Winter Wonderland...Fa La La La La!

My day started yesterday with a trip to the airport to pick up my best friend, Julie! She's here so we can celebrate our 5oth birthdays! We headed straight from the airport to a Starbucks to get some coffee and start catching up!


From there, we headed back to my place to enjoy an afternoon of conversation while setting up my studio for Lowertown First Fridays.

Julie was a great help turning my studio into a winter wonderland! She came up with the idea to hang the wreath on the dress form and prop one of my little paintings there. Doesn't it look cute?

 

Notice the small ornaments, including mini-disco balls, hanging above the paintings?! Seriously, cute! 

 And here I am below, with my dear friend ready for my open studio night! I am holding the incredible mixed media figure that Julie made for me! (I will share detailed photos soon) I am the proud and lucky owner of a Julie Branch original...I love this piece and it has jumped right on my short list of best presents ever...Check out more of Julie's work here! (And Julie is holding a wonderful book she got both of us...Hot Flash: A Celebration by Pamela Hastings. The book profiles/interviews a number on women artists...about aging/their art....I think it will provide much inspiration in the coming few years (it is available here). Perfect book for an artist turning 50! Oh, and Julie also gave me that incredible Pashmina shawl that I'm wearing...with all my colors...fuschia, turquoise, and purple!

Don't we look grand? 


Unfortunately, the half-foot of snow dumped on us yesterday absolutely killed our open studio event...no one  from outside of the building made it! I completely understand, but it is still very disappointing...so much energy and hopeful expectations get poured into these events...and when things you have no control over (like weather) get in the way...it's hard not to feel just a little defeated! (But a Huge thank you to all the Tilsner folks who stopped by!)

But I shared my night with good friends...and now I've shared my photos with all of you! I wish you could have all been here in person!!!