Posted 26 March, 2009 in Field Notes, Watson Fellowship 2004-2005

When people first learn about my work, they often ask me about my travels. I feel fortunate with the opportunities I’ve had to travel all around the world and still marvel at the unexpected doors my art opens and what opportunities it creates. Once a week now, I’m going to try and post a “field note” to share my stories and experiences. To begin, there are the sheer logistics of traveling of keeping in good humor and form. When I spent a year traveling solo around the world with a Thomas J. Watson fellowship in 2004-2005, I developed some basic rules for travel while in Tibet:

1) Never pass up a chance to sit down, go to the bathroom, or fill up a waterbottle.

2) Never make decisions while feeling stressed, scared, or tired. Instead, rest, eat, relax (breathe!), and then face the challenge. (See my journal page below)

3) Go with the flow: The generosity and hospitality of people is more often than not genuine. The unexpected and unplanned can often be the most rewarding.

4) Be generous. It will be reciprocated. I try to share my art as much as possible. It opens doors to friendships and new experiences… in Tibet the nun who bought me dinner after I sketched her portrait and the nomads who fed me tsampa with chura (ground barley mixed with butter tea and yak cheese) as I sketched their tent.

5) Patience! It takes a while to get to remote regions. And once I get somewhere, if I like it- stay! If not- go away!

Comment on Field Notes: Travel