Good to be back home!!!

Well, I am finally back in Atlanta. So Good to be home. The studio is still standing and it even looks like we have had some rain while I was gone. It is nice to see that the garden is still hanging in there. 

Rob has  started a new job with General and can you believe he had to leave town for a work trip on Thursday morning? He will be back on Saturday, so it could be worse. At least that gives me a chance to pile through the laundry, the stacks of mail on the desk and unload the van.   I have been fiddling with the look of the blog. Let me know if you like the changes.

Cheers!!

Dawn

Dawn's Book Reviews

I had no idea that Newport RI was such a busy tourist town. People and cars everywhere. Of course, there are rows of shops, restaurants and other fun things along the water to entice the people. I was going to tour the historic mansions in Newport today, but decided to just take a bike ride and pack up my campsite. I will do that next time. It is so nice to be in an area with scenic bike paths, I have to take advantage. These are photos I took along the bike.

I am heading back to PA for one last show before heading home. This will be a 3 day show over Labor Day weekend in Harrisburg.

DAWN'S BOOK REVIEWS

I have read a few good books and a few bad books on the way.

The Bad and Ugly

Dark Harbor

by

Stuart Woods

– Don't read it It was bad.

47th Samurai

by Stephen Hunter, I have enjoyed some of his books in the past, but I cannot believe that a 60-year-old Billy Lee Swagger can be taught to be a Samurai fighter in a week. It was hard to make it through.

The Thumbs up Category

Falling Angels

by Tracy Chevalier, This is by the author of Pearl Earring. It was a well-written book. On the serious side, this book deals with the womens suffrage movement in England.

Whitethorn Woods

by Maeve Binchy, This book was a lot of fun. Each chapter was from the viewpoint of one character. Often the next chapter would be about the same story but from another characters point of view. It was often hysterical to read the conflicting views.

On Audio

Chasing Shadows

: novellas from Transgressions

by Walter Mosley and Joyce Carol Oates, The first novella by Walter Mosley was surprising coming from Walter Mosley. Every book I have read by him in the past had an angry black man as the central character. This story shows a softer side of Mosley. The main character is a small, insecure, intellectual young man working for and being bullied by an anarchist. Two thumbs up!

The second story by Joyce Carol Oates was a little disturbing. I put it in the okay category

Boomsday

by Christopher Buckley, A really good book that deals with the absurdity American politic in a fictional setting. A Lot of laughs, but a little scary if you think about it.

The Dead Father Club

by Matt Haig, This was on the serious / sad side, but well written. It deals with the unexpected death of a young boy’s Dad. It leaves the reader enough room to make up your own mind.

Criss Cross

by Lynne Rae Perkins, a cute story. More for young adults, if you have kids, you would want them to be as nice as these.

Life the Universe and Everything

by Douglas Adams, always a lot of fun even if he does ramble a bit. If you have never read, listen to or seen any of his books, you should. His imagination is amazing.

I am now reading

Henderson’s Spear

by Ronald Wright and

The Memory of Running

by Ron McLarty. Henderson’s Spear is hit or miss. Some parts are good. Some are tedious. The Memory of Running seems like it is going to be a winner.

Cheers!

Dawn

Pennsylvania to Rhode Island

Time is flying by and I will be home before I know it. Hooray!! Nothing like being away for over a month to make you truly appreciate your home and loved ones.

I had great weather in Mount Gretna but just  an okay show. Art sales art just slow right now, along with everything else in our economy.  I did come across a pretty pond that I think I can turn into a nice painting. That is alway exciting!

On the 19th, after a nice ride on a near by mountain bike trail, I headed in the direction of Rhode Island. I spent the night in Stamford Ct and walked around and did a little shopping before getting back on the road. Stamford had a nice downtown area were you could get out of your car and walk to anything you needed.

I arrived in RI around 3 and started put up the campsite. It is a nice campground and I can hear the ocean from my site. I will be here through next Wed. and then back to PA formy last art show of this series. There are a lot of really nice bike paths near me. On Thursday I went for a 25 mile ride long the bike paths. I had a great time. Boy was I tired when I finished.  The load in for the show was on Friday. I was an easy set up. As it turns out, it is an in door show. So I just had to put up my wall and not my tent. Nice!!  Once again, it was just an okay show. The people were so nice and the load in was so easy, I would do this show again as a filler between 2 other shows.

