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The Luckiest Unlucky Girl in the World

Sue Coe's Print at BGSU (Detail)

Well, I’m not going overseas afterall. Everything fell through, and I don’t know why. So, I’m just a girl in Ohio, married to a guy who works at BGSU. I had some other opportunities, which I regretfully denied based on my signing a contract for my job overseas, and which now are most likely unavailable for recourse from my current situation.

Erwin Redl

The situation sucks. But, what can I do? I heard the news on the 11th, which is also the day I started a new part time job working to help finish an installation with the fantastic light artist Erwin Redl. As it turns out, Redl’s workshop/studio is a 2 minute walk from my home. My friend Catherine C. called me on Wednesday and asked if I were able to put in some hours working with her boss. I came in after my post office run, and hereafter am spending some time working on his latest installation for a building in New York. The LEDs cycling is soothing to me.

(I was trying to embed this video of Redl’s work here: “Benchmark” (2010) by Erwin Redl from bitforms gallery on Vimeo, but the embed doesn’t seem to be working. You can still get to it by clicking on the link.)

Life is strange and unexpected. But I have so many things to be thankful for.

Sue Coe Visit

Thursday evening and Friday I spent time with an artist I’ve long admired, Sue Coe. She was in town visiting at BGSU and printing a linocut. What a riot! She’s a total cad, and I love her for it. I also converesed with the BGSU gallery director, Jacqui, who is really into me coming over and riding her partially crazy adopted andalusian horses with her–which is my dream.

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe gave me a makeover. She refused to allow me to wear my glasses in her presence any longer. She arranged all of my curls individually in a composition around my face. I am only allowed to wear glasses hereafter “when I’m working.” I “don’t need them,” do I? I should grow my hair out just a bit longer, quit plucking my eyebrows, and I should wear long, shiny earrings. But not too shiny. And my clothing choices are good. But I couldn’t wear them in the Middle East. She spilled coffee all over us hugging us ‘goodbye’ and then sponged off our bodies with my blue handkerchief.

Sue Coe Visit
Me and Sue.

Coe also read our palms over Starbucks at the BGSU student union. But I’ll save the story about the impending doom of our futures for a later date.

So, I am denied a full time job with benefits, but I am suddenly working for an internationally renowned installation artist, revitalizing a letterpress operation, and training wild ponies. Life could definitely be worse. It is unfortunate that, once again, I look like a total loser, but I am thankful for the opportunities I have. And I am more certain than ever in my own work and process, and eager to prove myself in the coming months.

Here are some more snapshots from Sue Coe’s visit with BGSU faculty and students printing her edition.

Sue Coe Visit
Blake, Sue Coe, and Janet Ballweg

Sue Coe Visit

That being said, if any of you are looking for an visiting artist this year, I’m free! I’m ready to travel and teach and hang up my work anywhere. My bags are already packed, after all, and they are full of modest clothing and linoleum blocks. So, please keep me in mind if you have any gaps in your schedule. You can see my work, student work, CV, read a statement, bio, etc. all on my website, http://hannahmarchsanders.com/

So far, I hope to be traveling to the University of Northern Iowa, University of North Carolina Pembroke, Middle Tennessee State University, and maybe I will take a trip back to the University of Colorado Boulder.

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe and BGSU Printmaking Professor Janet Ballweg Photoshoot

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe Visit

Sue signing the wet prints very carefully.

Sue Coe Visit

Blake fattening up his ink slab.

Sue Coe Visit

The print will later be cut out and folded down into a little book.

Sue Coe Visit

Janet, Blake, and Catherine C. inspecting the most recent print.

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe Visit

Sue Coe Visit

5 thoughts on “The Luckiest Unlucky Girl in the World”

  1. I love when things work out when they don’t work out. Happens to me all the time. Great opportunities always seem to come out when you don’t get something you had your heart set on. Just a little reminder from life of how little we can actually control except to enjoy what comes are way when it does! I hope these new opportunities are fun, enlightening and worthwhile. I’m sure some more great work will come your way soon! Thanks for sharing.

  2. I’m sooo sorry, Hannah. But you are so amazing I know this just mean life is leaving you open for better things to come along. Plus I won’t have I worry about you being over there! You’re going to do great!

  3. modest clothing and linoleum blocks – you are ready for adventure. i am sorry that things didn’t work out, but you sound good, and you write so engagingly. . . who knows what is behind door #3. . .

  4. Pingback: Recent Collaborations: Working on Working Together | Orange Barrel Industries

  5. Pingback: Keep the Sunscreen Packed: I’m Moving to Mississippi | Orange Barrel Industries

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