My 100 Things

Doubled Up, 2008, Oil on Gessobord, 5x7

I first saw this on Lisa Call's blog, then I saw it again on Tina Mammoser's blog and decided to get in on the action. Plus, it seems like a really good way to fill up another day here in Tracyland.

Of course, I can't just let most of these statements just sit, so I have included some super fascinating explanations.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars (I don't specifically recall sleeping outside but as a kid in the 70's there were a lot of sleepovers in friend's backyards.)
3. Played in a band (I played flute in the school band for several years but I was terrible and was always last chair. I quit in 8th grade)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (You couldn't pay me enough.)
8. Climbed a mountain (Going up might be ok, um after intensive physical training of course, getting back down would definitely be an issue for me.)
9. Held a praying mantis (My oldest son is an avid bug/critter type and there have been many great finds over the years. I have held all of them, um, except for the snakes.)
10. Sang a solo (Audiences everywhere should be rejoicing that this one is NOT highlighted.)
11. Bungee jumped (No way.)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (I consider knitting an art.)
15. Adopted a child (We don't do things in order around here. Our first kid was our nephew who came to live with us when he was 4. We then had 2 babies, adopted Kurtis when he was nine, then oops, one more sort-of-a-surprise-not-sure-about-another-one-but-no-one-is-running-to-get-the-birth-control-either baby.)
16. Had food poisoning (This one is probably a yes, never been so sick as to be hospitalized, but vomiting and diarrhea after eating a suspicious dinner in a restaurant? Definitely. Diarrhea for a whole week while in Mexico? I think that should count too.)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (Every summer and am hoping to extend the season with a cold frame next year.)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (I slept in a seat on a 4 day train ride from Minneapolis to Philadelphia. I was on a budget, no sleeper car for me.))
21. Had a pillow fight (Teenage slumber party style pillow fight.)
22. Hitch hiked (Another maybe. I have definitely asked people that I did not know, for a ride home. Not exactly hitch hiking but similar concept.)
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (Shh. Don't tell Doug, who was my boss when we met.)
24. Built a snow fort (We built awesome snow TOWNS back in Minnesota when I was a kid!)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (This one is probably a yes. I don't think I would have gotten completely naked, but there were a few drunken nights at a lake during high school, so I guess skinny dipping could have happened.)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (Softball. 5th and 6th grade. I was an awesome hitter, not such a good runner. But I was able to haul my butt around the bases a few times at least.)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person (On my list of things to do! It's only a day trip from my home.)
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community (Visited Lancaster County once and there is a substantial community near us here in NY. We buy cheese and raw milk from a local Amish farmer.)
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (We had plenty of money once and while it was a lot of fun, it did not make us happier or satisfied, and in fact it caused us more than a few problems.)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karoke (Again, with the audience. Bad.)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt (When we lived in Utah, we took the family to Yellowstone several times and saw Old Faithful every time. Got some great photos of it too!)
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (I have always wanted to, but could never figure out the logistics of how to go about it.)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (Does drunkenly staggering along a lake beach count?)
46. Been transported in an ambulance (I had terrible stomach pains once, Doug called 911 and while I was doubled over in pain, I actually told him to tell them NOT to use the sirens and lights because I didn't want the neighbors to see. It was not diagnosed that night but later found out I had an ulcer, which perforated about a year later and I had to have emergency surgery. Doug drove me to the hospital that time.)
47. Had your portrait painted (Self portraits and a few by other students in college, although I didn't encourage that.)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (Did some snorkeling in Cozumel once.)
52. Kissed in the rain (Nothing dramatic or romantic here but I guess Doug and I have kissed a few times during a drizzle as he was getting in the car to go on a business trip.)
53. Played in the mud (NOT as an adult, thank you.)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (In high school and then when we lived in Utah there was one that we went to several times when the kids were babies. We saw The Crow there on a really rainy night once and we might have kissed that night too, which combines 52 and 54. Anyway, it was the perfect place to see that movie.)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies (As a kid and now as a parent.)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason (Doug is the only person I have ever gotten flowers from, but it's always for a reason. Birthday, Valentine's etc. I am thankful for this but a no reason bunch WOULD be nice sometime.)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (I have tried to donate, but my veins are small and no one really wants to go to all the trouble. My blood type is pretty common so no loss really.)
65. Gone sky diving (HA, not a chance in hell!)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (Sadly, more times than a I can recall, mostly in college.)
68. Flown in a helicopter (Again, no way!)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial (In high school I went on a school trip to Washington DC and we did the whole tour.)
71. Eaten Caviar (yuck.)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square (Kinda wished I could have done that when it was all sleazy and full of strip clubs, drug addicts and hookers, but when I was last there, I just bought a few books in a mega bookstore and walked around a little bit. heh.)
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (This could be a yes, I had a job once assembling jewelry and the owners let go two of the most recent employees of which I was one, because they were having financial issues. Maybe if I had been a more awesome employee they might have kept me, but whatever. I wasn't fired for doing a crappy job or anything.)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (I broke my left wrist in 10th grade when I fell down while skating at the local roller rink, Skate Country.)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. (I hate motorcycles.)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (Would like to and it is on my list of things to do.)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (Actually this may be a gray area. We have leased new cars, then have ended up buying them after the initial lease expired. Not sure if that counts, maybe the blog police can let me know:))
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (A few times, though I try to avoid it because I generally look stupid somehow.)
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (Again, high school trip.)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (This a good story and perhaps the topic of another blog post. How's THAT for a teaser?)
88. Had chickenpox (I was fourteen and out of school for 2 weeks. Still can see a few scars.)
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury! (Got called last year but the case settled and so won't have to go back again for several years.)
91. Met someone famous (Bonnie Raitt in a bead store in Philadelphia in 1989. She was disguised dressed up as a society lady wearing a big white hat and flowery dress and I never would have recognized her if Doug hadn't pointed her out to me. I went to tell her how much I loved her music, (very original) and she was very nice while I went on to hyperventilate. Also I once met and chatted with Fred Gwynne,(he and his son were touring the art school I attended in Philly-we talked on the elevators) but didn't know it was him until some friends clued me in later.)
92. Joined a book club (One of my real life friends has asked me but it's on a night that Doug is usually in NYC so I said no.)
93. Lost a loved one (More than a few, I am afraid.)
94. Had a baby (Three!)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (I don't know why anyone would want to, unless they want to be able to highlight it on a list like this someday. It's a smelly, very salty lake, not an appealing place for a swim at all.)
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (Many times.)
100. Read an entire book in one day (I used to all the time, but so many others things to do now to just sit and read anymore. Plus I get all stiff and sore when I sit too long these days:))

