Commission Update

Panel detail

Nancy working on one of the panels

Nancy and Ellen are taking advantage of the glorious weather here in Pickens to get some work done on their large commission. The garage studio door is flung open and they have spent the last two days cutting, conspiring, and creating (more than a few Latin names of plants and animals have been bandied about).

The collaboration between them has given rise to another important Rensing phenomenon, which is the pleasure of having people like Nancy, friends of the center, come for a visit so that the artists in residence like myself can spend time with them over a glass of wine or a bowl of grits.

Last night, Nancy taught us all a new word: sobremesa, which translates in Spanish to "around a table." It is what happens after a meal is finished, when plates are smeared clean and bellies are full, and everyone stays to talk. It's a good word to describe what happens here at Rensing when artists get together after the day's work is done and the only things left are the stars and the conversation.

-Jennifer Rabin