Cheers!

Dawn

Taking Philly by storm

Well lot's of thing have happened since my last post. The Mystic Art show was good. The weather was perfect and I had good sales.  You really can not ask for more. I was to stay on in Mystic through Thursday, arriving in Mount Gretna Thursday evening, just in time for the early morning art show set up.  Well, Rob was able to get away for a few days and we decided to meet in  Philadelphia for a few days and just do the  tacky tourist thing like nobody's business! I packed up the tent sight early Monday morning and headed to Philly.  With traffic and rain, I was able to pick up Rob at the airport at 3:00 and we headed to the hotel. Rob had reserved a spot in the Convention Center District. It was a great location. So many things that we wanted to see and do were right there in waking distance. We pulled out our bags and parked the van for the duration. You know, after sending 2 weeks in a campsite, the hotel was very welcome. What luxury!

After settleling in we head to the streets. Our friend, Mike Gallager, gave us a list of must eat and drink while in Philly, so time to get started!! We walked over to the Nodding head for a great dinner and brew. Then we headed over to The Monk. Everything was great! Thanks Mike!! We took a lesiurly stroll back through town to our hotel. I am so impressed with all of the public art. It is everywhere. The next day we did all of the tourist things we could fit in. We rode the DUCK through town and up and down the Deleware River, saw the liebery bell and more. We had a blast . For Rob's last bit with me, we drove to Pottsville PA.  Rob was finally able to fufill a dream an tour  the Yuengling brewery. It is a very interesting tour and our guide was a true delight. Now I am off to Mount Gretna Pa for another art show. The weather should be great this weekend, so wish me luck!!

Cheers!

Dawn

Rocky Neck State Park, Connecticut!



Here are a few photos from the state park where I am staying while getting ready for the Mystic art show this weekend. This is such a fabulous state park!  I look forward to my stay each year. You have the marsh land, the ocean, tons of trails to hike or ride your bike, there are even paved paths that are blocked off from cars, so you can ride you bike really fast!!!
I am so luck to be able to visit all of these wonderful places and make living. Life is good!!!

Cheers! 
Dawn


Week 1 : Ocean City NJ

Well, I made it to Ocean City NJ, Finally! I thought the drive would kill me. I just bought a Ford Econoline van from a friend. I

 love

 the van. Having enough space for my paintings and myself is a wonderful thing, but I had not really driven it yet. 85 rattled my nerves.

After 14 hours though, no problem, I can drive that van!

The Board Walk Art Show was this weekend. I have done this show in the past. It is a small show and a lot of work, but I have always been blessed with great weather and enough in sales to come back. This year a major storm hit Saturday morning around 8:00 am. I had arrived just before the rain and lightning. As I dashed to my tent, the wind picked up and tents started flying! I was terrified. When I got to my tent, it was still standing. The lightning was so bad I was afraid to go in. I stood under an awning across the boardwalk and watched as my tent swayed violently in the 50 + mph winds. It slowed down in about an hour so I peeked inside. NONE of my work was damaged!My walls were skewed but not damaged. I am so lucky!!! Swooooh!

Well, by 11:00, it was a beautiful day and I had good sales. You just never know. Overall my sales were down so I do not now if I will come back next year. It is a shame. It is a fun area. It still has a small ocean side community feel to it. Cyclists are everywhere. The roads are really wide and flat. You can bike anywhere.I found the best campground this year, Shorebirds, www.shorebirds-campground.com. The area is so quite. It is just a gem! I have a big shady spot. I am staying here through Wednesday, so I put up a big shade tent and made a studio for myself. It is just like my studio, only cleaner!

I will be heading to Connecticut on Wed for the Mystic Art Show. Check back to see how it goes!

Cheers!

Hitting the road



I leave in the morning for my 5 week road trip. 5 fine art shows in a row.
I will start in Ocean City NJ . The Board walk show is held Friday through Saturday 10 - 6 and Sunday 10 - 4
I am booth number 166, between 9th and 10th Street. If you are in the area, stop by and see me
http://www.oceancityartscenter.org/

This is a photo of the paintings I have been working on. I am going to take these with me. I hope to finish the large one,  48 x 36, "View from La Falconara" on the trip.

Wish me luck!

