Going for the Gold

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.”

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.

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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?