So there you go. Obviously, I have not traveled much, in fact except for a week long vacation in Cozumel, Mexico, I have never been outside of North America. I imagine I will someday, but frankly, I am not terribly interested in traveling and would prefer to spend my time trying to accomplish a few other things (like publishing a book), first.

Also, I do not like to do risky activities. I had enough of that when I was a kid (living in a small town, pretty much unsupervised, was like being close to death every day) and then as a college student who drank way too much while living in gang infested neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

And you should all be very, VERY happy that I do not sing in public.

Atlanta

Early Red, 2007, Oil on Panel, 24x36

So the trip to Atlanta was great! Well, except for the traveling part. I had to meet Doug in NYC so after the kids got onto the school bus, I drove 2 hours to Hudson, and took the train into Penn station. Doug was waiting for me there and since we were running late we decided to take a taxi to the airport. It wasn't the worst cab ride I have ever had, but it was close and I kept my eyes closed during most of it! We got on the plane, which then sat on the runway for over an hour. Arrgh! The flight attendant gave everyone extra peanuts at snack time and so we all felt better after that. Heh. But the actual flight was fine, as was the next cab ride to the hotel. I didn't have to close my eyes during that one. And the trip back home was nearly the same, but in reverse. Instead of the cab ride in NYC city though, we took an air train to another train in order to get back to Penn Station. And from there we had a few hours until we had to catch the train to Hudson, so we took the subway down to Soho, where we checked in on Doug's showroom, visited Multiple Impressions and then we walked over to Arcadia to check out the paintings there. I believe that the only mode of transportation we missed in those three days was a boat and the space shuttle.

Anyway.

We arrived in Atlanta kind of late on Thursday and so we had room service and went to bed early. The next day we got up and walked to the nearby mall. Doug needed a few things and so we wandered around, had lunch, shopped and looked at some paintings in a mall gallery by Paul Stanley from the band KISS. We didn't like them but the girl working there assured us that his work was very sought after. Hmmmm. Okay.

We then walked down to Twinhouse Gallery so that I could say hi before the actual opening. Our hotel was only a bit over a mile down the street, however it turns out that Atlanta is not exactly conducive to walking. Plus it was hot and very muggy and so we were pretty icky by the time we got there. What a first impression I must have made!

Later on we arrived at the opening around 7pm and it was in full swing. In fact it was packed. The show looked awesome and it was pretty cool to see one of my paintings (Early Red, above) hanging in the front window! We wandered around a bit and then Neil and Karen came up and introduced themselves. We all immediately hit it off I'd say, and Doug and I spent most of the evening talking to them, in addition to several of the other artists and other visitors. I spoke with a woman who wanted to buy one of my paintings for her husband, plus I met a number of others who admired my work. So that was nice. After the opening ended at 9pm, we went to the pizza place next door with Karen and Neil to chat some more. We all have so much in common and I can't believe how wonderful it was to talk with people who do what I do, paint, and try to navigate through the business side of art as well. I miss that in my real life at home. We finally left at 1:30am! I can't even remember the last time I was out that late. They gave us a ride back to the hotel (thanks again!) and collapsed. I think we are getting old.

