HOPE YOU HAVE MISSED ME!

On October 3, 2011, I was rushing to meet the Chamber of Commerce Director, do some quick shopping and go to the opening of my newest exhibition, and fell!.  Hard! 
Since then I have seen more doctors, been to more hospitals, more rehabs than I care to remember.  After surgery, they tell me there is some serious lung problem called "pulmonary fribrous".  Wow, what is THAT?  I was ready to call the mortuary, make my will and kiss my friends goodby.   After MUCH testing, breathing, and cat scanning,  it seems I may live after all.
To that end, I moved my studio home, enthusiastically taking over 2 northlit bedrooms....one for exercise and WC and one for oil painting.  I located a drawing class in my cheerful sunroom and have slowly returned to my chosen profession.  I have now learned how to breath and blow up balloons (at least halfway" and have practiced my drawing and sketched a watercolor "fantasy" painting.  I even ordered more paint from Dick.  So, for any of you who are still with me, Thanks a lot.  I'm going to be watercoloring for awhile.  That's my fun painting.  And am I ever ready for fun. And drawings.  And hope to be off and running, or maybe at least plodding.  But keep tuned and wish me luck.

A New Day!

Did you ever feel uneasy about drastic change then suddenly realize there was a whole new world of opportunity to try.  You're excited and a little scared, but mostly really anxious to jump in wholeheartedly and see what happens!  Wow, I just can't wait to find out.
I closed my gallery this week.  The beautiful building looks pretty bare now.  Soon the new owners will be excited about what they're doing there.  But to me, it's full of good memories, and some not so good.  It will be wonderful to have the time to just paint.  Sure, you hope to sell, but mostly just to have the luxury of time to play with the paint and canvas, or as my daughter says, push paint around until it tells you what it wants to be.
I will miss some things.  I'll miss those who came around to "talk art" with me.  And the talented young talents who make me feel excited for them.  And just good friends who passed the time away.  I am thankful for all the fellow painters who came my way, all ages, all types.  Art really knows no age.  It's something hiding inside, always begging to come out.  Of, sometimes it comes out wrong.  But you know you'll try again, and again.
Last October when I fell I guess I felt old and decrepit, and discouraged.  But now I realize it made my life really start over again.  A new beginning for an old gal.  What fun.
I'm still around the Bend.  We'll have chances to get together just to talk or paint or sit and kick around new ideas. 
Here's to a new adventure.  Hope you come along with me.

REAL SETBACK

In early October of '11, I had a rather disastrous fall, breaking my femur at the hip.  It really put me out of commission for awhile, but things are finally looking up.  As a result, I have decided to close Morton Street Gallery and work here in my home studio.  If anyone is still looking, I really appreciate it.  But now I will have more time to just paint, something I am really looking forward to.  Of course it also means I won't have the same presence in the community.  Scary! 
I love looking at all the other artists "blogs" and websites.  I hope you will feel the same about me.

PS.  Don't any one out there do what I did.  Take it from me, it has been a REAL PAIN!

Hello from rehab

well right in the middle of hanging my show I did a stupid thing and fell on the concrete steps outside the gallery.  So here I am, a week later with a broken femur and not much fun.  Don't know when I'll get back to work but will try to add a few things later this week.

Show Opening Monday, Oct. 3rd. Imperial Arts Gallery, Sugar Land, TX

"The Survivor", oil

My new large painting in place in Tucson

Done!

Put the finishing touches on today.  I had to be careful with the stars.  I sure didn't want to have to redo the sky, my biggest challenge.  The last highlights are always fun.  In fact, altho it was a real challenge, I had a lot of fun doing it.  Makes me realize how much I like working large....well, maybe not always THIS large.
Next Tueday it will be on its way to its new home in Tucson.
Well, now what will I do?  Hal made the canvas for me and the texture and feel of it was so good, he may have to make all my canvases now.  First, I have to do a couple of very small pieces, then on to better, if not bigger, things.  Thanks for watching the process.