Amelia Furman

I'm the kind of person who worries about not having the one thing that would be most helpful on a trip, so I tend to overpack. Preparing for this residency was no different. Between books, art supplies, clothing, and miscellaneous "just in case" items, I quickly realized I had enough to fill far more than my allotted space. Eventually, I had to make some choices. This residency isn't just about what I'm bringing with me. It's also about what I'm intentionally leaving behind. Useful Things I’m...

One of the biggest misconceptions about a residency is that unlimited freedom automatically leads to creativity. In my experience, the opposite is often true. Too much freedom can quickly become overwhelming. A little structure creates the conditions for exploration to flourish. As someone who is distracted easily by side quests and struggles with overwhelm in the midst of myriad possibilities, I know that pre-planning a structure and some limitations for my self-made residency would be...

“I need to come back.” That was the thought that surfaced while we were hiking through our family forest last Christmas. All the wonderful memories of sitting quietly amidst the forest sounds, scents, and scenes came flooding back as we climbed up the slopes that were covered with fresh snow. I knew I needed to return and experience the place anew. This urge to return didn’t resolve like a passing whim after we flew back to Colorado, so I decided to start considering a second self-made...