Friday, October 30, 2015

california dreamin'

YIKES! October is almost over, and I haven't blogged since the beginning of September! I will attempt to sum up the last several weeks in a concise manner. This is not going to be easy!

So, what's been happening? Well, the 10x10 Brunswick has come and gone, along with the seasonal art walks (Brunswick and Lewiston/Auburn) and the Yarmouth Art Festival. My show at Isabella's Cafe and Bakery in Freeport had a long and lovely run: it went up in early July and came down on Thursday, October 15th. Even though my paintings and prints are no longer hanging at Isabella's, my magnet display is still there, and will be at least through Christmastime! Thank you, Caite!

Is it too early to use the phrase "stocking stuffers"?

I currently have three paintings in a "Day Of The Dead" themed group show at She Doesn't Like Guthries in Lewiston (the closing reception for that one is coming right up: Monday, November 2nd), and I hung a solo show of paintings and prints at the Gorham Grind on October 4th (this show runs through the middle of November). I'm particularly excited about my Gorham Grind show for several different reasons: one, it's a fantastic little coffee shop, with a super-friendly staff, excellent food, and wonderful drinks; two, it's my first time showing my work there; and three, how often do I get to Gorham?

Enjoy some color with your coffee!

Oh, I almost forgot: at the end of September, I sold this year's birthday painting, "The Four-Three", to my friend and collector, Keith Spiro! Besides being a cool guy, Keith is a wonderful person to talk with, and I came away from our afternoon together with some good ideas...none of which I am currently going to spill. How's that for a tease? 

The best birthday offense is a good birthday defense...or something like that. 

So far, it has been an autumn to remember. Lots of wonderful and creative things have been happening, but for me, the most exciting event of the last several weeks is head and shoulders above the rest: my husband, Terry, surprised me with a trip to San Francisco as a celebration of our 15th wedding anniversary! Can you believe it? What a loving thing to do, and what a magical time we had! I've come back to Maine brimming with inspiration! We stayed in Haight Ashbury on a street filled with brightly-painted Victorians. The architecture in San Francisco is gorgeous, and there is art EVERYWHERE in that city: on the sidewalks, on walls of buildings, inside and outside of businesses, inside and outside of people's homes. It's such a special and beautiful thing, and it's like a shot in the arm of positive energy for an artist such as myself. I couldn't stop taking pictures! Here are a few of them:












Pretty cool, right? I couldn't resist getting in on the action. On our final morning there, I grabbed a piece of chalk and quickly did a little something as we waited for a table at a great little breakfast joint, The Pork Store Cafe: 

I left my art in San Francisco! 

I'd never been to California before, but San Francisco is somewhere I had always wanted to visit...and now, I'm already looking forward to going back! So, I ask you, dear reader: what are the places that you find inspiring? I would love to hear your thoughts!