Thoughts on Painting
Posted on 1/13/2015 11:07:42 AM
By Christine Marx
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Cheers to a New Year
It's hard not to feel excitement at the beginning of a new year. Even if you are not one to make resolutions there is no avoiding the wonderful feeling of a fresh start. To usher out one year, whether banner or best-forgotten, and usher in a new one full of possibilities always fills me with hope, wonder, and dreams.
2014 was a spectacular year, full of learning and growth during it's entirety and the last day of the year was the highlight of my daughter Katie marrying her soulmate Tyler on Sanibel Island with a backdrop of the ocean and warm tropical breezes. I have never had a better New Year's Eve, nor seen a more beautiful bride, in all of my 48 years. The wedding was beautiful and the after party at the condo, ending with watching fireworks over the ocean, was the event of the year for me. Our families came from the west coast and we danced until the wee hours to music provided by DJ Bubba Love, who my daughter hired at the last minute when we met him at the local fish house two nights before the wedding. Nice touch to add to the festivities!
Before we left for the wedding I had the not thrilling job of closing the gallery. I had been going back and forth before my lease was up for renewal in January. Sales were very good for a first year gallery and I enjoyed every minute of working there, but found that it was too much for one person, especially one who was trying to produce artwork for other galleries, in addition to mine, and run the gallery. Throw in Shannon's big ear surgery scheduled for the beginning of this year, and trying to get out to California when my dad has surgery, and it just didn't make sense for me to continue and not be open at the gallery. My friend and fellow artist, Collette Sexton, has moved her gallery into my old space and it looks just beautiful. Please stop in and say hello to her and check out her work if you're in the area.
I will be working out of my studio in Buckingham and will be scheduling a few open studio dates in the spring. My work is also available in Strodes Mill Gallery in West Chester, PA. I am currently working on two commissions and that will keep me busy through April. I will miss the interaction I had with collectors at the gallery. It provided a nice balance for such a reclusive job (painting alone in the studio). I am hoping to keep some of that with my open studio dates! I also plan on doing some plein air painting if we ever get a decent amount of snow so stay tuned for new winter scenes that I am excited to paint.
So, here's to a new year full of promise and new paintings and hopefully as much joy and wisdom as the last provided.
Happy painting!
Chris
