Big (little) move!
At the end of last month, I moved from my studio, #104 at Artspace in downtown Raleigh, to an upstairs studio, #201. I wasn’t looking to change studios, but another artist at Artspace suggested that I consider it when 201 became available. I decided to give it a go. I had been downstairs in my old studio since right before the lockdowns in 2020. That suited me just fine. The building was closed to the public, but back then we didn’t know what we were dealing with as far as contagion. #104 had privacy, limited shared air ducts and a ceiling. Upstairs, the studios do not have ceilings. They are open to rafters and roof above.
Like I said, I wasn’t looking to move. I liked where I was, I liked my neighbors. It was a good studio. And who likes to move? Yes, I know there are people out there who do, no disrespect intended. And of course it is a good opportunity to do some purging. Anyway, I did it. And, while I miss the gang downstairs, I am happy to get to know the artists upstairs a little better. And, the new space is bigger, and really, really, lovely.
Old Studio... #104
New Studio, #201
Feel free to stop by sometime if you are in town. I’ll make you a cup of tea. I’m usually in on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Why Dear Everybody?
I got the idea to call my blog “Dear Everybody” from my Mom. She did not write a blog, but she did write an end-of-year letter to her family and friends that she slipped in with her holiday cards. Some of her relatives did give her grief for the group letter, but the truth is, she had her hands full.
My Mom was born and raised in Chicago, the second of 5 children. The whole extended American side of her family lived in the Chicago area. When my mom married my dad, who worked for IBM, they moved to the east coast. Initially Mom was quite the letter writer, keeping up as best she could with her sisters and brothers, mom and dad, grandparents and aunt and uncle. But at a certain point, like after she had given birth to 3 children in 3 years, my mom did not have the same kind of time. Hence, the “Dear Everybody” letter was born.
I have to say, her letters were pretty amusing. She was not one to brag about her family. She was much more in the habit of telling funny stories about us. It inspired me to write my own “Dear Everybody letters” when I had my own children , back when I used to send out a holiday card. I did it until I didn’t feel so comfortable writing those amusing little stories about my kids. Oh the joys of the teenage years! But now they are grown, and this is not about them (for now), so it’s safe to do it again.
It is in honor of my mom, Mary K Richardson, that I dedicate these blog posts. She was one of the best people I have ever known and I feel lucky to have had such a funny, generous, loving mother. To you mom! The Dear Everybody letter lives on!
No, this doesn’t really look that much like her, maybe a little
One thing I really like to do is draw. I keep a sketchbook with me pretty much all the time. While at a concert, or a meeting, I hear what is going on, and sketch at the same time, sometimes adding notes if need be. While some folks might think I am not paying attention, in fact, the process helps me to stay focused.
Lately I have taken to painting in my sketchbook from photos as well. I want to create something that is not going to take weeks on end. My paintings on canvas take that position.
Last month I went to my nephew’s wedding in Culpeper, VA. It was so very nice. There’s nothing like seeing people who love each other commit to one another. I couldn’t help but tear up watching my brother and his wife walk their son down the aisle. It was just yesterday that Mark was a boy…
This image is from a photo I took of my sister-in-law at the breakfast the day after the wedding. It’s not a great likeness, but I like it anyway. These kind of painting sketches are just for fun, and a way to remember a beautiful weekend spent with family and friends. Thanks Virginia! (That’s my sister-in-law).