changing of the seasons

I am really enjoying the time here in the valley, noticing on a daily basis the dramatic changes that the landscape, specifically the vineyards take through the high and low temperatures of napa valley. Of course, in California, the temperatures are what I would call temperate- nothing particularly extreme compared to winters had in other parts of the country, but in this area, the climate so affects the vineyards and specifically the colors of the vineyards. Oh and that sky....cool, grey, quiet.

knock, knock

Opportunity that is, in the form of art receptions. Two coming up. Same day, different times.
Nothing like art, viewing art, talking about art and drinking wine, talking about wine, about art and wine and yes, wine and art.
You get the picture. . If you're in the neighborhood, come by!

open Studios Weekend two

Back again...weekend two was as well a success as I met my personal goal of achieving enough in sales that I am officially moved out of my home studio and into G studio- So now I have my own artists space in the same location as open studio which is loft type space shared with four other artists of a variety of disciplines. Can't even express how happy I am about this- which has also allowed me to convert the "loft" in our house back to it's intended residential use, that is to say a playroom, family room of sorts (t.v., books, games, couch )
pics of weekend two............

Open Studios Weekend One

Overall, I feel like I've taken a long plane trip and still have jet-lag combined with being part of a wedding party and having to stand, talking, smiling, for 7 hours. But, it's all good. Made some very good contacts, sold paintings and overall was a positive experience. My ultimate goal here, because I don't think I've articulated it, is to move my home studio into the studio location where I had open studios this year. It's a terrific, light filled space shared with several other artists and has enough open space to have classes, workshops, what have you.
The small detail of course, is that in order to move into fabulous location, I have to support it (duh) and I need to sell art in order to do just that. So onward to weekend two- good sales and good luck.

Feelin' good

I do feel good. Granted, I had a few moments this week where I was experiencing the stress/freak-out anxiety of an art show coupled with getting new paintings ready for a gallery in Burlingame.
When it rains, it pours. Just when things were rolling along for open studio and I had a definite plan of what paintings were to be in the show and what I needed to produce to round out the show, I'm contacted by Marilyn Jaeger as well as Art and Soul Gallery asking for new work. (I've had paiintings hanging in both locations for a while now) So, I had to clear out all of my intended paintings for open studio to deliver to M.J. then pull a few more and paint more for the Gallery. Back to the beginning for open studio. I've been in crunch mode for a few weeks, but looking around at what goes where, I'm feeling very good about O.S. and feel prepared and positive.
At the studio in Napa: painting hanging panels that divide the space into sections for each artist- the owner of g Studio clearing all the space, everything goes away and the whole space is masterfully transformed into studio/gallery exhibition space. Already looks terrific. I'll post photos here so you can see the space and show- those of you unable to make it.
bye for now, off to make my fortune in Napa Valley...
k

Four stars

Last night was the Mumm winery reception up on the Silverado Trail. A terrific event and I continue to be impressed by the organization and support of the arts council of Napa Valley- a relaxed, organized and good humored group of people.
Besides being involved as an artist and having a painting there with the other open studio artists, I was assigned the task of volunteer coordinator. I was told a few weeks ago that the event is "mobbed" and very popular. Boy, were they right- About two hours, half spent just trying to excuse me please through the gallery space.
So, my participation with Open Studios has officially begun- in two weeks begins the studio tours and yes, I will be accepting credit cards...

this and that

Just sharing really- Feeling pretty good about time spent in the studio. I finished two more bird paintings, started 2 vineyard paintings and worked on some blossom paintings in various stages of completion. The heat here is really working for me. I've got deadlines right now and it's really helping that 24 hours after a painting is started, the paint isn't dry necessarily but rather "set" as in, I can proceed, many times painting more, on top of what I've already started. Which is very helpful when one is trying to work on quite a few things at once.
Art and Soul gallery emailed and wants to switch out paintings to freshen up her inventory, which is always good and I can provide her with smaller works that clients buy more easily than the larger works. Need to pick up paintings from Bistro Yoffi in San Francisco as they are closing. It's been a long run with them: 5 years or so.
Any dropping off to Raymond vineyard a painting this week as they are my partner winery for open studios.
http://www.raymondvineyards.com/ is there link, and you can see my open studios listing plus 71 other selected napa valley artists here- http://www.nvopenstudios.com/