This was a sketch I did during my recent Cape Cod workshop. It now belongs to one of the students from the class.Well I'm back. I've been in and out of town for 3 and a half weeks and I'm tired.
I first drove to beautiful Florence, Alabama, to teach a 3 day workshop. What a surprise that place was. While driving the 4 hours from Atlanta through rural northwest Alabama, I wondered continuously how my class could possibly fill. Where would they find the students? I drove over the Tennessee River into Florence on a Friday night; the thriving town was alive with bands and crowds and artists selling their wares all up and down the main street. The workshop was held in a beautiful old mansion, the Kennedy-Douglass Center, now dedicated to the arts. I got to meet some wonderful people there.
The Kennedy-Douglass Center in Florence, Alabama.
Upon returning home, I had to load up the car again for a trip to Louisville, where my Dad was attending his annual Guadalcanal Survivors reunion. What started out, I'm told, many years ago with an attendance of about 1000 men and women, has now dwindled down to a group of about 100. It was an honor to meet these remaining war heroes. My sisters and I got to attend a memorial for those who won't return, share drinks, sing oldies (from the 40's, not innagaddadavida) with them and listen to their war stories. We hope to do it again next year.
My Dad (on the right), USN USS Sangamon-TBF Sqn-26, and his good friend, Bill Carroll, USMC C-1st Pioneer.
Arriving home, I didn't have time to unpack before I had to leave to teach a 5 day Master pastel class to the Pastel Society of Cape Cod. Flying into Boston was an emotional experience for me. Looking down into the beautiful coastline and seeing thousands of sailboats in the gorgeous early fall weather made me wonder what the heck have I been doing all my life. I had no idea Massachusetts was so beautiful. I spent the week in a cozy Cape Cod bedroom, and after 7 hour days in the studio every day, was driven around by my host, Ginny Nickerson (http://ginnynickerson.com), to see the area and get lots of photos for my new paintings. One evening we were treated to a fresh clam and linguini dinner, the clams having just been dug that week from the bay, at Tom and Rosalie Nadeau's, (http://www.rosalienadeau.com/rosalienadeau.com/Home.html) home and got a tour of her studio. I will never be satisfied with my studio again. These people live well. I felt I could move up there and settle in and be right at home. I have to get back there.
Most of the Pastel Society of Cape Cod class. The girl in the white shirt in the front is the model who posed for the sketch above. Hi to all of you in Cape Cod!
So anyway, I'm home. and haven't been this tired since I don't know when. And I've got to get back into my poor little studio and get some work done.
Oh, what fun you had, though! Sounds like a great success of a time. I love your pastel sketch. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you for being tired! Besides all of the effort, there is deep emotion, too. Thank you for sharing these things.
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for the WW II vets, since my late father was one. I took the pilgrimage to his battlegrounds in North Italy (after he died). Life changing stuff for me.
You are generous with your art, Margaret, and I look to you for the definitive figure - and beautiful work it is.
Welcome home Margaret! Sounds like you had a long but enriching experience. I love the Cape Cod area too. Last year I discovered I had relatives on Nantucket and have made it back twice...hope to go every summer now! Looking forward to seeing your new work!
ReplyDeleteKaren
This painting is mine :) and I am very excited to have it.... for me it will always be much more than a beautiful painting: it will forever trigger memories of a great week of WORKING very hard and learning new skills at Margaret's amazing workshop ..... and meeting a wonderful group of talented and warm-hearted women (Margaret included!).... and enjoying a tiny cottage on the water at the Cape all by myself! All luscious gifts....How lucky am I!?!! (And the painting is even more lovely when you can look at the real thing....) Thanks Margaret.
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