Scott's Path to Berlin: Art Residency

My Name is Scott Link. I am a multi media artist working as a Studio Artist / Photographer / and Songwriter. I have over 40 years combined experience.

To view more work - Scottlinkart.com - To see the residency program- Taktberlin.org

In 1991, when I left college and a painting study to travel, I spent the next several years bouncing around the country I finally settled back in Portland, ME.

I have kept up with my visual art through photography both as a fine art photographer and doing commercial gig work here and there. In the 90's, I began developing my skills as a songwriter and put the band Diesel Doug & the Long Haul Truckers together in Portland, ME in 1995. That band became the focal point of my creative pursuits for nearly 20 years and we did some great things and had a lot of fun, but all the while I knew I was going to get back to studio art. It was just something that had to happen. It finally did. A little over a year ago, after staring at the artist tool box I'd been toting around since high school I finally said, "Fuck it", and picked up a brush and sat down and made a painting. It wasn't great, but there was something there and I kept at it. Over the last 16 months I have started to find a style, a voice. I have had breakthroughs and I have hit plateaus, but I keep coming back to the studio nearly everyday, if even only for an hour or two and do SOMETHING.

This year I turn 60 and that has me thinking about time, and what I have left to do. What do I HAVE to do?

I have received a lot of great feedback on my recent work which has even translated into sales of work. I had an idea to find an Artist Residency someplace for a period of time where I could get out of my own bubble and fully focus on making art and further develop my voice while absorbing a different culture and circumstance.

I figured I may as well start at the top and find the something in a great "Art City". Enter Berlin, arguably the center of the world for modern art. I didn't expect to be initially successful and was realistically looking for some feedback from the jury after the initial application was denied, to help me hone my portfolio for future applications. I applied to the TAKT Berlin organization. They offer residencies attached to their Gallery facility in the heart of Berlin, Germany. I made the application deadline on the last day and was utterly shocked when a week later I received an email inviting me to their 3 month residency starting in October. Holy Shit!! My body of work is strong enough to get me into a pretty exclusive (they are by nature very competitive) Residency in a major art center?? No Way!?

So after making sure its not some scam, it is actually going to happen.

Well, if I can pull it off that is, as this is not a funded residency. Those do exist and maybe that is the next step but this is designed primarily for emerging artists to have an affordable opportunity to live and work in an art hub surrounded by other creatives of all types. Its an incredible opportunity that I do not want to miss.

This is where all of you come in. While I have some resources to draw on I need to raise the balance to make it happen. Please consider making whatever donation suits you to help me get there.

Each donation will be met with a piece of art of your choice. Work piece in line with donation but all original work and signed. I realize peoples taste in art varies and please do not feel obligated to choose something if you are just not into what I do but want to help anyway.

I need to raise enough to cover travel and residency expenses, art materials and meals, etc. I figure I need around $14,000 for the three months. I will self fund a portion of this but need to raise the rest over the next 5 or so months.

Here is how the funds will be used

I need to raise the first $1500 by April 15 to secure the slot. Please consider donating soon to help make that happen!

All Donors, if they wish, will receive a piece of work.

Thank you for considering a contribution.

Cheers! (Prost),

Scott