SABBATICAL REPORTSUSAN SAVAGE

Fall semester 2011September 14, 2012

VISUAL FAITH: A CONTINUING NARRATIVE

My final sabbatical in the fall semester of 2011 brought a healthy vigor to my endeavors to further explore the technical and spiritual components of my art making investigations.

OVERVIEWOF PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The intent of my plan is the same as my first sabbatical, to capture metaphorically the truths and promises of the Christian faith through the guise of some very simple, but highly symbolic forms: a silver bowl, white linen cloth, red ribbon, cardboard and wooden boxes, apples, paper, thorns, glass jars, and silver and glass spheres. Bathed in redemptive light, these forms take on a persona of quiet reverence as they strive to visibly depict the invisible. By continuing to explore these metaphorical arrangements I also express a desire to consider the possibilities of where the work of this second sabbatical exploration might lead. To go deeper into the realm of mystery, I desire to offer something, as a Christian, to the mainstream of our culture.

In keeping my underlying goalin mind, to become a better and more informed artist and educator, I acknowledge that I have done so. Because of what is developing in my ongoing art making endeavors, I can share what I am learning with others, and I can also empathize more fully with the struggles that students encounter in their own art making experiences as I strive to offer helpful insight from the dilemmas that I have faced. I am now more relaxed about what I do because I have greater knowledge and greater confidence to defend what I am doing. My identity as a painter and as a member of the Santa Barbara art community has increased substantially. My involvement in other art communities is growing, and I am quite motivated by all that has transpired.

My second sabbatical experience has brought receipt of many inquiries of interest, from private parties seeking commissions, to gallery invitations. My website has made it quite easy for gallerists to make inquiries, and I am now engaged in follow-ups to all of the inquiries that I receive. Such activity has made me realize how much interest is “out there” and how luxurious it is to be able to pick what feels rightand pursue it further.

OUTCOMES OF THE PLAN:

I used my 8-month block of time to diligently engage my planned efforts, and it was also used spontaneously to accept invitations to participate in some worthy local non-profit community fund-raisers. My personal plan included 5 tasks, but I only made significant advancements in three of them:

Task #1:To create a body of work continuing the theme of Visual Faith that included self-reflection through continued journaling in my book of records, as well as the creation of a new artist statement to accompany the new series of works.

My current artist statement, which does a good job of defining my ongoing intent, will remain as is until I finish the current series of work, and I will then determine what changes, if any, need to be made.

Task #2:To execute a commission from President Gayle Beebe for Kerrwood Hall

Task #3: Tofocus on future exhibition proposals.

I spoke personally with 4 gallerists who desired a commitment for exhibition, but I had to turn down three of those invitations due to shipping expense and timing restraints.

I do, though, have one show secured locally for Santa Barbara Hospice at their facilities on the Riviera in September of 2013. This decision is one that felt right, and is the only one that would allow me to develop more work due to the additional preparation time that was needed for a solo show. I’m quite happy about working with that organization. My paintings fit quite well into the realm of their healing and restoration offerings. In fact, I have loaned them one of the recent paintings for use in their counseling services. The painting seems to stimulate welcome responses from clients, and the feedback I have received from this new development has been quite rewarding.

At this point in time I just received word that one of my works has been chosen for an international pastors’ conference sponsored by Fuller Seminary, the Brehm Institute, and Calvin Institute. Two other works have been selected for a traveling exhibition as an offshoot of this conference. Details are still forthcoming.

Mr. Gordon Fuglie, head of curatorial affairs at Central California Museum of Art, also contacted me last spring. Mr. Fuglie is interested in what I am doing and has planned a studio visit this fall. He is interested in seeing how he might bring my work into a larger conversation with other artists who are infiltrating the secular realm with spiritual themes.

Task #4 was to create didactic accompaniments for the images produced. I have started to do that for 2 of the completed images, but more needs to be done once I finish a few more works in this series.

Task #5 was to develop a practical integration of my imagery with church worship practice and Westmont chapel. Even though both of these options are still potentially viable,further attention needs to be given to this goal.

Consequently, I did not reach all my goals, but that’s okay. Timing is key. Much was accomplished overall.

REFLECTING ON PLAN SPECIFICS:

My faith is an integral part of my work. Art as faith, faith as art still excites me, feeds me, and motivates and encourages me. It is amazing and humbling to continually acknowledge just how much a part of who I am comes from what I do. As a tangible result of the work I have been doing, my Bible reading has taken on new energy, my devotional times are full of greater insight, and I am continuing to see just how assured I am that I am in the right place, doing something meaningful. Acknowledging that my paintings are viable both in the secular and non-secular realms, I continue to be open more to what the work is doing to viewers rather than where the works are being shown. God has opened doors, and I am grateful to have walked through them to see where they might lead. I believe more doors will continue to open, and I am excited about maintaining my enthusiasm for what is still yet to come.

EVALUATION OF THE PLAN:

In my sabbatical proposal I stated that evaluation basically comes in the form of exhibition. It was a treat to have several exhibition possibilities come my way. Consortium venues are still enticing to me, and the potential of exhibiting with consortium colleagues can still potentially be on my radar, but I have always enjoyed maintaining my openness to unexpected opportunities and to accepting opportunities that just feel right.

