MASSACHUSETTS, August 7, 2011
Dear Ones,
It was one of those lazy Sundays today. Everyone in the house was gone except for Marthe and myself, and I was hearing the rain, at a slow but constant drizzle, coming down--a scenario which would be so useful and necessary for Dallas at this point in time.
It seemed a good morning to spend reading, and I did exactly that, devouring the new book I had acquired at the Saint Gaudens Historic Site--"The Life and Works of Augustus Saint-Gaudens," by Burke Wilkinson. It is an eminently readable biography, nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1986, providing a full and accurate portrait of Saint Gaudens and his times. It is well-researched and absorbing, and offers a lively depiction of a man who rose from humble origins to success as one of the most important of American artists.
After reading awhile, I decided to take a bath and get ready for the day, and afterwards I continued reading, until Marthe, who had been in her studio that morning (located behind her house) returned and we had breakfast--English muffins, Greek yoghurt and fruit, and coffee. We had all of this on the enclosed porch and to the continuing accompaniment of the rain.
Since Marthe and a fellow artist, Sue Anne Willis, are having an exhibit from August 12-14 at the Hall Haskell House on 36 South Main Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts, she was trying to prepare for the show, as works are to be placed and hung by Wednesday afternoon. The exhibit is called "Whimsical Color: a playful practice." I offered my services as photographer for the cause, and took several pictures of Marthe in her studio and surrounded by several of the long, hanging, gauzy works which are to appear in her show, as well as several of her lit works. Then her colleague, Ms. Willis, arrived, and the two of them quickly discussed their collaborative efforts to stage the show. Ms. Willis left in about 10 minutes, and then Marthe and I got to work.
I was responsible for seeing to it that the show was advertised on several different calendars of events and forums around the North Shore area. Later on, I also photographed another 14 works which will appear in the show, and I measured them as well, placing them in plastic sheaths and numbering them in the process. Later, we transferred all photographs to the computer. Additionally, Marthe has done some wonderfully whimsical cutouts of animals, plant life, and structures that I photographed as well, and which will appear in the show also. I eventually typed the measurements page up, and Marthe added titles, and tomorrow will assign specific prices to each work which will be for sale. I never knew how much time and effort went into putting together an art exhibit, and this experience made it clear to me how important it is to honor that laborious process.
Josh, who was going to cook dinner for us at his house, was really too sick today to do much of anything but lie down and attempt to improve, as he is suffering a virus which has led to a lingering high fever and chill-like symptoms. However, Marthe's daughter Sarah, her son-in-law Dean, and little Owen came back from a wedding / camping trip today. Dean was leaving for Logan Airport and a flight back to L.A., where they live, but Sarah and Owen were staying, and Marthe, she and I made a lot of progress in Marthe's plans for the exhibit. This evening, we stopped for a wonderful meal of pasta with pesto sauce, chard, and a wonderful green salad, with red and white wine with the meal and topped off by a wonderful ice cream sandwich for dessert. Now it is late, and I am about to turn in for the day. Much has been accomplished--always a plus! Hello to all--Sylvia
It was one of those lazy Sundays today. Everyone in the house was gone except for Marthe and myself, and I was hearing the rain, at a slow but constant drizzle, coming down--a scenario which would be so useful and necessary for Dallas at this point in time.
It seemed a good morning to spend reading, and I did exactly that, devouring the new book I had acquired at the Saint Gaudens Historic Site--"The Life and Works of Augustus Saint-Gaudens," by Burke Wilkinson. It is an eminently readable biography, nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1986, providing a full and accurate portrait of Saint Gaudens and his times. It is well-researched and absorbing, and offers a lively depiction of a man who rose from humble origins to success as one of the most important of American artists.
After reading awhile, I decided to take a bath and get ready for the day, and afterwards I continued reading, until Marthe, who had been in her studio that morning (located behind her house) returned and we had breakfast--English muffins, Greek yoghurt and fruit, and coffee. We had all of this on the enclosed porch and to the continuing accompaniment of the rain.
Since Marthe and a fellow artist, Sue Anne Willis, are having an exhibit from August 12-14 at the Hall Haskell House on 36 South Main Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts, she was trying to prepare for the show, as works are to be placed and hung by Wednesday afternoon. The exhibit is called "Whimsical Color: a playful practice." I offered my services as photographer for the cause, and took several pictures of Marthe in her studio and surrounded by several of the long, hanging, gauzy works which are to appear in her show, as well as several of her lit works. Then her colleague, Ms. Willis, arrived, and the two of them quickly discussed their collaborative efforts to stage the show. Ms. Willis left in about 10 minutes, and then Marthe and I got to work.
I was responsible for seeing to it that the show was advertised on several different calendars of events and forums around the North Shore area. Later on, I also photographed another 14 works which will appear in the show, and I measured them as well, placing them in plastic sheaths and numbering them in the process. Later, we transferred all photographs to the computer. Additionally, Marthe has done some wonderfully whimsical cutouts of animals, plant life, and structures that I photographed as well, and which will appear in the show also. I eventually typed the measurements page up, and Marthe added titles, and tomorrow will assign specific prices to each work which will be for sale. I never knew how much time and effort went into putting together an art exhibit, and this experience made it clear to me how important it is to honor that laborious process.
Josh, who was going to cook dinner for us at his house, was really too sick today to do much of anything but lie down and attempt to improve, as he is suffering a virus which has led to a lingering high fever and chill-like symptoms. However, Marthe's daughter Sarah, her son-in-law Dean, and little Owen came back from a wedding / camping trip today. Dean was leaving for Logan Airport and a flight back to L.A., where they live, but Sarah and Owen were staying, and Marthe, she and I made a lot of progress in Marthe's plans for the exhibit. This evening, we stopped for a wonderful meal of pasta with pesto sauce, chard, and a wonderful green salad, with red and white wine with the meal and topped off by a wonderful ice cream sandwich for dessert. Now it is late, and I am about to turn in for the day. Much has been accomplished--always a plus! Hello to all--Sylvia
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