kitchen is great but not well stocked in terms of cooking items since you're meant to reheat more than cook but this may get fully stocked as time goes on and if things change.

Out and About

Hiking you can do in abundance here. And not just hiking along a road but on trails, on roads too, but going to see land and nature and animals! Mainly moose, deer, and dogs, but still nature!

Also you can use the facilities at the main lodge. Colette and I tended to go to the gym every few days and once Jim started us in on the game room Hoop Fever and Buck Hunt became staples in our routine when we needed to get out and were restless. Plus, unlimited Gatorade in the game room!

CONS

Wifi

You have to log into the open access internet once every 24 hours which can be burdensome and irritating if you're using the internet steadily in that it'll conk out on you in the middle of something. Also range isn't the best, mainly suitable in your studio but not as great in your room if you can even get access on your computer/devices.

Culinary Delights?

As I may have mentioned, the food was mighty lackluster. And if you're a vegetarian be forewarned that the kitchen staff didn't seem to comprehend that there's a vast amount of things you can make for vegetarians outside of salad, quickly fried tofu, and pasta/pizza. A lot of times one of the other residents off-set the vegetarian items with leftovers and store bought items to appeal to the vegetarians who did not get as much protein as necessary.

In addition to that it seems that the variety of food doesn't improve for artists unless guests are present. Which is sad. It seemed that we were an add on and not a focus so the food was often uninspired and not great. The desserts were standard fare once guests came but nothing outstanding. You know I'm a foodie so that is important. But dinner was often better than lunch which I ate twice out of the ten lunches I was provided because I got sick of sandwiches doused in mayonnaise with lettuce and tomato on plain white bread that was heavy and soggy when I received it--often sandwiches were made early in the morning (around 5 or 6am) and left out until delivered to us around noon.

Activity-less

I did not get to go on any activities as by the time this was all sorted I was on my way out. Residents are allowed one activity per two week stay and it was odd that it would not be until the guests arrived that we residents would be allowed to get in on their activities. Which just seemed weird. So by the time guests did come which was the 16th we were waiting to be told every morning of what activities were available and after three days it was just not a good way of communicating/organizing. The director tried her best but it seems there's a real disconnect between staff at the lounge and the artists camp and hopefully this'll be fixed with new leadership.

In Summary:

If I could take Linda, Ragdale chef, and bring her to Brush Creek and add in a bit less tension between staff and the Artists Camp this would've been ideal and on par with Jentel for me. Speaking with other residents who had gone to Jentel and were at Brush Creek with me we agreed, hands down, that Jentel is the best residency experience we've ever had.

Of course you shouldn't always compare things. Every conference, retreat, residency, everything has it's pros and cons. But for the fact that the staff of one director was super attentive and kind, add in the amazing amounts of quiet, the cool people, the atmosphere, the cleanliness (in my room at least), and the lack of bugs it was delightful. I got so much more done at Brush Creek and I enjoyed every moment. Food be damned, though that is a big point for me, I would go back to Brush Creek and definitely recommend it to others to apply to with the caveats above. I think knowing more about your residency location can help you be more productive rather than being surprised. So, as a new residency they did a really great job and I'd encourage others to go if not for the peace and quiet in itself.

Residency Time, Again! Next Stop, Brush Creek (Residency 2 of 2)

So April brought me April showers, in abundance, at Ragdale and hopefully May will be all sun at Brush Creek in Wyoming. I am particularly amped about Brush Creek because it means returning to Wyoming where I had my first and most exuberant and wonderful residency experience. And while the first several days (week) of Ragdale was a bit of a bust in terms of mental capacity and creative flow I am hoping that my time at Brush Creek will entail much, more, much more productivity and not an end of time burst. But we will see.

Brush Creek is a newer residency in Wyoming. It started over a year ago or at least their trial started. I had heard about Brush Creek from those who run Jentel and then later one of the residents I was housed with at Jentel did  trial run for Brush Creek and said she enjoyed it though they were still getting their bearings in terms of structure. So, now that there's been a bit more time in terms of defining Brush Creek I'm eager to see what it can offer and what I can produce.

