Changes

Today is my youngest daughter's last day at elementary school. On Tuesday she graduated, complete with long dress, hair in an updo and a boy whose mother picked them up in her minivan. When I looked at her in her long white dress, so beautiful, I so fondly remembered the first day I took her to kindergarden. I worried endlessly about how her first day would go. She had a great time. It was me who was having the difficulty. In September she heads off to high school to join my oldest child. Wow, will I have two children in high school? It seems impossible, yet it is true. At graduation on Tuesday night, she received the Principal's Award for Student Leadership and yes, I was so proud. I am proud at what wonderful young women they have grown up to be. So kind, so compassionate and caring toward others.

Such a good friend to many. They are truly my greatest accomplishment.

Friends, Old Clients, New Clients and Art

The morning of the show I woke up with my head spinning. I still felt like I had so much to do before I left for the gallery at 11:00am. John was gone to the farmer's market, my oldest daughter was studying for exams and my youngest was off to her part time job. I was still agonizing about my pricing strategy.......for me pricing my newest work is always the most stressful part of an entire show.

While I was getting dressed and thinking my pants were feeling a touch tight, I looked over and there was my 20 year old cat Jamoca, continually hissing at my shoes. I took this as a bad sign but continued on nevertheless. I arrived at the gallery just as the caterer was setting up. Mmmmm, I immediately took note of the eclairs but then felt my stomach pushing against my pants and decided the eclair eating would be better left to the guests. People began arriving right at noon and it was so wonderful to see so many of my friends and past clients there to support me. It really brought a smile to my face when I saw Kelly and her daughter walk in. There is such comfort in them being there. A half hour before the show was due to close, in walked Jamie and Nick and shortly after that Liz and Richard. If you've been following my blog from the beginning you'll remember that we all met in Portugal due to Liz and my motion sickness adventure. Although we had all kept in touch, this was the first time we had seen each other since then. There was lots of hugs and you could just feel the good vibes. By the time the show closed at 4:00pm, I had sold four pieces and was quite the happy camper. We all headed up the road to Abbott's for a celebatory dinner and yes, a good glass of red wine.

Much thanks to all my friends and clients who came out to encourage and to support me. I truly felt your support and from the bottom of my heart I say "thank you".

Yeah.........Work Has Been Delivered

Yesterday was a total blur. I found out my artwork needed to be delivered to the gallery last night between 6-7pm. I thought I had until today but what do I know. I'm sure they gave me the correct info I just didn't comprehend it properly. Anyway, work has been delivered and I am in a fabulous mood. I met Ila Kellerman and Mary Profitt last night and they are both not only talented artists but really kind women. We have hit it off quite famously. I know the show is going to be so much fun. The three of us decided to hire a local caterer to serve h'oeurves and drinks. We thought it would be a nice touch.

The artwork I'm showing on my blog today, "Where The House Meets the Sea" was to be a part of the"Three Matters" show but it sold the day before to the lovely Lisa Freeman, interior decorator extraordinaire(I'm sure I have not spelled that correctly). She was kind enough to allow me to feature it in the show anyway as I am really pleased with the way it came together.

I will post on Monday with pictures from the show. Have a wonderful weekend.

The Farner's Market

Just got back from the Farmer's Market with bags of fresh produce and baked goods (yes, I did buy a few donuts from a local bakery) I just love getting up early on Saturday morning and heading out. I have so much admiration for all the vendors who set up their tents and sell what they themselves have grown. Shopping local is the only way to go.

I'll spend a few hours in the studio today trying to pull things together. I'd like all my work to be ready for hanging by Sunday, that way I can concentrate on a few small pieces I'd like to complete before set up on Friday. I've also got a couple of new galleries that I am interested in for representation. One is in Chicago and one is in British Columbia. After the opening of the show I will put together two packages and send them out. I think both would be a great fit for my work.

The girls and I will watch a movie tonight and eat some popcorn. I love summer. Hope your having an absolutely fabulous weekend.

Motion

Quick blog today while some black paint is drying on a canvas. Today I feel a bit like this photo I took on Lake Superior.....continually in motion. The earlier part of the week I took sick. Not sure whether it was a 24 hour bug or food poisoning (ate some left over chinese food) but I'm pretty sure it was the flu as I had a high fever. Within 24 hours I was up and around....just a bit tired. Unfortunately I missed out on a whole day of work and with the show just around the corner.........yes, I am trying to calm myself but feeling a little bit panicked. I think I need to meditate but there is no time for that. John is trying his best to stay out of my way as he knows how I get before a show. I feel this body of work I will be showing is my best to date. It definitely shows where I am going as an artist and I am very proud of it. I know almost all the people I invited are coming so I am quite excited about seeing them all.

I think I am rambling so off I go.

Donuts and Getting In Shape Don't Mix

There is an apple fritter sitting on the kitchen counter upstairs calling my name but I am trying hard not to hear it. John drove the girls to school today and stopped to pick up a few groceries and an apple fritter for me...he ate his this morning. I've just recently started doing a bit of resistance training, maybe resistance exercises sounds better, training sounds like I'm getting ready to run a marathon, which I will assure you I am not. Anyway, I feel good, I'm eating right.......except for those potatoes chips I shared with Kelly again on Sunday afternoon but that's what Mondays are for right?

Talked to Mary Profitt yesterday and I can't wait to meet her next week. She also does some work in the fiber arts so it will be fabulous to spend some time with another artist who shares the same passion as I do. We are both looking forward to the show at the Double Doors which has been named "Three Matters" (three artists). I wish I could post the invite but I have been battling with it since last night. For some reason I can't open it so I have spent quite a bit of time playing telephone tag with the printer.

Well back to the studio.......maybe I'll stop in the kitchen and get an apple.

Moments

Finally this piece is done. I composed it entirely in wools, silks and and a very large number of threads. I think it came out darker in this photo than it actually is and you can't really get a sense of the heavy quilting for definition. I entitled it "Fusion" just because that is the first thing that came to mind. Quite abstract with lots of hits of oranges and yellows. It reminds me of sunsets over Lake Superior which in turn reminds me of my friend Kelly. Why Kelly you ask? She came up to our small cabin on Lake Superior with her husband and kids a few years ago. On this particular day the sun was just beginning to set on an absolutely glorious day and the sky was filled with every colour the mind can imagine. Me, being a big chicken when it comes to cold water and believe me, Lake Superior is cold water, decided to go for a swim. Kelly thought that was funny as I don't think I had been swimming the entire time she was visiting. Anyway, I surprised her and insisted everyone else go swimming too. We did and it was a memory I will never forget.....it was surreal. I have never and will never see a sky that full of colour, richness and light again. I always tell her that when I look back on my life and remember really special moments, that will be one of them. There was a special feeling that evening.....that fabulous feeling of having family and friends share in something that will never come again. That may in someways sound corny but I'll never forget it. I guess when you really think about it, that is what life consists of......lots of little moments, memorable moments, strung together.