art coma

Yesterday I awoke from my 11 week art coma. As I was packing up my studio, I was reflecting on why time has passed so quickly here and I realized its because I've been completely consumed in making art. In the past, I've had days go by without notice because of art projects but never months. All I've really done is eat, sleep, and make art. This has been a wonderful creative experience and I've learned much and grown as an artist. I have a sense of direction of where I want to take my art and I've developed concepts I want to explore for future work.

As rewarding as this experience has been, I feel I have unfinished business here in Italy. Because I've been so consumed in art and the nature of this trip, I've been with other Americans for the majority of the time. I want to continue to learn the language and come back to live here again one day. Maybe in graduate school or perhaps as a professor. Whatever it is that brings me back, I know I'll return. So as sad as I'll be to leave next week, I know it won't be forever.