Studiology

Fat Tuesday

On the eve of Fat Tuesday, I share the last days of my trip to New Orleans. Our arrival is several weeks before Fat Tuesday, but does mark the Mardi Gras season and parades. In past years the Krewe du Vieux was always the first parade, but that's not the case now and there were several during our week in New Orleans. Regardless, once the first parade occurs, the word on the street is "Happy Mardi Gras". 

The French Quarter is the center of most events, Bourbon Street, the most famous of New Orleans streets, runs through the center. Parades have a tendency to avoid the congestion and insanity of Bourbon and travel through on neighboring streets. We (the workshop attendees) have learned that the more you are dressed up, the more likely you are to come home with parade trinkets that are thrown your way. Given the times and Covid concerns I only attended one parade, The Krewe du Vieux, which was smaller than usual, and only slightly less congested. Nevertheless, it was a lot of fun.

I have photographed this individual 3 times over the years and was actually looking for him. Always on a bike with a great big smile. The following are years 2019 and 2020.

The weather was fantastic and many of the decorated businesses and homes still had hanging baskets out as well as lots of decorations:

For a second time we went to the Broad Theater to catch our own movie with dinner and drinks in the lobby. The movie was "Extra Ordinary" and Rotten Tomatoes had this to say about it: "Extra Ordinary" is an extraordinarily funny tale about ghostbusting, lonely hearts and moving on. It'll possess you. And I couldn't agree more, it was a blast!

The class began on a Sunday and wrapped up on the following Saturday. Our goal was to create a journal style piece of art with the theme of "Dante's Infernal Journal". And I will add that this was one of the harder themes, at least for me. Before the real journal work began, we had a class with Andrea Matus deMeng, Michaels wife. Lighthearted and really fun, we altered cabinet cards by changing the faces to pets. 

In working on the real theme and doing some homework, it boils down to 9 layers to hell, each layer is named, examples include treachery, gluttony, lust, greed, etc... The devil himself lies in the River Styx, where the dammed souls are swept away on their way to the lower level of hell. There were many remarkable pieces of art that came from this study of Dante's Inferno and so many interpretations. Some managed to complete the project - I was not one of them. Here is a sampling from the group:

I have since finished what I was working on, here is Dante's Infernal Journal, complete with the devil in his hellish dormer:

the counter is for the souls as they pass through

the treatment for the inside cover is much like the plastered stickers that are everywhere in New Orleans

Our teacher held a critique on the final day, which is worth the price of admission. Dressed in his workshop finest, it used to be white.

Happy Mardi Gras!

 

Back to New Orleans

After a 3 year wait, the art retreat to New Orleans was up and running. The theme, originally scheduled for 2021, was Dante's Inferno, or more accurately Dante's Infernal Journal. To that end we were asked to create a journal style piece of art, something that opened like a book, creating a cover and an inside. 

Extracurricular activities fill many days and nights, so a week in New Orleans is fun and unlike any other place I know. During one of our first breakfast outings, the chef asked us where we were from and why we were there. After learning about our teacher and art medium, he was very interested and mentioned that New Orleans is like a giant assemblage, with the streets, buildings, and people very layered in their style and art. And so began our week and my attention to the layers of this crazy city. 

Street art is everywhere, even the downspouts are plastered with stickers and grafitti.

the card holder for this shop is a mousetrap

angels on a hearse

Preservation Hall is always a stop and the band was also playing at Tipitinas, a two story bar and music hall. The Spotted Cat is another required stop, we were dropped off at the finish of our carriage ride - of course.

Our group gathered together with costumes, to walk in our own Second Line Parade. We always gather in the hotel lobby, to admire and take photographs.

Dante's Inferno is a journey through hell, with 9 layers, one of which is gluttony. Here we have some glutinous pigs. All very friendly.

and my costume

One of our tours was the St. Louis Cemetery no. 1, where Marie Laveau is buried, the renowned VooDoo Queen. 

In my next post I will share some of the art work and the crazy Krewe du Vieux parade photographs. The return home to my little country house seems so far flung from the crazy life of the French Quarter. As a tourist for this event that numbers 10 years, I have lots of fond memories and truly wonderful friends from many different locations.

