Godspeed Endeavor

My painting gang head to the beach this morming to watch the last launch of the Endeavor.  I've lived in Brevard County, Florida for 30 years and the space program has never been old hat with the locals.  No matter where you are the world stops as the countdown approaches T minus 10 seconds.  We stop our cars and hold our breath.

Here's what a tiny part of the beach looked like from Mary's seventh story condo balcony:

It was a crystal clear morning with a coolish breeze so beach goers could not have been happier.  The traffic came to a standstill as cars pulled over and everyone looked northward towards the ocean.  We were indeed rewarded:

This is fairly high into the sky having already passed through some low lying clouds.  The bright yellow burn from the engines is barely visible at this point and everyone is just beginning to take a breath.  About this moment you can hear a loud cheer rise up from the beach (or where ever you are) as no one ever takes this for granted.  We always applaud and cheer when it gets this high.  As the cheer dies down the sound barrier is broken and a loud boom sounds across the water...you can almost feel it.

I know this is not much of an art post....but scientific exploration is an art and it is one I hope this country doesn't give up on.  It was very difficult to settle into painting after witnessing history.  Sigh.

New Studio Reveal!

With thank yous to my husband for the idea and to Hap Beecher for design and build...I am happily working now in my new studio area which was recently completed.  Today there is "a place for everything" and (for a short while) "everything is in its place."  I'm certain this will affect my output in many postive ways.  Lets take a tour:

This is the greatest thing: uninterrupted work space with custom storage.  And if we sell the homestead it all marches out the side door with no damage to floor or ceiling.  Note far left: I coveted a flat file for years and this is way, way better for flat storage cause it is adjustable!

Now look across from the table and you see room for my two favorite easels, taborets for both pastel and oil, a bookshelf for reference materials, and (my invention!) a wall shelf holding a computer or a still life set up.

Now we look in the other direction and note the closed closet: all mine!  Shelves and shelves of goodies that are stored and out of sight!  Far end of table top is carpeted to make framing an easy task, supplies for such as well as shipping are below.

Cutting and prep area is the corner at far left over the flat file of papers and here's a close up of the nifty shelf that keeps my tools within reach.

I couldn't ask for more... 

Anyway, if I can get my act together soon we'll christen the place with a studio-warming.  If I never catch up then please, by all means, feel free to stop by and get a personal tour...I'd love to show it off.