One of those Random Posts

I hated missing the 43rd Street Arts Festival in Richmond this year. I had many of you tell me you missed seeing my work. Believe me, I only "skipped out" because I attended the wedding of a nephew that evening in North Carolina. Which was a beautiful mixture of southern tradition and contemporary fun. The couple is just adorable and I was tickled to see the men, as well as the bride, in Toms shoes. No heels under a gown fit for Scarlett O'Hara for my new niece. Back to the subject, I hear it was a beautiful day in Richmond and 43rd Street was well-attended. It's my intention to return next year, if accepted back in.

Last night was busier than anticipated at 4th Fridays in Manchester. I saw a few old friends from Tidewater (Hampton Roads shall forever be Tidewater in my heart) who came in on a charter bus with fellow members of Chesapeake Bay Artists Association to see their own group show at Art Works. Thank you to all who wandered over to Studio 8 for a visit.

Later, fellow artist Susan and her husband popped in late and we have decided to paint out of our comfort zone. Soon she and I shall meet and do landscapes. ! I'm dying to have the opportunity to explore and grow. I love painting my pups and kitties, but I've been doing it for so long, I need to tackle something new. It will help me to be a better painter and is always energizing and refreshing. AFTER the upheaval and cursing, that is. (I really despise painting landscapes and even more doing so outdoors. But I shall persevere.)

Classes are underway and I am so excited that 3 of my students are branching out and exploring other subject matter. Hmmm, I just caught the connection there. Maybe there is an energy out there calling to some of us right now. Well, here is to taking the next step.

On another note, I had the opportunity to see the show Flesh Made Paint just before it closed at the Phillips Collection in D.C. I understand it has moved to New York. If at all possible and you are an artist, or even if not, it is one of the most fabulous shows I've seen. It can be found via google. ooooh, ahhhh. amazing.

I'm going to end this post with an image from one of my customers. I am so glad one of my random photos become painting found its rightful home. You can see in this photo that Diesel is admiring his newly acquired portrait, titled Taking Notice.

I take photos of dogs whenever I do an outdoor show. Then I paint the images that speak to me, usually for exhibit or as demonstrations for my students and workshops. This pup caught my eye with his unusual eye patch, so YEAH, I took pics and painted him.

In the meantime, his owner contacted me about commission work. I sadly relayed that I wasn't taking on new commissions. This particular person would check in from time to time to see if I was ready to take on a new commission. I didn't make the connection right away and I had no idea at the time that this person contacting me was the dad of the dog I wound up painting later for fun. Thankfully I often make notes about the photos I take if the owners are willing to chat with me at the time. And sometimes I even check those notes. :-)

This ends happily a year and various e-mails later (yep, I didn't say I was quick.) Once I connected the dots I contacted the pup's owner to let him know I had actually already painted his dog. Once he saw the pic, he confirmed. A painting I did at random was united with the pup's humans. How sweet is that?

I've neglected my Blog!

Well, September is here and I have neglected my blog. This is a quick post to catch up with basics and then more posts will follow.

Classes have begun again at Crossroads and at the studio. It's good to see everyone and be back.

This Friday night will be 4th Fridays in Manchester and as always, our Studio 8 at Plant Zero will be open for you to visit. No special plans this month, but Mike has been working on new paintings he'd love to show off.

I spent more of August working on home projects than I had anticipated, plus took a sweet beach vacation that was most wonderful and much needed. I pulled out my crayons and sketch book for the first time in several years. Lastly, I spent my creative time in August working on sketches for several commission clients and I'll soon be putting about 5 new commission pieces on canvas. Then there is Mikki who is in the final stages of completion. So, while things didn't go quite as planned, which is soooooo typical of my daily life, it was a kind and gentle August for the first time in several years.

Ahhhhhhhh.