 

 

Reunions and New

This weekend I leave for New Orleans, the art workshop that has been cancelled for 3 years is finally going to happen again. There will be sweet reunions of fellow artists, flying in from all over the country and Canada, to spend a week creating a themed piece of art. Activities have been restricted to some degree as Covid is still alive and well. But there are still costumes to create, and a sense of the theatrical, something I hope to embrace. 

My first garden has been created, already planted with snowdrops, winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), native azaleas, and Speirantha gardenii or false lily of the valley. The winter aconite was already flowering by January 15th, so I was able to move a few, in a last minute grab before my move. Seed was collected last spring, and they have been dispersed for flowers in 2 or 3 years. First flowers generally appear in February, so it was an exceptionally early bloom this year, and the same could be said for some snowdrops, which I also grabbed in big handfuls to transplant. The cold and rain make for a muddy mess, but we were able to get a tandem dump truck to bring us a gigantic load of compost, so creating beds will be much easier. 

I have discovered Monty Don on my limited access to TV. I tried a few other garden programs, only to be hugely disappointed. Monty or Mr. Don is someone I could watch all day and night. He and his associates use the botanical name for each plant, dig in the dirt together, and truly have a broad knowledge of horticulture. The scope of gardens they cover, everything from estates that have been maintained for a hundred years or more, down to small backyard gardens, all speak to me. If there is anything to be said on the downside, this is a British show, you need a decoder ring to sort out the differences in climate and culture. 

The art reception at the new gallery was very successful and lots of fun. Those that bought my work all took the time to introduce themselves, and I love meeting my buyers, which sadly doesn't happen that often. If I learned anything from seeing my pieces hung in such a grand place, it's to work bigger. In the new studio, it has taken time to find things, although I thought I organized it well. But once the easel gets its own place, I will begin the "big" process. In the meantime, I have been reworking older pieces and creating new ones that are not large, but still multidimensional. These are 2, the first is a reworked piece, the second is something that is not quite finished, but very close.

The second piece was prompted by the purchase of some perfect German, porcelain doll heads. These have the open mouth with the little row of white teeth behind and a cross between cherub and small child expressions. Other parts are antique finials, a drawer pull, the bottom of an eyeglass holder (the bottom part of her body), and some old thermometer/barometer parts. The painting is done, the finished piece will have fabric bits, which have taken a few days to resolve what and where, plus I still have to come up with a name - some come fast and easy, others not. 

Lastly I will add a few photographs from the big reception. Dancers would enter the building at timed intervals to dance alongside the art. There was no choreography, just spontaneous and fun. 

This was just one wall, I had another space and a piece on the upper level. My plans are to share a show with some of the other artists, whose work is amazing. If you come to Charlottsville, you must stop in at the McGuffey Art Center.  

Stay awhile, go to the downtown mall, drink some wine, call me. 

 

 

My New Haunt

The show of new artists at the McGuffy Center was hung today and will be on display until January 29th. Friday evening (the 6th of January) is the reception for the six that made the cut, but there will be so much more. Dancers, open studios, and music will happen from 5:30 to 7:30. 

Here is a link to the class of 2021 and 2022 as well as links to Instagram and websites. The center was originally an elementary school but has been operating as an art center since 1975. Typical of big brick buildings, built in 1915, the hallways are very large which gives a grandiose air to the art that hangs on the walls. In my many years of operating in various art galleries, I have never been so enamored with how my art looks in this space. 

Two floors will hold the new members art work, so if you come to the center, be sure to check upstairs too. I did finish one smaller piece for this show, which is titled "A.I. Portal", which is one of eight total on display.

What few people know when it came to moving and finding a new place to live, this art center was my first visit to Charlottsville and a big part of the reason we picked this location to settle down. Next to the open mall, with lots of quaint shops, it's a great place to visit. I live 20 minutes from the center, in what can only be described as the boonies, where rush hour is laughable.

I'll post an update after the show with more photographs, so stay tuned. 

 

Ever Hopeful

While driving today, in this new location, I felt a sense of exhilaration. After living in the same house for almost 50 years, the thought gave me pause. As a much younger person, moving was an event that happened regularly, or at least every 2 to 4 years. The same exhilaration came from that, new faces, new roads, and a different home.  December was very difficult and there are more boxes to unpack, but in the end - I did it! Damn it, I did it! 