Dawn

1st Panting from Italy

I have finally finished my 1st painting from Italy. This is a cute delicatessen in Siena. The painting is 20" x 20" without the frame.

You  can see the black and white photo I used for the painting. Oh, how I wish I had taken a better photo! The arches were murder without a reference. The streets were so narrow that it was tough to get a good photo.  I have also included photos of the other 2 paintings I have finished this week, "Wild Fruit". These are 12" x 12" without the frame.  Check back soon and to see the next Italy painting I am working on, "View from La Falconara".

Cheers!

Dawn

Summer Seminars art party!










Well, the week has come to an end.  All the students have worked so hard and it shows. Just take a look at the work they have accomplished. Many of these students have not even worked in these mediums before. It is amazing to see the progress in just 5 days.



Works in Progress. Week 2 of Scad Summer Seminars











Week 2
All new students have flocked to Scad Atlanta for an intensive week of learning and fun.
These are exceptional high school student from all over the country who have applied and been accepted to Scad Atlanta for the week.  I am teaching a 2 and half hour panting workshop in the morning and a 2 and a half hour still life drawing workshop in the afternoon. See the photos below of the classes at work
 

The Scad art party is finally here!











Everyone worked really hard and had a great time. I could see a lot of progress in such a short time.  So now it is time for the art party!! 
Family and friends came out to see what these young artist have been up to all week. I had the pleasure of meeting several parents tonight and you could tell how proud they were.
We had students from all over the US, so a lot of new friendships were formed this week, and what better way to celebrate than an art party. Check out these great pictures from the show.

SCAD SUMMER SERIES:DRAWING





Congratulation Bianca !
Featured student of the week.
We all love the floating hat.







Here are a few photos from class. The students have started their final project, which is a still life.  They can use the medium of their choice, but they must be finished by 4:00 on Friday.






Check back tomorrow and see the completed projects and photos of the art show from all the classes

Scott Eakin @ Starbucks

Good Evening All
I wanted to forward this out to all of you. Scott Eakin from the SCAD class will have some his work on display at Starbucks on Briarcliff. Check it out if you get a chance.

I'm glad to let you know that I have art in public again, 6 pieces in Starbucks on the corner of Briarcliff and La Vista.  The work will be there throughout the month of July.  If you do stop by the store, let me know what you think.  Here is a link to one of the pieces on display. 
Onward!
 
Scott Eakin

Feature students of the week!

                                                             Kathryn Bomar

                                                            Debbie Ezell  

Both of these students finished a painting in just 3 classes. Congratulations Kathryn and Debbie!!

Well, we have finished classes for the summer.  When classes start back in the fall, I think it will be fun to feature different students every week. Something to look forward to.
Classes will begin at Spruill on September 16th and will still be on Tuesday from 1:00 - 3:30.

                                                            
                                Artist hard at work on the last class at Spruill Annex.

I want to thank you all for your hard work this summer. Have a great 4th of July and I will see you in September.

Cheers!

A stop over in Scottsboro Alabama



We are back in Atlanta, although the area in Tuscumbia is beautiful, it is nice to be home.
I had a good show and on the way home we stopped in Scottsboro, Al to visit the Unclaimed Baggage store. What fun! We also walked through the town and did a little antiquing. We found a few great deals.  If you are in the area , I highly suggest  a stop over. 

To the  right are photos of my booth from the show and of Spring Park where the  show was held. I would have taken a few photos of Scottsboro, but I packed the camera and could not find it - oops!

Helen Keller Art Festival

Rob and I  are off to Tuscumbia AL this weekend for the Helen Keller Art Festival. This is a hot festival, but the people are so friendly it is a joy to participate. Below is a photo taken of me last year while working at the booth. I'll let you know how the  show goes this year.
Cheers!! 
Dawn

4th Annual Art Show at Binders



Every year Binders hosts a gallery opening for my painting students from SCAD Atlanta and Spruill Community Arts Center. We had another great and successful show this year. Seven paintings were sold on opening night.
 Thank you for all those you helped out and made it possible. The food and wine were excellent (thanks to 103 West and Bret Kathey from Icon Estates) and of course there was the great music preformed by Eddie Varsalona!!  
The show will be up through July 2nd. Please stop by if you get a chance.
Binders is located at 
3330 Piedmont Rd
Atlanta GA 30305
404 237 6331