Greetings, dear friends!
It’s been awhile since I wrote to update you on my wild wanderings. Over the past two years, I’ve not done too much traveling – at least not my usual painting junkets to Europe and Mexico. Resources, time and you know about our sickly dollar have all contributed to my staying put. Well, Florida and Cape Cod in the winter and summer respectively aren’t exactly hard to bear.
If you remember, I closed the gallery on Nantucket in 2004; moved off-island in December, 2003. I found a great little studio with a view of Province Town that is absolutely delightful! I have the best sunsets imaginable, a nice open space about 25-feet square, and am very close to the fun and cultural benefits all over the outer Cape. I only wish I could spend more time there. It’s a great get-away in spring and fall when I’m not too busy on Nantucket. I have maintained a pretty strong presence on the island even after I left. It’s been a little different, having agreeably split from The Brigham Galleries when they moved to Centre Street. I went two years without a summer “show” or exhibit, which understandably affected the bottom line, so to speak. But, I still maintain space in several restaurants and have expanded my showing there.
This last summer on-island, I “worked” the street with my easel, painting, teaching . . . like I used to so much. I would pick the ever-inspiring scene or gardens in town or in ‘Sconset (the small “English” cottage village on the east end of the island) set up and paint. It was most hear-warming to feel the support and encouragement of both friends and clients on that little blessed rock. After all, a 25-year career there is something fairly unique. Everyone agreed on one thing – I should never have closed the shop on Easy Street. I’m not looking back, but maybe they’re right. But as divine intervention and luck would have it, I found a studio to rent in ‘Sconset Village – my favorite place to paint alongside Province, of course. So. . . Tah! Dah! . . . introducing William Welch, ‘Sconset Studio at One New Street!! (Just off Pump Square and down the way from the Chanticleer Restaurant – yum!) I hope you come visit me in 2008 and beyond. . . .
As for wonderful Key West, I’ve left the Gallery on Greene (also amicably) and will be teaching, showing (somewhere) and painting in the streets. I live now in a nice townhouse I bought in Hobe Sound . . . have opened a studio there that had a “Grand Opening” in February (see photo above). I intend to split my time between both great spots, and we’ll see what develops.
Love and Peace,
Bill