One down, one to go....

We are driving back from Chicago, somewhere in Kentucky right now. You get to this neck of the woods and the roads turn into ribbons. Up and down hills, in between mountains. Where as Indiana is flat as a pancake with amaricana vistas dotted by isolated farms. Lately, I keep exclaiming to myself, “ man, what a beautiful country this is”.... at least physically, right now. I don’t mind these long drives, well, my back does, but I kind of love the vistas. 57th St. Art Fair weather was cold and cloudy on Saturday and sunny and breezy on Sunday, the best kind of weather. I was in the same spot again between Joel, a wonderful photographer that shoots pics of rescued animals and abandon slave dwellings... one of the nicest people I have ever been lucky enough to be next to. On the other side was the irrassable and funny as hell fiber artist Marina.... Between the company of these two artists, we had such a fun time. And I got to see Leia Zumbro, who is one of the coolest artist’s on the planet and a jewelry artist extraordinaire. The show started out good with 2 of my favorite Chicago patron’s wanting one of my large paintings... unfortunately, it was a bit too large for the space they needed it for,  so I have a new commission to do in the same color format... But, other than that, I mostly sold small quote paintings. I’m not upset, I am glad that I have those when bigger work still hangs in my booth. But I had quite a lot of people who knew I would be at Old Town this next weekend and took pictures.... So, you can never tell, I could see them there. I hope so because as much as I enjoy this travel stuff, when it come to going back to the same city 2 weeks in a row.... I wish Scotty could beam me and my work there....Maybe next year we will stay for a week in the Windy City in between, but this year it’s back to Tennessee to get some things completed for this weeks coming show. If you are living or hanging around Chitown next weekend the show runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 until 5 each day. I’m in booth 210. Come see all my new work.... No pressure. 

A sad but important journey

It’s Wednesday, middle of May and we are in a rented car traveling to New Jersey to see my Ma. It’s a 14 hour drive... a lot of time to think, to tell you the truth. My ma is going on 102 and she is failing. I didn’t realize it because she is the queen of never telling me the truth about her physical condition. And my seeet ma, she is so sharp and always upbeat that she is still, after all these years is trying to protect me. Needless to say, it makes me feel terrible. After working so hard lately, I wasn’t listening carefully, it took my daughter Keegs, to pick up on what I was not noticing. So we hopped in the car and we are on our way. It’s not a long trip because she can’t handle too much company and I fear we will just tire her out more. She would still be fine if she was still walking and this has happed in the last few months. For a woman who was voted best althete at John Adams High School in Brooklyn and who drove until she was 99, this is hell. My Ma, she is one of most incredible, independent woman I have ever known..... In a time when it was rare, and with a husband that really didn’t want her to need anyone but him.... She still did her own thing. Just to be able to be independent, and because my dad was so demanding, she worked as a nurse until she was 84. That was her friend circle. After my Dad died from dementia in his 80’s ( she took care of him for 7 years) She got her own apartment in a senior living apartment and she became a party organizer extraordinaire. Since 1996 she has been the most popular girl at the old folks apartments, where she was in charge of every birthday and holiday party and scrabble tournaments and cookouts... To say  she finally came into her own, would be an understatement. As time has gone on she has lost a lot of her best friends, and she has gone on to make more, always welcoming new friend and they love her and are devoted to her. On he 100th Birthday she had 4 Birthday parties. She is some broad! And I say that proudly. Now a days, she’s home bound ( I know she hates it) but she still lives independently, and someone comes in to help her everyday get cleaned up and dressed. She still gets decked to the nines.... she is a New Yorker through and through, from a time when you wouldn’t dare go out with out looking fly. She has always been a constant in my life. Even though she never wanted to come to the South.... which kinda broke my heart.... But even now when she is being so damn stoic, she is still looking out for everyone else and not herself. Some people have such a life force. Even though I know she is sick of this world, she speaks in the future and present tense. She never can give up and I can’t see her going down without a hell of s fight. That’s just who she is. So, this is my hardest journey and I keep wiping tears away as I write this. I know I have had her for a very long time.... but it’s not enough, when it comes to your Ma.... it’s never enough. 

Three isn’t always a charm...

Rain, Rain go away.    That’s the story of this show. Rain on Friday....a deluge on Saturday and a beautiful day on Sunday that ended with a micro bursts and torrential rain. I can’t be too sorry I had some great meals and spent time with really good people. I even won a merit award and a bit of moola attached to it... So I’m not complaining but nevertheless.. I am thrilled to be headed home on this super wet, lightning riddled freeway to my own bed with my own fur babies. I need some R&R and some studio time in that order......yea!

2 down.... 1 to go....

Well, right out there... strait in front...I am not built for three shows in a row.... There was a time I could have done 6 shows in a row, no prob, but that bird has flown. Now three is pushing the limit. This has been my Tennessee month, first 4 Bridges, then Dogwood and now we are driving to Nashville to Tennessee Craft. I notice I have been a bit crankie lately.... and stress is not my friend( not that it’s anyone’s). Almost bought a used Sprinter this week and backed out because the seats were uncomfortable and it drove like a truck... heck, it is a truck-what was I expecting? Which led to my husband being really pissed at me and well, you know the rest, it wasn’t pretty. I don’t expect a Lexus... just don’t want to settle for what I don’t want.... and not sure what I do want. Anyway, on to TC in Centennial Park for three days of sunshine and good friends and people I love to see every season...The tiredness will leave once the adrenaline kicks in and I get to my booth. That’s the thing about this crazy artist life, once   show starts....we light up. 

