Hi art friends.

I put my art career on hold almost 4 years ago. This was completely unplanned – I was engrossed in it, in two very nice galleries and Duane and I had all kinds of trips planned to investigate more. He was such a big help, such a great partner in so many ways. In the middle of the pandemic he was diagnosed with an aggressive and painful cancer that took over our lives … and with all that goes with fulltime caregiving for a beloved person as they slowly and then quickly leave, well, I had no space, time or heart for painting, let alone a career.

He passed in September and as I was just beginning to come out of grief fog I accepted a position directing the new-ish TriValley Artist Studio Tour, a local open studios in 5 connecting cities here in the east-est of the East Bay. It has done wonders, taking me back to who I was even before Duane, when like the crazed artist I was then decided to start ArtWalk Livermore by myself.

It’s reduced a lot of the fog (I am hoping one day it will go away completely) and given me a focus. I totally love the whole concept of Open Studios. I have since the beginning of my career. And it’s a lot of work but is going swimmingly well. As of Sunday, we have 88 strong exhibiting artists plus students, bringing our numbers to well over 100. It’s exciting and a great team to work with. Oh yeah, May 4-5, with a special sneak preview Friday night for I think 9 of the studios.

I’ll be showing at the Bothwell, Saturday and Sunday. Maybe I’ll see you there – and wish me luck and strength and brain power, please!
https://www.allianceforthevisualarts.org/artists – start at the artist gallery and then navigate around. There”s also a fun option for a bike tour of the art.

BTW I’m so danged rusty at everything and can’t figure out how to make this look right, get rid of the boxes, and too impatient not to just post it.

Linda
West Coast Rocks
(sold) I scheduled to pick up my work that has been getting stale for the past 4 years at Christopher Hill Gallery in St. Helena (patient man) and learned that this piece, October Mist, sold for $4,900. I haven’t worked on sales much for quite a while, and this put a little wind under my wings.