January 22, 2011 Review of the first few weeks

Even though it has been cold, a bit warm and/or sometimes beautiful outside painting opportunities abound.  I finished the mini mural at Willows and two more barn quilts, and now have moved two door down from Willow's to work on Luke's "The Rag Bag" building.  Luke is working so hard at cleaning and visioning how his shop will look..  Each day I see lots of progress, lots of visionary work and lots of people coming in and out to bring things for his shop.  Ellen is a friend of his and she has already rented a booth for her exhibition of antiques. She has, beautiful furniture and glassware.  Gwen brought in some books yesterday, because he is going to have a library once again for people to peruse the wonderful books (some old, some used, but plenty of fun.) 

When Luke took me to look at the walls, it was a dark yellow, with black trim, now you will see a white top half, a brownish red chair rail and a slate colored bottom which has colors of blue, gray, brown, and white sponged to represent slate.  Luke's wife came in last night, Eileen and she were just awestruck at the work he had completed in just 5 days.

I invite you to come in and see what is happening on Jones Street in Trenton.  Again, this place amazes me and how it transitions quickly, people work so hard and we know God's energy is the best energy.  I am happy to be a small part of this transition, and believe again our little town is changing again.  I tell people all the time we are part of the community, so invite yourself to join, all the new comers, all the people who have been here for years will welcome you into the community in which we are all enjoying.

Luke gave me a small piece of old barn wood, which held within it's wood grain, an old barn which came out as I tried to used watercolor on it.  Then I put the bright barn quilt right in the middle of the picture.  It is one of the most fun pieces I have done in a long time.  I have another piece of board which hold horses, can't wait to start on that next week.  Again I am going to use watercolor to see if this phenom can happen again, and the horses will look ghostly like the barn, yet the water may be a little more concrete as they stomp through the shallows of Shackleford Island.

This week a fellow artist "Dean Remmington" sold a painting  "Going Fishing" it was a remarkable painting, which was on the wall for about 6 months, but everyday I was in there I was drawn to that painting, because it looked as if you could stand in front of it and be there.  Congratulation Dean, your work is wonderful.

I got to work for Willow for three days this week and see how hard these people work everyday.  Cudos to Gypsy, Willow, Brenda, Marie, Jessie, Luke, Gwen and all who make this wonderful oasis a place of God.  Gypsy and Ina Ray Weeks taught us some wonderful lessons this week (meaning me and Brenda) and because of that we walked on Holy Ground as God revealed His hand is on Trenton, me individually, thank you God for a wonderfully strengthening week, closer to learning we are all special, in His eyes.

Next week, more work at Luke's, private painting and some work on the March exhibit of windows, so try to make it to Willows by March 1st, there will be all new window paintings for you to see.

Keep warm, love each other....nothing more wonderful than the love of God.  k