Playing in the Studio--an ART Weekend!

Ginger Landree, Chris LeCocq, me, 
and Elizabeth Blake. 

I'm still high. Three of my art buddies came Friday evening for dinner and stayed the weekend, painting on silk! Left to right are: Ginger Landree, Chris LeCocq, me, and Elizabeth Blake. Ginger is looking a little apprehensive because we spilled a bottle of red dye and some landed on her. My green rug may never be the same again, but hey! It was well worth it! I can't think when I've experienced more joy!

I fell in love with Chris's sun!

We Shibori dyed scarves Elizabeth brought, then experimented with resists including a salt solution, and with dyna flow fabric paints. The shibori dyed scarves we did with Jaquard red label dyes are stunning!

Chris LeCocq's Sun was done on an embroidery hoop (hence the white circle) with pebeo water based gutta on silk treated with a salt solution. She finished it off with a very fine point  Bic permanent marker. Then she gave it to me!!

Saturday evening we watched a video of artist Terry Turrell at work, and got even more inspired.

Life can be so dam scary!

I am so dam scared all of a sudden, uncertain about so much in my art business, in my proposed marriage, and in the direction of my art.

Especially the proposed marriage part. Did you notice that handsome man in my last blog post? I am going to marry him.

ACH! Did I really say that? I am 65 and I'm getting married?! Why?! I don't need the financial security. I don't need the social acceptance. I'm terrified of losing my hard won independence. I love making my own decisions without interference from some one else. I love having the house to myself, eating when I'm hungry (or not), thinking my own thoughts through without interruption. Answering to no one but God. Having quiet time whenever I choose.

So why am I getting married?

Well....there's this man, this warm hearted, intelligent, creative, hardworking, resilient man who loves me dearly. Some one I can laugh with, share my innermost thoughts with, praise God with. Someone who knows my history and loves me anyway. Some one who knows my faults and still thinks I'm wonderful. Who shares my values. Some one I can open to fully and know he will never hurt me deliberately, that he will be careful and responsive to me. Willing to face the hard questions life delivers, who will not shy away from the difficult conversations. A true hearted man who will be there for me.

So why the panic?

I am terrified of losing my hard won independence.