Art Comes Home

Rarely, if ever, have I had two solo exhibitions at the same time. This year, both “Delphic Spheres” at The Gallery @ and “Mystic Visions” at the Huntington Library on Main overlapped and it was such an interesting feeling to know that so much of my art was out in the world for everyone to see.

This week both shows come down and the art comes home. It is bittersweet and I remember having a sort of post-partum exhibition blues afterward, which I’m not expecting but am aware might happen. It’s not too heavy, just a knowing that it’s a much better feeling to have my art out in the world being seen than on my own walls in my home or in stacks if I run out of wall space.

The photo above was taken at the Closing Reception on March 19th when my dear friend and drummer Steve and I collaborated for an improvisational rhythm and light experience. I played my wooden flute, aside from my small hang drum and also sang. The best part for me was when we invited everyone to join in and Steve placed different percussion instruments out for everyone to play. I love when people get together and make something fun and beautiful and magical happen. For me, people make all the difference in the world. I do need a lot of time alone, especially these days, but isolation is no good and my truly happiest times are when I’m spending time with friends, or simply - others - whether we’ve just met or not, like when I used to busk up in town over ten years ago and people would respond in the most wonderful ways. We were a surprise to each other, a happy surprise.

My sincerest thanks go out to each and every person who touches my life in a positive way and reminds me of who I am, of what is important to me. My life has held so many struggles but people and my relationships with others have always been the treasure. Some best left buried, LOL…. but the ones who stick around and show you love… those are the keepers!

Delphic Spheres - The Opening

I am so happy to have a solo exhibition at The Gallery @ in Huntington, NY. The show will run through March 25th. The Opening Reception was held on Sunday, January 22nd - a year and a day after my first stroke last year. It was delightful to see so many friends come to support my art. It was touching beyond words… the words many said to me. The hugs. The kindness. The support of me and my journey, including who and what I am now.

Some of my friends I hadn’t seen since before covid and some, longer than that. They had followed me on social media where I often share bits of my life and story, especially since the three strokes I had last year. I am definitely changed since then, perhaps forever. With so many pre-existing health issues, it’s more realistic to accept the way I feel while doing what I can to heal and doing my best with each new day. Honestly, I don’t feel much better than I did right after the strokes, so acceptance of where I am right now helps me. Kind of like what my Circle Paintings are all about - acceptance.

When I got to the show - I had a LOT of help, even delivering the work, which I would not have been able to do on my own - I was joyfully surprised at how owners Brittany and Brigitte curated the art. Which paintings they placed next to which other paintings, how the show was hung. WOW.

THIS was the real stunner for me - my triptych from 1996 with the two recent Circle Paintings behind it. Not only was it visually balanced and harmonious (the blues and golds really tie it all together, plus the shapes), but the way the three pieces were placed created a feeling greater than the sum of its parts. It felt sacred to me. This one grouping alone really struck me deeply. And all the other works and how they complemented each other. Brittany and Brigitte really saw my art, looked at each work, and truly honored it by the way they chose to hang the show. I was and still am so immensely grateful. And so grateful to every person who took the time to spend the afternoon with me that day celebrating art and life.