The next morning we met with Susan, the gallery owner and she took us to breakfast where we had a classic southern meal, eggs with cheese, grits, hash browns, toast, and lots of fat and grease. She gave us a quick tour of Atlanta that left us wishing that we had could have at least another day there, and then took us to the airport in plenty of time for us to make our flight. It was nice to get to know her better though and I really have to thank both Susan and the director, Tiffany, for their hospitality.

I am so glad that we went on this trip. It was important for me to attend this show, meet everyone and become familiar with this particular gallery's dynamic. And getting to know Neil and Karen was just the best. Since Neil has now admitted his part publicly in getting me into this gallery, I want to sincerely thank him for that. Thank you Neil! I have met such lovely people here in art blogland.

We are home now, and getting back into the swing of things. Thanks to our good friend and super nanny, Mary Jo, our kids had a great time while we were gone and probably didn't even miss us.

Oh yeah, I forgot to take my camera to the opening so I have exactly zero pictures of the event, the art or my painting in the front window. Typical.

Upcoming Travel

Patterson Road Barn, 2007, Oil on Panel, 16x20

Besides trying to get back into the painting groove (I have been partially successful; I have done some really nice underpaintings, but have yet to break out the color, always the most challenging part) I have been making what seems like a million travel plans. Well, it's only three, but still.

I don't hate traveling, but it's not something I love either. I like it best when it's rare, a short trip, and when the place I am staying at is more comfortable than my own home. Heh. Actually I am not really joking there, I am very finicky about where I stay. So sue me.

Anyway, I have decided to go to Atlanta to attend the opening reception of "Six of One," a group exhibition to introduce six new artists at Twinhouse Gallery. I don't really have to go, and they don't expect me to be there, but it's a new gallery for me and so I have decided that I should go. Unfortunately, Doug will not be able to go with me to this one. I think this will be the first time that he hasn't accompanied me to an opening where I am showing work. Hopefully, I won't do anything more embarrassing than usual without him next to me.

Next up is a day or two in New York City for the Blogger Show opening at Agni Gallery. Obviously, I am totally looking forward to this opening, to finally have the chance to meet fellow bloggers and to see their work in person as well. Of course that could be a bit risky and I am especially concerned that anyone I meet who reads this blog will realize how utterly boring, silly and middle aged I actually am in real life. Although I suspect my secret may already be out, hehe.

And I just made the flight arrangements for Doug and I to go to Pittsburgh for the solo show opening reception at Boxheart Gallery on November 17. I have had this one on my schedule for almost 3 years (no exaggeration) and it's hard to believe that it's actually almost here. I am also looking forward to meeting up with a few fellow artists while there, including Susan Constanse and John Morris of Digging Pitt Gallery that I have corresponded with via our blogs and email.

The other portion of The Blogger Show, to be held at Digging Pitt Gallery in Pittsburgh, will have an opening reception on December 8. I will have a piece in that show, however I don't know yet if I will be able to go to that opening. I would like to, but I have to wait until it gets a bit closer to see how my studio time is going. I have a solo show in January and things could be a bit hairy in early December if I am still finishing up the work for that.

I am looking forward to these events, yet am also feeling a bit tired in advance.....

Off to Cape Cod

White Roof, 2007, Oil on Panel, 14x18

Hope ya'll had a nice 4th of July. Ours was cold and rainy and while the town parade went on as scheduled, the family bbq didn't go quite as planned. Somewhat soggy ribs and vegetables eaten inside at the dinner table.

Well, Doug and I, our youngest daughter (who turns eight today), AND Mr. Wilson, of course, are off today for a short trip to Cape Cod. In case anyone out there is in the vicinity and wants to come by, the opening reception is Friday, July 6th at the Salt Meadow Gallery in East Sandwich, from 4-7pm.

For those of you who can't make it, which is 99.9% of you I am sure, I will tell you ALL about it on Monday. Heh.

Have a nice weekend!

New Mexico

So my trip to Silver City, New Mexico, went pretty smoothly. My mom and her husband moved there about four years ago and while she has visited us here in NY, this is the first time I have had the chance to go and visit her. After flying for about 6 hours (and I don't mind saying here that I was moderately terrified on the airplanes, especially during the very bumpy landings, as it has been awhile since I have flown anywhere and I am rusty concerning faith in the whole concept of flying thing) I then rented a car and drove from Tucson to Silver City. On the way, I stopped at a rest stop that was surrounded by the biggest boulders I have ever seen (above) and had a few warnings that were interesting.

