Karen has hung the pieces at the Studios in Monticello in downtown Norfolk for the coming week, so if you happen to be in the Tidewater area before the 25th, try to check it out.  And, make a note to yourselves to check the ethers come October for notice of the 3rd Annual "About and About" next year.

   This week's variation on moving out of my comfort zone continued in the same spirit as last's, except I'm painting inside, in the entrance of Cape Henry Collegiate School.  Now, you all have heard the "north light, north light" chant, and this week, in addition to be blessed by floor to ceiling windows facing just that direction, I also have skylights, and clerestory windows to illuminate my work area.  Doesn't get any better than this- the studio of my dreams couldn't have better light.  I'm working on a portrait commission of two Border Collies while I'm there,  and the subjects seem to tickle the students as they come and go.  It's what I'd hoped for before the rain let loose last week- letting people interface with art before it was framed and on a wall in a museum or gallery, looking all the world as if it had appeared by some sort of miracle.  I wanted them to see the actual work,  and not just think that painting was something that happened in exotic places and required some sort of magic. 

   I won't have finished the portrait by the time I pack out tomorrow, but that's OK too- I can finish up in my own light over the coming week or so, and maybe, just maybe, someone who saw me will think about starting their own.

  Now- all of this is a brand-new venture for me.  I've never painted in front of anyone except a model before, but I feel strongly that it's important for me to explore new avenues, and more than that, bring painting out of the studio so that the process, the actual work, can be seen.  ( Given the fact that we have a 90% chance of rain over the next two days, the fact that art is not magic ought to truly be in evidence.) So- if any of you veteran Plein Air painters, have any words of wisdom for a newbie on her first outing, I'd greatly appreciate hearing from you. Finally, for any of you who happen to be out and about in Norfolk (rain or not!) check out Karen's website for a list of a lot of the places where artists will be painting the town, or consider giving it a go yourselves next year.

   Wish me luck, and minimal precipitation!

p.s.  I'll be painting at the Hermitage on Thursday, and at the Botanical Gardens on Friday.

    Bottom line- breaking down a studio is never any fun, there's never a good time, and not painting is frustrating, but sometimes one just needs to clear the deck so that one can move forward.