Residency 2013: @Ragdale Overall

Well, I'm a few days in from my return from Ragdale and am doing okay. Writing is at the wayside while work and freelance and reviewing take precedence before the next trip. But, I did want to write about what future applicants/participants may want to take note of. Overall, enjoyed myself at Ragdale. And that was increased mainly because of the people. The other residents were great people all around. Attentive and keen and kind. Talented and intelligent and open. We all bonded within hours of meeting each other. Compliments and wine and laughs flowed at every dinner and you'd find yourself meaning to only get a bite and jump into some great conversation. So the residents and kind staff and especially Linda the Chef made it a really great and relaxing experience. Despite the lack of my own brain mojo working I got away from a major metropolis and was surrounded by other artists to discuss our work and our goals and our doubts and our appreciation for getting a bit of incentive as artists by being accepted to Ragdale. So, in that sense, and what a residency is supposed to provide in general, is that time away to get what you need. Yes, you want to get work done. You may even have a plan all laid out but if it doesn't happen: Do. Not. Freak. Out. Some of us are fast writers, composers, painters, etc. Many of us work at our own pace and when you don't have a paycheck or deadlines to push the creative process it can make things a bit slow going. But it gets done, as long as you maintain focus and take yourself seriously as an artist.

So let's break it down shall we?

The Digs

As mentioned in my previous three posts the working area for writers is the same as where you sleep. Essentially your bedroom is your studio. Now, would this work for you to get out of bed and fumble around a bit before writing (or just jumping right into it) in your sleep space?

For some having a studio set apart from your living space is ideal. And for the visual artists they have this at Ragdale for the most part. Three of the four spaces for visual artists are separate from their room, with one exception being the Chandelier Studio in the Ragdale Barn. While a spacey room it may be somewhat cramped for those who are used to a larger working space.

Will noise be an issue for you? Because it was for me, initially! The Ragdale Barn is also home to the Ragdale main office where staff is from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Conferences are held in the conference room but being an older space, literally it was a barn, now turned into a living/working space it may be distracting to hear the ins and outs of staff and visitors throughout the day during the week.

When I had brought this up to staff originally there seemed to be a misunderstanding of how much sound can travel in the barn (or how sensitive some of us can be to sound) and thus I had to move the following week. If sounds aren't an issue for you and neither is a smaller room (the smallest is the Sewing Room in the Ragdale Barn) than you may be suited for the Barn. However, if these things will be a problem and you need a more spacious spot to work and sleep then the Ragdale House is where you need to be.

The Ragdale House is large and drafty and creaky. But beyond the residents (and perhaps staff coming to clean) this is more ideal a setting. The rooms are spacious and each has it's own bathroom. So, unlike the Ragdale Barn, you do not have to share a bathroom and this can also be more conducive to getting work done, especially if you are a solitary person. The Ragdale House has a full kitchen (whereas the Barn has half a kitchen since the chef works out of the majority of the area) a huge living room, a plant room, and is a historical landmark and so forth. Most of the rooms, if not all, in the Ragdale House have sun porches attached!

Now, I was told that there's no "code" for who gets what room but I noticed a trend. Those (writers particularly) who were staying 3 or 4 weeks or more got a room in the Ragdale House, while writers staying a shorter time got planted in the Ragdale Barn. And perhaps even veterans got preferential treatment of the Ragdale House as well. Code. Cracked. Or at least it was for my session.

There's also the Friend's Studio which has one side for a composer and another for a visual artist and is big and has ample windows. This studio is set apart from the House and the Barn. If you're a writer who needs a lot of space like the writer who was in this studio while I was there this may be good for you. The table situation isn't the best since there's no formal desk but in terms of spreading out it's great.

And one of the largest studios for visual artist is: The Meadow. This place is like it's own house. It has an island for a kitchenette, Northern light (which I hear is a big deal for artists), a bathroom, and a couch (albeit small) should you want to stay overnight. It's located beyond the House, Friend's Studio, and Barn but not too far off at the beginning of where the prairie begins. One of the residents who had the smallest rooms to sleep in (Sewing) got the largest studio in The Meadow. So it kind of balanced out. If you're a visual artist I do hope you get either space in The Meadow or Friend's Studio because the space and lighting would be ideal to spread out.

