Well, it’s the last day of the dog days of August and I, along with most of the rest of the country is living in an alternative universe. I am glad I am able to stay home and be semi-retired instead of heading out to school somewhere. You might not know this, but most of my life I was an art teacher in public, Montessori, private and international schools. Thirty-two years to be exact. I still get excited in August anticipating the beginning of a new school year. I guess that never really goes away. This year, I’m glad I’m not there. I don’t know how they are doing it. I wear a mask for two hours and I can’t wait to come home and take it off ( I wear it, believe me), but I am always exhausted and have a headache. I can’t imagine having one on for 10 hours a day. Yea, no school day was ever 8 hours unless you were a crappy teacher. So, I’m glad that part of my life is done.

But damn, I miss shows. I think it’s because I have done over 30 new pieces and nobody has seen them. That’s the part of the equation I’m not sure I even was fully aware that I needed so much. It’s just as important. You do it - to have someone you view it…it completes the circle and Dang, nobody has seen any of mine. Well, my husband David has, but he says everything looks good so I don’t yell at him…so I have no idea what I am doing anymore - I just keep having to do it. The work is changing a lot, at least I think it is. An influx of color and freshness that I really am liking but I hope I’m on the right track.

I did a painting called “Epiphany”, about Ascyplus, the father of Medicine, which I felt was an ode to all those going through Covid and in Health Care Professionals in the trenches. There are stitches, genetic markers and lots of clues all through it. It was a good way for me to work through my mom’s death, which still feels like it didn’t happen. No closure is a horrible thing to deal with, not seeing a loved one before or after death, does a number on you. This painting helped me get through it. The title is from a song on T.Swift’s new album. I know, I know, don’t hate….but this song off the “Folklore” album is a force of nature. It opened me up and it was the first time I could cry about what happened. It’s awful that your mom dies and you don’t cry-but it felt so-so far away. This song was a turning point and finally, let the waterworks flow… I won’t forget this painting because of it.

I have some new work up on my website under the 2020 portfolio and if you are interested in any, just email me and I can give you prices. I will get the rest up soon…all are framed but for some reason for me, the work is more important than the frame and thus never gets in the slide… so I can send a pix of what the total package looks like if needed.

I am in six coming virtual shows this Fall. I really don’t have a lot of hope for any of them. Sorry to be so negative, but I haven’t sold one thing from any of the virtual shows so far. I’ll do it anyway and hope for the best. Gives me something to wok on and keep busy along with my other 500 projects. Here’s the list and dates:

St. James Court Oct. 2-4 and through to December

Kentuck Oct. 10 through December.

Artsclamation Around October 20th but not sure yet.

Covington. November 10 through December

Piedmont November 20 through December

Temple Beth El January- not sure about dates yet

I hope I get to see most of you next year…. I hope shows resume next year. I hope Covid is a thing of the past next year. I hope we are all here next year. I miss all you guys.

Love and take care of yourselves.

marge

damn…am I this depressed?