ROUTINES

This time of the year I walk my dogs early, usually around 7:30 AM, give or take 15 minutes, and every morning I see a new neighbor sitting on his porch with coffee and newspaper. We have never formally met but have exchanged pleasantries every morning for the past 2 months. This morning he chided me - in a quite friendly manner - about my routine, and how he avoids them. I thought he was kidding, but when I pointed out that sitting on his porch every morning certainly was a routine he looked surprised; he never thought of it that way. He thanked me for my honesty as we both laughed. About 15 minutes later, walking along the river park, I saw him approach me on his bike. He passed by and told me he was breaking out of his routine.

I have several routines, none of which I am inclined to surrender: I usually get up about one hour before Patience and the dogs and spend that quiet time on the computer (e mail, news, etc.) and writing in my journal: I eat lunch every day at noon, you can almost set your clock on that: At 5 PM, weather permitting, I am sitting on our front porch with a glass of wine and some reading material: And if I’m cooking, it is almost always with a glass of wine at hand.

Sadly, I also have some routines (not very many!) that I would love to abandon, but that is another story.

How about you?


Clay mono type...Utter Chaos..30x14... the opposite of routine $500

ALMOST THERE

I won’t swear to it, but I think I saw a muse peeking in a studio window a few days ago. It is getting to be about the time when they reappear so I’m doing what I can to be ready.

I have been using this time to make some changes in the studio, creating some much needed space by removing one of my two large drafting tables. This will create more open space and room for the two easels I work on, which I’m always dragging across the floor to make room for one thing or another. The space will prove to be important for both ergonomic and psychological reasons.

My new watercolor work station is set up and ready to rock and roll. For the past 2 days I’ve been looking through old photos and slides and making some thumb nail sketches of possible compositions. I can feel the some stirring in the “lets make art” part of my brain.


Before


work in progress


New work area





New water color work station...formerly Harvey's work area. Now that he has arrived in San Diego I can begin to use it.

NOT LOST FOREVER

The turmoil and demands of the past few weeks have taken their toll on both my art and my blog, leaving me with little enthusiasm for both. Our children and grandchildren’s visit was worth all the effort. We enjoyed a wonderful visit in spite of all the food and wine!

On a sadder note, we shared our last meal with the Tilkers last night, and despite everyone’s best efforts, an air of sadness and fatigue prevailed as the reality of their move hit us all. There were no dry eyes when we said our final goodbyes at the front gate.

The muse’s leave of absence (which actually started several weeks ago) doesn’t concern me; experience tells me they will return. In the meantime I intend to embrace this bit of sadness and find some comfort in knowing that it will soon shepherd in a new day.


Early Light Oil Pastel 10x10

WE'RE BACK!

LEIF AND CLEO


LEIF, CLEO, AND GRANDAD


BETH, CARL, ME, CLEO AND LEIF

I can't believe it has been five days since my last post. But I have a good excuse...we have been preparing the house for a visit by 2 daughters, husbands, and 4 grandchildren. Beth and clan arrived late Wednesday, and Amy and her family mid-day on Friday.

Thursday we spent several hours in the studio making clay mono types.


Cleo's

Leif's

Carl's

MIGLIORI AMICI

How could we miss, a Jew from Brooklyn and an Italian from New Jersey. And if more was needed, a retired clinical psychologist and a retired physician, or, how about a shared passion for food, wine, and art. The bottom line...Harvey and I were meant to be best friends, and we are. For the past 5 years we have enjoyed each others company in a relationship that is equally comfortable in silence, conversation, or laughter. We have shared endless hours of each in my studio where Harvey had his own work space until a week ago. Sadly, he and his lovely wife Jeannie are packing their household in preparation for a move to San Diego later this month. I am having a difficult time imagining life in Paducah without his companionship; we have so many shared memories.

He is a friend, who on 24 hours notice, joined me on a spontaneous 5 day trip to the southwest because of a dream, a trip that taught us a lot about our friendship.

We traveled to NYC for 3 days to attend trade shows, and spent 2 days, in Atlanta on a similar mission.

Harvey accompanied me to Chicago twice, first on an overnight trip to learn about the One of Kind Show, and several months later to help me “do the show” over a five day period.

We’ve made numerous trips Nashville where he has shown me the best places to eat and shop (the Noshville diner - an authentic Jewish Deli, Provence for coffee, and Whole foods, formerly Wild Oats, where I can get broccoli rabe.) . Besides the food we shared the less than delightful experiences of Prostate ablation at the hands of Dr. M at Vanderbilt University, (not simultaneously I should point out) something we both prefer to forget.

The Tilkers and the Renzullis shared at least 3 meals a week, either at our house (chateau coo coo) or at the Tilker"s elegant loft downtown. I don't know what I enjoyed more, cooking pasta for them or partaking of Harvey's Borscht or Jean's pop overs, a pure breakfast delight.

And I would be remiss if I failed to mention that it was Harvey and Jean who introduced us to dining at the bar at Cynthia’s. I would like to describe us as a couple of wild and crazy guys, but the sad truth is, sitting at a bar we talk more about our blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and how many times we have to get up to pee at night (None since visiting Dr. M.!) than anything else.

I will miss sharing my life with him...friendships that are so easy and comfortable are difficult to establish, but they are the ones that can prevail despite time and distance. On a positive note, I now have a very good reason to travel to the southwest.


We laughed a lot!


But we were always serious!


Jean and Harvey Tilker. Patience and I will miss them dearly.

SKYSCAPES OPENING RECEPTION

Yesterday the Lowertown art district held its monthly Second Saturday Gallery Walk. I planned for a low key reception at Gallery 5 for the Skyscapes exhibit, posting it in our local media and on line networks without a postcard mailing to my mailing list. My expectations for a low turnout were woefully off the mark much to my delight. From 5 to 8 PM there was a constant turn over of visitors, an equal mixture of friends, neighbors, artists, as well as first time visitors to the gallery.

Fortunately there was enough wine, chips, and dip for everyone, but the hands down favorite drink of the evening was the bowl of home made sangria compliments of our lovely neighbor, Valerie. I should point out that everyone in our community goes out of their way to support one another by joyfully drinking their wine and eating their food. Is there a better way of saying I love you?

In the six years that Gallery 5 has been open I’ve averaged 2-3 opening receptions a year and I don’t know that I have enjoyed any of them as much as I did last night.


3 important women in my life! Never far from the food and wine.


Fine art, sangria, and wine, inspire high brow conversation.

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

Ever since I selected a new screen saver I have been spending more and more time on my laptop, always finding some excuse to be looking at it. Can you blame me?


Patience...


with just 2 of the loves of her life.