September Musings

'With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy.' ~ Lope de Vega

Early September brings long days outside, painting on new pieces for the upcoming studio tour this month. As ever, I've got several paintings in progress, a sculpture that I'm wanting desperately to start putting together, and a million other things on the 'to do' list. Around here, the art comes first. Well, actually the dog does. Then the art. Stick in some gardening time, and a moment to rest with a book, and it's a fine day. Yesterday, I painted all day long into late evening, until there was no steam left. By the time sunset came, I was wondering what normal lives are like.


'Tis true artists follow a different path; however, there's got to be time to sit down and be in a soft September evening, blue dreams peeking through the golden light setting in the west. A Neil Gaiman book to pick up for a few minutes. Flowers in a glass jar. Watching how light streams through 100-year-old stained glass, painting a lavender pink on an old white mantel.

Art Trek of the Foothills sponsored by Upstairs Artspace, a non-profit arts organization, will be September 19-20; with a preview party Friday, September 18, 5-8 p.m. at the gallery, 49 S. Trade Street, Tryon, NC. Maps to area artists' studios available. Free and open to the public!

Art Trek: Open Studio Month

"There is a small opening into the new day which closes the moment you begin your plans. What you can plan is too small for you to live." ~ David Whyte

June arrives dressed in jewel greens, bright flowers. Every day, I'm working on new paintings, this one is 6" x 6" on cradled wood panel: I absolutely love the colors, the captured feel of June herself. On fresh sweet mornings, I paint outside on the front porch of this old house, fish pond trickling nearby, wisteria leaves cascading along the porch eaves, a red geranium attracting hummingbirds...my little brown bat friend roosting up above, the porch swing softly swaying in summer whispers. Later this month I'll open up house/studio for Art Trek: our area open studio tour featuring many artists and craftsmen. Mark your calendar for June 28-29, maps available at Upstairs Artspace. The opening reception is June 27 from 5-8 p.m. All participating artists will have work in the gallery, and most will be on hand that evening.

Art Trek Tryon: Open Studios

Spring! Open studios this weekend with 36 area artists.

April: Open Studio & Art Trek

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." ~e.e. cummings ...Spring whispers on April breezes here in the mountains: ready to shuck the vestiges of winter off, I paint outside on those precious sunny afternoons. Soon, it'll be warm enough to work on clay/sculpture projects again. Hyacinths peek out, and of course, I have to bring one or two inside to the kitchen window. I cannot tell you how much those little gifts of nature mean. For the month of April, I'll have open studio Saturdays here at the Art House from 1-3 p.m. Other times by appointment. On April 27-28, I'll also be in the Art Trek Tryon open studio tour: over 35 area artists will be participating. A gallery show at the Upstairs Artspace featuring us will open with a preview party on April 26, from 5-8. Please come!