Hello yellow,red and greens,

It is a quiet time lately. No galleries, no parties, I guess I didn't think of that. Actually I can go to any gallery's Holiday party, but it would feel weird being a guest, rather than a showing artist.

I must confess, I've become addicted to Facebook lately. It has nothing to do with art, just looking up old friends, new friends, whatever. I don't even know how to use it very well, but sometimes I just hang out there.

I met a man through a girlfriend there who was an art dealer and now is involved with Art Expo NYC. I told him about my papermaking idea and he said clients don't appreciate all the work that goes into it and often are unwilling to pay the prices deserved.

Sooooo, I think I'll practice water colors. Or something.

I think I'm at a crossroad, but I don't know where it will lead me.

I am blathering.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Dear Artistes,

I have decided to take a break, not feel pressured to produce work, take time to read and think. I also have ordered some books on papermaking, and I think I will try it, adding petals, leaves, etc.

Today I realized that I have had no pain for almost a week. My back and both hands feel great. I catch myself waiting for it to return, sort of missing it. Is that weird?

I like the idea of papermaking because you recycle envelopes and junk mail (certain types).

Tomorrow my husband is going to NYC for an MRA and I am staying home. It has been a long time since we have been apart. I plan to enjoy the day.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello Masters of Color,

Went to the reception for the Madison Art Society today. It was held from 1-4:00, so I figured arriving at two would be fashionably late and I wouldn't have to spend three hours making small talk and eating 3000 calories worth of sweet and salty goodies.

I didn't figure that everyone else came at 1:00 and were leaving at two, but by the time I arrived, many artists were jumping ship. We were told to bring a small piece of our work to exchange. The president of the society rewrapped hers and exchanged for mine, apologizing about the way everyone took off.

Actually it was great absorbing the art piece by piece, almost alone. This show had so many wonderful works! Lots of oils and watercolors, but also collages and mixed media. It is so inspiring to see good art.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hi color splashes,

The absence of pain is a beautiful feeling. The epidural I had in my spine took away half the pain I have and made me reconsider my basal joint removal operations in my thumbs.

Instead, yesterday I had a long, excruciatingly painful shot of cortisone in each thumb, exactly where it hurt the most. I thought I was going to faint, but I stared into my husband's eyes, imagining all the pain he has felt in the last four years, and I stayed with him. It was wicked!

The doctor said it could take a week to become effective, and is only a temporary stopgap to put off the necessary surgery, but it's fine for me.

Sunday afternoon I have a reception for the Guilford Art League's five hundredth (not really) membership show. I gave them the seaweed Lighthouse to hang. A staid New England bunch if I've ever seen one!

 We were asked to bring "finger food" and a small piece of our work to exchange with another member. I don't have many small pictures, so today I began to create one. The one turned into three, so I have a start on Christmas gifts.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Good evening Arties,

I am rested and ready to jump into the fray one more time.

I have two of my pictures on Ebay, in the ArtId store.

I joined about eight on-line sites to reach a wider market with my work

I am researching commercial fields. Who knows?

In the meantime, I am grabbing any flower still alive, in my yard or others (not really stealing), pressing the petals for the long winter.

Soon my husband and I will visit my favorite seaweeding beach, and the drying process will begin.

I have been asked to do some workshops, but I'm not sure how that works. I suppose I supply materials.

Since the epidermal, my back feels fine, and, for some reason, my basal joint in my thumb seems to be improving. No hand operations, I decided.

So, I'll be dancing and waving, and making new pictures.

Live in the Light,

Lisabeth

Hello paint pushers,

Yesterday I had the epidermal between my spinal cords. I felt it rushing in through the needle.

Today, instead of resting, I went to three appointments, which makes me at 4:20pm, exhausted, and in pain from the needle

I think I'll rest now, maybe read up on NYC galleries, maybe forget it all for the weekend.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello all you colorful ones,

I have decided not to renew my contract with the Left Bank Gallery. They charge $210 per month plus 13% commission, and I haven't made my rent.

I have found so many sites online that it seems possible to join and get great exposure for sales and auctions.

I was asked to do some workshops, and have a neighbor who lives in Ny and comes here to relax. She has a "green" shop in NYC and will sell some of my work there.

Has anyone had any luck selling on the online sites?

I also have my epidermal in my spine on thurs. and my basal joints operated on , both hands. It may be time for a change (rest)(think) (read) all those wonderful things I never have time for.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Good evening art heads,

Last night I got a call from my neighbor who said when she and her boyfriend went to pick up the kayaks from the private beach several yards away , their two-seater, my one seater that my husband bought me for our 10th anniversary, mine must have washed out to sea in the very windy storm we had Saturday night. Only the paddle remained on the shore. Because of my hand problems, I was only able to take it out a few times this summer, but I feel bad. I have a few photos of it, maybe i'll try a watercolor.

Slow day today, couldn't seem to get enthusiastic about anything, must have a fibromaylgia flare-up.

I'll get some energy tomorrow, seeing my thrapist.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth Billingsley

Hey color slingers,

Yesterday I had a 4 hour outside watercolor seminar with Robert Norieka. He is such a great artist. I know him from two galleries we both have been in  over the years. He threw the paint on his paper and a giant fir tree reflected in a pond with lily pads became clear after a while. I tried it and the picture wasn't the same at all. I know it wasn't suppose to be a copy, but my interpretation of the scene.

With all the pain I was in I gave myself credit for spending the afternoon outside, attempting my first watercolor in a country scene. For whole minutes at a time, I forgot what was going on with my health and with my husband's. I had a great time, even though my picture looked like a third grader's.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth