I
started my trip this year in London. Or more specifically, in Berkhamsted,
a rolling hills country community just outside of London, at the home of my
gracious host, Brigid Marlin. My first full day in England was Saturday, July
5th. After a good night’s rest and a proper cup of tea, Brigid and her
son whisked me off to Cambridge for my first, and only, day of sightseeing.
While strolling along the hallowed halls of higher learning, we awed over
the architecture while discussing the phenomena of Harry Potter! Considering
where we were, we couldn't help ourselves. We talked about other things too!
We also visited a formal English garden, attended a traditional Shakespearean
drama and enjoyed a lovely dinner. I got the tip top British experience all
in one day!
Sunday was my third day in England and the morning started with a bang! Actually,
it was the doorbell. Regardless, the van transporting the artwork, from Brigid's
house to the gallery in London, showed up in the driveway two hours early!
With our eyes barely open, we scrambled to wash, dress, and pack all of the
art into the van. Then off we went, hair still wetl, in a van filled with
art, to the first in a 4-city world tour for the Society for Art of Imagination.
It was so exciting! And, I was a part of it! I'm still reeling from the enormity
of it all.After unpacking all of the artwork Sunday morning. Brigid, Michel, a ton of other artists and myself, preceded to log, number, weigh, hang and light, every single piece of artwork in the show. A daunting task indeed. But, we did it and it looked fabulous! After a full day of hard work and weary to the bone, Brigid and I hopped a train for home and a well deserved sleep.
Monday night was the opening and it was spectacular! Great art, wonderful
artists, tons of people, folks in costume, wine flowing, and our very own
Baron sporting a traditional Scottish kilt! The show was a smashing success
and we ended our night at a quiet Italian restaurant toasting to our shared
success.
The rest of the week is sort of a blur. In some order over the next 4 days
I: attended a garden luncheon given by Brigid for us foreign artists, interviewed
London artists with Olga Spiegel, went to the awards ceremony, checked out
several other art openings around London, had lunch with friends, had dinner
with friends, got drunk, and then it was Friday and I was leaving for Austria.
What a week! After a long week of hanging art, looking at art, talking about
art and celebrating art, I was ready to go and make some art! But first I
needed a rest.
Unfortunately,
while traveling there is no rest only waiting; waiting for my flight, waiting
for my baggage, waiting on line for customs, waiting for the bus, and then
waiting for the train, which I took and waited another hour and a half before
I arrived at my second destination, and home for the next two weeks, Payerbach/Reichenau.
Tired, though grateful not to be moving, I waited some more for my ride to
arrive at the train station. And I waited. Previous confusing emails about
my arrival time and the mysterious workings of my new mobile phone contributed
to further waiting. Finally, after a whole hell of a lot of waiting, my hosts
and friends, Jurgen and Irena, lovingly greeted me. I spent the weekend with
them catching up, hiking in the woods and just relaxing. By Wednesday I was
recharged and ready to get into the studio. I moved all my stuff, again, over
to the Castle Kuenburg, where I was greeted with open arms by more friends:
Gigi, Veronica and Cami. After a happy reunion, I took my supplies over to
the studio, set up my pallet and brushes, and met my fellow artists. It was
a week and a half I won’t soon forget…