Monday, March 15, 2010

Tucson Artist's Open Studio---Lovely Spring Day

Thanks guys! I felt your support and presence throughout the weekend. And, when I grew tired, I'd take a moment to remember your comments, your fantastic artwork and I was energized. I felt part of a solid community. An extra bonus: We even have snow lingering on the mountains! There was a good turn out and I was surprised. Tucson is really busy with art gallery openings, book festivals, sports events and a plethora of other fun things to do before it gets gawd-awful hot around here. So, it was great to see so many enthusiastic art tourists visit my studio, carefully and thoughtfully considering the work. We met some interesting, intelligent and artsy folk. I hope they'll come back again.

  Here are some photos of the day. Again, I didn't want to blow anyone's cover (Sometimes I think a lot of Tucsonans are in the witness protection program and don't want to be photographed.) Just kidding. I don't even ask visitors because I feel it would be intrusive. Maybe I can talk the next group into allowing me to photograph their backs as they look at the paintings!

Hope you all had a good weekend full of paint, good friends and family.

20 comments:

SamArtDog said...

Sounds like everything went well. Your paintings look wonderful in that space.

Speaking of that space, I have to say, NICE HOUSE! Very Tucsonian. Lovely adobe, nice latillas y vigas ceilings (sort of), doors, etc. I can almost smell the desert.

Karen said...

Your studio looks fantastic..._you_ look fantastic! That must have been nerve racking, even though you've been through it before. How on earth did you de-clutter your space???
Hope you made lots of wonderful new connections!

Melinda said...

Do you remember the smell of creosote, SamArtDog? I always love that smell after it rains. So clean and fresh.

Thank you for your generous comment about the work. It did all go well and I am loving the space. Will it ever be done, prolly not, but I still love the place.

Just to keep our feet on the ground, here, we do have a kitchen window that needs replacing. It doesn't look bad with the duct tape holding it up to keep the wind out. It's just when the duct tape loses its ducty-ness that reminds us of the high contrast to the rest of the house. Ha.

Hope you can swing down this way some day!

Edgar said...

Two words: awe. some.

Melinda said...

Thank you, Karen! Wow. I'm feeling flattered here. Hope me head doesn't puff up to high.

It was nerve racking, but I can't really explain why. Everyone was nice and interested in the work. There were breaks between the clumps of visitors and I could eat or shut my eyes for a moment. But, it was exhausting by the second day.

I have one large work table that will come back into the room and all of my paints, a work chair and a garden chaise lounge for taking breaks. Everything messy was shoved into the outside studio. It's a pit!

Oh, yes, met some exceptionally kind and interesting people. I think there will be future meetings. Wish you could visit some day.

Thank you so much for your comment and thoughtfulness. You've no idea how much it means to me, but it's profound to me.

Have a great week! Virtual hugs.

Melinda said...

Edgar,

Two words: Gallery space.

loriann signori said...

Wow! Your work looks fabulous Melinda! Congratulations on your success.

Melinda said...

Thank you, Loriann! Well, the place was pretty spruced up for the event. I didn't photograph the rough parts.

You're very kind!

Jeane Myers said...

it sounds like the weekend was a success on many levels - so glad :)

Melinda said...

Thank you, Jeane! It was a good weekend. Now I'm recovering and trying to get back into the paint routine.

It's a challenge. You're an inspiration, though. Thank you for stopping by!

cohen labelle said...

Melinda, I love the photographs you posted of your beautiful home and display of paintings.! I’m glad you felt pleased with the comings and goings, the steady stream of visitors - of interesting, artsy cognoscenti. Believe it or not I was thinking about you and I could feel the buzz all the way here in Hamilton - it does travel.
So - after all that work and preparation you deserve a rest, to put your feet up and then when you are refreshed you will be ready to get back into the painting routine.
Take care,
XO
Marcia

Melinda said...

Yes, Marcia, I felt your support too! It does my heart good to know that you are there thinking good thoughts, making art and participating in the art community.

Thank you so much for commenting.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

Congratulations on a great weekend. You look so beautiful in your picture, and the work is just stunningly gorgeous. Your house looks
so great too. I was thinking about you all weekend. Isn't it cool to be hosting and event in Tucson, and to have people all over the world cheering for you. I agree with Edgar.
Two words. Awe some.

Take care,

xoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

kathrynlaw said...

I agree with Edgar too. You are. Awe. Some. :)

Melinda said...

Hey, Kathryn!! I've missed you. I was just thinking about you today. So glad you stopped by.

Hope you're having a great time and that you have some time to paint.

Thank you for your kind comment. Not feeling too awesome today...but, there's always tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

What an inspired place to work- the colors, the paint on the walls, your paintings on the wall look like " sold ".
Something so alluring about seeing another's studio space, the curiousity of where it all gets birthed.
It's funny to think of artists and art patrons comprising the majority of the population of the witness protection program!

Anonymous said...

What an inspired place to work- the colors, the paint on the walls, your paintings on the wall look like " sold ".
Something so alluring about seeing another's studio space, the curiousity of where it all gets birthed.
It's funny to think of artists and art patrons comprising the majority of the population of the witness protection program!

Melinda said...

Thank you, bonnie! I'm glad you like the studio and the art. Smiling here. It is a good place to work and a musician friend who comes by to play guitar once in awhile, says it has great acoustics too.

Don't you wish we could all travel to each others' studios?! Now that would be fun. I would enjoy visiting yours especially.

Linny D. Vine said...

Among all of your success I hope that someone was lucky enough to take home the gem of a painting in the second from the bottom photo - and I'm certain it is being gazed at with adoration right now! It was a magical show with excellent cookies!

Melinda said...

You're very kind, Linny! No, that painting didn't sell, but it did get a lot of lookers. Maybe in the future, eh?

Wish you could have been here! Thank you so much for your comment.