Maybe not so alone after all.

Being an artist can be a solitary business.  Some folks do well creating in public. Weirdly I have no problem doing my collage work with an audience but am really uncomfortable with folks looking over my shoulder when I paint.  But I love sharing my process.  Maybe I should say being an artist can be a little mentally fractured...

I must confess I love, love, love the work I have been doing lately. Please don't take that as bragging. Sometimes creating is a struggle and sometimes it is pure joy and this series has been that.  So it's really exciting to get words of encouragement from friends, family and fellow artists. Makes me feel like I am connecting both with myself and others.  That's a good thing.  It also help assuage the feelings of isolation I have with my present nomadic life.

In my last post I wrote about going it alone.  I must say it's been a great couple of days for my ego when I see reactions to a post like this-

Feeling the love!

Thanks friends!
Get all the details for my show "Sea Change"  here.

A big First Weekend!

What a great week! Wasn't sure WHAT to expect from FirstFriday considering that it was February and the headlines are dim, but we had a fantastic crowd for the opening of Ashby Foote's show as the featured artist at Stifel & Capra this month. Ashby is exhibiting her distinctive silk painting as well as her latest oil and mixed media efforts. Stop by and see them before the show ends the 28th!



Yes, it looks a little odd to see a big guy with only two candles on his cake, but celebrations were in order for Bob last Thursday. It was the 2nd anniversary of the surgery that saved his life (or as we like to call it in the Stifel House Bob's "re-birthday"!) So, we had a fire in the fireplace, neighbors stopped in for a toast and our daughter presented his re-birthday cake! We're ALL happy you are still with us Bob!


I have made peace with the fact that I will NEVER be a jeweler so decided to put out DOZENS of tins of beads and findings from the curiosity shop that is my studio. Before you ask, yes there are volume discounts so grab 'em before they are gone!

Quintessential Customers

Saturday brought me a lovely treat. Two ladies dressed like ladies: vintage mid century frocks, cute shoes, vintage jewelry. Clients after my own heart! (But not my waistline, I must say. It's hard being six foot two and unable to wear all of the vintage fashion I love. That is why I live vicariously through women like Becky & Lori!) They had a grand time trying things on and left with fun fripperies: beaded gloves, flowered hats and fun summer dresses. The only bad side? They are here with the army and moving within a year. Darn.

ART SHOW UPDATE: We now have 19 local artists participating in the upcoming "Artists Helping Others" show in August 22nd and 23rd. The food is all accounted for, left to take care of is music and all that behind the scenes PAPER. Programs, art cards, etc., etc. All of you that have done this before PLEASE tell me what I am forgetting!

It has been brought to my attention that we have made it onto "Open List" for Falls Church. Please feel free to visit the site and review the shop, so other people can learn what you like about the local artists at the gallery and the rest of our quirky mix.

http://www.openlist.com/falls-church-va_stifel-capra/885413455/ is the link if you care to participate!

Linda Morgan of Purple Cat Cards brought in a collection of her larger collages to add to her card line at Stifel & Capra.
We have 5 left in stock with various themes, including two manly oriented ones regarding dad and Guiness (uh, not together though...)

You've heard it said that three of anything is a collection? I have three vintage canteens in the shop right now (why? who knows!) One girl scout, one boy scout, one more Michigan camp style, just right to hit the trail with!

When you hit the trail this week be sure to stop in the gallery. This Friday is August 1st and that means FIRSTFriday celebrations in Falls Church! Kathy O'Brien will be here with her newest South River Collection of fun jewelry both Friday from 5 to 8pm and Saturday from 10 to 5pm.

Gaining Momentum

You know that feeling when you are inching your way to the VERY top of the world's largest roller coaster and as it goes over the edge you are weightless for a second before the g-force hits you as you scream down hill? Well, that is how I feel planning our upcoming art show! We have reached a critical mass of artists (so I know I will like the way the show physically looks), I have commitments for the caterer, the music and the facility. Now all (?!?) I have to worry about is getting folks to come to the event. It's for SUCH a good cause, so I can only pray that folks rally 'round.

Progress is being made on other fronts as well. Remember those three gigantic trees that came down in my yard? The trunks have been removed, the branches chipped (an EIGHT HOUR endeavor) and yesterday the stump grindin' guy came out to annihilate any vestige of my once proud foliage. Thanks to neighbor Henry, my gnarly butterfly bush was unscathed and said driver didn't compact my neighbor's yard (although it was a near miss!) Good man though, did a tidy job, actually swept my broken and battered patio...

We've got lots of new merchandise in the shop. A new batch of the "cutest tooth fairy pillows ever" as one of our dentally challenged shoppers phrased it. New artisan jewelry and lots of mid century pottery pieces. I am here both Friday and Saturday from 10 to 2 (usually by 9:30 on Saturday!) so stop by and say "hi!"

If you know any artists (whether amateur or professional) that would care to submit to the show, have them contact me. I'd love to hear from them!