March 2010

I just got back from a month in Florida. Brrrrr. It was a COLD one! My landscape/seascape classes at The Studios of Key West, Feb. 10-12 and Von Liebig Art Center/Naples, Feb. 17-19 turned out well in spite of our cold windy weather. I had a high percentage of returning students in both locations which is always fun as we get so much farther it seems in the second class. I think it is because everyone understands the program and can really start to push themselves a little more. And did we have fun! I hope to continue teaching in February in Florida as it seems to be working out well for me and my students. We just had to get tough and layer warm clothes in these record low temperatures. I am very proud of them, they learned and painted some strong paintings!

A pleasant surprise, a good friend of mine, John C. Traynor and his wife, Sara Sheehan were in Sarasota working on some new paintings the week after my class ended in Naples. So we got together for a bit and John and I were able to paint together one foggy morning. I had not painted with him for a few years. We had fun. Sara fixed lunch for us. And it was so good to see them and catch up. Check out his website. His work is beautiful. (He is the person I met at Winter Park Art Fair years ago and I went to study with Frank Mason based on his recommendation. A great guy and I am proud to say a great friendship has developed over the years).

I am preparing for Methodist Task Core’s Indianapolis Art & Antiques Show which opens with a preview party Thurs., March 11 and continues through the 14th. This is my 8th or 9th year exhibiting at the show and I always have a good time and see some friends and patrons. I will be doing a painting demo in the center court garden area on Saturday afternoon along with a friend and fellow artist and exhibitor, Forrest Formsma. We did these demos last year and had a great time doing so. I always start off the demos, as I am the older painter. I say older as I am not YET a senior. You know 50 is the new 40! And in this demo, I make up the rules as I go...and that sets the stage for Forrest. Ha! I think my demo starts around 1? I hope you can make it. Remember, you must behave.

Then I am happy and excited that I am doing a one-man show at the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art in Chicago. It opens on Thursday, May 13. I am honored to be returning and always love the city and am working on some new florals. Oh, the name of the show- “A Quiet Garden in the City.” My work in the windy city. Quiet. Peaceful. You get it. Come and see the show. I am excited. The opening is from 5-8pm.

Broad Ripple Art Fair here in Indianapolis is on Saturday, May 15 & Sunday, May 16, and I am having a booth. I always have a good time at this fair. And I have lost track, but know it is something like 15 years that I have been exhibiting here. It has really grown into quite a nice fair. One of the best in the city and this area. It is their big fundraiser with gate admissions and I hope you will come and enjoy the show. These shows are not easy, but so rewarding as this is where I have built most of my customer base over the years. I always meet some new folks at each and every show and am so grateful for the loyalty and interest I have found at these events. These shows are a great part of our community and I am proud to be a part of them.

And as for summer....I am happy to be represented by 4 great stores in Northern Michigan- Betsie Bay Furniture/Frankfort, Imagine That/Glen Arbor, MacBeth & Co./Onekama and Down Home Up North/Mackinaw City and I am pleased to announce, The Water Lilly Art Gallery in Syracuse, Indiana on Beautiful Lake Wawasee is now going to be carrying my work. I look forward to showing up there and excited to have a place my Wawasee friends can stop in and shop.

Hope to see you soon!

Douglas David

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