On my way....

Well, just have to say, that packing the car after two months of being home working in my studio was quite the magic act.... I had to leave a lot behind and not sure if even then it will fit in a 10 x 10 booth space. So come see me at 4 Bridges this weekend in Chattanooga. My booth is 81... Saturday and Sunday 10 til 5 each day. Weather is suppose to be warm (finally) and sunny! Perfect for an outdoor art fair. Celebrate the end of Winter... hopefully.

The wasteland of March....and April.

It's been since the 19th of February that I have done a show. I was down in Florida for a run and came back pretty tired but ready to get moving on some commissions and a new body of work. It took about a week to start really cooking again,  but the commissions worked out really well. I then jumped into working on new work and being the best type of creative machine I can be. There is nothing quite like waking up in the morning, getting a cup of coffee and turning on the wax and knowing you have unlimited time to make work. I don't think that anything makes me happier (just my fam). So far I have completed 12 new pieces and also 210 new small pieces. Yea, I can be a beast. My next show is 4 Bridges in Chattanooga and I am pumped...actually, I wish it was tomorrow. I am ready to get this show on the road and get out there with people again. The life of a studio artist isn't exciting-except in your own head....you are alone most of the time, occasionally my best friend will come over and hang but for the most part, one is pretty isolated. I like that.....especially interspersed with shows because it fits the needs of both sides of my personality. But this has been a loooog stretch and I am ready to start the travel engine again. Not sure if it's because of the travel or because of the shows. Anyone who knows me knows I am antsy to go...always have been. This time last April I was in Bali with my daughter Keegs and it was divine. It fed my soul and I came back and was inspired to make new work based on the colors and feel of Indonesia. I feel the same way about traveling around the US.....there is always a corner you turn and something or someone new rocks your world....I guess it's just part of my internal makeup or else I was an itinerant Knight in my last life. On the other hand, I love home, my funny husband, my crazy old cats and my wonderful studio that feels like me through and through. I guess it's just the ying and yang of life,  and I am just happy to be doing what I love. So just for the record....4 Bridges happens on the 17 and 18th of April and then the Knoxville Dogwood Festival starts on the 27th to the 29th and then it's Tennessee Craft in Nashville on the 4,5,6th of May......Come see me...I'll talk your ear off.

The inbetween of being a Festival Artist.....

Well, Just finished the Delray Beach Art Fest.... It was a nice show at a wonderful museum venue.... It was a decent show but nothing to write home about....but I think I would come back,  just to hang with some of my favorite people in Delray...I had a lovely woman who fell in love with one of my large paintings and came back to my booth 3 times trying to make a decision. I guess I will never be a cutthroat salesman because I finally said... call me if you want....because you are too on the fense right now.... yea, I would have loved to seal the deal... but not at the expense of someone’s uneasiness. I figure pay it forward and good thing will come... I try to play it fair and kind always. So right now David ( my husband) and I are headed to the Port Of Miami to get on a cruise for 4 days to the Bahamas... Actually it was cheaper than staying in a hotel in the city. Haven’t done this since I took kids on trips in high school... so seemed like a nice reprieve before Coconut Grove next weekend the 17th to 19th in the Grove. I am in booth 924 and I hope to see you all and show you my new work. I’ll be the one with the tan scratch that-most likely a bad sunburn....

These “#%£€@$&” old bones....

I am not that old, and I am certainly not old in my head....,but driving to these shows and being in a car for eight hours a day..... makes me feel like an 89 year old with a walker. I just can’t seem to get out of the van and stand upright! What the heck is up with that?  Whatever my body is telling me... I’m telling it back that I am over it and to take a hike off a short bridge. I work out, I eat healthy and I work in my studio until the Wendy show sounds the death Nell in the other room ( around 3 am) then get up around 8 the next morning. My body doesn’t need to do me that way.... I want a little respect here. Damn. On that note.... traveling down to Mt. Dora right now....... for the first leg of our “Florida Show Tour” I am in booth 515.... on Saturday and Sunday from 10 til 5. Come by... I swear I won’t complain.... I now have gotten this off my chest..... I have almost ALL new work.... I have kicked butt this month....when you see all the work... I swear you will be on my side and wonder why my body is paying me “no respect”....... and hey..... When is Musk or Bezos going to get that “teleporting thingy going?

Upcoming Show Schedule..In case you might be around....

I'm heading down to Florida in February. It will be nice to get away from the snow and cold.....and hopefully, David and I will have some adventures along the way. Right now I'm working on lots of new art and livin' the studio life.....

First up.....Mt Dora Arts Festival.  February 3rd and 4th. Mt. Dora is a cute little town close to Orlando with a very dedicated police department......Don't worry, you won't have any trouble but us exhibitors are held to a higher standard...they can get a little intense. I have done this show before, in fact the last time was in 2014. I actually won a nice award last time. Time to try it again.

