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INSIDE THE ENSO

Shared reflections and insights from The Enso Circle Founders and Artists-in-Residence
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Last Chance to Join The Enso Circle Before 2025

8/25/2024

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They say when one door closes, another opens—but sometimes, that door stays shut for a while. That’s exactly the case with The Enso Circle, our unique online artist residency. The window for applications closes in just three days, and once it does, it won’t open again until 2025.

If you’ve been thinking about applying, now is the time. The Enso Circle offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in a supportive community of artists, focusing on your individual goals—whether it’s exploring new directions, preparing for an exhibition, or finding your signature style. Over twelve weeks, you’ll be guided by Lyn and Michelle, all while engaging in rich, creative conversations with like-minded fellow Residents that will push your work to new heights.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Visit The Enso Circle to learn more and submit your application. After this week, the door will be closed for a long time. Make sure you’re on the inside when it does.

Your creative journey is waiting—don’t wait another year to begin it. Apply now, and step into a future filled with artistic growth and fulfillment.

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Going for the Gold

8/16/2024

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If you were one of the more than 220 million world viewers of this summer’s Olympics, you probably heard stories about the dedication and sacrifice required to compete at this international level. Most athletes hoped that this year would be their year. Following a qualifying run, one athlete, realizing that his timed speed would likely not be good enough for a medal, remarked to the interviewer, “While my chances are small that I will make it to the medal stand, I am happy just to be in France among so many others who understand what it has taken to get here.”
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We may not fully understand what it takes to be an Olympic athlete, but we do know what it takes to be an artist. And we also know that artistic excellence requires similar sacrifices of time and focused dedication. Our practice is repetitive, repeatedly painting the same subject to get the light just right. We use mentors to become better at our craft.We take classes to put more tools at our disposal. Our work is often solitary, so occasionally, we need to be in the company of others who understand what it takes to be an artist. That is the primary reason the Enso Circle Artist Residency was created. Each term, we become a tight-knit community, a village of artists from different parts of the world with different life stories who create in many art disciplines, each striving for personal excellence.

Looking back over the last few months of watching the Olympics, I heard wise words that I thought spoke to the artists who will be applying for this term’s Residency.

“I don’t think you’re human if you don’t get nervous.” Sidney Crosby is a gold-medal hockey player. Coming into a new community, knowing you will be sharing your art with other artists, takes courage to step out of your comfort zone. Most past Residents would say that the nerves go away quickly in the excitement of The Enso Circle Slack Village.

“Nothing can substitute for just plain hard work.” Andre Agassi, a gold-medal tennis player. Most of us have learned that we can’t make art in our heads. We must show up in the studio to solve the problems that arise at work. With the Residency, your questions have answers, and suggestions are available from other artists in their studios and solving their problems. And some will even be up since your night is their morning.

Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting, and the thrill of finally achieving your goals. These are all life lessons.” Kristi Yamaguchi, gold-medal figure skater. Is this your year to achieve a longed-for goal?

Are you ready to go for the gold?

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It’s Time!! Announcing Open Applications for The Enso Circle Residency

8/13/2024

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Michelle Belto and I are thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the next session of The Enso Circle, our unique 12-week online artist residency. If you are an artist who values focus and community, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re exploring a new artistic direction, preparing for an upcoming exhibition, seeking to refine your signature style, or simply wanting to share the joy of creativity with a like-minded group, The Enso Circle offers the perfect environment to achieve your goals.

At The Enso Circle, we believe that the creative journey is deeply personal, yet richly enhanced by the support and inspiration of a committed community
. Our residents work on individual projects while enjoying the benefits of collaboration, feedback, and shared experiences with fellow artists.

This residency is more than just a program—it’s a 12-week investment in a lifetime of artistic fulfillment.
If you’re ready to focus, grow, and connect, we invite you to apply and become part of The Enso Circle community. Click here to learn more.

How do I apply?
You apply to the Enso Circle online. Applications open August 14th, 2024.

Applications close August 28, 2024; new Residents will be notified by September 4, 2024.
Here is the Application Link.

Orientation Week begins September 11 with group introductions and Zoom meetings; the term ends the week of December 12 with the exhibition catalog reveal.

Join us in creating something extraordinary. The Enso Circle is waiting for you.

 
Lyn & Michelle
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Seeds. . .

8/1/2024

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A gardener knows to leave some fruit on the vine at the end of the season. These dried-out pods hold the seeds for next year’s harvest. Usually, only the best and biggest seeds from the most productive produce are saved for reproduction.

August is when gardeners in South Texas begin rooting up the drying stalks from the Spring. It is also the season of new school clothes and supplies, meeting teachers, and digging out the backpack from last year. August is a promising time to plow the soil and pick the previous pods off the okra stalk in preparation for harvesting the seeds; grab an iced tea and sit in your favorite lawn chair to plan for next year’s garden. It’s a time for new beginnings and growth potential.
 
Artists who apply to The Enso Circle Artist Residency come with their own packets of these heritage seeds ready for planting in the community garden. A Residency is about putting our best seeds to work for us. Whether you are interested in building a solid studio practice or deepening your connection to your work, accepted residents don’t arrive empty-handed; they bring with them skills and history as creators. A Residency is an opportunity to get a fresh start on a series of artwork, explore new materials, or discover a personal voice. These are only some of the goals we see in applications.
 
At least one seed has already been sown because you are reading this blog post. Your interest and potential application are the first steps in this exciting journey. What will your flowers of tomorrow look like, planted from the seeds of this moment? Your role is crucial in shaping the future of The Enso Circle Artist Residency.
 
Applications will open on August 14! We would love to see what you will plant this term.
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    The Enso Circle is a unique, invitational art residency, a dedicated three-month time period in which you will join a community of creators for a specific self-chosen  goal that is unique to you.

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Website designed by Lyn Belisle
All content © Michelle Belto and Lyn Belisle, The Enso Circle, 2021-2024


  • Home
  • WHO WE ARE
    • OUR STORY
    • WHY THE ENSO?
    • THE ENSO EXHIBITION CATALOGS
    • OUR STUDIOS
  • ABOUT THE CIRCLE
    • OVERVIEW
    • REQUIREMENTS AND COST
    • THINKING ABOUT APPLYING?
    • APPLICATION
  • MEMBERS PAGES
    • THE ENSO LESSON GUIDE
    • RESOURCE LIBRARY
    • ENSO CALENDAR
    • RESIDENCY FEE
  • BLOG: INSIDE THE ENSO
  • CRSPRING25