The Food

You will not go hungry at Ragdale. Guaranteed. Though I am not a picky eater. But, Ragdale is one of the few residencies that provides food and caters to your meal preferences. While the chef only makes dinner Monday through Friday she is very cognizant of what your restrictions are and knows how to make sure flavors litter every meal. So no worries there. Linda also takes requests for items that you may need/like. But there are some (like ice cream) where you'll be on your own. But the bare necessities like milk (regular, almond, soy), eggs, butter (or butter like products), bread (gluten free, wheat), etc. will be accounted for along with pasta and lentils and canned tuna/salmon, turkey, salad, fresh fruit and veggies, and peanut butter-filled pretzels which is my new addiction. Thanks, Linda!

Linda makes an abundance of food so if you don't go to dine with the residents (and occasional visiting staff) during the week you'll be okay if you check the fridge later on in the evening. But try to get at that food before lunch because people love their leftovers.

Since most of the food is housed in the Ragdale Barn (which Linda works out of) you'd have to make sure to remind her about some items needed for the Ragdale House and don't hesitate to go back and forth between houses in case stuff is needed, but try to put it back in case people want eggs or juice in the morning! (Sidenote: I'd highly recommend making fresh OJ every morning with the electric juicer in the Barn. Excellent.)

The Locale

Lake Forest is a small town where the inhabitants have money. You will not see houses, you will see HOUSES. McMansions as some like to call them. People have land not just yards and Ragdale also has an abundance of land in the prairie behind it and beyond. You will even see many of these lovely places peppered around the prairie as you walk.

Should you want to go to "town" it's about a ten minute walk from Ragdale. Most of the liquor can be purchased from the Jewel Osco which is the supermarket. There are brunch spots and lunch spots and areas to get drinks but on a Saturday most bars call it at 12:30am or 1am. Yup. One am on a Saturday. It's a small town like I said. So don't necessarily expect to party it up there.

If you want to go to Chicago it's about a 30-40 ride via car. A car service from Lake Forest to O'Hare airport will cost $50 not including tip. If you take a cab expect to pay $80 and up. So just don't, people. You can also take public transit but that can take a couple hours since you have to take the rail from Lake Forest to downtown Chicago and then take the rail back up to Chicago because there's no direct route via the rails, but it's way cheaper.

The Staff

Everyone is super nice and well meaning at Ragdale. The executive director Jeff and his partner currently reside in the Ragdale apartment which is connected to the Ragdale House. They came to dinner twice a week to get to know the residents for the session and also came out to drinks with us once! So nice and they're super friendly and personable and get to know you on a personal level not just as someone who's paying to be there.

Regin who handles the whole resident process, and was a former resident at Ragdale, also came to dinner once a week. He and I spoke about art and being an artist of color and what that means for the expectation versus our product which was really cool.

Everyone in general was super helpful and friendly and kind and generous. Even when I complained and complained about the noise factor for me they adjusted it because there was a work around, so I appreciated that.

There's usually a line between staff and residents. And while people may want to welcome you they also understand your time is your time and do not want to impede upon it. So it was nice that having dinner was a nice break and lended us and staff the opportunity for us to get to know each other more.

Marta and David (part of the grounds crew) were very sweet and helpful. I do want to provide a side note that if you are in the Ragdale House one of them will come to your room during the day to clean it out. So this could be disruptive to your process for an hour or so once a week.

And I think that covers it! Since I summed up my personal experiences (and ebbs and flows) in previous posts I wanted to mainly focus on what to think about and expect should you want to apply or be on your way. And if you have specific questions call the staff. I had to call a few times to get my questions/concerns answered. At the moment the staff is looking to update the website to give a better idea of what Ragdale is and what the grounds look like because it may not be properly outlined and visually available on the website nor in their guidebook. So, take things into consideration of what you need to work and how Ragdale may fit into your plan.

Again, I am very appreciative for being accepted and for having the opportunity to get away and work on my writing once I was ready to go full force and was no longer blocked. I ate well, slept in comfy beds, and got away from the day-to-day minutiae that can make you a bit stir crazy. And already being thrust back into full work and freelance mode I am missing that time. So check out Ragdale and their application process and go for it! It's a paid residency but very affordable and well worth the costs and more.