On more positive notes, we were without electric for about 20 hours during the severe dip in temperatures (5 degrees here). The house has a "full house" generator which also includes the cabin, so for a crazy cold period everything was fine. 

We have signed up for a CSA share of vegetables from an organic farm, which is a first. This farm is only a couple miles down the road and we tested their products this past fall. With them and the giant garden I plan on growing, we will be veggied up!

I am one of the new members of the McGuffy Art Center. Only 7 were juried in for 2022, and January is the month that we get to show off. There will be a reception on their first Friday, January 6th. Starting over at an art gallery is a very humbling experience, but I am game. 

For my other gardens, I ordered native perennial plant plugs today. Since I have been able to study the spot since spring, I'm pretty certain my plant choices are good and this mini meadow will thrive. 

Only 2 weeks ago, as fall bulbs were reduced by most suppliers, I ordered over 3,000 minor bulbs and got them in before the freeze. My mix is a combination of Crocus tommasinianus (2 colors), galanthus, ipheons, and muscari. In a perfect world, they will naturalize in the lawn.

Lastly I booked a flight to New Orleans for the art workshop that has been cancelled for 3 years. My first class flight cost me $11.00 because I used my miles, which have piled up since Covid. So this serves as a warning, you will get sick and tired of my (too many) photographs and Yee Ha!

Happy New Year!

The Deep Dive

Final arrangements have been made to sell the house and the last 15 acres. The deadline is Thanksgiving, which is 15 days away. Out of necessity I have become an obsessive duster, box seeker, and semi-long-distance driver. We are doing all of the moving ourselves, and I'm not sure why. I think we are 40% in, which means a whole lot is about to happen to finalize this daily insanity. 

In order to move on I have to make a decision about every piece of paper, every photograph, any old packed boxes, whatever is in the attic, under the bed, in the garden, and lastly in my husband's garage (which is like overload paralysis). The emotional part is something that anyone that has moved is familiar with, there are many heart string tugs. A very large part of the "letting go" is from Windy Hill Plant Farm. Knowing how difficult that would be has meant ignoring the entire process as long as possible. There were 2 large "love" boxes, filled with letters from customers, garden club members, Master Gardeners, and happy clients from small design projects. Then there are the catalogs that I refused to let go, and all of the plant farm journals letting me know when to sow what seed, take which cuttings, dates for plugs to arrive, etc... and etc....

In the end I made a bonfire of catalogs, read every letter in the 2 boxes, and became invigorated again on how wonderful but over taxing it was to create and run a nursery. There were some delightful photographs in a few cards. I could see myself age over the years, in the company of thousands and thousands of plants. This photograph was taken at a rock garden society meeting at Green Spring Gardens. I think it's 1987, and I'm standing next to Bill Glowa and Harold Epstein (far right). Mr. Epstein was the preeminent expert on epimediums and a highly respected horticulturalist. Mr. Glowa is a mystery to me, and maybe some of you can help me with his background? Dr. Albert Paulson, the dwarf conifer man, took the photograph and sent me many handwritten letters of encouragement.

Ten years later I have his photograph, taken prior to a lecture with only a date stamp on the back. 

The plant farm was a very small endeavor in the beginning. Spread out around this little house, at its high point there were 2 small greenhouses, one unheated. Perennials were still a priority.

Not too long after our move to Route 50, the nursery was photographed from a plane. The first cold frame was up after clearing of trees and the back field was ready to receive chrysanthemum plugs, and pumpkin seed. There was no heated place to work, although I did use a propane tank to help with winter snow loads. Eventually we added 1 growing house, 1 retail greenhouse and a large shade growing area.

The smaller rows beyond the cold frame were seedling daylilies from Margo Reed's first hybrid crosses. We put hundreds of her hybrids in the ground and I learned a great deal about daylily pluses and minuses in a very short time.

Moving forward I have started on my mini meadow in Scottsville, which will contain native plants. A layer of paper is covered with a small layer of compost. Plugs, bareroot, and small plants will go in but I've been waiting for rain (it's unbelievably dry). 

