From Hunkering Down to Beaching Out

One of the most life-changing things that a college professor ever said to me was simply this:  "You know that you're really onto something when you don't want anyone to see what you're doing."  There are times when an artist is compelled to make weird, unfashionable, maybe even ugly things.  And during those times one may want to hide out for a bit, away from critical eyes and expectations.  It's not really a self-consciousness thing.  It's more like a hunkering-down-and-figuring-things-out-for-yourself kind of thing.  And it's been a little bit like that around here lately.  But I do have some things to share now, to mark my emergence from the hunkering down phase.  

Here's a little step-by-step glimpse at my working process:

I made these drawings with Higgins India Ink on white Ampersand Clayboard.  They're a combination of pen and ink line drawing mixed with scratchboard technique.   

I also have some extremely exciting news!  You can now find my work at The Three Graces Gallery in Portsmouth, NH.  It's a lovely gallery owned and operated by artist and curator Kim Ferreira.  The gallery website also allows for easy online purchasing of artist's work.  

Last Tuesday, on my way tra la la up to Portsmouth, I missed the I95–128 split.  And I didn't just miss it by a little.  I got all the way up to Gloucester before I realized what I had done.  For all of you non-Massachusetts people out there, I basically drove off into the weeds for a solid hour.  Anyway, my little adventure brought be to Portsmouth via some seriously beautiful oceanside towns.  Like Ipswich.  So yesterday Charley and I went back there and spent the day at the beach. 

And my darling husband found several opportunities to demonstrate his uncanny toe dexterity.