Distractions

For the past few months I have had an enormous amount of distractions. First I came out of self-imposed exile and created a new social life. Then I moved my painting studio out of my house and into a commercial space I share with my framer. I underestimated the time and energy involved in socializing (yes, dating!) and my work has suffered a bit because of that. Also, instead of painting in my bunny slippers I now have to get dressed and drive to work. aaack!

Now I am traveling (Berkeley, CA) and there are even more things here that I find distracting. There are a huge number of entertainment options, but above and beyond that is the great outdoors. I've been hiking and kayaking, both, and would gladly do a little of each every day. I'm afflicted with the California dream.

Pulling me back down to earth is a commission that I agreed to do while on vacation! Silly me! But I'm headed out to a friend's studio in a bit to work on that. And I have another friend in town visiting from Dallas, and we're hooking up for a couple days, too. By that time the whole two weeks will have flown past me and I'll be headed back to Dallas. I'm trying to remember why I live there when there are so many other options.

Countdown

I've printed all the photography for my newest project located in Pensacola, Florida. These are all large prints on canvas, with the smallest one 35" x 35". This is a beach/water theme, and I sold four photos that I took at a marina in Oregon in June. Then several images of fishing nets (the photo above) taken in Port Vendres, France last year. I still have three large paintings for the project, but that will wait until next year! It feels so good to say that.

I'm REALLY not working next week! Of course the week after that is New Years, then the week after that is my Birthday, so who knows when I'll get back in the studio. Whenever it is, it will be a fresh start.

Workshop Work

Haven't taken one picture of anything I've done here - so nothing to show right now. But I've been really productive. I've got a wall full of paintings that never would have happened at home. That's exciting to me because I am out of my comfort zone. Sometimes my own studio stops me from producing serious work because I'm too comfortable there.

Bob Burridge is a very lighthearted guy - who loves to paint. It shows in his work, and in his workshop.

We have limited wireless access, and right now I'm sitting outside the art center office, in a cold plastic chair with a chill wind tossing the branches of tall cedars. Bright spring flowers sway and spread pollen, grasses dance. We are freezing. Thank goodness I was able to borrow some sweaters and a warm scarf! brrrrrr

And last night, creative fools that we are, Nancy and I took our cameras to Glass Beach. We are experimenting with long exposures, and didn't pack up til well after dark. That made for a very long day. Today it's much too windy (thank goodness) or we'd be back there this evening as the sun filters through the sea spray turning the waves to gold.