from the studio and home

It's finally Summer!! I have been loving this sunshine and warm temperatures...and all the flowers and produce it brings. So I noticed last month that reading these emails on a phone screen isn't as pleasing as a computer screen, the photos are so small! If you get a chance to read on a bigger screen, I really recommend it...I can't edit them for a 'mobile view' unfortunately. Oh! and if you have been enjoying these emails, maybe tell a friend to join in next month :)

from the studio

Finally about to move into a new studio space starting next week! It will be a slow process but I feel like I am bursting at the seams here so it will be nice to have a little more room. We will be hosting our own open studio exhibition soon, I am very much looking forward to inviting to that event! In the meantime, check on my Instagram or Facebook to see when exactly I am moving...extending an open invitation for studio visits once I am in and settled!

Here are some of the pieces I have taken there so far. Not very much going on yet...but soon!

For the month of June, it has almost all been 'administrative' in work, including a climate leadership course through Green|Spaces and Chatt State.....honestly thought I got out of it all in time to miss having to learn the ins and outs of Google Docs, but here we are :) Definitely did not have to rely on that type of knowledge in Florence.

There have been several national artist's interviews and presentations this month, as well as a few 'lunch and learn' meetings. Next week the ArtsBuild will decide on the national artist and we three local artists will solidify our projects. I will be very happy when we can switch over to the 'artist' part of the residency. (And if all of it sounds a little confusing and up in the air, its because it is. Its really about community involvement and 'investing in the process') Will share more next month!

Definitely have been feeling quite antsy not being able to dive into a new sculpture and really enjoyed taking the time to do these small drawings.

**FUN FACT** Rudbeckia, AKA, Black-eyed Susan flowers represent justice. They are also seen as a symbol of encouragement or motivation. The petals, leaves, and roots were once used medicinally but know it is widely use for cut flowers. (also, really sorry for the poor photo quality-trying to take a photo with the smoke haze and a call for rain didn't make for the best timing)

from the home

At the beginning of June we had such a great trip to Buena Vista, Colorado. It was so nice to have coffee on our terrace overlooking the Arkansas River every morning. It was such a beautiful setting for a wedding!

It is a little hard not to upload so many photos of the flowers and things growing over here. My favorite thing to do in the morning is to take a walk around the yard and see the small changes. (yes, I also do this most evenings as well...because, don't we all?) After two family members passing in less than two weeks apart, traveling all over for a wedding and funerals, I can honestly say that the garden was my place to relax this month on any day I could find in between it all. If I don't have my hands in clay, I at least need to have them planted in dirt somewhere.

We have been slowly adding to the back landscaping every year and now I think we can finally move on to the front! We don't spend much time out there so its been an 'out of site, out of mind' thing. Also, finally trying my hand at growing some edible plants in containers this year. Very much looking forward to my first home grown purple bell pepper!

recipe of the month