It’s been almost a month since I received the acceptance email from Open Spaces – a contemporary arts residency in the Swiss Alps. This is a fantastic opportunity to share my work and my culture with a community far, far away, to live and be part of the village of Feutersoey.
Heidi. Red Cross. Cheese. Sound of Music. Edelweiss. Chocolate. Watches. Pocket knives.
Heidi was my introduction to Switzerland; the story of the girl, her grandfather and the goats. The Red Cross I learned about at school, one several groups to join. I chose Girl Guides instead. Seemed like more fun, until my first (and last) camp weekend.
Strangely, Swiss cheese I did not come across until my middle teens, at school in the US. At home, there was only ever New Zealand cheese, the pale mild yellow variety, that went into everything from macaroni pie to cheese straws. But I digress. I worked (helped out) in a sub shop for a term, and that’s where I discovered Swiss cheese….well the one version of it, sliced thinly and handled carefully lest the holes fall apart.
Sound of Music, needs no explanation. I have watched that movie dozens of times, and apart from Julie Andrews singing, the mountains held/hold me spellbound. And, I must have known subconsciously that I would see Switzerland one day soon…3 years ago, at an art camp in Slovenia, up in the mountains, I took a photo of an edelweiss….and wished for Switzerland, while humming the song from the Sound of Music. Maybe the cosmos heard?
My Swiss friend Lilo, gave me an edelweiss designed bandana, which I wore almost every day during my travels last year.
Chocolate? Toblerone. Preferably the dark variety. That was a recent discovery, I‘d say within the past 20 years or so. My brother-in-law’s sister makes the most divine cake with Toblerone melted inside. I’m only allowed one slice.
I lost my pocket knife so shall have to replace. Watches? I own 2 Swiss-made Swatch watches…have not worn them in years. Maybe I’ll take them with me…
Hmm did not realise I have several Swiss threads. So, the thought of me going to the place where these great things come from… I am blessed beyond belief. Happy too bad. Did I mention the residency ends in November? It will be cold…am so looking forward to not sweating.
To accept this incredible opportunity and to bring the warmth of the Caribbean to Switzerland, I need your assistance to help offset airfare and basic expenses for my stay, estimated at USD $5,000. With 42 days until I begin my Swiss residency, my artstung.blogpost.com has the Paypal link. I’d really like you to join me on this journey, and receive at the end, an original made-in-Switzerland-by me artwork of your very own. Of course, along the way, you get to follow my blog (online or via email), and see progress reports.
FOR YOU
As a reward for your generous support, (see below) I will send an original painting made-in-Switzerland-by-me to you at the end of the residency, as below:
- USD $50 support: (acid free mixed media paper, 6×8 inches.) Total #30. Taken to date #3
- USD $100 support: (acid free mixed media paper 9×12 inches.) Total #20. Taken to date #1
- USD $200 support: (handmade South Indian paper A4.) Total #10. Taken to date #1
I will also provide daily updates about my journey on my blog as well as a special pdf diary of works in progress and extensive studio photos. BONUS: I’ll also send select digital images from my extensive Grenada Traditional Masquerade series, direct to your email address.
PS if the link does not work, OPEN IT IN YOUR BROWSER or please email me at artstung@gmail.com or inbox your email to https://www.facebook.com/artstungingrenada/ and I will email you a Paypal invoice. For persons who wish to donate outside of Paypal (in Grenada or in Trinidad) whatsapp me at 14734561953 for instructions.
Thank you to my family, friends and new collectors of my work!