I’m Back!
I’m back from an artist residency at The Bored Peach Club on the island of Gozo, Malta, after spending nearly a month photographing Amsterdam, Gozo, and Malta. What a journey it was!
Ironically, the adventure almost ended before it began. My flight out of Austin was delayed, and we sat on the runway for more than an hour while mechanics worked on the landing gear. Fortunately, I had planned several days in Amsterdam before heading on to Malta, so my schedule had a little breathing room.
Once the problem was fixed, we were finally on our way.
Amsterdam turned out to be a wonderful surprise. I’d always connected through London or Frankfurt, but this time I decided to spend a few days exploring a city I’d never visited. I wandered along the canals, enjoyed some terrific food, took a boat ride, and spent four days photographing one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever experienced.
From there, I flew to Malta, crossed by ferry to Gozo, and began my three-week artist residency.
Several years ago, a gallerist suggested that I apply for an artist residency. At the time, I wasn’t sure it was for me. I wondered what it would be like. Would it be stressful? Would it feel like dorm living? Would I have enough time to make photographs?
As it turned out, it was everything I had hoped for. The residency house was beautiful, with a pool, private rooms, welcoming neighbors, and an amazing group of fellow artists. My days were filled with photography, editing, exploring Gozo and Malta, cooling off in the pool, and simply slowing down enough to see.
I came home with thousands of photographs, a notebook full of ideas, countless stories, and a renewed appreciation for what happens when you give yourself the gift of uninterrupted creative time.
Would I do another residency?
Absolutely.
Now that I’ve experienced one, I also have a much better sense of what makes a residency a great fit.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more, specifically some Notes from the Road—stories from Amsterdam, Gozo, and Malta, along with many of the photographs I made during the trip.
For now, it’s simply good to be home… even if part of me is still wandering the canals of Amsterdam and the quiet streets of Gozo.
Some favorites from the trip:
- Blue Door — Mdina, Malta
- The Pale Door — Gozo
- Birgu Alleyway — Three Cities, Malta
- Door Detail — Victoria, Gozo
- Green Window, Yellow Wall — Victoria, Gozo
Until next time…
