Today I was continually (to quote CS Lewis)  " surprised by joy".
Joy in hearing imagination and delight as young girls played with a knitted Fantasyland.
Joy in seeing the enabling love of a mother as she helped her children make art dolls.
Joy in a visible sense of accomplishment when those dolls were completed.
Joy in knowing those dolls were works of the "heart",
 as they were to be given to beloved grandparents.
Joy in encountering all the family groups that visited today -
grandmothers, daughters and grandchildren
couples,
mothers and children.
Joy in the open and convivial conversations.
Joy in all the positive affirmations ... thank you.
Today  at the Open Studios Project, I was surprised by joy.

From my work table in the Cottage Gallery, sounds drift by ...
a symphony of delight.
Leaves whispering in the wind outside the window.
Suppressed giggles and loud guffaws.
The insistent, abrasive ring of the telephone.
Footsteps ...
the shuffle of bare feet;
the slapping of jandals;
the clickety-clack of heels on the mosaic tiles.
Snippets of one-sided conversations.
The hiss of the kettle.
The hum of a distant sander.
The whirr of the sewing machine.
The avian symphony in the pohutakawas.
And that is while I am here ...
Just imagine the cacophony after dark
when the dolls come out to play:-)

Today seemed to be filled with interaction:
 interaction with fabric, thread, machine, scissors, pattern;
 interaction with visitors - conversation, sharing, laughter, artspeak;
interaction between dolls and visitors - silent, powerful, alluring;
 interaction with ideas and concepts - challenges, collisions, compromise;
interaction with a vision for the future;
interaction with storytellers - of the word, and of picture;
interaction with friends - the web which supports me.

Generosity has defined my day at The Open Studios Project.
The generosity of family ... supporting, loving, enabling.
The generosity of strangers. Today a lady called June brought in two bags full of delightful embellishments and fabrics. Thank you.
The generosity of visitors ... their comments are affirming and encouraging.
The generosity of funders who make such experiences possible.
The generosity of staff and volunteers at The Arts Village ...
answering a myriad of questions!
The generosity of friends ...
who reflect LOVE in so many ways.

There are no guidelines for an artist-in-residence.
I realised today that all I have to be is ... MYSELF.
Sharing with visitors.
Talking with fellow artists, artisans and crafters.
Pinning and stitching the first of my 'Blue Belles'.
Relaxing when I am hot and tired.

I am not sure if I am excited about starting this arts residency ...
or if I am filled with dread.
I swing wildly from one to another.
What encourages me is
the support of friends and strangers alike;
a desire to introduce others to the delights of dolls and dollmaking;
and a need to honour a commitment made.
Perhaps it is just nerves:-)

Today I spent a few hours creating an environment in the Cottage Gallery
 that will fulfil a few requirements -
a place for me to sew;
a place where dolls may be displayed;
a place for visitors to create;
a place for guests to sit and talk.

Am I being overly ambitious?
After years of working at the dining table or on my bed,
do I need more space?
Do I need a dedicated space?
Will the quality of my work change?

Today I began setting up my studio space ...
dolls for sale
dolls for play
dolls to stimulate conversation
design space
sewing space ...
So many decisions to make :-)

Over the summer (Dec 17th, 2013 until Jan 23rd, 2014),
I hope to expand and challenge visitors' perceptions of dolls and dollmaking.
I hope to introduce visitors to the healing and transformative qualities of dolls and dollmaking.
I hope to provide a welcoming and attentive environment 
where people gather, create and share stories.

Depending on whom you are talking to,
 my studio space goes under the name of Cottage Gallery or Exhibition House.
For me,
for the next six weeks,
it is home.
Come visit :-)

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