"On the Boardwalk"

Photo of our Boardwalk taken from the wharf. The tourists are here, the rides are up and running! I can here the screams and the waves when the wind is right but mostly it is the traffic that changes when summer arrives. My son will be flying in from Corpus Christi TX for a great summer visit...I'll be taking time away from this blog to enjoy him in the days ahead. I'll put aside my almost finished second piece and post it when he flies home.   HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE1

Lunch With Karen

Actually I took this photo of the Boardwalk this morning. I'd forgotten my camera
Thursday when I met my niece Karen for lunch on the municipal wharf. She took off her lunch hour and drove over the crowded highway and summit...60 miles + so we could have our well needed time together...tasty salad, wine and chatting about family and our current events. Karen's daughter Lauren is getting married in July so we had plenty to discuss...her wedding will be wonderful and it's a big family event! I've loved Karen all her life and so grateful for her friendship.

Today I worked inside with acrylics...this one measures 21"x22" Rives BFK, collage, shells, subtraction prints and stencils. I have plans to add drawing and more color. I'm trying for the flat story surface...as a Tableau. These images are related to my writing of the first year when I moved to this beach town. I was alone, grateful and yet grieving as a widow. I didn't know anyone and signed up for a variety of classes as well as began a routine of walking on the beach... a way to feel connected to others and the community. Some days I just couldn't master the courage and the writing was helpful...I've kept a journal for years in good times and bad and the art usually begins from the words. A few lines written in 1995:

Morning mist, white foamed waves
Serious business this daylight
Walking for health sake
Walking to gather my souls flight
Fog enshrouds me with forgiveness and encouragement to hold on tight.

People and picnics
Walking the dog
Jumping the waves and even sunbathing
We are all here and in my own way a silent agreement to acknowledge this gift
With today's tears of gratitude

Movie Update: It finally happened...Pablo and I sat down to watch our "Goya's Ghosts" and within a few minutes we both knew we had rented this before...a few years ago but still??!
It was all vague and some parts completely forgotten. I enjoyed seeing
Goya's candle hat and they showed many of his prints but the rest of the movie was primarily a story of other characters and the tragedies of war in Spain...not enough Goya, not enough art for me...I can't recommend it.