Two weeks ago I attended an artist lecture by Maira Kalman at the Rochester Institute of Technology, that was spirited, affirming, pragmatic and funny. I was amused by her admission that she cleans to avoid working in her studio. That, in fact, she is thinking about giving up art for ironing. We all laughed knowingly. I completely get it, especially in a studio where we are still strangers. Cleaning, painting walls, oiling my work table, making coffee, arranging tools on shelves, hanging cat toys, removing lime build-up from said coffee maker, almost any form of distraction will do while I attempt to feel comfortable and familiar in a new studio. I remind myself of a dog circling and circling and circling before it can lay down for a nap.

Then spring comes. It's like an avalanche of creative passion and desire. No longer am I trying to nest, circling around, instead I feel like a ping-pong ball, bouncing from one idea or project to the other. I put off phone calls and emails and resist entertaining, because I just want to be in the studio. Harvey calls from work, urging me to go out for a walk, “It's a beautiful day”, and I say “sure”, as I cut up more solder. Just as the juices were really starting to flow, it was time to close up shop and go to Florida. After a winter of trying to acquaint myself to my new surroundings, I had to leave, and I was feeling a great deal of separation anxiety.

But that burst of creative spring energy came with us to Florida, like a little bird packed in my suitcase. I was waking up at four or five in the morning, quietly making coffee, and settling down to a few hours of making artist books. I was in heaven, warm enough to sit in my tee shirt and bare feet, listening to the morning birds wake, my hands sticky with glue. I bought a souvenir mood ring and it told me I was in a pretty darn good place.

Though spring hasn't put on her party dress just yet, she flirts. And even if we still need jackets, it's a joy to come out of the studio at the end of the day, and still be able to walk in daylight, (It's so much easier to snoop through people's garbage that way!) I'm getting busier in the studio everyday, with repairs and special orders, and work for galleries.

Oh, so here is the business report: I participated in the annual “Festival of Ideas” for the third time this March. In its 20th year it is a fabulous kids program. With something like 53 workshops that they can choose from, my enameling workshop is a best seller. You can go to the link on my artist page.

On May 9th from 12-3 pm. I'll be an one of the “Artists in Action” on the front porch of Artizanns Gallery in Naples New York. Bookmark this wonderful destination if you are out enjoying the spring colors and sampling wine in the Finger Lakes. They are open seven days a week.

My jewelry has been on display at the Memorial Art Gallery museum store in Rochester since before Christmas. Don't forget if you are a member you get a discount on your purchases. I just brought them some new work. Their Wearable Glass Jewelry exhibit is not to be missed.. Tell them I sent you!

I am currently taking applications for studio classes for June and July. I am artist-in-residence at Fairport High School during September, so I will not be taking new students again until later in the fall. I also will be conducting Precious Metal Clay workshops on June 28th and July 26th. I will be keeping enrollment down to four students per workshop, so sign up early.

Be green,
Elizabeth.

The biggest news for me this fall is that Harvey and I are taking up residence together. I am excited about this new chapter in our lives, we very much balance each other. Though the address will be different, I will still be in Fairport, and be able to continue to enjoy the benefits of this lovely little village. Combining households at this stage in our lives can be a creative gesture all on its own. We both love to cook, (although Harvey is a better cook then I am) so finding space for all our spices, cookbooks, cast iron pans, soup bowls and spatulas will take some imagination! Harvey has been hugely supportive and recognizes how challenging the life of an artist is. Early on, he started carrying my business cards in his wallet. Whenever he mets a woman wearing earrings, he hands her one of my cards.

I saw quite a few of you at the Artist Row asking if I was going to continue holding open studios on Monday evenings. The answer is yes, but just not right away. I think that I may still be in the throws of organizing the studio well into November, but feel free email me for a firm future date.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it seemed a fitting time to honor my friend Marylil McStravick with the copper earrings on my “What's New” page. The proceeds from these earrings will be donated to the Lipson Cancer Center at Rochester General Hospital.

Life is balance, good news, sad events, wonderful friends, unsettling times. With every passing year I become more aware of the importance of clearly seeing and appreciating the beauty of our very dailiness.

We journeyed back in time to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Quebec City in July. The fireworks display over Montmorency Falls literally took my breath away. This waterfall, just outside the city, is taller then Niagara Falls, and the grandstand placed us squarely in the middle of the action. Vieux Quebec is charming and aerobic with photo opportunities around every corner. I was impressed with the amount of public art the city has, and Harvey had I had lots of fun testing our recall of high school French. (Thank goodness for our computer back at the B&B!)

Then on to another kind of relaxation and creative expression, a trip to the ocean. If you make it all the way to Montauk on Long Island, the tee shirts simply say “The End” and it really is. The sea air, the thrilling blue of the ocean, the pounds and pounds of shells weighing down the back of the car, the buzz about the Montauk monster, well, of course, it was hard to leave.

But then it's home to emails and inquiries about workshops and new work, and that studio excitement kicks in. It feels good to be anxious and full of anticipation about getting to work again.

For my sixth year I will be at Fairport High School as an artist-in-residence through the middle of October. Of course many of my own students will be back in my studio, and I have a new list of PMC and enamel workshops on the workshops page.

I will be at the Artist Row Show at the Rochester Public Market Sunday September, 21st from 10-4 p.m. This is a really cool show, don't miss it.

I started a little studio salon at the beginning of summer and had a really great response. Now that fall is here I have time to bring it back to life. It will be on the second Monday of the month, September 8th, from 5-7 p.m. You can network, brainstorm, and work with others. Bring your work, a snack if you want to share, an art or craft supply to sell or trade, and five dollars to donate to charity. For a flier or more information, email or call me, because we would love to see you!

Now back to work!
Elizabeth.