Take a Breath

Here is Josh Bell entertaining my customers during my show last Friday at Terra Bella Bakery and Cafe. The crowd was light. There were several culprits. Due do an error my listing was not in either paper's First Friday calendars. People can't come when they don't know where to find you. Also, the weather was beyond spectacular.

May is a tricky month to have a show. Alaskans have been sun deprived and wrapped in sweaters for months. If the skies clear and the air warms it feels amazing, you can't be inside. It just seems wrong. I understand, I really do but I was disappointed I didn't get to show off Africa to more people.

My show at Terra Bell will continue through the month so many will have their thoughts turned to Africa. I even got an email from a wonderful supporter who said they toured Africa Sunday while they sipped coffee. That made my heart very happy. Shows aren't always about making money. They are about giving someone a fun experience. Causing them to take interest in something that maybe never appealed to them before.

Elephants trumpet, giraffes glide along and leopards stalk at 601 E. Dimond Blvd. ( next to Bed, Bath and Beyond) Stop in and take a little vacation without even having to pack a bag.

Africa Memories

I have started working on my show for May 7. It will be at Terra Bella Cafe at 601 E. Dimond. The show will be on display through June 3. And the focus? You guessed it, Africa. I will have a section of the cafe dedicated to my favorite Italian, Signore Greve. However, the rest of the walls will carry my creations from my Africa experience.

There are so many animals in Africa. I have pages wrote down of the different wildlife we saw. But I find myself wanting to paint the same two animals, giraffe and elephants. I love both these animals and have painted both numerous times without seeing them in the wild. But now having heard, smelled and seen them in their living room so to speak, I can't help but keep recreating them!

As an artist you really need to paint what is moving you. So I have finished the elephant shown above, a giraffe of similar style who is currently drying. I have 2 more canvas with......well okay, the same subjects!

Soon zebra will stroll through my studio. I think a Goliath heron might swoop through as well. There will be plenty of elephants and giraffe for company.