Abby Junge is a multidiscipinary artist currently living in Holland. This is her first installment in a four-part series as Artist Strong’s Artist in Residence.

You can view more of her art on Instagram @abbyjunge or visit her website at www.abbyjunge.com.

 

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I was talking to a friend (who is not an artist)  about this residency that is coming up, and I shared all of the demons that come attached  with creating, and calling myself an artist.  she laughed and said she can’t believe what I’m saying since i  seem so sure of myself and loves my work. 

But I promise there are demons involved. i introduce to you evidence 1.1:This piece is called: “Why hello there, I’m Mr. Self Doubt. here, take my card” to which I always respond in my head: no thanks, keep it! And is one of the first things I made before I could actually call myself an artist.

Back to this specific journey, that starts after a long forced sabbatical.  I will start with my roll of no judgement (if you can think of a better name, I’m all ears)

My Roll of No Judgement is where I practice not just drawing, but also non-judgement. On the roll, no line is wrong. Once the ink hits the paper, that line is accepted and loved just like any other line.

I practice to allow myself mistakes, to forgive them and to let them go. I can only keep going forward, there is nothing for me to add if I go back.

So I began the first day of the residency and started by the easiest thing i could think of, and I drew on my roll. and got back into it, so to say, and after an hour of drawing I call myself out on this exercise of procrastination, and pushing away the inevitable. which is to start working.

 

So a long zig-zagged story short.  I said f it! lets just carve! that’s why I’m here. And the papaya was born.

 

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 I realize these are all very small steps I’m taking.  But that’s the way for me to go I guess. Just lingering on the edge of what’s uncomfortable. Today a papaya, and tomorrow … I don’t know, but we can find out together.

Every month, 1-3 artists show up in our Artist Strong community to share their artistic process, journey, explorations with us over the course of a month.

The goal is to normalize the MANY, VARIED experiences of being an artist.

And if YOU  want to apply to be an Artist Strong Artist Resident, subscribe to our weekly updates to hear about the next time applications are open.