Well, the show at the West End Gallery opened yesterday.
Out of an abundance of caution, I was not there. I wasn’t going to be able to be there for the whole opening which was spaced over seven hours, allowing only ten attendees at any one point. I decided it would be better to free up the space so others could see the show in safety. It wasn’t an easy decision and I fretted over it all day, on a day– the opening of a show– when I normally fret at a pretty high level. It made for a hard day on an already difficult day.
It just seemed like one of those days where everything is out of rhythm, down to the smallest details. Several things in the household were out of whack as well. I am not going to bore you with my whining on all the details. I’ll just say that yesterday was like the emotional letdown I typically experience in the weeks after a show compressed into a few hours, all taking place before the show’s opening was even complete.
Then I heard that Ruth Bader Ginsburg‘s cancer had reemerged and she was undergoing treatment. This as unmarked forces in combat gear were deployed by the DHS on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and were forcibly abducting and removing protesters in unmarked vehicles. These were not raging riots in any form. This was just intimidation and use of undue force all under the guise that they were there to keep people from tagging federal buildings with graffiti. The head of the DHS later told NPR that planned on employing this strategy of putting troops on the streets of American streets all around the country soon. It’s a treacherous ploy that allows them to skirt the objections of mayor and governors with the excuse that they are protecting federal property.
Then I later discovered that Congressman John Lewis, an eloquent advocate and giant of the Civil Rights movement had died.
The day just kept giving its awful gifts.
I am hoping today is a better one indeed. It’s got to be, doesn’t it?
I am employing another painting from the West End Gallery show. It’s called Angels Reach. I am not going into what I see in it or what is has to offer me. I will just come out and say that this is a favorite of mine and this morning I really need to see something that makes me feel good.
Well, if not good at least a bit better than yesterday.
Many thanks to those of you who came out to the West End Gallery yesterday. And special thanks to Jesse and Linda at the gallery who have put in many, many hard hours of work in making the gallery work in these difficult times. I can’t express the gratitude I feel for you all.
Even though there are three Red Trees in this painting, I attach this song, a longtime favorite, to this painting in my head. Maybe that’s why I call this painting a favorite, as well. Give a listen and try to make your day a good one.
Redtree Times 
I think, because of how anxious you may have felt, because of your exhibit, that when everything is, finally, set up, and all is, going the way it’s supposed to, you finally, feel, the emotions you neglected, all come, crumbling down, I’m thinking, it like the very first time a performer, ever, takes the stage to perform…
That may very well be the case. I have spoken with many artists who go through this same thing after every big exhibit. I warn young artists who are experiencing their first solo show about this, telling them to not be too deflated in the weeks after, that it is a normal reaction. And sometimes just knowing that makes it easier to tolerate.
Thank you for the preview you sent, that was awesome. The colors and freshness of your paintings are so beautiful. I can’t wait to see them in person next week with my grandson. I wish i could remember everything you taught us at the workshop in PennYan. The three red trees on this blog make me think of the Trinity, family togetherness and safety, and lets us all hope for a better future. Have a good relaxing, weekend.
Thanks, Jackie. Always good to hear from you. I remember that class well and am glad you were able to take away anything from it. I also see the three trees as a form of some sort of symbolic trinity.
🙂