Here I am in Finland!

I’m here for a residency for artists who work with text—written, spoken, and performed—for an entire month! There are 13 of us from all over the world, including poets, calligraphers, media artists, a book artist, visual and performance artists.

Ritajärven luonnonsuojelualue (a nature preserve near Arteles)

I arrived Thursday evening after a 15 hour journey by plane, train, and automobile. Saturday evening I had my first authentic Finnish sauna, and it was familiar, yet different than our north woods version. Today, I hiked at this lovely nature preserve, and again, it was familiar, yet different. It reminded me of the Boundary Waters so much! And yet, the voices speak an unfamiliar language, and the light casts unique hues to the red pine bark, and the aspen leaves.

Work in Process on the grounds. There are many circles here!