Many thanks.

Unexpectedly, a happy thanksgiving.
This was the first year that my daughter was not able to join us.
But...Ione was in fine form.
Brother Ted helped with the gravy,
Richard read our fortunes
and my son taught me how to play Texas hold'em.

And the leaves fell strategically on the divot in the pumpkin pie.

Always a Bridesmaid...

The 1950's vintage prom dresses that I found in at an estate sale are finally getting their just deserts.
I've taken over my daughter's bedroom for a studio. The natural light can be variable. My little Cannon Power Shot A80 serviceable but not great. And my vintage dress form, just too darn big for most of the pieces I own. We salvaged the old, bead-board closet door this summer and it makes a nice foil to the blue walls. The light is good today, so I gotta get crackin'. I hope to have these frothy delights in the shop tonight!

Forsythia Confused

Minnesota is known for its intemperate climate.
This year, we had a cold summer, a glorious September, and October was non-existent.
This past week we had a respite with record days of 60 degrees plus.



A lot of chores got done.
Four dead elms were taken down and stacked for firewood...
thank you Tony Soboda and Ben Husby.
Two piles of rotting railroad ties were hauled to the recycler...
thank you Ben Hauger.
Richard finished the mulch project and replanted the ornamental grasses. While I was out, doing clean-up, I noticed a spot of bright yellow in the midst of all the grey/brown splendor.




Given a warm hand, there's still a little juice in the old stems.

Supported Backbend

Stop what you are doing.
Forget that the light is receding in your studio and that you might get just one more photo shot for the shop.
Don't suck boxelder bugs or set another mouse trap.
Remember, the light is receding.

Walk one thousand yards up the path to the field.
Find a hay bale.
Big and round is preferable to the the small, squarish variety.

Plant your feet about two feet in front of your hips.
Lean back into the bale.
Begin to walk your feet closer to your hips.
Breathe.
Breathe into the low back and allow your arms and shoulders to open.
Open your eyes to the impenetrable blue above you.
Let the big, round totally support you.

Bring your gaze back to the receding light and say out loud what you are ready to be done with...it may surprise you.

You can find the highest hillock and do a few sun salutations to the receding west light. Drop back to wheel, or an imagined wheel.
When you come back, crack open a Newcastle Brown Ale that your partner, who doesn't drink, stocked in the frig. You may find a half eaten jar of Milwaukee's Best Bread and Butter pickles. Eat some. Blog.
Now, go back to the obvious.

A Place of Her Own

One of the art directors made a bold move and fulfilled a dream. This mid-summer, she signed a lease on a dedicated studio space in a wonderful part of northeast Minneapolis. Last week, the 4 musketeers minus one(we missed you, Judy) christened the space.
Having a successful design career and working from a home office has advantages and disadvantages. It can be smart from an economic and time management angle.
It can be a great challenge juggling work and family responsibility while at home. But, nests empty.
Focus changes.
For a trained artist, it may be time to take the "art director" out of the equation, and explore the artist, the painter, the calligrapher, the photographer, and the eight-year-old girl with her own clubhouse.

Becky's space is in the Casket Arts Building in northeast Minneapolis, and she is with good company.
She has been invited to exhibit work from neighboring artists. But the paint is barely dry on the wall. She and her supportive husband Scott, did a gorgeous job with the north wall. They used a kraft paper brown base, and added a pearlized wash over top that is a perfect foil for the rose couch.




The day we were there, I took pics of the space, the floor with its three kinds of wood,
the view, the hutch/liquor cabinet and the taboret/rolling buffet.
She has graciously invited us to come back often to sketch and kabitz.
There are some great common areas I am dying to use as backdrop for vintage clothing photos.
























The easel is set.
And her father's oils have been transferred to jars.