Writing on the Wall

Lately my brain has been toying around with an idea for a new business venture. As I've shared in this blog my current day job is filled with stress and basically sucks out my life's blood (how's that for a graphic description of current conditions in the corporate world?). I'm envisioning a non-profit workshop/seminar center that would relate to the Hudson Valley's past, present and future in regards to the arts. These arts would encompass a wide range including home arts, garden & farming, music, acting, writing, woodworking, etc - you get the picture. The center would celebrate and continue a sense of community by educating and encouraging people to know their roots and help them to imagine their future in this beautiful and history filled part of the country. Programming would be offered for both adults and children, with many scholarships available. I know a bit of a sketchy outline, but what do you think?

And...the piece above (whose title is The Writing on the Wall)...painted, altered cloth with machine and hand stitching. It's available in my Etsy shop.

Harvest Time

It's a beautacious day here in the Hudson Valley. We were out this morning scoping out fresh veggies at a farmer's market and on the way home I was telling the husband person to pull that car over so I could snap photos of the apples ripening on the trees. Can a home made apple pie be far behind or Greek yogurt mixed with home made apple sauce? I think not.

Inspired by the photos this is a pastel painting I did this afternoon.

Cragsmoor, New York

I live in the valley right below the Shawangunk Ridge here in NY. To get here you go due north up the Hudson from Manhattan for about 70 miles then hang a left when you get in the New Paltz area. The top photo was taken one late autumn day on top of the Ridge up in Cragsmoor. Cragsmoor is this wonderful old hamlet (no store but they do have a quaint library) that wears its reputation of being an old artist's community well. There are these gorgeous old mansions in various states of repair and disrepair. Anyhow, this archway is on the land of an old stone church. The portal is looking out over the valley between the Ridge and the Catskill Mountains (see them in the distance?). Now the Catskills are famous for all those great Hudson River painters that go by the name of Cole, Church, Durant, etc....there was also a painter by the name of David Johnson. We are fortunate enough to own a 'nature study' by him of this cow. My husband believes his grandfather purchased it at an estate auction ages ago. This is the same grandfather who operated the still so he could bribe the local road crew (and probably an official or two). The photo doesn't capture the iridescence in this painting at all. It is amazing in person. Even more amazing is the fact that I found it safely tucked away in an old desk in our basement.