The paper acts as a weed barrier, blocking out light from any seeds I don't want. If I could burn the whole area, much of the invasives would be killed and the paper barrier might not be needed. I have big intentions for this new space and it's a lot to get excited about. But first there's the final move and forgive me if there is silence for awhile, there are some car parts to deal with.

 

 

The Adventure

With intention and persistence, a plan can come together and so it came and went, almost a week with my sisters at my new house. The plan; before the clutter becomes too much, before the husband is moved in, before the dust settles too thick, before a garden is planted and needs watered, organize time to meet. We ate out, slept in, and spent quality time together. My daughter brought the grandchildren, a couple of which one sister had never met. 

The rustic cabin is our guest house, game room, and bar. There will be a mini meadow out front, which I will start planting next week. A natural slope makes it wet to moist, so it will be a mix of natives that thrive on that. 

The house is near Monticello, so a visit to the house and gardens was required. I knew that Thomas Jefferson loved to garden, but it was still amazing to see so many annuals and tender perennials. 

My favorite section was the sweeping vegetable garden. Plots of chicory, cotton, broom corn, and alternate crops made it super interesting. I was surprised at how much ricinus or castor bean I saw. Even when I sold the plant at the nursery, it scared me to think that people may not know how highly toxic every part of the plant is. Granted it's beautiful, especially this selection known as Ricinus 'Carmencita', but there were no warning signs. A friend was harvesting seed from this selection and held onto the seed pods for longer than she should have (not wearing gloves) and ended up salivating for two days. 

Maybe I should have mentioned it to Thomas, who made a guest appearance. 

The house I'm moving from is very, very small. There is only one bathroom and no living room. To move into this new house is exciting because I have a nice living room, basement, front porch, and back deck and three bathrooms. The living room is almost finished, just missing the art work on the walls, which will probably be last. But it feels good, and Birdie loves it.

On the south side of Charlottsville, the address is Scottsville, a town known for its location at the big bend in the James River. A bridge spans the river and is as popular as the many small shops in town. Kayaks regularly launch into the river here, home of the James River Reeling and Rafting. Naturally we had to make a day of it, although the kayak season was over. 

And so ended a few days of exploration and relaxation. Now back to the monumental task of moving. One day it will be done.

Excellent

Sometimes, after a lot of preparation, things come together. While I am in the thick of reorganizing and moving, the overwhelm is a constant, so any progress in that direction is excellent. Today was one of those days that was just that and more. A meeting with the Aldie Horticultural Society at Oak Hill was a real highlight, not just seeing the gardens, but meeting old friends. We talked horticulture, something I hadn't missed until I was in the thick of it again. 

There was also the matter of giving away furniture, lovely teak pieces that needed a loving home. Also accomplished today, something that has been many days, possibly months, in the making. How do we manage to gather so many things in our lives? 

And last week, in an emergency situation, I had a tooth pulled. A big one, a molar, which did not make for an excellent day. While I'm in the doctor's chair, I notice that he likes photography. Knowing that one of my next chores was to give away some large, framed prints, I asked if he might like them for his office. He is opening a new office and was excited at the prospect, so those were also dropped off today to a very grateful tooth puller. Now a person may not think highly of a visit to get a tooth pulled, but the pain involved in keeping that tooth is far worse, so I was happy to make him happy.

There has also been the making of art to jury into a gallery in Charlottsville. Since it's been many, many years since I've had to jury into a gallery, I was a bit undecided as to how this was going to go. The good news; I'm in! So the beginning of another adventure, something you will hear a lot about. I submitted these as new works and took a few things to Art A La Carte in Occoquan, where I will be keeping a space. 

When fall arrives I always think of masks, so I have 3 finished, and I may keep going. More to come on that topic. 

And lastly, the thing that makes me super happy was just a little thing. As many of you know, I am usually driving my little Volkswagon GTI, a hatchback that works perfectly for loading lots of stuff - plants, tools, framed prints, etc..... I passed another, almost identical to mine on Route 15 and the driver flashed me a peace sign. Without hesitation, I flashed him one back, all in a split second. I know this is of little to no consequence to most of you, but ever since I've been driving this car, I've wanted to reach out to other GTI drivers. I see 1 or 2 in my travels on a regular basis (really not that many). As it turns out, it is expected (google GTI drivers and peace sign), so I will delightfully be peace signing away, just another reason I love my car!