Day Twelve at @Ragdale

And we enter the last stretch. I will be leaving on Sunday morn and it's getting real! Sad times. So last time I posted I was feeling very blah about productivity. It didn't hit the first day or the second or the third really. And as much as a mofo as inspiration is it hits when it hits doesn't it? Which means Sunday. And even then it wasn't as steady so that come Monday and for the rest of the week I was on fire. I turned on Spotify and it was ON.

Pieces I couldn't wrap my head around the first several days became things I could actually tackle. Say what?!? I know!

One story was still a kick in the butt but it gained some clarity on Saturday. On Sunday my words weren't as lame as I thought and come Monday I was a friggin' genius! I tidied up three stories, not completed them but tidied two of the three up enough that I could show them to others to let me know what is wrong and/or right and the third still being a novella rather than a story but seeing where the direction is going. And then a fourth came out the woodwork and I understood the character a heck of a lot better than I initiated realizing all of the men in my Collection, when I initially wrote them were too damn passive and needed to be active and that is happening! So exciting times.

And then another story came to light and another and another and another and I read some poetry and wrote some poetry before going to bed and then I was revising flash fiction like a fiend and starting new flash fiction all the while listening to this band Spotify suggested I'd like called The Temper Trap and loving them and then I was revising query letters for my YA book and realizing I was almost done and freaking a bit and I was on Twitter and Facebook too but mainly these last several days I was writing and kicking butt and not socializing so much as staying in to write and eat and get right back to writing which reminded me of the Jentel days when it was work.

Of course it hits others too. Residents who are here for three weeks instead of two are getting into high gear come the end of this week and not wanting to get sucked into oh so wonderful and enlightening convo and then you must CHOOSE! What do I want to do? Get more work in or finish off the expensive (or at least most expensive from the supermarket) wine and talk about our lives and our art and what we worry about and bond or do we want to read and then settle in or what? Should we eat leftovers and the dessert while we're at it or just hydrate, hydrate, hydrate with water? We can't make these decisions!

And yet, that tends to course things go at the end of a residency. The rush period where you enjoy everyone's company and then have to toggle between spending time with people you've grown to care about and respect or do the work and there can be a balance but in the final days everyone is all "The hell!? I gotta get these things done!"

We all have such goals when we do these things and in the end you get done what you get done. As I had learned in Jentel and still didn't realize would afflict me here during a shorter time span is that I cannot force it. And I was and am relieved that I'm surrounded by wonderful artists that I could relate to and talk to when I was just out of it. I'm certain that was part of my process for realizing that I needed to get back in the game.

Oh, and remember the whole noise thing? Well I got moved to the Ragdale House which is much quieter but has it's own sounds, mainly the constant creaking of doors and steps when utilized and the shutters tap, tap, tapping against the structure during the (four day in a row) rainstorm we had this last week. Lame. But the digs are huge!

Each room in the House has it's own bathroom and you can literally split it in half and work on one side and sleep in the other side. Divine. And it has an outdoor sun porch! Though this could not be utilized during all this damn rain but the next occupant may enjoy it boatloads.

Just goes to show people, when you complain, nicely, you can get nicer digs. Not that I didn't enjoy the Yellow Room. It is quaint and homey and the Top of the Stairs Room is very old timey reminding me of Gone with the Wind. 

We had a reading on Monday night and it was great to hear what the other residents were working on. Since there are several writers it was eclectic and there was poetry as well. The visual artists also came and listened so we got to hit the auditory senses for them as they hit our visual. Cool times. Everyone's work inspired and enticed and you feel that much more awesome knowing you're with super talented people.

I have to say beyond re-acclimating to the real world again one concern many of us residents have is how we're going to cook for ourselves once we leave. Linda, the chef, has been phenomenal in meeting so many various needs (gluten free, vegetarian, pescatarian, lactose intolerant) with so many delicious meals that just hit the nail on the head every-single-time we don't know how we'll cope! How am I expected to cook for myself after all this? The daily fee for Ragdale ($35/day) is worth Linda's meals alone. This is quite disconcerting when I think on it, so I will not.

Anywho, next post will be a full Ragdale review. Hopefully I won't be in the doldrums as it'll be three weeks and counting until WY. And who knows what my brain will do then. Hopefully I'll eke out a lot there, but I believe we've confirmed you can't plan these things.