Studio Preview Opening

The is how the studio space looked while we were working on it. We did not have a great deal to do, thank goodness.

Sharon and I had butterflies as we put final touches on the gallery. Hanging the paintings was a lot of fun. It is great to see your work exhibited in a beautiful space with perfect lighting.

Our goal is to promote art, artists and art groups in Marion County. So, it was great to have Dr. Leslie Hammond, President of Artistic Eye Fine Art Services, LLC attend the opening. Check out her web site http://www.artisticeye-fas.com/. L-R Leslie, Sharon, Teri
Leslie was out with pal and birthday girl Teri Carey.

And of course, we were especially pleased to have Nancy Ledding,
Director of Brick City Center for the Arts come by to welcome us
to the neighborhood.

My very good friend and wonderful artist Susan Cassens made the long 3 hour drive from Ft. Pierce to surprise me. She and I had a similar studio/gallery almost 20 years ago.

The preview opening was a success. Many friends, relatives, collectors and people enjoying "Ladies Night Out" came in to welcome the new kids on the block.

Moving In

We got our CO --- Certificate of Occupancy---yesterday! Now we just need to get the electricity turned on. The walls are patched and painted. The new trac-lights are installed. The floor is mopped. The huge plateglass windows have been cleaned. Next comes the art work!!

We are on track for our soft opening, which is a preview with not much fanfare, scheduled for Thursday, August 20. Ocala sponsors a "Girls Night Out" each month, with stores staying open later in the evening for extended shopping and dinning. This will give us an opportunity to introduce ourselves to the public in a relaxed atmosphere before our Gala Opening in September.

Studio/Gallery

The studio/gallery is beginning to come together. The wall color is bold and striking with everyone who enters commenting on it. So, Sharon and I have decided to keep it...which means less work for us. We can always paint over it in the future if we want to.

The space was previously used as a dance studio and had a full wall of mirrors. We donated the mirrors to a wonderful new Performing Arts Center for young people in downtown Ocala. They removed the mirrors and are patching the wall.

The current ceiling lights are certainly adequate, but art needs really good lighting. After searching Ocala (I always try to buy locally) for track lights nothing met our needs. So, off to IKEA in Orlando where we found the perfect lights...and on sale!!

Next week the patched wall will be painted, lights will be installed (thanks to our husbands) and then...drum roll please....we get to hang our paintings!!!

New Venture

Good friend and great artist Sharon Crute and I are opening a studio/gallery for our own work. We both are extremely excited and looking forward to this adventure. The shop is in a prime spot in historic Ocala just off "the square" where everything happens.

There isn't much to do to the space but, we will be working the month of August painting the walls, installing track lighting, hanging our art work and setting up our painting areas. Thank goodness both Sharon and I have wonderful husbands who have volunteered to help with the labor. Our target date to open to the public is September 1.

Not only can you see, and purchase, our finished paintings but you can watch as we create new ones. I will keep you updated as we progress.

New Season Starting

Wow, my show season is just about to begin. I have several outdoor festivals and plein air events penciled in with some of those confirmed. Take a look at Show Schedule in the left column and down a bit for exact dates and places.

I am very excited about the first event on my schedule ... a new plein air paint out October 6 - 10, 2009. Painting the Region: The Bartram Trail is a five-day juried painting event to support North Florida Land Trust, Inc's preservation efforts and to help promote the St. Johns Cultural Council's Northwest Arts Advisory Group in St. Johns County. Four exceptionally scenic, historically significant locations along the Bartram Scenic Highway will be showcased: Alpine Groves and Marywood on the St. Johns River, the cypress-lined lake at Stetson Kennedy's home at Beluthahatchee, and the Bailey Family's working horse and cattle ranch with adjacent waterfront vistas.

The public is invited to watch the artists painting and participate in free daytime activities and ticketed evening receptions. Events include a St. Johns Chamber meet-and-greet reception, cocktails and appetizers at sunset on the St. Johns River, and on Saturday, a family day with educational activities for children and parents, food and great music. Saturday, October 10, the North Florida Land Trust will also celebrate its 10th anniversary at Alpine Groves County Park.

Paintings created during the event will be for sale right off the easel, in the wet room or at any of the activities and receptions. A portion of the sales will go to the Land Trust and St. Johns Cultural Council.

Mark your calendars....this is shaping up to be one of the outstanding plein air events this season!!

I'm Back!

Yep, I have finally returned home. The trip was great. We saw Bette Midler and the Osmond Shows in Las Vegas, camped in the Rockies, went underground in Mammouth Cave and drove past miles and miles and miles of corn in Iowa and Nebraska.

I am busy getting my house back in order and spending time with the grandchildren. My studio gets my undivided attention next. I am itching to get to the easel. I have paintings rolling around in my head that are anxious to get onto the cavas.

As soon as I have new paintings to show I will post a couple here. I will also be posting a new miniature painting soon. So, check back now and then.

Taking Time Off

The last few months I have been on the go with shows and plein air events. So, I have decided to take some time off. When I return to the studio I will share my adventures with you.

I think we all go at such a frenzied pace we need to drop back now and then and "smell the roses". How about it you all? If you can't actually get away to another place why not just take a day for yourself or maybe just an hour or two to get recharged?

Join me for some well deserved R and R.