Hi Everyone,

I hope you are gearing up for the Holidays and ready to enjoy the Season. I have never written one of these end of year wrap-up letters before…but it’s been a very eventful year so I thought I would put something down on paper. I have seen these over the years that have been clever and cute but don’t expect that here….I”m not worthy, Not even sure I can write well anymore but here goes.

Last December, I did an art show in Austin, Texas. It was a seven day show and who ever decided shows should be that long should be shot. It was over on Christmas Eve and David and I flew to L.A. that night to pick up Griffen and head to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. I figured we deserved a vaycay just to get over doing that crazy show. We stayed in a wonderful resort and things were glorious for three days and then David got terribly sick. He had had a previous hernia surgery a few years ago and scar tissue twisted and blocked his intestine. We got him back to Cedar Sinai Hospital in L.A. and it wasn’t two hours before they operated. It was bad. He spent a week in the ICU with a tube down his throat. Honestly, we almost lost him. Thank God for Griff, he really stepped up and took care of us and also a shout out to the Farmer boys, Ward and Will, who helped keep us sane while we were going through everything scary.

On a good note Dillon got engaged last Christmas. His girlfriend, Taylor Floyd is from Gatlinburg and her Gran, who raised her, is first cousin to Dolly. We love her and we are all thrilled for them. They have been together for a good long time but you know, this younger generation doesn’t rush things. Ha! The Brickyard is still doing well and Taylor writes podcasts for “I Heart Radio”. She can tell you the whole story about every famous criminal murder in the USA, she is amazing.

I did 16 art shows this year and I am really no great shakes… but have grown enough so that I now get into most of the top shows in the country. David and I have now visited most cities in the continental US and have headed to Tampa, Chicago, Des Moines, Philly and lots of other places to do shows. We love it. We have a whole wonderful group of eclectic friends that we always meet up with and it’s like a mini party every show (except when it rains…but that’s the risk you take). I don’t think I will ever stop…what would I ever do with my time if I didn’t make art…I would be so bored.

We both got the dreaded COVID in February. David barely got it, but it really hit me hard and I have dealt with Long COVID until just recently when my chest scans came back clear. I can’t say I ever felt bad but man, I went through so many days of tests…

Keegan lives in Berlin, but you probably already know that. She is an archivist for an internationally known artist by the name of Olafur Eliasson. She is one of over 50 people that work for him. She loves her job, she says it’s kind of like working at Google where they feed you fabulous vegetarian meals and have workshops and parties and it’s like going back to college -only better. She is an installation and clay artist and spent January and February in the South of France this past year at an incredible residency. She digs her own clay, strains it and pit fires her pottery. It would take tons to explain it so if you want to see what she is doing check out her instagram under her full name. Oh, and she also got engaged!!! Her fiancé, Robin Lochmann, is from Galway, They have gone together for 6 years but are in no rush to tie the knot. Looks like 2025 will be the year. Robin is a film editor and has done work for Netflix. We are thrilled for them.

Griff is still living in Venice Beach. Cali suits him and his apartment is a block from the beach and he loves it. This past year Griff and Nereida who dated for 11 years broke up. It was amiable but nevertheless a big adjustment for both of them. Eleven years is a long, long relationship… so he is discovering the dating world again with all it’s foibles. He is a photographer and works in marketing for the biggest dispensary in LA. He also has started to Bartend at night in Santa Monica at a very high end restaurant. He likes meeting new people and that’s one way to do it. He, unfortunately won’t be making it home for the Holidays and he always brings the funny. He will be missed.

To wrap up the year, in October we went to Sicily to check out Magna Grecia. Siracusa was as powerful a city as Athens in the BC realm. We rented a car and drove the whole island and saw the most beautiful Temples and historical sites. We stayed in great places-one was a Mafia town, where all the old men in the town sat at an outdoor cafe and stared down everyone that came by. They were harmless (I think). It actually was pretty cool! Also, we had a short visit with Keegan and Robin and his parents, Birget and Peter, in the seaside town of Trepani. It was great fun and nice to meet his parents for the first time. The whole trip was Magical! Plus we ate some of the best food I have ever had. They have this breakfast food there that is called Coronetta Crema and it was to die for. An orange flavored croissant that they inject with the most luscious vanilla pastry cream. It’s a good thing we walked about 8 miles a day! It was a bucket list trip and I came back so inspired to do new work. That’s what travel can do. It’s truly is transformational.

I am looking forward to December when I can put the paints away for a while and just become the Christmas Queen as Keegan calls me. It’s my favorite time of year and if you can get down here on the 17th for our Open Studio we would love to see you. It starts at 5pm and we will provide supper! We will also give a sizable donation to the Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee, if anything is sold. We live in crazy times and anything we can do to pay it forward hopefully will do some good.

Happy Holidays to you all and Best Wishers for a wonderful 2024….If I can write one of these you can too… or just call me (8656962577), I would love to catch up!

Love you all!

marge