About the PROJECT

I am fascinated with the relationhip between the artist and his/her environment because they are undeniably linked while also having such a profound effect on each other.

The "environment" is comprised of innumerable factors such as a community, nature, location, building,  and/or a family.  Every artist defines their environment in different  terms by choosing which factors contribute to their sense of place.  Throughout my research, I failed to find a single definition for this concept.  As a result, I derived my own definition to fit my own perception.  While conducting interviews with artists, I tried pull the kind of information I wanted from the artists to fit my definition of their environment, and unsurprisingly, this failed horribly. 

As a result, piles of notes and research laid on my bedroom floor that did not really relate to each other.  Moreover, I was able to collect a lot of first-hand research, but very little is written second-hand.  I had a lot of trouble finding articles on this subject, so I depended mostly upon interviews.  However, I felt it was all useful information that must come together in some way.  Therefore, I decided that it would branch out from the topic that I had the most information and understanding - Jon Andrews.

I spent the past five months in close contact with Jon while working on his independent film, Pursuing Happiness.  I experienced and observed his process of living in his hometown.  I realized that all of my research related back to him in some way or another, and the project should be focused around him.

Therefore, the body of the final project is an article about him.  The links branching out are either pieces of research that relate to a specific subject discussed in the article or supporting quotes from Jon.  I drew a pastel that I felt exemplified Jon's feelings about Vermont, which I am using as an introduction to the article.

Given the technology of this piece and its informality, I would probably publish this on an online 'zine.