Crits

Today's Creepy Santa

(before he got his hot rollers, apparently)

Meet my crit group in it's latest portrait! This was taken in October at the last meeting I could attend. So, from the top, Nancy Crasco, Sylvia Einstein, Linda Behar, moi, Judy Becker, and Carol Grotrian. The picture was taken by Adrienne Sloane who has just joined us and offered to take the 'archival' snap. This original group has been together since about 1980 and we are certainly grayer and more unable to arrange ourselves comfortably on stairways these days. We have also all taken off in different directions from where we started as quiltmakers. Check the links and see their wonderful work and you will understand why this group has been so important to me all these years.

One of the problems I've encountered here in Florida is attaching myself to a group like this, and I haven't been successful in spite of 'trying on' several different situations. Fortunately for me I have two important artist-friends I meet with regularly and they take the place of an actual formal crit group. The good thing is I love both of their work and I can learn from them. Beverley set me up last year with a marbelizing workshop in my own studio which resulted in being accepted into two shows over the summer. And Laurie has me slapping wax on everything this year thanks to setting up an encaustic workshop with her. This is costing me a small fortune but it is so much fun to be 'discovering' a medium I have always loved fom afar. The strange thing is that there is a whole underground world of encaustic artists just like in my former quilting life. I have a new language to learn, new artists to admire and stalk, and yeah, lots of new equipment to buy. For now I am making due with adapting what I have but when I use Laurie's wonderful brushes and see how she works, I see I need to invest a bit to improve my techniques. So I have sent off for COLORS now, the next step. Stay tuned.

Here, in todays Horror-Scope, it sounds like I may be getting a new boyfriend! Last thing on earth I am interested in so it may be difficult to 'remain open to potential'. We'll see. And of course, you will be the first to know. Whatever, my message to the fates is to deliver him already housebroken. (Actually I hope he stays unidentified and just sends checks once in awhile.)

If a relationship has been problematic lately, an unexpected light may now appear at the end of the tunnel. Although you have good cause to feel optimistic, don't get your hopes up too high or you could set yourself up for disappointment. Whether an old partnership is being reenergized or a different one is exploding onto the scene, you are moving into a new phase. But, ultimately, your future is in your own hands because you must decide how to remain open to the potential that's entering your life.

And so, with that, I am heading out into this rainy day with the wet dog for a day in the studio to see what that will bring! I love when I have to wear a sweater and turn on the heat, doesn't happen often!