But do you know any ABSTRACT artists?

I have been quite tickled at the feedback and traffic that the store is generating so far this summer. Knowing DC's reputation for vacating the beltway for the mountains and the beach I am pleasantly surprised at the visitors we have had to the shop. And golly, there are actually people coming in I don't even know! :o) But the really fun part is I am getting to know these new folks as well because they are not just coming back they are bringing their friends! Truly high praise to the artists and buyers for the shop.

Part 2 of the "plan" begins in September when the kids are back in school. I am marketing the portfolios of "my" artists to both residential designers and commercial accounts. I am working on building a very diverse body of work so that if a client asks for a specific type of art I have something to show them. I am specifically looking for some abstract painters to represent. So if you are out there, please be in touch!

News on the Bob front: Week 2 of work is taking its toll. Don't know if it fatigue or prosthetic fitting problems but Bob is having issues with slipping and near falls. Of course those incidents wrench his back, hands or hip and are causing secondary health issues. The phantom pain in Bob's amputated limb has escalated to a dramatic level. I should say dramatic to those in the room that watch Bob jump when they occur. Not so much dramatic as plain painful to Bob...

When my good friend Anna's daughter said the classic "no fair" Anna replied "Honey, if life were fair and we got what we deserved most of us would be in BIG trouble!" The majority of time I agree with Anna but in this case I think that it is not right that something that is not even there can cause this much pain. It's not fair. Please pray for relief of Bob's pain.

New Artist- Ellen Zilin

I decided to entirely rearrange the store 4 hours before our last FIRSTFriday celebration. NOT the greatest logistical move on MY part, but the main impetus was to showcase new merchandise that we received from out latest artist Ellen Zilin. Ellen lives in Woodbridge, VA and and does beautiful ceramic painting. She specializes in personalized pieces and does a substantial custom work. Her skills range from the painterly to the graphic. I especially love her baby birth celebration sets: bowl, cup and plate hand painted and personalized with the newborn's vital statistics. For those of us that are celebrating birthdays with more than one digit Ellen paints witty personalized plates and elaborate biographical "tile story" boards that celebrate the birthday celebrant's life and likes. We have her portfolio here at the shop where you can get an idea of how Ellen's creative brush can add to your next occasion. Take a peek next time you are in....

We had a great weekend! I have discovered that I am lousy at "hawking" postcards at the farmer's market, but woe to the person that gets in line near me anywhere else. We had a fun crowd on Farmer's Market Saturday a.m. including one couple that had to wear their purchases home as they were shopping via motorcycle! Other than that the family enjoyed time together at the neighborhood pool and Bob surprised himself by being able to maneuver the porch steps to get his second railing painted (finally!). Hope your Monday is as fine as the weather.