If you missed the first one, please check out this T.F.M. post and then circle back for today's post.
Jeff Kennedy wrote... "Creating maps with a tie into my passion for fly fishing and the Au Sable River seemed like the perfect theme to pursuit. Another passion is typography, especially the hand created kind. My Father was in advertising. On occasion I would travel into Chicago with him to visit a print house to check on a job. The print shop was magical. The smell of ink, the sound of the presses, watching hot lead type formed before my very eyes. Yes, these were the pre-computer days, no word processors or digital printing. Typography was physical, a labor of love.
I packed the truck – with way too much stuff, fishing rods, waders, fly boxes, clothes to handle colder weather, food, two bins of art supplies along with my plein air backpack. I packed for any situation that would come at me. I pretty much live by the Boy Scout motto – “Be Prepared”.
I set my studio up in the board room, which is located upstairs in an outbuilding located at the south side of the property across the parking lot from the fly shop and rooms. The board room is where a large library is contained and is also where winter fly tying happens. It acts as the meeting place for the Anglers of the AuSable, the 1100-member strong gatekeeper conservation group maintaining a constant vigil in protecting the AuSable River. This will be my creative studio space for the next week.
The daily routine – Up at 4:30 am – which is usual for me. I just wake up – no alarm. My brain will kick in, so instead of lying there forcing my brain to shut off, I relent and get up. This is not a new phenomenon. I have been like as far back as I can remember.
Early morning is my favorite time of day. It is still dark and quiet. I get my best thinking and work during this time. I walk over and up the stairs to the board room. The air has a crisp edge, it is quiet and dark except for the one overhead light by the board room. All the other lodge guests are quietly sleeping in their rooms.
Once I am in the board room, I set up my small foldable table up on the deck, fire up my single burner stove and get a pot or percolated coffee brewing. Early mornings are the most motivating for me. I can focus and this seems to be the time where my thoughts are most creative and energized. And then come 3:00 p.m., the creativity and motivation crashes.
My wife Janine came up with me for the first three days. It was a nice get away for her. She would read or walk down by the river. While I was up in the board room, she would direct those wandering by the river up to the board room to visit. It was unusually warm for this time of year; I mean hot and uncomfortable. Highs were near 90 degrees under the blazing sun. I could not rely on the north woods air conditioning during the heat of the day. Janine and I snuck out to North Higgins Lake beach to take in a different view and enjoy the cool water.
I spent time each morning picking out random books or magazines from the library, in search of some hidden maps, gems from the past which may reveal secrets. Secret locations to find trout or maybe just a glimpse into the day in the life of a passing fisherman who came to discover something on the banks of the Au Sable River. I never did find those hidden gems, but it was time well spent and an expedition worthy of any Cartophile.
Every day had a similar creative rhythm to it, which I enjoyed. I created at least one nice piece daily along with remarking some post cards and placemats with the Au Sable River map I created for the lodge restaurant. I regularly gave some away to those that stopped up to say hello.
The last day of the residency coincides with annual river cleanup event at the lodge. This event is sponsored by the Anglers of the Au Sable which brings together all who have a love of the river and want to see this resource is protected for generations to come. People gather in the morning to hear announcements and find out what beat they will be cleaning. The groups head out to pick up trash and return later in the day to deposit the river flotsam and jetsam. I have a tent sent up outside the fly shop displaying the work I created during the past week. I also have my plein air easel setup and I paint and sketch. As people come and go during the day they stop by, ask questions, and peruse my work. I enjoy the conversations, stories, and discussions about art and fishing. The event ends with a BBQ meal and camaraderie.
Three architects walk out of a restaurant……yes, that sounds like a joke setup. But three architects did walk up to my booth after dinning at the lodge. After looking over my displayed work, one of them asked if I created the map that was used a as a placemat in the restaurant. I said that I did. And the other commented that he could tell it was hand lettered in the way architects use to do in the days when drawings were all done by hand without computers. They complimented me on my typography and map making skills and were glad to see that there is still someone out there who takes pride in his penmanship.
As the day ended, I packed up and reflected on the week. I did manage to get out on a few occasions to fish some favorite locations. There is nothing like standing in a river or sitting along the banks and enjoying nature and the sounds of the river. The Au Sable River provides endless inspiration for my work.
Enjoy the visual journey from my week of map making, art, and visual story telling."
Want to see more of Jeff Kennedy's work? Drawing Flies 365 has a lot of his older work, purchase his book on Blurb, and of course, follow along on Instagram.
1 comment:
Thanks so much for sharing you experiences at Gates. I was rather envious of those who were privileged to watch you work, and that you could get your waders wet in that oh so special AuSable.
Chuck
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