It's coming together . . . after a year of planning . . the annual Labor Day Weekend Open house at my studio gallery is this weekend Sat-Mon 9 am -4pm with an opening reception on Friday evening from 5-8 pm with fiesta food and margarita's!!!
This year's show features the work of fellow artists Diane Whipp, Johanna Axelrod and myself and the artwork is based on our recent trips to the Southwest. We all love the southwest and have been there many times, and keep wanting to go back! As an artist there is so much inspiration that it just seemed perfect to do a show together.
The show is in place and now I'm working on cleaning the studio/gallery. Johanna has created some lovely watercolors and abstracts based on her memories of her trips to the Santa Fe and Taos area. Diane Whipp is showing some pastels as well as intimate little collages that speak of the beautiful colors of the Southwest. I have some new oil/cold wax paintings based on the 'colors' I remember from the trip as well as some pastels and watercolors of some of my favorite scenes and of course, the ever-changing magical skies! Hope you can join us this weekend!

Recently I was featured in an art DVD "A Walk into Abstracts" by Sue St. John. This how-to DVD features well known national and international artists work and working process. I was thrilled to be included in this DVD - it's really inspiring to see all the great art being produced by fellow abstract artists. To order copies you may contact Sue St. John via her website awalkintoabstracts.com.
Currently I am working on some abstracted landscapes, after a return trip to drop off artwork in Traverse City and Mackinac Island, I see my color palette lightening up into a summer-y palette, which will all change shortly as our nights are starting to feel like autumn. Oh, how I love our season changes!

Just didn't want to relax too much this weekend . . . so I decided to join other local artists who are setting up and selling their artwork on Sunday (11 am-4pm) at Hennes Park in Menominee. It's a very laid back show, artists set up anywhere along the paths in the beautiful park by the bay. Actually, it should be a great time visiting with everyone. Then it's off to do a gallery run to galleries that carry my work on Mackinac Island, Charlevoix and Traverse City to drop off new work!
This image "Season" just sold this past month at Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Door County!

One great thing about my art career is that I have met so many talented, creative people! They have blessed my life with friendship, inspiration and encouragement. I am very lucky!
In my blog I would like to 'feature' different artists/creative friends and share with you their talents. Tonight I would like to introduce you to a wonderful interior designer, Lane Sauve, that recently moved back to her home town of Marinette (from Chicago) and has started an interior design service in our area. She has recently started freelance writing for examiner.com and has some interesting articles posted about decorating. This week she posted an article about my artwork - check it out! I will try to link the site here, but if it doesn't work, go to examiner.com/x-57988-Marinette-Interior-
Design - and remember to always check back to Lane's sight as she posts some very interesting articles.
I have more friends that I will be writing about from time to time on my blog - thanks for reading!

Yesterday I was an exhibitor at the Waterfront Art Festival in Escanaba and had an enjoyable but exhausting day. Today I am relaxing. I may even lay in the hammock later and go for a horse ride this evening when it cools down.
As artists, we sometimes forget the 'power of relaxation and play'. We are always 'spinning our wheels' and working, creating, thinking about our next great piece. I think a day off of lounging will be nice! Enjoy your day-and may we all remember to stop and smell the roses!