Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Our Show at Tree's Place Gallery

the Edward Gorey House in Yarmouth



















 
Karen and I just got back from our trip to Cape Cod for our two person show at Tree's Place Gallery. This year we splurged and added an extra day to visit Nantucket. 

We left Atlanta early Thursday morning and arrived in Boston around noon, picked up our rental car and headed out to the Cape. I had always wanted to see the Edward Gorey house, so we veered off of 6 and headed to Yarmouth. A good friend had given me a poster of the Gashlycrumb Tinies about thirty five years ago and I've been a fan ever since. The little house and museum didn't disappoint and after a long visit we continued on to the gallery to check in with Mike, the new owner and Hannah the director. 

Karen on the rocks at Fort Hill










 















It was good to see everyone again and they had hung the show beautifully. After we got reacquainted Karen asked if there were any walking trails nearby. Mike suggested either the Fort Hill trail or Coast Guard Beach in Eastham. Fort Hill sounded good and we drove out there. The location was picture perfect. We took some photos but none of them conveyed the beauty of that area. There was only one "fly in the ointment" and that was the green head flies. Unbelievable. A few moments after this photo was taken we had to run like crazy to get back to the car and away from those blood thirsty demons.


Just off the ferry in Nantucket


























We had dinner that evening at our favorite Cape restaurant the Karoo Cafe, then hit the sack early back at the Whalewalk Inn. Karen and I got out of there pretty early the next morning in order to make the ferry in Hyannis for our day trip to Nantucket. The ferry ride over was really nice, we couldn't have asked for better weather. Then it was all about walking, walking and more walking. It was great. 

Nantucket Harbor

























After a few hours on our feet we were ready for something to eat. Being vegetarians finding food that didn't have parents was a problem. Another problem was that many of the eateries on the island don't serve lunch. After a long fruitless search we finally sat down on a bench to check Yelp. Karen was getting pretty desperate by this point when she noticed a coffee shop directly across the street called The Bean. She said she really needed to get something to drink and walked over to it while I continued to search for somewhere to eat. A few seconds later I heard her calling me to come to the coffee shop. I entered to see a large menu of sandwiches on a blackboard behind the counter. They served up the best veggie wrap I've had in a long time.


Me in the stairwell of one of Nantucket's art galleries

















Refreshed we continued to explore the island. We visited a number of art galleries, and then wandered the neighborhoods off the main drag. Lots and lots of very beautiful homes. It was around this time that we needed to start thinking about getting back to the ferry for the return trip, but neither of us wanted to leave. It was only 3 o'clock, so we went back to the ferry office and asked if we could trade in our tickets for the 7:30 ferry. They handed us two new tickets giving us an extra four hours to explore. The added time gave us a chance to take a shuttle to the beach, see the Whaling Museum, visit a few more galleries and have a second veggie wrap at the Bean before he had to return to Cape Cod.

View from the steeple of the First Congregational Church of Nantucket










The sun was setting as we "sailed" back to the Cape . . . spectacular!

Anne Packard Gallery in Provincetown


























Early the next morning we tried Fort Hill again in the off chance that the flies may not be up yet. No such luck. They were even worse than the day before, so we drove to the west side of Eastham to First Encounter Beach. It was beautiful and fly free. The Whalewalk starts serving breakfast at 8:30, so we drove back about quarter after eight and ate. After that we got cleaned up and drove up to Provincetown. Once again the weather was absolutely perfect. A great day for gallery hopping. We visited with Johniene Papandreas for a long time at her space, Gallery Voyeur. It was really nice spending time with her again. When we had walked the length of Commercial Street and back it was time to head to Orleans and get ready for our show.


Karen discussing her work











The show started early, about 5, but there was already a sizable crowd there when we arrived. The next two hours went quickly, and everyone was very complimentary about our work. It was a very pleasant two hours. By the time it was all over Karen had sold one large painting, and I had sold three small ones. Not too bad for the first day.


Karen and I at the beach



















When it was over we thanked Mike and Hannah for a good show, said our good-bye's and yes drove back to Karoo for one last meal before packing up for our return to Atlanta the next morning. I don't think it could have gone much better. Maybe a sold out show would have pushed it over the top, but other than that it was a great trip.



Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Perc: In Progress - Day 10 Completed Underpainting

Perc: In Progress - Day 10 Completed Underpainting  |  24 x 24  |  Oil on panel


























Finished up the underpainting last night. Now it's on to one (possibly two) refining layers.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Perc: In Progress - Day 5

Perc  |  24 x  24  |  Oil on panel  |   In Progress - Day 5


























Inching along. About half way through the body, then down to the cup and spoon.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Perc: In Progress - Day 3

Perc  |  24  x  24  |  Oil on panel


























It's been a while since I've painted a percolator, and now seemed like time for one. I've got a bunch of these vintage coffee makers and this is one of my favorites. It's really got that golden age of appliance design look that I love. 


Friday, July 10, 2015

Single Pepsi

Single Pepsi  |  24 x 24  |  Oil on panel


























As soon as this piece is varnished it will be headed up to Rehs Galleries, Inc. along with it's companion Single Coke No. 2. Now it's time to show a little love to C. K. Contemporary. Barring any unforeseen events I plan to spend the bulk of the next six months producing work for these two galleries. They've both been really patient and deserve some serious attention.