So an excellent day indeed. Next week is party week for me and sisters at the house in Charlottsville. Just a little sista time before the final thrust to really get stuff done. There are enough beds and places to sit, I just have to bring more forks.

 

The Hokey Pokey

I have some news to share, information that has been waiting for a long time, waiting for things to fall into place before the big reveal. In April I purchased a house in the Charlottsville, Virginia area, specifically Scottsville. A downsizing of property but an upgrade on a house. There will be photographs, stages of interior and exterior improvements, with nothing moving fast, but a steady uphill climb. 

This small house in Aldie has been my home for 44 years, which gives a person plenty of time to clutter up their space. Of my 400 garden books, I might be down to 200. There have been months of self-denial about most personal items, but that will have to change.

A big part of this equation was the connection (acting manager) at the art gallery in Occoquan, but the good news is simply a reduction in my space and a step down from management. There are numerous art galleries in Charlottsville, so the process has begun to jury into one of these.

The property is wide open for garden plans and time has been spent botanizing the area to see what grows naturally.  The pH is 5 to 6.5 and we have been taking dump truck loads of compost to help build vegetable gardens. And a hint to those of you that need compost - now is the time to let me know, we have lots!

I cry and laugh at the sign above the door to the equipment shed which simply reads "Rock Hell". Part of me is fine with the concept of acid loving natives that require very little top soil, but I'm sure the reality will be another story. The good news, there are naturally occurring natives like kalmia (mountain laurel), Rhexia virginica (Virginia Meadow Beauty), and Ilex verticillata (winterberry holly). In addition, the local bird calls have been amazing and the stars at night are mind blowing. 

It's a step back to how things used to be in this part of Loudoun County. We used to live in the "Boonies", and so it is again in this southern end of Charlottsville. 

In preparation for the move, I am also finishing up some medical stuff; there isn't an option to keep my current insurance. Three days ago I had cataract surgery and can now see for miles and miles. The experience was amazing, maybe more like a miracle actually!

The grandkids will be an hour away, close enough to visit during school activities. I will also be closer to some friends and a sister, which is all good for growing old.

My hopes are to post lots of photographs as I enter a phase with lots of challenges. Down the road a mile are 2 gardeners. I suspect they might be close to my age, (some may say old lady) and it's funny how a garden can date you, but I have every intention of knocking on their doors and introducing myself. If they are cantankerous women of the same age (ish), we will be the best of friends. 

Top Five

In a recent Fox 5, zip trip to Occoquan, five "must stops" were highlighted, places that warrant a visit to the little town of Occoquan which sits next to the Occoquan river. Some crazy, peculiar luck found me watching the segment live on TV, only to find out that our little gallery, Art A La Carte, was in the top five and the only shop featured, as the others were restaurants and a regional park. A complete surprise which has put me on cloud 9 ever since. And as luck would have it, we had already planned a big reception to celebrate 12 years in business and to honor the town's name - Occoquan, which means "end of water". To team up with events already planned, the town of Occoquan is holding a weeklong series of celebrations and we are holding an artist's reception on Saturday, August 14th (from 2-4), the same day as the towns "Duck Splash" where hundreds of rubber ducks are dropped from the bridge, all numbered, to race down the river and see who the winners are for cash prizes.  

Our event is called "The Water Show" and our artists have been creating water themed art to honor the towns meaning and come together with a single purpose. There will be wine tastings and small bites for the reception, as well as many forms of watery art. I have completed 3, working on a larger 4th, along with our 25 artists, so we can be fully stocked with new work for the month of August. There will be daily Facebook and Instagram postings to highlight each day, so consider following us on this amazing celebration and endorsement of our little art gallery that has earned the title of a "must stop"!

Here are my 3 finished pieces, with a few extra photographs of progress and/or details. 

And just a reminder, we are open 7 days a week from 11-5 with a different artist every day. Swim, paddle, or float on over.