CHRISTMAS 2011
Dear Friends:
 Well, here it is another year come and gone: another holiday season upon us. Time goes so much quicker it seems - - I guess that because I get less done during the average day then I used to. Oh, well, it’s to laugh and let’s just get on with the show. This has been a very active year for me. No travel other than back and forth from Key West, but it’s been a very productive year in my studio on Nantucket Island. (The roses are still blooming everywhere and tulips poking through the soil as I write . . . Climate, it is a-changin’!) Most of the summer, I was in my little studio painting from many photos on a nifty monitor system with photo CD player so all my pix looked just like being there only in small scale. I had a better chance to connect with the public and clients since I hired no workers. I was delighted to see old clients, friends and patrons, (supporters) come in to see me . . . lovely reunions and great conversation. And so turns the wheel! I also gave private lessons and spent some time outdoor painting in the fantastic weather. I’ve never seen such a perfect year for sun and moderate temps and less rain.
From late October til now, I’ve been in my North Truro studio off-island working on my show for Key West at the Stone Soup Gallery, 802 White Street, opening January 2nd. A bit pressuring but I got quite a bit of nice work done in those 7 weeks. So, I’ll be off to the Sunny South on Dec. 11th. I’ll be there until March 26th.
Then, I’m flying to France for seven weeks of paining and absorbing the good culture, food and wine of that country that I love so very much. I’ve gotten a house through a friend in Arles (where Vincent Van Gogh painted. I’m reading a book that just came out that claims new research indicating that the artist may have been done in, hopefully not by a disappointed or jealous artist friend. ) This is my birthday present to myself for which I’ve been saving my euros for quite a while. From a month in the Midi I’ll be traveling to Normandy near where I had the apartment and “Gallery Guillaume” in the late 90’s, you may recall. A week in Honfleur in a house right on the old boat basin where Monet, Boudin and the gang of impressionists were. As ever I’ve done in the past on my travels, I’ll have a great time pretending to be the itinerant artist of the late 1900’s!
For now, I want to wish you wonderful folks a happy and healthy holiday season, and a (more) prosperous and peaceful 2012. As we all have to age (and hopefully gracefully) just remember: “Age is only a number, and mine is unlisted!” Wish I knew the author of that quote . . sounds like Oscar Wilde or Bette Davis. Stay well, keep the optimism up and stay in touch. I’m blessed to have you in my life. Thank you.
With affection,
Bill |