The future of my efforts does indeed lay in the outcome of my products, but supplementary readings, meditative writing, conversations with other artists, and networking with gallerists will continue to be part of my normal ongoing activities. Even though I have progressed in some areas more than others, the sabbatical experience has given me a good model to continue to follow, and enough fuel to continue my learning and sustain my contributions.

BENEFITS TO THE COLLEGE:

In all that I have done professionally, from my initial investigations as a faith-integration experiment, now to a serious professional endeavor that givesmy Christian faith a visual identity, Westmont has, and always will be, the origin of my journey. For that impetus, as long as I am a working member of Westmont’s faculty, and even after I retire from full time teaching, I will always be proud to have my name and my work associated with the college. I owe a great deal to the encouraging and supportive structures that enabled me to find this meaningful pursuit. For that I am grateful to God and to the task that will now be continually before me.

SUPPORTING MATERIALS:

In May 2011 I attended the Mayterm Seminar led by Dr. Dallas Willard, and found it to be helpful to my visual approaches. I also read four of the eight books I listed in my proposal, and have discovered that most of what I am supported in doing has come from my earlier readings, but I do find an occasional new twist on earlier premises that catch me by surprise. I know I will always continue to find books that feed my soul and enable it to find its way into the work that I produce.

EXPENSES:

Knowing that funding is tight, I am grateful for the $1,000 I received as supplementary assistance for supplies and framing. The last page of this report contains an itemized accounting of how I used the money. Thank you!

IN SUMMARY:

The words of Saint Francis of Assisi continue to resonate in my mind as I work. He said, “Preach the Gospel often. Use words if necessary.” These words continue to be my mandate.

  • I successfully completed two images that pushed me further into intentional technical challenges.
  • A third painting, Abiding, is now a part of Westmont’s permanent collection and special President’s Collection, my second such honor.
  • A fourth painting was done for a group exhibition, by invitation, at Santa Barbara’s prestigious Sullivan Goss Gallery.
  • Two of my earlier paintings from my last sabbatical and one from this recent serieswere selected for the International Pastors’ Conference, The Last Word:Preaching in a Visual Age, in November 2012 at Fuller Seminary. The accompanying exhibition is titled “Last Words,” and askseach artist, if they were to die tomorrow, which of their works reveals their most heartfelt message for others. This exhibit will be installed in Ecclesia Church, housed in the Warner Brothers Pacific Theatre in downtown Hollywood. A traveling exhibit titled “Epitaph,” will then carry this same theme and accompanying images around the country for three years.

Since my paintings are created as devotions and reminders of our Christian beliefs,and are created as acts of meditation to glorify God, I find this invitation most rewarding. The images of thorns in conjunction with silver spheres, cloth, glass and ribbon are meant to be beautiful in the stories they tell, yet pertinent to their underlying message, for beauty is often the first ingredient that brings us into communion with all that reminds us of God, the sacred, and the holy.

  • I will have a solo show of new works at Hospice of Santa Barbarain September 2013.
  • I received three requests for commissions and will continue to develop those possibilities in the coming months.

Overall, I believe I am most profoundly impacted by the graciousness of my audience. There is no doubt in my mind that I am pursuing something that has deep meaning and significance to others as well as to myself. How blessed I am for that! Whether it be the technical aspects or the spiritual aspects of the endeavor, or both in conjunction with each other, I most appreciated knowing that I could reasonably envision myself continuing theses activities full time. To retire from full time teaching and continue what was started here is something I look forward to pursuing.

Because I came to the realization that these investigations are a manifestation of faith integration just prior to my first sabbatical, I am very grateful for how this study and its nuances have made me a more knowledgeable Christian and one who has sincerely grown in my understanding and practice of the truths of the Christian faith. I am a better person for involving myself in this pursuit. As a result of my fruitful artistic endeavors I am alive in my faith. As I study the scriptures and listen to sermons more intently, as I read with a greater desire to bring all of these supportive features together I strive to put into visual context all that might enable viewers toreceive something spiritually significant through depictionsthat I call visual faith.

I’m not sure what might lie ahead as I look toward retirement, but I know for sure I will forever be grateful for the ways in which these two sabbaticals were invested in bringing me to a richly fulfilling place.

REPORTING TO THE FACULTY:

Because the culminating exhibit for this sabbatical experience will come two years after the start of my sabbatical endeavors, I find it will be most efficient to report my semester’s experiences in faculty forum in the spring of 2013. I choose this time and venue for two reasons: (1) I hope to have the two final paintings of this series finished by then, and (2) the intimate and succinct reportingvenue of faculty forum provides an organized lunchtime mode of entertainment where faculty enjoy seeing and hearing about the focused time of colleagues’ adventures.I will also maintain openness to the chapel connection as well, but certainly I will be happy to make my report as indicated above. I will plan to show digital slides of my images and perhaps reveal some scriptural references or devotional thoughts that inspired them.

Respectfully Submitted with Contentment and Gratitude,

Susan Savage

Sabbatical Supplies (Fall 2011)

Susan Savage

Submitted April 30, 2012

Stretcher Bars$126.81

Stretcher Bars $35.24

Stretcher Bars $21.02

Canvas and Brushes $91.34

Canvas and Brushes$166.06

Miscellaneous $25.74

Framing:

Bubble and Thorns (Here to Dwell)$110.00

Bowl and Ribbon(Given)$194.00

Single Bowl(Hallowed)$218.00

TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT RECEIVED:$988.21