Wednesday November 8th
Sun and clouds, high of 12 low of 6.
Woke up and did my journaling from the writer's studio. It was already looking like a beautiful day. Once I was done that I did some reading in mine while I drank my morning chai.
Wandered up the hill for breakfast and Dusty was waiting for me in the window. He has a way of watching you when he's wound up like he's getting ready to pounce on you... and I'm sure he wound if given the chance.
After breakfast I took my second tea and my book and read in the salon for a while. Mostly distracting with all the people coming in and out, but when I finished my tea I headed back down to the stables.
I started the second pass on a few portraits today. Podcasts are treating me well while I'm painting and I'm starting to catch up after my time off while I was traveling. I gold leafed one of the small ones and started experimenting with trying to get some water stains on the leaf... ended up switching to to a watery grey wash which beaded up and left nice splotches on it... I should acquire some vinegar and salt to try patinate the gold on another piece. I added some re-harvested copper cinder medium to this one (sparingly) and another transparent wash to try and catch on the texture and I think it's now done!
Maya, Genna and Missy all stopped by my studio after their massages and Missy took some lovely photos of me in/ in front of my studio. Look at this sky!!!! The real temptation today was to go for a walk with the beautiful weather, but I was really in the zone with my painting, so I stuck with it and got a lot done.
Around 5ish I went home and got changed out of my work clothes and into something nicer for dinner and the gallery opening tonight. Headed back up the hill in time for wine cave time. Got a couple bottles, one I love and another to try.
Dinner was curried squash soup, salad, roasted cheesy cauliflower, baked white beans, pork patties, potatoes stuffed with soft cheese and fresh profiteroles for dessert.
After dinner we headed down to the gallery in the village for the opening! Allison and Janet put together this show largely made up of the April cohort of the residency. It's a traveling show of miniature art inspired by the Dada movement. There was wine and a couple speeches and it was just so great to discover all the pieces hidden around the gallery. A real whimsical vibe.
We were at the gallery until around 10, so I only got in a little reading before bed and then I was out cold.
