A Rash Of Red Dots

And it’s not chicken pox.

Our winter season finally came with cool temperatures, the long awaited Christmas Winds ( the good winds, not the hurricane winds ) and the debut of the opening of Bassin Fine Art. As is the case here every year, too many events on conflicting dates often diminish the numbers of people who pass through town. Parking lots full, street closings or too many other attractions. In spite of all of those hurdles, so far I’ve seen 5 of my paintings be afflicted with the red dot syndrome.

Clearly, if you want your  work to present well, have great lighting. Check.

Invest in the best frames you can buy. Check. ( thanks to Randy Higbee at King of Frames ) Randy’s frames and service make it all worthwhile. As many people commented on the quality of the frames as appreciated the gallery and the paintings.

Be lucky enough to have a professionally run gallery and gallery owner (s ) support your work. Check.

Thanks to Sam Dike and Ted Davis of D & D Studio on St. Croix for offering me their opening show.

Ted and Sam

( photo credit- Ted Davis )

Most of all, the buyers. Thank You, Thank You.

The man in my painting- the second painting I’ve done with him – wonderful man, great subject.

 

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Thanks too for my dear son’s visit from NY to share the experience.

Closing out the year with gratitude, appreciation, friends, health, resolutions before January 1st, and a glance at cranberry chutney, done up island style- with carombola ( star fruit ).

Oh, and of course……..THEM!

Happy Holidays to all and a New Year of Peace and Joy wherever and however you find it.

 

 

Who Wants to Buy…?

We’re all wondering. Artists, car manufacturers, clothing retailers. What’s the value we place on art and does it become one of the first non-essentials to be eliminated?

This was the weekend of the Good Hope School Fine Arts Exhibit- a juried, Caribbean Art Show of about 50 artists. Eagerly awaited by locals and snowbirds, it’s one of the biggest events of the season here.

Patron traffic and interested traffic seemed considerably less than last years show. The usual feeding frenzy of private showings before the doors open,  was not a frenzy. More like a dietary fast. Red dots used to fly at this show in past years. Not this year.

I sold three paintings within 45 minutes.

OK, I didn’t faint. But damn near close.

Buying art should be as thoughtful a process as making it. Adios, frenzies. Isn’t it so much better to moderate our impulses and refine our choices, to be mindful in selecting what we bring into our lives and our homes.

I had inner tugs of conflict about prices in this new under-stimulated, yet to be bailed out time we’re living in. Lowered some prices at the last minute.

It didn’t seem to matter. If it moved or touched someone, it found a home.

These were the three-

“The Gatekeeper” 9X12 framed o/p

“August Sun ” 9X12 framed o/p

” The Elixir ” 11X14 acrylic

Valentines’ Weekend too. I felt the love.

Maybe I’ll be asked to make an appearance on Winfreys’ show.

Okra Winfrey-

Taken at our annual Ag Fair, also this weekend.

A glorious three day event- high spirits, great food, local everything, animals, bands, music, more food, plants, vegetables, sunburned feet, and more kissing than a frat party.

Food is eternal and a necessity. Art? You betcha.