Marathon Weekend!

Open Studios 2008 is history. As I sit in my green striped comfy chair with my feet propped up on my cushy ottoman, I replay all the faces and comments that visited me this weekend. I'm truly thankful for both old and new friends that supported and encouraged me these past few days. I had a great crowd and made lots of new contacts.

Tomorrow I may be a bit slow getting to the studio because my head and feet will need a little recovery time. Lots of folks were praying for me this weekend and I appreciate your kindness. Sales were not as good as last year - maybe because of our uncertain times. I'm hoping that after the elections on Tuesday, folks were feel more comfortable about spending :)

I'll try to turn over a new leaf and get my blogging fingers a-flittering. More tomorrow when my brain is less fuzzy!

Two and a Half Days

The countdown has begun! Really it began about a week ago. The studio is slowing taking shape for this month's show. I'm offering a new "product" this month, but you'll have to come to the grand opening to see it. Something I'm very excited about. Here's a hint - it combines clay and cloth and is very practical (for women). Lets see if anyone can guess what it is...

Here's a picture of my fun bicycle painting. Barb had two vintage bikes hanging around at the studio and I just HAD to paint one of them. They were too good to let go back into hiding. I've named it "Ruby Red Huffy".

I'm still not in the habit of taking pictures and posting them on a blog. I just want to get to work and do it and NOT document how I did it. I must lay this attitude firmly on the shoulders of my mother - who took pictures (and still does) of every minute family gathering and get together. I'm sure that some day I'll appreciate all her boxes of photos, but I don't presently...

Tomorrow I'll take pictures inside my studio for my out of town "guests" that are unable to make it to the big shin dig.

Love to all of you who have sent encouraging emails and phone calls!

Five in Five

My grand opening is quickly approaching, and my painting inventory is low... So yesterday I set a goal of finishing five paintings in five days. Today's painting was already started last week, so this wasn't too hard to accomplish.

I also worked on another seascape today that I started years ago when I was teaching Art at Alleghany High. It was actually a commissioned painting that was never finished because I moved to Charlottesville. I finally found the photo last week and am now able to complete it. Hopefully that will be my finished piece tomorrow.

I'm unsure about today's painting - it really doesn't work for me at the moment, but I know sometimes it takes awhile for a piece to grow on me. Hope it happens with this one!

Changes

Ten years ago I lived in rural Virginia and commuted an hour each way to work at one of the big public accounting firms. I made lots of money and regularly pampered myself with pedicures. I was literally bored stiff at my job and hated getting up every morning and dragging myself to work.

Life has certainly changed...I get up every morning and can't wait to get down to my studio to get to work. My commute is five minutes and I take my cool dog with me every day! I never get stressed because I'm running late and I take a long lunch if I need it.

Enjoyment of my current life has replaced money. If only I could have both - is that possible?

I started a new painting today. Here's my progress by the end of the morning. I'll try my best to finish it tomorrow and let you see it. I need to remember to take pictures from the beginning sketch to the end polish!

Today was VERY productive. I got two large canvases stretched and coated and made a good dent in my next batch of monsters. I found a bag of old tie scraps and made a critters out of them. They turned out well nicely, although harvesting ties is no fun.

Six of the neighborhood friends along with two dogs, French Fry and Buster, came for a visit this morning. It was pretty crazy for about ten minutes or so. I asked the kids to come back at 3:00, because I needed to work. These two sweeties came back and we worked on a few drawings. They went on their way around 4:30. It was a nice day!

First Friday and Saturday A Success

Here's a shot of studio entry way, with six of my happy little famsters, waiting to greet the public. (There are only three left - what a hit - time to make some more!)

I arrived at my studio at 5, hoping to do a little final clean up and get one light hung before my opening at 6:00. Porto was still painting my back door and my utility sink was in pieces in the back hallway with trash and rubble strewn everywhere. Porto said they'd be done and gone by 6. At 6:15 my guests were greeted by the banging of Porto's hammer as he tried to make the door knob fit the hole. At 6:30, Porto handed me the door key and left with well wishes that the evening was profitable. Whew - it turned out great.

Aside from not having air conditioning and lights, the evening was a success. I had a great crowd of friends and family and new faces. I'm so glad its light outside until 8:15 or so. If it were December - I'd have been in big trouble. I rigged as many lights as I could, but it still wasn't quite enough at nine. Next month should be faboo with cool air and bright lights!

Thanks to all who came!

I'm IN!

Its kind of fun writing this blog - when I know that absolutely no one is looking at it.

I got to the studio at 8:30 this morning and the workers were already waiting. One of the guys checked to make sure my floor was dry and ready to be walked on - all went well. So I started moving junk - slowly. The humidity today was unbearable - I don't remember it being so "close" in a long, long time. Teresa and I moved everything by about 9:30. Stuff was everywherejust, but at least it was all in MY space - my interloping was over!

I really did nothing else today but organize and clean. Tomorrow I've got to paint the chalkboard edges again and really go to work on the famsters. They're coming along nicely. I've attached a group photo for your viewing pleasure... their little personalities are popping out!

Waiting, waiting, waiting!

Tomorrow will mark two weeks since I was temporarily booted from my studio. The renovators have been working dilligently, but it seems like forever since I've been in my nice safe space. Zoli, my shy english pointer, has done very well under the circumstances. He's getting much more comfortable around men, but the younger and taller ones are still a huge challenge for him.

The workmen sealed the concrete floor this evening before they left and I'm hoping it will be dry and ready for furniture tomorrow. The ceiling still needs to be finished off with black paint and track lighting needs to be installed. I doubt I'll get my heating and air this month, but maybe in the next few - before winter comes. The hepatitus B bathroom is still in the same state. I think that will be in the next month or so also. The hole in the back left corner is fixed, but I think they're waiting for it to rain again to make sure the leak is totally gone. My back door is still unusable, but maybe the new door will be attached tomorrow - one is always full of hope.

Here's is a new painting I finished a few weeks ago - pre-booting. It's bright and happy - a favorite so far.

Opening Greetings!

A week ago tonight my studio opened its doors to customers for the first time! It was July 4th - actually a particularly poor day to open an art studio. Many of my friends and family had other obligations - say a wedding in Texas! All the same we had a surprising good crowd. Stay tuned for more news about the "Grand Opening" of KYLE August 1st - now THAT will be worth the trek to the wild west end of downtown Greenville!