Sunday, December 03, 2006

Catching Up

After exhibiting at the Stallion Showcase last Sunday, it was off to Lexington, Kentucky on Monday morning. I dropped off my painting, "Sneaking Off" at Cross Gate Gallery for the traveling exhibit "Masters of Foxhounds". A visit to Fayette Gallery followed, and we negotiated for representation. It was a most successful and rewarding trip.

Because I-75 is insufferably under constant construction throughout Georgia and Tennessee, Michael and I decided to head east towards Aiken, SC. Skirting the Great Smokies was a nostalgic treat for this native New Englander.
The mountains were brown and the trees mostly bare. Leaves thickly carpeted the ground. Memories of winter even though it was unusually warm - mid 60's.

Not only is Aiken becoming quite the center for all things equine, it's also becoming quite artsy. The city sponsored a public art project of painted fiberglass horses a few years back, just like our "Horse Fever" project here in Ocala.

Aiken is so funky. We stopped by Equine Divine to visit with Lydia del Rossi but we missed her. We met our friend Ben Baugh, a journalist at the Aiken Standard, for lunch and got caught up with each other.

We returned home late Wednesday night. Thursday night was the "Block Party", a fundraiser for the Marion Cultural Alliance. This was my entry and it was chosen by the first winning bidder. I am so blessed.

Today we were invited by our friend, Monty Thomas, Jr., to attend a stallion show at their farm "Ups and Downs" in Citra, FL. This is Weekend Cruise, by A.P. Indy. The farm is absolutely beautiful with so many mature live oaks everywhere.

This stallion handler was very competant and patient as this big boy shows off for the crowd.

I'm just so enamored at their powerful beauty. This is what inspires evocative paintings.

On the way home from the stallion show we passed by these bison relaxing in a sandy patch. One never knows what one will see in the tropical plains of central Florida!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is your first comment. Very nice.