As a freshly-graduated 21-year-old, I up and moved myself from my home in East Tennessee to New York City. The year was 1989. I was there to complete an unpaid, full-time internship in music therapy so that I could finish the process of becoming a Registered Music Therapist–Board Certified, or RMT-BC. I moved to the Big Apple without having a permanent place to live or a source of income or a family sponsor, but that is another story. I landed on my feet, finding an affordable apartment and a full-time night job at The Four Seasons Restaurant, an icon which has closed for good recently. Oh, the adventures I had! The food I ate! The friends I made!
Fast forward to the present moment. I’m here for no particular purpose this week other than to see what I can see. Now that I’m doing art, or whatever this is, I want to look at New York with an artist’s eye. I’m here to see as much art as possible, to sketch views that inspire me, and to just have an unscheduled vacation where, at every turn, I ask myself the question, “What do I want to do?” And then do that.
I know from having lived here that there are cultural delights around every corner, far more interesting than the packaged shows and tours. Also, when you live here, you have to go to work and do all the mundane things that keep you from exploring. This week I plan to be a curious observer.
Dale is the originator of this plan. He suggested that I come here for spring break, and I jumped on it. I’ve been enjoying the heck out of our snowy Minnesota winter, but a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered. Especially the part where I just do what I want every day.
I’m staying in a cute little hotel on Houston street, an area currently celebrating lots of graffiti art. Tomorrow, one of my dearest old friends is meeting me and taking me to a show. Stay tuned.
I love this!!! Art everywhere !! Zoe reminds me so much of you!! Music and art flow out of her in a way that makes me feel in awe of her! I LOVE your oils ! And I miss hearing your voice!