Friday, July 18, 2014

on the street - a weekend in the country




Naumkeag
Stockbridge, MA

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Being in the mountains is both exhilarating and calming.  The majesty of the hills and the spectacular vistas are a feast for your eyes and your heart races along with awe. Yet, at the same time, the palette of a million greens and the soft infinity of rolling peaks calms one's spirit. 
It is a very healthy place to be.

We spent an afternoon at Mass MoCA in North Adams, MA with Tyler and Amy. We had gone there specifically to see the Darren Waterston installation, "Filthy Lucre" which was fascinating in both it's vision and it's commentary. Most likely because of "Ivanov",  the beauty/discord of "unsustainable opulence" rang out loud and clear! 
It is interesting when one notices a synergy of themes reoccurring in one's own life.....

All of us were enthralled by another artist/exhibit as well; Izhar Patkin, "The Wandering Veil".  There was a series of rooms filled with wall size paintings (14x22x28) done in ink on layers of pleated tulle!
Couldn't figure out how he did them.... printed? airbrush/stencil? Wow.
They were magical! 

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Tim and I then headed to Stockbridge, MA for an few days. We visited Naumkeag, a 48 acre gilded age estate built in 1885 and owned by the Choate family. The surviving daughter, Mabel, donated it to the Trustees of Reservations in 1959. The landscaping and gardens are spectacular - a culmination of over 30 years of work by the landscape architect, Fletcher Steele who was truly ahead of his time. By using the land itself and various architectural elements he defines the space and creates a wonderfully tranquil environment. 
It was a very overcast morning yet we wandered through the gardens for hours. Each of us finding our own paths of beauty.

It was here - at Naumkeag - in the bedroom of Mabel Choate, facing the Oak Lawn that Tim and I received a FaceTime call from Tyler and Amy giving us the news of their engagement!
Luckily, there were no others around and the docent was kind enough to let us enjoy the moment.
As the brochure says -
"preserving the aura of good times and gracious living."


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We saw a beautiful and extremely well sung production of "A Little Night Music" at the Berkshire Theatre Festival, costumes designed by our good friend, David Murin. (!) 
Had a relaxing dinner and evening with him as well. So fun to meet up with old friends and share a table, great food, and - always - lots of laughter! 

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Whenever we get in the car and travel, even short distances, to explore either new or familiar places we always find ourselves talking again about our old GMC motorhome or our (wish we did not sell) Roadtrek. 

We must look down the road and listen to our hearts.

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south end of Naumkeag 
Stockbridge, MA

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

at table - an engagement


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our favorite people
somewhere in the Berkshires
July 12, 2014
the day before their engagement

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It is actually quite fitting that Tyler proposed to Amy after making her breakfast on Sunday morning. I don't know what he served but I'm sure it was delicious and was made with special care - especially that morning.
Everyone gets comfortable and relaxes when there is good food to share.  
Good Food + Love = Lasting Memories


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We could not have asked for a better son and are so happy that he found the perfect complement in Amy. (whom we just happen to adore as well!!)

Here's to all the wonderful memories they will create over a lifetime! 


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Friday, July 11, 2014

in the studio - calm before the storm


Fireworks
India Point Park
Providence, RI

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There is a lull between when you hear a firework being set off and it actually exploding. A brief stillness connecting the ground with the trajectory and then, finally, it reaches the right altitude 
and
 BANG.  

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I am currently in that kind of lull, that quiet moment when everything has been put into motion and one waits for it to actually begin. Two weeks till we start building the costumes, 3 weeks till rehearsals start.
Sketches are done, all copies have been made for the costume
shop, the fabric is bought, lists are made.......
And now I worry. 
A lot.

Second guessing; will it work? is it too bold? is it not bold enough? is the palette too tight? 
is my vision clear? does it need to be clear?
Ugh!!!
Obviously, I need to let it go for the next few weeks and focus elsewhere.

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Having cleaned my studio of everything to do with the play (at least until Aug 4th) 
I am now trying to immerse myself again in my art work. Feed the mind. 
Looking thru my sketchbooks for ideas and pulling out and re-connecting 
with unfinished experiments. 
It's a puzzle to unlock.
Then it will be a puzzle to create.

I also worked on my Gallery page. 
I grouped the art work into categories - Past Work, Portraits, Stitched - with each 
having their own page. 
I also added the start of an artist's statement ...... or maybe it's the whole thing.
Don't know.

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