I arrived in Silver City, checked into my hotel and went off to find my mom's house, which is a bit outside of town. This is the view from their driveway:

Their dog, Molly, who is quite a character:

And a surprisingly gaudy flowering bush near the house:
Unfortunately, my mom was not feeling well while I was there (on the day I left they went to the ER and found out she had pneumonia), so mostly we sat at the kitchen table and chatted. I did spend a few afternoons wandering around the historic downtown and visited the local shops and art galleries. Here is a view of one of the streets where many of the galleries are located.

Most of the art was western and southwestern art, which while nice, doesn't really appeal to me very much. I did come across the Blue Dome Gallery and was able to see a few of Ed's paintings in person and they were really wonderful. Like most paintings, they have much more depth and color than they appear to on the computer screen so it was a real treat to see them in real life. On my way out a small oil pastel painting by Colorado artist Marty Mitchell caught my eye and since I like to buy a piece of art whenever I travel, I decided to get it.

The other memorable thing about the downtown was the Peace Meal Cooperative Vegetarian Deli. Birkenstocks, cooks with their dreads up under knit caps, Bob Marley on the radio and wickedly good organic food. I had a Pesto Pizza, which was pesto, tomatoes, green onions, kalamata olives and feta on a flaxseed tortilla style crust and I nearly wept while I was eating it. I went back the next day and had mock tuna salad on greens with flaxseed chips and that was excellent too. I wish we had a place like that in our little town, or anywhere nearby for that matter.

The landscape there, of course, is beautiful, all rugged, dry and intense. I also don't think I have ever seen quite so many mobile homes in one place, and this comes from a girl who used to live in the largest mobile home park in Rochester MN. Heh. I took a lot of pictures though and while I won't be painting the desert anytime soon, some of the imagery will surely find its way into my work.

With the exception of the fact that my mother was sick, it was a nice trip and I must admit that it was really nice to be unencumbered by children, chores and work for five whole days.

But getting home was even better. To see everyone's face light up when I came in the door, to see the clean house (courtesy of the kids), the flowers blooming in the garden and even to scoop out the cat litter and put in a load of laundry. And it was the best feeling ever to hear from a friend that when she ran into Doug while I was gone, he looked really haggard. Poor guy.....
This place really appealed to the old barfly in me.

Back in Black (love that song)

Byzantine Blue Road, 2007, Oil on Panel, 36x48

Just wanted to say a quick hello. I returned home late last night and have a ton of stuff to do today. Doug did an excellent job of handling things while I was gone (it was a very busy weekend and the poor guy spent all day Saturday dropping off and delivering children-welcome to my world!), but he did miss a few things. Like laundry. Of course it's not hard to get behind on that around here as missing a day or two can really cause a backlog what with six people and all.

Anyway, I plan to make good on my new daily schedule (um, even though I have already kind of messed it up by sitting here this morning, reading through some blogs and putting up this post) so I need to work in my studio today and then have much to do get things back to normal around here. Heh.

I will post on Wednesday about my trip.

PS. The image above is of a painting that I really struggled with. The underpainting was really nice, but from then on I was afraid of it, mostly because of the size of the panel. I am still having a hard time with the larger sized panels. And the fear showed in the piece. At one point, neither Doug nor I thought it would be salvageable, however I kept plugging away at it and managed to wrestle it into submission. The gallery director accepted it and it is on its way to Multiple Impressions in NYC (Doug is driving into the city today and will deliver it for me).

All About Energy

Early Summer Edges, 2007, Oil on Panel, 12x16

Well, tomorrow I am off for a few days to visit my mother.

I'll be back on Tuesday, but holy cow, things are gonna have to change! My daily schedule has slid into terrible disrepair over the last few months, ok, maybe closer to a year. I have gotten into the habit of sitting at the computer for a good part of the morning each day, taking care of blog related things (and we all know how much time that can take up!) and dealing with business and personal correspondence. This would be fine except it does tend to suck up most of my energy and by the time I get to work in my studio around noon, I am not always feeling it. I have managed to get by without it really affecting my work but I miss being really excited about painting. I am letting my energy drain away each day before I even get a chance to use it.

So I have to reorganize my days. I am going to get to work right away each morning and then do the office and blog stuff int the afternoons. Hopefully that will do the trick and get me motivated again. I am saying this all, out loud and in public because then I will actually do it right? Right. Heh.

I also really need to carve out a few hours a week to just play around with something besides oil painting and glazes. I should get myself over to the figure drawing classes on Monday nights as well. Doing other kinds of art is so important and I can't believe I have just let that go lately either. Time and space have been an issue there, but really, it's all about energy.

And I want mine back.