a time of solitude

We are in the midst of the viral scare, and practically everything is shut down. I am one who likes to dig in and study so I can understand a situation, or a person, or whatever, but with this, I do not get the big picture. Therefore I am doing what I am told and being a good citizen.

My gallery is located in a park-like setting next to the river. Today is mild, the breeze is nice, and the air is clean. "They" have given me the option of closing or opening. I have a business to run, so I decided to let folks know by way of social media that I will be open today and tomorrow from 11 am to 5 pm. So here I am, and so far, nobody has shown up. Can't say that I blame them, but I thought also that it would be nice to give people a place to go. As for me, it is as easy to be here as at home.

Without people, the Roomba was free to roam about and clean the floor. Such a great invention! I had wanted one for a while. Who wouldn't? And when I saw them for $250 at Costco, I bit. The gallery has to be kept clean and pretty, and I didn't want to sweep everyday, so . . .

Around the oyster roaster, three men are sitting and talking. Their bikes are parked nearby. Generally when I am here, a lot of cars pass and slow down to look. Not so much today. However, there has been a good bit of interest in water+color, and I find that fun.

all in with the new place

So sad, but I had to leave Studio 15.

The Open Studios flag lured me into the Art Works in August 2013, when I was brand new in Wilmington, even before I moved into my house. Then I fell in love with the people there, or at least quickly developed a bond with them. It was such fun. A sweet space that took the place of the nursing units where I worked and forged friendships and swapped stories for almost three decades. Everything has a beginning and an end, and I knew I would have to leave someday. For the past three years, I was using it mostly to do art business, line up helpers for shows, etc. I felt a little guilty that I wasn't in there painting or being creative. Then June of 2019, I committed to opening a gallery about five miles away. I thought I could balance the two, but no I couldn't. I needed to be all in with the new gallery. Since I do like blogging and having stuff out there that I can find without rummaging through papers, I think I will use this to tell about what is going on with the new gallery. It will give me something to do in times of solitude. I must say that I am getting great feedback from everyone who comes in, and I am slowly learning how to do the business part, the biggest challenge.

cute kitty

5 gulls

Fruit tray

There was a special event in the studios last night, and I was asked to make was asked to make a fruit tray in a special design for it. Naturally I said OK! It turned out pretty. I had never bought star fruit before and this was a good time to try it. It was a nice addition.

group lesson

Six of us artists experimented with acrylic pours today. For my substrate, I chose the canvas boards Trip gave me. They worked great as they were firm enough to hold the heavy paint. These are my two. They were a lot of fun to make, and I can see why so many people enjoy the surprises in this form of art.

acrylic painting

My mother had a bad opinion of acrylics, thinking they were cheap and inferior, akin to house paint. I can't say I disagree, but in this day and age, good painters sometimes actually use house paint in big paintings to achieve the look they want! I now like using acrylic paint. It IS cheap, therefore you don't have to use it sparingly. They come in so many pretty colors! You can paint the same canvas over and over until you get something you like. That is what happened here. I used an 11 x 14 canvas that already had an underpainting. I decided to try an ocean scene though I am not good with realistic subjects. After several attempts and layers, this is what I am calling finished. I am ok with it. Of course, the camera never gets the color exactly right.