The toughest one yet but the bestest one too....

Open Studio 2019 - HH admiring Out Back

      Okay, I've had a couple weeks to recover and reflect. This was my 4th annual Open  Studio and to be absolutely honest...it was the toughest one yet to get ready for....but also the best one yet in many ways.

Usually we start prepping for this event by mid-summer, doing house projects, yard work and such. I start working on promotion and indoor projects, specific to Open Studio, early in August. This year, due to my solo show at Mkt Place Gallery, we didn't start gearing up until late August/early September. That was a big mountain to climb. We have learned our lesson!

Now, I am not complaining. There were a number of contributing factors that delayed us and the art show was just the biggest one. We also had done this for 3 years and maybe thought we knew what we were doing...hahaha. But then I decided to re-hang the WHOLE house at the last moment when the 40+ paintings came home from the Mkt Place Gallery show. That complicated things a bit more!! :)

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I will say I had a moment or two of wondering why I was doing this again. I've always said I'd be completely honest with you all. There were some long days and I wondered if anyone would even show up!  There are no guarantees. Doubts DO creep in.

So...WHY do it?? As soon as the 1st person walks in the door with a smile on their face, happy to be there...it is worth it. I get to know everyone just a little bit better. I hear about kids, spouses, pets, trips, art projects, classes or whatever other stories they want to relate. Yes, of course we talk about Art and painting too, but it's ALL good.

This year there were a lot of new faces and that was just SO cool. I love my tried and true friends, but to see that there are new people finding me, getting excited about Urban Landscape, Plein Air and Art in general...just fills me with Joy and Hope for the Future.

Before - side light of front porch - scraped down

After- repainted - side light of front porch.

Paintings back from Mkt Place Gallery

Organizing paintings...just a few of them!

Front porch before we stained it

Front porch after we stained it...August

Here are just a few pictures from Open Studio weekend. To get your personal invitation to next years Open Studio and exclusive online offers plus other updates and information, be sure to sign up for my email list below!