There are days, and there are days

It's been pretty hectic these last couple of weeks. My family was in town, and that kept me jumping down to NYC frequently, then coming home working on miscellaneous stuff for b a u. Things are moving fast, and our first show is opening on Jan 8.

Tonight, I am leaving for Germany. My girlfriend is there spending the holiday with her family, then we'll spend a few days in Milan, visiting friends of mine....Then back on the 6th with a little over a day to finish preparations for the opening.

I have not been able to get to the studio much recently, and when I have been there, it's generally in and out, doing quick tasks. I was able to spend a good portion of Christmas day in the studio, tinkering, and playing with plaster, and doing a little drawing. It's the perfect way to spend a holiday. I very much appreciate the silence, and calm that suddenly descends everywhere on such a day, and I realize that this day is indeed different than the others. This is a great prelude for doing work in the studio, I am already clear of other concerns I usually have. I am exceedingly fortunate to have this opportunity to have such a place on such a day to do such enjoyable, and fulfilling work. Given the recent tsunami in asia, as well as the general hardship that many face, and that many of our soldiers are deployed, and have sacrificed heavily, I consider myself blessed and so remind myself daily. Being aware of my fortune, is half of the equation, the other is consciously sharing my fortune with others who are less so, and honoring those who are performing a great task, when they would much rather be home, indulging in the privilege of spending a holiday in any way that would most gratify them.

We hosted our open studios saturday evening. It was very well attended from 6pm on. Generally, there is slow steady flow of folks through the night until around nine, when the other galleries and shops close, and many people come to our place to unwind. This night, though, there was great flow of people starting early. I had to leave at about 1:30am. I also only had half a cup of beer. But the keg was kicked in less than 6 hours. Yes, indeed, a good time was had by all.

Angelika Rinnhofer's tweaked landscapes

Some entertainment for the night.

more Flock.

Matt Kinney's studio

Our common room that is hosting the exhibit, Flock, curated by Linda Stewart, and Coulter Young

This is the studio shared by our three resident Moms, two of which are seen here..Katherine, and Shannon

Beacon Artist Union

I, along with six other artists, am opening b a u, a cooperative exhibition space in Beacon NY. It's a chance, and a place, for us to experiment and collaborate on another level. We are definitely looking at this space as an extension of our studios, playing with the line between creation, and exhibition. I am really excited about working with these other artists; they are all assertive forces, and just a bunch of ugly mugs....save the 2 fairer bau fraus of the group.

beacon artist union

This rundown of the presentation at Spire Studios' Open Studio on Saturday, designed by Todd Spire.

Another action-packed open studio

Winter '04 Open Studio.

We have more artists than ever working in the Studio, and a new curated show in the common areas. This should be just as fun, if not more so than any of our previous open studios. The Beacon Dispatch just named Spire Studios open studios the Best open Studios in Beacon..... Of course, aside from Bulldog Studios, we offer the only coordinated open studios in Beacon.....but that's not the point. The point is that when we have an open studio. We do our best to make it an open studio worth attending.....Yes, that is the point.