Summer Days Drifting Away

It is 100 degrees in Seattle today. Which somehow made me think of staying late at my office to take advantage of the A/C. (And to finally get around to updating my blog for you of course!)

I spent all of last week on massive Rest Mode. You know how you can only push yourself for so long before either you collapse or something breaks? Well... yeah... that was me. Took it easy... got caught up with friends and my netflix account. So really - you didn't miss much.

I'm back at it this week though. Just had a phone conversation with my gallery manager about taking down the show which made a little sad. It has been such a treat to see everything up and positioned together just they way they were meant to be. All of my pieces above I'll be bidding farewell to as they will be packaged soon for pick up by their new owners. Fortunately many of these lovelies will be going to friends so with luck, I'll get to visit them from time to time.

All good things must come to an end and it's time to move on to the next... which starting next week will be my annual retreat to the Oregon coast to recharge and to begin playing with a few new painting ideas. With this heat we've been having a trip to the coast sounds like just about heaven.

Stay cool & breezy out there dears!

Back from the EDGE

Back from a full week intensive up at Fort Worden - one of my favorite places of all time. The intensive was EDGE Professional Development Training for Artists run by Artist Trust. I can't even begin to describe just how incredible this program is.

I spent my week alongside 18 other artists to study business planning, taxes, grant writing and proposals as well as critiquing one-another's portfolio and artist statements. We encouraged each other. We challenged each other. We ate our meals together. Each day growing more trusting of one another.

The materials presented and the practicing artists, teachers, consultants and business folk were all STELLAR. I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything I have learned. Darn good thing I got sent home with a 10 pound binder as a reminder!

Our syllabus for the week was this:

Sunday - Introduction & Presentations
Monday - Professional Portfolio
Tuesday - More Professional Portfolio, Funding, Exhibition & other Opportunities
Wednesday - More Funding, Exhibition & other Opportunities / Grant writing
Thursday - Communication & Marketing
Friday - Business Concerns - Profit & Loss / Budgets / Taxes
Saturday - Business Concerns - Pricing / Business Plans & Final Presentations
Sunday - Wrap Up

My room was so simple yet so filled with light and a view of solid greenery that I never wanted to leave. Such a simple yet wonderful thing to be able to open two windows for a cross breeze while snoozing. Pure heaven.

On Thursday after talking about marketing & networking all day we all tromped down to the beach to enjoy the evening. Equipped with blankets and wine we talked about art through sunset and moonrise. I learned more about myself and my art that night than I ever have. After that night everything seemed possible.
After the whole week I know everything is possible.

Threads, a Yearning Success

Hooray! My solo show at La Familia Gallery was a grand success! Special thanks to everyone who came out on Thursday. You all made the night extra wonderful.

The window painting went incredibly smoothly thanks to my painter helper friend Amber who also managed to snap some pictures of the process:

Also huge thanks to my friend Larry who helped me hang the show.

This is one happy artist =)

Already off on my next adventure - I leave for the Artist Trust EDGE program this morning.
Hope you all have a fabulous week!