An early Wednesday run on a cool summer morning to jumpstart what would surely be a very busy day. Thoughts flowed like the tripping brooks and streams along my route. 1.5 miles up from the paved to a Class B Road. Once my Hoka’s hit the dirt I had entered the Secret Garden…
My thoughts were a mixed salad of ideas. Tossing around a proposal for an upcoming meeting to discuss a painting class that I hoped to offer, a running partner that I missed and the perplexities of another old friend. I missed grinding out the many miles while sharing the details of our lives with a friend who could easily make me laugh when the struggle was real. People come and go in the 5k of our lives but some stick for the ultras. I enjoyed the benefit of the down on my way home and took my time to enjoy the stillness and the exquisite beauty of Vermont…
A full day ahead as I needed to prep for a crammed number of days. Endorphins flowing, I showered and was on my way to a meeting at Artistree Community Arts Center for 10 a.m. I would be meeting the new director of education since I had applied to return to teaching painting at the community arts center…
She had a new inspiring energy and shared exciting thoughts about what I wanted to teach. Our conversation was like minded as we seamlessly moved from class idea to the actual details of my instruction. I mentioned the germ of a plan that I had been wanting to do for some time. A painting drop-in class. We discussed how we could make this work and not if. I was thrilled. Our meeting was productive and filled with possibilities…
After we had finished talking about our collaboration, we chatted about the topics of the day as we made our way down the stairs. I met a woman who had been one of the first friendly faces I encountered when I started coming to Artistree many years ago. We told her of the newly minted plan. She was supportive and interested in learning more. I felt at home. Again…
Feeling the magic of this special campus of the arts I walked over to the gallery. I had exhibited there for years and will continue to do so. The space is special and inviting. Creaking honey-colored wooden floors, pristine white walls that display a nonstop ambitious exhibition schedule.
The gallery co-directors were working in their office. Happy we were to see one another. The chatter was familiar, animated and lively. Talking all things but an emphasis on art. Delighted we were to talk about art. I cherished our exchange…
By midafternoon I had written a class description, and the director had made the link available (https://www.hisawyer.com/artistree/schedules/activity-set/1497851). My thoughts swiftly moved toward how I wanted to make this drop-in class a wonderful experience for all. Community, comradery, the exchange of artistic visions and the splattering of paint…
“Every artist writes his own autobiography.” — Havelock Ellis
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