The first event took place at Gallery 120 in River Falls, Wisconsin. Two friends who are photographers are part of exhibition featuring a total of four folks who make excellent images.
About half of the work was from abroad - Europe and South Africa in particular. As a person who has yet to cross an ocean I am still amazed by the many humans who take world-wide travel as a given.
Other subjects were beautiful close-ups of flowers and insects, and the ice caves in the Apostle Islands.
Each photographer had mastered topic, and I could still be there staring at the jaguar staring off frame - guarding its just-downed zebra foal while mare and herd mate look at big cat from hill above.
The artists each were invited to talk about their work, and all added to the specialness of the evening. I find even a few sentences to be eye-opening when then returning to view a picture. And hearing some of background stories made particular photographs even more powerful.
Having enjoyed both wine and coffee at that Opening I was both awake and relatively relaxed when arriving back in Stillwater for the ArtReach Members' Show Opening. No wine please, but Sparkling Water will be wonderful. A total of fifty works filled the two gallery spaces. The opening was well underway and very well attended. A magnificent bronze piece by Jim Schoop, depicting a local Gypsy Dancer, was the highlight of the exhibit. It handily won Best in Show and will probably win the Peoples' Choice award on closing night.
We helped finish off the brownies, and chatted till close of event.
Then it was time to come home and get back to work....
But - first there was Nervous Parenting to do. Daughter Tara was competing at the San Diego ComicCon's Her Universe Fashion Show. Her dress, inspired by the Star Wars Death Star had seventy-two hours of hand-beading, LED lights, and accompanying X-Wing Fighter Clutch Purse. It was magnificent! Just not magnificent enough... Tara placed Third out of twenty-five competitors. So texting and Face-booking and long-distance hugs and You Did Greats and all will be wells were typed and typed.
THEN I HAD to get to work. So mixed up some paint, scribbled "Simply put - I'm Happy Here" on the bottom of a painting, and decided that was it for the evening...
Tomorrow's coming WAY too soon, and there's "too much" to do in final prep for Grand Marais Art Festival, but what gets done gets done and what doesn't doesn't. Sometimes Zen practice helps lots - or maybe it's just the REALLY TIRED kicking in.
Ever onward. And Be Kind.
I have accomplished Today...
Fare-thee-well,
Sue
www.suerowe.com
Facebook Page: Sue-Rowe-Studios
