Painter Gregory Grenon on his March 2006 residency:
“When I arrived in Oysterville, I was exhausted. I had just finished work for the Traver Gallery in Seattle and had to go to the opening the very next day! I unloaded my supplies at the house, met everyone and then left for Seattle. My show in Seattle was a success and I returned the next day to begin my residency. It was my very first residency and I did not know if I would even accomplish anything but I knew that I was to receive TIME and I really needed some time!
I set up my working area, laid out tarps to protect the floor and began working. There was no T.V. and I do not use the computer or telephone. I did however call my wife, Mary, every night at 8pm with her cell phone.
Ideas came so fast to me. It amazed me. I would awake 6:30am and begin drawing or writing in my bedroom. I would then draw, paint or work on frames in my workspace. There were no rules and everyone left me alone, no interruptions, and that's what makes the residency so beautiful. I ate when I was hungry and that was not often. I usually did not go to sleep until 2am.
During the day I sometimes would go out in the rain to get a paper or supplies. I made friends with the local shoe-repairman and the hardware store guys. The crab season was hurt by heavy storms but I enjoyed the razor clams. I made the acquaintance of the lady post office person, Jeanne, and visited her often as I love first-class mail over the use of the computer.
The ESPY residency is special. Special to me at this time in my life because I really needed this. I completed over 30 works, read 4 books and made over 100 pages of notes and personal essays. When I came home I went about reconstructing the ways that I work and realized that I had solved some problems in the way that I work as well as eliminating some bad habits, which I am still disposing of at this writing. No one was looking over my shoulder and I never had a bad day there. I look forward to applying to other residencies that suit me in this way. It was a delicious time in my artistic life.”
Sincerely,
Gregory Grenon
