When offered a two-week stay as an artist-in-residence at one of the historic dune shacks found on outer Cape Cod, I eagerly accepted. 

Surrounded by this unusual landscape, with a  panoramic view of the ocean from the shack, creative possibilities for my work seemed unlimited.

Instead of walking into this romantic vision I had of making photographs while living out on the dunes, within hours of my arrival I was confronted with the reality of living in a primitive dwelling as the weather  turned foul.  It appeared as if the legendary "Cape light" that has drawn artists to this very place for more than a century was to be absent during my stay. 

Succumbing to panic, I wondered if I would produce any photographs even worth looking at. Desperate for a solution, I made myself work with the light and weather conditions as they were, rather than those I had rather foolishly expected. Waiting perfect light and better weather were not options I had time for. 

It was at this point that things fell into place, became ordered, reordered. New ideas  appeared in my mind as if fueled by this challenge.  Make photographs with what you have instead of what you think you need.
Keep working no matter what the obstacles.
Lessons learned during my two weeks living as a dune shack artist continue to inform my work to this day.