It’s the 28th of January and we, David and I, are coming back from doing two shows in the Tampa/St Petersburg area. These are the only two Florida shows I’m doing this winter as I am really looking forward to a few months of studio time before the Spring season starts up. It was a wonderful holiday, but I have been sick for a month with whatever this crud is that everyone has, (don’t worry, it’s not the new one going around). After my recent 2nd round of antibiotics, I’m much improved. Funny, with all the shows I do, and the thousands of people I meet, I haven’t been sick in the last 8 years. I guess you can’t dodge that bullet forever. Not bad odds though. The first show in Tampa was Sunfest. We had beautiful weather but a show at any high end mall, even the Shops at Wiregrass, which is right up there with the best of them, is just not my market. I did reasonably well and I won a major prize, with a very nice monitery award, which was a nice plus. We then went to St. Pete’s where we had to deliver my work to Temple Beth El on Monday for their show which would open that next weekend. There is, of course a percentage that the Temple takes from the sales, but they do all the hard labor, which gives you a full week to tool around the area in between. Vaycay on the Gulf is a fine trade off in my mind. We stayed at a lovely Air b&b and honestly, you can’t run out of things to do in St. Petersburg. It is an art Mecca. This is a remarkable transformation for a tiny beach town that ten years ago decide to turn itself around completely. There are 192 fabulous murals in the city and one art district after another. Fab museums, great restaurants and incredibly cool people. It was a bit chilly for Florida last week,( they called it their winter) but compared to the 19 degrees it was in Knoxville, 45 degrees didn’t seem so bad. So, my recommendations for places to eat ( if you are in the area) are 4th Street Fish-their blackened fish was incredible and everything was very fresh. Anyplace on Central Ave, especially the outside Cuban sandwich shop ( you will know it by the long line outside snaking down the sidewalk) and of course the fabulous gelato shop on Beach Ave. You can’t go wrong. Honestly, if it wasn’t so far from every show, I would consider moving there…..just wishing for now. The Temple Beth El Show is in its 47th year. It is a BEAST in the best way. Incredible art by 122 artists, run like a fine violin by the nicest women and men, who vollenteer each year to make this a wonderful show. I wish I could specifically thank each member but suffice to say mucho thank you to the team of Nan, Ann, and Jan who found me two years ago in Park City, Utah. It was a terrific show and I sold 6 major pieces, which makes it possible for me to stay home and paint for the next two months. I love them and all the knowledgeable and interesting people who talked to me this last weekend, I have already heard from some of you and I truly want to keep in touch. If you need me, hit me up…. I’ll be in my studio with my headphones on listening to either a podcast or Lizzo, Joni MitchelL or some weird German trans…. I’m open minded like that….But no worries-I’ll get back to you. See you later Alligator!