Then...Delray Beach Cornell Museum Art Fair,  February 10th and 11th I have never done this show, in fact it's relatively new and I guess you could say a filler show...Except being that it's a museum show, it should be a class act...they usually are. The best thing about this show is that I get to hang out with Audrey Hanowitz who I taught with at LAS and I haven't seen in a few years. That, I can't wait for.

Then we head down to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival February 17th, 18th, and 19th. Coconut Grove is a Big Daddy Show...always has been. I did it back in 2013 and it was great. In fact, I did it in 1985 also with Baker Morefield and Scott Bishop and it was great then too. It also was a little more affordable then too. In 2013 I did three shows in a row by myself and it was kind of brutal...I haven't done them since because of the drive and cost but decided now, since I now have my own personal roadie,(David).....It was time to try it again. Last time I came to the show, the Ricaldo-Muench family came from Mexico to see me...I had taught their daughter Ana Paula and son Pablo at LAS. It was so amazing and I definitely felt the love.....Hope that this year doesn't disappoint. 

So, If you hang out in Florida for the Winter, or if you live somewhere in this sunny state. Try to hit me up at one of these shows in February. I promise I won't disappoint.

It’s been a good year....

I don’t use this page enough... and every time I tell myself I will do better... something else comes up to pull me away. I am going to try to keep you all better informed this year, yea, that’s my resolution...that....and a diet like everyone else..... Thanks to everyone who supported me by buying my work and made it possible to do this crazy life I love. Thanks to all my fellow artists on the road... I wouldn’t love it half as much if you weren’t there...I always look forward to our great dinners and talks. Thanks to my roadie, my husband David. I couldn’t do the long hauls without you....and Crested Butte was a blast... no telling where 2018 will take us....Yup, 2018 is in sight- just a few hours away.... and I wish all of you out there much health, and happiness in the New Year. 

July and August are going to be Insane !!!

 

I have been so bad... All of a sudden I realized it....so I will try to keep you updated with my schedule better in the future. Next Weekend ( another birthday on the road) I will be going to Naperville, Ill. It's another 1st time show and I hope it will be a good one. I do hope the people I met at Old Town will go to the show as I have some new large work I think you all will like.  I am in booth 76. Hope to see you there.                                                    

After Naperville I will be heading up to Touchstone to teach an encaustic class....very excited to be traveling up to Farmington. 🐝🐝🐝Then over to My Mom's house in Matawan New Jersey to celebrate her 100th Birthday!!!!!📢🔔🏆🎖🍥🦄🦄🦄. My family has longevity genes and my Mom is so sharp- with a million friends- Can't Wait!!! Then to Berlin to see Keegs and a beach trip to Split , Croatia and Slovinia. Back on the 18th of August to go to the Woodland show in Lexington.... It's going to be a wild but exciting month!!!!

 

 

  

First time to the Big Easy

Well, It's hard to admit, with all the places I have traveled that I have never gotten around to visit the Culinary Capitol   of the U.S.  Happy to be driving down to Covington Three Rivers Arts Fest this weekend. I am in Booth 308.   Have been deep in lately.....long hours in my head in the studio...even last night I finished around 3:30 a.m. Come see all this new inspired work.... Very achemy oriented for a place where I hear that magic is a way of life....9-5 Saturday and Sunday. So, Can't wait to eat some great Cajun food and hang with the fun locals of NOLA.

We are starting to count down to the end of the year folks....

Thought I would give you the update on where I will be next month and in early December. 

Next is Covington Fine Arts Festival in Louisiana...right across the river (or some body of water) from New Orleans. I am in Booth 301 and I am looking forward to my first Louisiana show and some good food and a short stopover in the Big Easy. Oh, and the show is Sat. and Sunday, the 14th and 15th from 10 till 5 each day. 

The next weekend is the Richmond Museum of Contemporary Art Fine Art Show. ( we are doing a lot of driving here folks). That Friday, Saturday and Sunday fro 10 till 6 each day. I am in Booth 57 and if you can find that on the map you are a better man than I.  At the present time I am trying get more information....I hope I'm not in the broom closet...that would suck.

After that in December I am at a boutique show in Nashville at Galley 3- It's all day Friday and Saturday the 11th and 12th and should be fun. Lots of glog, food and good cheer- a nice way to end the season.

Oh and that Sunday- the 20th of December, from 2 until 6  I will have an Open Studio and Christmas party at my house. More info soon to come.......

News flash: January 23-24th I will be at the Redux Center in Charleston to teach a Beginning Encaustic Class from 10 til 4 on Saturday and 11-4 on Sunday. If you are interested in attending contact the Redux Center website at reduxstudio.org

Looking for a workshop?

Well, look no more, There are places available for my beginning and my advanced/beginning workshops at Touchstone School of Crafts in August. Beginning starts August 16 to21 and Using collage with encaustic starts the 23rd. to the 28th. Touchstone is on the Pennsylvania/West Virginia border, close by Falling Water. Great foods, beautiful place, and Encaustic!!!