Happy First Birthday to the Gallery. whew . . .

Last year on this day, as some passwords reflect, the Gallery was officially born. I had taken ownership, the wifi was installed, the credit card machine was available, and art was coming in. Big plans were made, but the unseen enemy (covid) was not in agreement. The good news is I have survived, day by day, hour by hour, like most things we must endure. Sometimes it has been ok, even fun, but many days drag by, and ... will they ever end? Because I am an honorable person, I am sticking with it. God has a higher purpose that I cannot see and will probably never know, or else He would not have given it to me. Persistence.

My happy thing

 Sometimes it gets so boring here in the gallery.

Only one visitor today so far. I have figured out that no matter how much it is lit up on the inside, it does not appear to be open. So I ordered a tacky LED Open sign. Hopeful.

At least I have the river where I can go while still keeping an eye on the gallery. If I am stressed, I take my camera. That's a sure fire diversion that makes me happy. This is one from yesterday, taken right after the sun went behind the little island. I must have taken a hundred pictures of the same thing, but whatever . . .

Painting

I wish I loved to paint. At least I have figured out a few reasons why I don't, but I won't bore anyone who happens to read this. 

This particular canvas has been painted over multiple times, and no top coat is ever good. It's name is Pot of Gold, at least until the next coat.

a bluebird pair

When it's quiet in the gallery, sometimes I just go outside with my camera to see what I can find. I spotted a couple of birds on a branch, but I didn't know they were bluebirds until I zoomed in!

The Gallery as of Today

The gallery opened on February 29 as a trial day. The weekend of March 13 was the official opening. Of course also on that weekend, we were hit with news of the novel coronavirus. After that it was basically closed until May when I began to reopen. In June I started keeping regular hours. Sometimes I would really like a break, but I dutifully forge on.

A well-known artist and his wife delivered paintings on Thursday. She said that in the past they had a gallery, and it was boring. I remember volunteering at a gallery a very long time ago and how quiet it was, and nobody came in. Sometimes my gallery is like that. Sometimes I am here all day, and not one soul comes in. Other days are interesting. The first two hours of today, more people came in than came in all week! And they were really interested in the art. Also I took a phone call from someone who is coming in Tuesday to buy a particular painting. I have had enough sales to be encouraged.

Today the gallery is as pretty as it has ever been. It all seems to have come together. It receives many sincere compliments. The artists are supportive, and I had rather be doing this than painting. They had rather be painting/making. We are working on dates and events for the Christmas season. 

Right now, someone else has come in. I try to piddle around as if I am busy when customers/visitors arrive. I am still learning to strike that middle ground. The whole mask thing has been awkward. It's hard to hear them, and I try to stay at least six feet away. I have always remembered people, but I must remember them by their mouths, since I do not easily remember them when they are masked. But again, I am forging on.

6x6 acrylic

 This is after my second zoom class in abstract painting. 

I like the colors, but it just me or does it look sensual? I think I will keep it, i.e.not paint over it. Its title will be 4 fruits.

with leftover paint