Hello all you paintery types,

I am excited because my girlfriend and I are going to an art and craft tent show in Niantic, CT.

I went a few years ago and met a woman who I have stayed in touch with by phone ever since. She lives in RI, up by Bristol, where Uncommon Art, oone of the galleries that my work is in. She is a watercolorest, and teaches in the winter. I love her work. Maybe today I'll buy one.

After that, we are going to Leftbank Gallery, the other one that my work is in, for a welcoming party for a new artist.

Looking forward to a busy Sunday. Will report in.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello all you brush wavers,

Happy 4th of July! My next door neighbor needed some butter this morning, and I delivered it before she could make it to my house. Growing very tall next to her door was a hydrangia I hadn't noticed. The few flowers that were left were green, so I picked as many as I could hold.

Speaking of hydrangias, yesterday I had visitors for lunch and beach'in. My friend Linda has the best hydrangias there are! Of course, lucky me, she brought over a bunch.

She also brought her 4-year-old granddaughter, Little Linda, who lives in Stebbins, Alaska. This is her second summer in the states, and she is so beautiful and full of joy, I love to be with her.

We ate outside, then walked to the beach. I had bought three noodles and a noodle chair, thinking we could have a ball with everything. Since we use noodles in my water aerobics, I was planning on teaching them a few moves. We no longer hit the water, than the woman Lifeguard, whistle and all, came jogging over to informe us that Guilford doesn't allow floating devices of any kind in the water.BUMMER! So we swam, drank lemonade, then Little linda made a castle with our cups.

When you are at at the beach with good friends, you need very little to amuse yourself! We had a great day.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello brush holders,

I was fortunate to be able to work today! I planted myself in my studio, short lunch break, then back again. I am working on my neighbor's commission of her husband. I have to be careful that it doesn't look absurd, but fun is okay. I added his dog, Coco, and she came out well in black watercolors with grey wisps. Afterwards I will glue the inside hairy stuff from tulips all over her for some texture.

The Left Bank Gallery, one that I hang in, is having an auction of artist decorated chairs, proceeds going to the local foodbank.

They told us to get chairs in flea markets and do whatever we want. I have a chair from my childhood that wants to be something else and go somewhere else, so all that's left is for me to think of a great idea.

Never a dull moment!

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello fellow creators,

I am trying to grab every flower, petal, whatever I see that would work in my pictures, and drying it asap, as each type has a short lifespan. Peonies are gone, poppies have left, so many flowers, so little time.

I have been asked to teach a workshop, but can't see it happening because of lack of materals. I can't give away my precious seaweed and petals!

I am watching a rabbit nibble my mini pansies. Most of the flowers have been someone's lunch. What about all the clover in the lawn? I guess they heard about people eating flowers in salads. Just wait until my nasturtiums bloom. I Guess that's what all the wire fencing  in the shed I threw away was for!

I see some white flowers on my  Mock Orange tree, got to grab them.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hey Painters,

Friday night's opening of the Hidden Gallery was, in my opinion, a bust. The only people who came were the artists and their friends, no one with enough $$$ to buy art. Three of my pieces weren't priced. I gave the woman who runs the gallery printed stickers with name, size, artist and price, but she said she wanted these cool clear labels. She got them, but wrote the info by hand, and not great handwriting.

She separated my seaweed into three places, including a tiny room off the bathroom with one wall of black and white photography, a statue of a gold bull on a tall pedistal, and a wall of my work.

Worse than that is she hung five seaweed pieces surrounded by irridescent fish and starfish and an octopus. When are people going to learn that seaweed is my medium, not my theme. I guess I must sound pretty angry, and I guess I am.

I will sit down with her and tell her that I want my work hung as a body of work, not scattered here and there, and it is not fish, octopus, crab themed, and doesn't belong with those ceramic wall hangings.

There were three sales, two suncatchers made of glass and shells, and a carved walrus for $125.

I may remove my work from the gallery and use it in online auctions, etc.

I always have such wild expectations, and sometimes they are met, like the opening of the Left Bank Gallery. I must learn to curb it, as every opening will not be the same.

I'm going to work on the portrait of my neighbor now.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Good evening, Art Folks,

Today, after my therapist told me she is coming to the gallery opening, Friday night, where I am showing 15 pieces, I was excited. So many of my friends are showing up.

These parties get me going, take off the daytime Crocs, husband's threadbare Brooks Brother's white shirt and cargo shorts, to get dressed up in gold, embroidery, patchwork silk, lots of jewelry, high heeled sandals, nighttime hair and make-up. Off I go to smile and see people I know, and always have a great time. Sort of like Cinderella.

Today we stopped for native strawberries at a large farm stand that has been in business ever since I can remember. Don't know how it started, but I was talking to the Son and owner who asked me if I could set up my art under a tent in front of his stand. I can get tons if exposure there, it is a very busy weekend corner. He has  giant white tent and I'll set up my easel, and start a picture.

Sounds like a busy Summer.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello one and  all Artistes,

Is anybody still working? Sometimes I find myself working at night because I used up all the time in the day for "other things." What are other things? Sometimes I wonder.

Paying the electric bill, Calling my husand's medical and food suppliers, to reorder. Getting together an order for Dick Blick. Exercise, shower, pull onwork clothes,water and weed garden, eat lunch, Do the laundry, and finally go to my studio and work on the portrait of my neighbor's husband . I had a photo shoot with his dog, Coco,today, wanting to include her in the picture and not really knowing what she looked like from all angles.

Next, the study time with Selling on Ebay for Dummies, my next big project.

It was nap time before I knew it , and off I went to the air onditioned bedroom.

That's a day? I guess it is .

Live in the light,

Lisabeth           & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;      

Dearest Artists,

Today at the ungodly hour of 7:30,AM, I jumped into the outdoor pool at the Guilford Racquet and Swim  Club for my second water aerobics classl

As a rule, I never get my hair wet when the when the sun isn't shining, so this was a big first for me! It was cold at first, raindrops falling on my Bailey Island Baseball cap.

An hour later, when class was over, I felt wonderful, so, unless there's a tornado, I'll be there.

It is wonderful to find something that's good for you and takes you to a happy place. Kind of like making pictures.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello all you wonderful Arties,

I am in love with water aerobics! I was very hesitant to get wet in an outside pool at 7:30AM in a swimsuit that was so small I had to wear a black t-shirt over it. The day was perfect! Warmed up nicely. We in the pool did all kinds of walks, runs, jumps. traveling up and down and across the pool.

At one point, we used noodles and I have to admit, mine got away from me, but the nice person next to me grabbed it and we got me in position. I was smiling the entire time! I felt so good inside, all of my life's heaviness disappeared for an hour.

I was home watering and weeding by 9:00.

The energy is still with me, as I press the yellow insides of peonies for my lady's  blonde hair.

Working on the commissioned portrait of my neighbor's husband. Decided to somehow include his dog, Coco. It came to me as I was drying the black hair from inside poppies. Perfect Coco fur.

Back to it.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth