Houses, Gardens, and The Farmer's Market

Among the paintings I was working on during my birthday week is this one, Farmer's Market I. The second one is not quite finished. The third hasn't been started, since I decided to move on to a mixed media piece. There are many changes afoot in my art-thinking, many prompted by going through the Artist's Way program.

This past week I've been busy setting up the structure for the future Studio Garden, which is sited outside the back of the garage. The garage is as long as the house, and the back half would make an excellent studio. I hope to put in French doors that lead out to the new garden, and then little by little turn it into a good working space which clients can access without traipsing through the house. We have just put up a small gazebo, which will give me some shade while I develop the plantings. Quite a few of the plants and other things are from our Miller Beach house, so it's a bit like having moved my family over from the old country or something.

07/07/07

Haven't been here for a bit, as I was painting and preparing for my 52nd birthday, which was on (I'm not kidding) 07/07/07. It called for a party, my first birthday party since I was 18. Had about 30 friends and my parents, son, and daughter-in-law, gourmet focaccias and antipasto trays, and instead of gifts almost everyone brought a division to share from their garden, to help me get my own new garden going. It also served as a sort of housewarming party. Started the day with a massage at a local spa, and a bottle of Veuve Cliqot to sample before the party began! The party lasted 7 hours on the nose, and I'm glad to have had this one nice big bash. It was a day full of lively chatter and fun.