Creative Playground

My time at Dorland artist residency has been truly transformative. As my first residency, I found myself constantly rethinking the art supplies I had packed, unsure of what I might need. Eventually, I decided to bring materials I don’t typically work with, turning this week into a DIY training session. I couldn’t be happier with that choice—the entire experience became an exploration of new techniques, and I learned so much along the way.

One medium I rarely touch is India ink, but combining it with the acrylic inks I brought led to surprising and beautiful results. I’m now excited to incorporate this new approach into a future series.

Sometime midweek, I decided to challenge myself further by revisiting an old skill: graphite and pen-and-ink drawing. In high school, a pen-and-ink landscape was what got me an award and set me on my path as an artist, so I attempted a self-portrait. To my delight, I still had a knack for capturing a likeness.

The most significant moment came on a hazy Thursday, a day of deep contemplation. I revisited a piece of writing I had begun over a decade ago but never finished. That day, I finally completed the story, bringing closure to something that had lingered for so long. Now, I just must decide what to do with it—I know I can’t wait another ten years to figure it out.

Dorland is a haven for creatives, a place where you can push boundaries and surprise yourself. I highly recommend visiting—it’s an experience that can shift your creative process in unexpected ways.