New Paths at Eureka!

We've been expanding the paths around the retreat so that now it is possible to walk all the way from "Meditation Rock" near the top corner of the property all the way down to the trail's end which is atop a 30 foot birch tree.  It's an easy and safe climb all the way to the top where one can catch a bird's eye view of the studio.  Along the trails we have a lot of lovely boulders with fragments of mica that were dropped here after the mighty glaciers retreated at the end of the last ice age.

-Michael

Our New Artist Residency Video

I finally found some time to sit down and make a short edit of video shot in the studio over the last year or so.  I'm hoping to add to this some other angles like the wonderful nature and things we do when people come to visit us like bonfires and barbecues.  There is still good availability this summer for artist residencies, accommodations, directorial services, and studio rentals.

Special thanks to all the talented people who made this possible.  In order of appearance: Scott Jameson, Valerie Doucet, Kyle Driggs, Leland Faulkner, Jane Pokrovskaya, Brad Terry, Karen Montanaro, Michael Menes, Rob Lok, Bronwyn Sims, Daniel Orrantia, and Michael Trautman. 

Artists in Residence

2015 Artist Residencies have begun!  There is still plenty of availability this summer for artists who need a space to develop their craft.  Rob Lok and Jane Pokrovskaya (left) are shown here receiving direction from Leland Faulkner (right) as they work on new material for their duet comedy show.  The couple came up from New York City for a week to develop material for an upcoming contract on Disney Cruise Lines.  Artist residencies at the Eureka Retreat can be customized to fit artists' needs.  Rob and Jane hired Leland as an outside eye to give their show shape, develop the characters, and choreograph new routines.  They also did a professional video shoot on the last day of the residency to help market the new work.  We really enjoyed having them come and stay with us and we hope they will come back very soon!  For more information on artist retreats, click here.

Winter Magic

Quiet, beautiful, and cozy are words that come to mind at this time of year here in the foothills of western Maine. The smell of the wood stove burning... the sound of wet snow falling off the roof... enjoying a warm cup of tea... all perfect for writing a script, creating a new juggling act, practicing yoga, or just getting away from the stresses of life.

After celebrating Christmas with family in Prague and New Years in Tahiti on a cruise contract, Andrea and I are looking forward to spending some quiet time at home at Eureka over the next couple of months.  Fortunately, it has been a mild winter compared to the really severe weather we had last year.

Soon, the middle of March will bring warmer temperatures and the magical spring ski season. We are planning to do some nice skiing and snowboarding with friends, family, and guests at nearby resorts! And it's not too long before the birds return and start singing in the treetops in the early mornings. 

A lot of magic! smile emoticon

Leaf Peeping in October

Coos Canyon near Rumford, Maine

On weekends in October, we experience some of the best days of the year in the hills around Western Maine.  The fall foliage hits its peak usually on the first two weeks of October.   Optimal views depend on temperature, rainfall, and winds.  What is truly remarkable is that there aren't crowds of tourists around like we have all summer long.  Some smart travelers are well aware of the value and make reservations a whole year in advance.  We picked a perfect day to visit the Rangeley Lakes Region and Coos Canyon near Rumford.  Lots of requests for reservations on weekends from folks coming down from Canada and up from Massachusetts...

There are also a couple very well known fairs in Maine at this time of year as well.  The Fryeburg Fair in Fryeburg runs the first week of October and there is also the Common Ground Fair in late September in Unity, Maine.

Hunting season arrives in November along with  shorter days, colder rains, and occasional snow.  The mood shifts to getting indoors and playing in the studio!

Breaking From The Pack

Bronwyn Sims working on her aerial apparatus for her one woman show "Moment of Impact".

Sometimes, as artists, we need a time to focus without distractions getting in the way of our work.  Although we need input and encouragement, there comes a time when we need to put the social aspects of being artists aside and just concentrate on the work itself.  Sometimes we need to break from the pack, find our unique voice, and reframe from deriving ideas from others.  This is one of the main reasons why artists of so many disciplines enjoy escaping to Maine each year.

For those who want to cut to the chase, we still have space this summer for affordable artist residencies in July and August. Here is the link for more information and an application that can be downloaded.

http://www.eurekaretreat.com/-retreats.html.

Rejuvenation Awaits in the Backwoods of Maine!

Improvisation with Brad Terry

A few of us got together on May 4th in the studio with Brad Terry to experiment with theater improvisation to live music.  Brad is an amazing musician who has played with quite a number of jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie.  Despite his notoriety, Brad is extremely humble and generous and a real charm to experiment with.  It was an interesting and inspiring afternoon!  We are looking forward to having him back along with his virtuoso jazz guitarist.  I think the high point of the day for me personally was when Brad started playing, then he abruptly stopped and said, "The acoustics in here are wonderful!"

Read more about Brad here.  

Brad improvising with Karen Montanaro.

Brad improvising with Leland Faulkner.

"Admiration"

Brad shares a story.