Wow

Small Town, Big Sky, acrylic and printmaking, 8 x 20

What a night! I was overwhelmed by the reception of my show and so gratified by how many of my friends and family came out for it. Best of all, my parents were able to come back after just having been here in May, AND just having spent the week together in Georgia in July.

The weather we ordered was perfect, a lovely night for doing the gallery crawl. The good citizens of Fred were out in force. Thanks to all my generous patrons-- I sold 15 paintings from the show and two more in my studio. And I talked and talked and talked from 5-9 pm! I had the good sense to wear flat shoes and to stay away from the wine.

My husband took me out to dinner afterwards at a terrific little farm to table restaurant called Poppy Hill in downtown Fredericksburg. My son used to work there, and one of his former roommates, Sarah, still does. When Sarah told everyone I had opened a show last night, our waitress brought complimentary glasses of champagne to our table.

In reflection on the evening: I've come a long way from that scared little girl in Mrs. Johnston's 2nd grade class who could barely speak above a whisper. I've slain quite a few demons along the way. I don't know where I would be without the support of my folks, my sister, Dorothy, my husband and boys and my wonderful art community, headed up by Dan Finnegan. And all the friends who propped me up along the way--Anna, Lynette, Aline, Beth, Stephanie, Carol--you guys rock!

Damn, it takes a long time to grow up-----if we're lucky!