April Bachtel is a New Orleans-based artist sharing studio updates throughout December as part of the SHE Digital Artist Residency Program.

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Week 1: December 7

Hello Internet Friends!

I live in New Orleans and The St. Roch Community Church Residency Program is how I got here. I’m originally from Ohio – a really small un-incorporated township straddling the county line. I’ve been slowly moving south: Ohio —> Tennessee —> Alabama —> Louisiana. Most of that moving was for Art, studying and teaching. But it also was for escape, excitement, and growth. I love doughnuts and animals. I like to bake and sew. This December I am returning to a body of work that has been on pause for a quite sometime.

Here’s a photo of me holding something:

In my hand I hold a peculiar form crafted by Houston based artist Corey Akelmire (http://www.coreyackelmire.com). I acquired this metal piece in perhaps 2010 where we crossed paths. Some years later, its form co-sparked the seed for what I now am calling, “The Ego Drawings.” I began these drawings when I lived in Tuscaloosa, AL. The first charcoal scrawl is here:

I drew on the weekends and after teaching on the weekdays if I wasn’t too tired. I didn’t get a lot done, and I wasn’t sure if I even liked the drawings. I did know that I needed to draw them. They were centering, grounding and interesting to me.

Brene Brown said, “Don’t Puff or Shrink.”

I liked to think about this concept while I drew. I tried to draw it. I tried to live it. How could I stay in-between puffing and shrinking? How could I stay in-between having too much ego and having too little. What does it look like?

I spent so much of my life in a default shrink mode, that when I finally was brave enough to not shrink, I puffed. I am still practicing this art of puffing and shrinking.

I’ve also heard, “Never wait in weakness nor walk in power,” though I’m not sure who first said this. It fits too.

Later, while in Residence at St. Roch Community Church, I picked this body of work back up. The residency gave me a lot of time and space. Sometimes I didn’t always know what to do, but this quiet drawing practice kept me going even in the midst of health struggles. I sat at a desk with a lamp and drew. I kept judgements to a minimum (or at least I pretended to try!) and made a lot of mess. I didn’t show too many folks and they’ve been tucked away. I’m bringing them out and going to continue.