Jessica Muller from the Netherlands at NY Arts Beijing, March 29 - April 26, 2008.

In 2007, I was invited to work as an artist in residence in a project space of NY Arts Magazine in Beijing, China. The end of March 2008 the adventure started. My flight from Amsterdam to Beijing landed, and a taxi driver with my name written on a paper, took me to the Art Garden at Hegezhuang, Beijing. I happened to live in a quiet artist compound, an-hour taxi drive from the Forbidden City.

Since I had been working very hard on several projects at the same time before I came here, I didn't mind to find out that I was the only artist this month to stay at NY Arts. I situated myself in an enormous studio, light, white, and clear. With the help of Mu, an assistant of NY arts, I could arrange things to do, with a friendly helpful taxi driver named Jhuan.

Big fun the first day. To the art store. I ordered six big canvases, but they didn’t fit in the car. Jhuan bound them on the roof of the car, and gave me a first drive in Chinese manner through Beijing. I was very grateful when we arrived back at NY Arts because I had my canvases, paint, brushes, and so on.

We also went to a market to buy plastic to cover the beautiful white walls. I know when I paint, the paint gets everywhere, and of course in the wrong places.

The work began. All alone in my painting palace, I had a very good time. The atmosphere was very relaxing. Sometimes I visited the little market nearby to buy fresh vegetables. A few supermarkets were around the corner.

I learned some Chinese words from the friendly cleaning lady, and specially Jhuan, the taxi driver. He spent a lot of time teaching me to count, and how to say things around me while we were driving to places.

I visited the 798 Art District a few times. I saw many Chinese artists’ works. I found out from the gallerist of the Red Gate Gallery, there were more artists in residence in the city. There were also more art districts and compounds to visit. I learned something new every day about art in Beijing. It seemed like everybody was involved in art. So many projects were being initiated. Together with Mu, I visited the opening of a new Iberia center for contemporary art and the Ullens Museum.

I wanted to finish my six paintings. I felt that it took a lot of time to make your own paintings and try to find out more about a new world at the same time. A month wasn't so long. I decided first to finish my own work, and knew there was still a world to discover--for next time.

During a weekend I made a trip to Shanghai and Hangzhou. After four weeks of working in the studio, I made a trip around China with my family who came over.

NY Arts offers many opportunities. I could image starting projects with other artists, and work on them in Beijing. Thanks to NY Arts Magazine!