I have been writing and writing and writing lately, although you'd never know it from my blog postings – or lack thereof. Instead of blogging, I've been writing press releases, bio blurbs and artist's statements to get ready for my (ta-da!) art show.
Yes, I'm finally doing it! Having a show, and making it a fundraiser for a ALS organizations, has been way up at the top of my bucket list since I first started painting my reactions to this disease, right after my initial diagnosis. And now it's going to happen – but not, I have to admit, because of my own diligence.
Credit goes, first and foremost, to Annina Van Voorene, the social worker for Hospice of Lake County. During a visit she and Hospice volunteer director Anja Koot asked to see my paintings. "You really should have a show," said Annina – and she was off and running. She found a gallery, reserved a time slot, developed promotion ideas, and came up with a plan for underwriting. My hero.
There are lots of other heroes in this story, like Susan Feiler, the owner of Lake County Wine Studio in Upper Lake California, who was willing to take a chance on my art work, sight unseen. Then there's Daniel Potepshyn, caseworker for the ALS Association, who is helping get the word out about the show. A special round of applause goes to the fine people of the Dream Foundation, a northern California organization that makes wishes come true for terminally ill adults; the foundation is helping underwrite my expenses for the show. Of vital importance is the unknown artist who had to postpone his/her showing Lake County Wine Studio, thus freeing up April for me. And last – but far from least – is my husband Scott, who mixes my paints, cleans my brushes, glazes my paintings, and is hell on wheels with screw eyes and wire.
So now I am writing painting descriptions, pestering newspaper editors, ordering printed materials and preparing the works for hanging. Oh, and I am still painting: I have a couple pieces to touch up and one more that I hope to do before the show.
Yes, my show is coming up soon – very soon. We'll be hanging the show on April 4 (or rather, I'll be supervising and others will be hanging), and opening receptions will take place on Friday and Saturday, the sixth and seventh. The gallery is located at First and Main Streets in Upper Lake. Everyone is invited. To prove it, here is an official invitation.
And c'mon, Bay Area, Sonoma County and Napa Valley friends, it's not that long a drive…
