Cherie's Artist Sidewalk sale

Sunday was a wonderful Art sidewalk sale outside of CHerie's on the corner of Beach Drive and 2nd Ave N. I can't remember if I've blogged about this... but Cherie's is closing her doors after 8 wonderful years. It breaks my heart as Cherie gave me a real chance to show my work and sell it. I think that small time artists--like me--hold themselves to the Cherie standard... I've shopped there for years... and when you go there and see the artwork that is there you say to yourself, "It would be just the ultimate to have my work at Cherie's." I've heard other artists share similar stories. To have my work in the window of Cherie's has been a compete and total honor. That's how I feel about it. I'm honored. Thank you for all you've done for our city Cherie. (Cherie's having another artist sidewalk sale this Saturday but I won't be able to be at that one.) Calan Ree will be there though--check out her blog: www.gingerdead.com She sells fan-tab jewelry!!

It's Window Time at Cherie's In downtown St. Petersburg!

Make a special trip in about a week to see my window and enjoy Cherie's shop!  Cherie's is on the corner of Beach Drive and 2nd Ave. North.  She is closing in October.  And that will be a dark day for St. Petersburg.  Come on people... start spending your money in local shops on local artists!! Think and act locally!  Photos by my mom: JOY KOSHAREK! 

Here is some of my latest work.  I dropped it off at Cherie's today... for sale at Cherie's! The bottom piece is of a dream... in my dream I constructed this piece.  So it was like I saw myself working on this.  

I got to paint today. I needed it.  Ted and the kids went on an all day dig to excavate an ostrich skeleton.  I hear they had to dig 5 ft down to get all the bones.  They did this with our science group and Doug Scull.  I'm glad I didn't go... digging all day is probably not my idea of fun.  Nor do I like swimming in lakes.  (In college I got lake water in my mouth while swimming... and ended up in the ER with a really bad mouth infection...)

After spending the afternoon at the studio... I headed to Publix to do a little dinner shopping.  Lulu was raving about my lasagna so I felt I should make it today... plus some calories for my hard working crumbcakes would be a good idea.  In line... the lady in front of me was taking forever... it was her and two children--not her own.  When it came time to pay she didn't have her wallet.  She had the cheapest food in her bags and not that much of it.  She ran out to her car to get her wallet.  Meanwhile the man behind me was beginning to get really upset... So I talked him out of being angry.  He said he timed the trip between basketball games... (or was it half time?)  Anyway, I asked him if he had money on the game... he said no.  I said... it was only basketball that he was missing.  In the scheme of things is it really worth getting angry over?  I had him do some deep breathing... and said how great it was that he wasn't buying ice cream.  I guess for me it was more of a joke... and the time wasn't too big of a deal... cause hey, I was shopping without 3 crumbcakes.  He was still pretty irritated at this lady... but I reminded him that he didn't know this lady's circumstances.  

The funny thing is I'm usually the one who has no patience.  I'm the one getting angry at the stupidest little things.  After I checked out--yeah, I was swiping my card real fast--to not hold this guy up any more... He  thanked me for "talking him down."  As I went out to my car I saw the lady and the kids loading up their stuff and I heard her telling the kids that they could have their cheetos when they got back to CASA.  CASA is a women's shelter--for those battered and abused who are leaving the abusive partner... seeking refuge.  

Is my head meant to spin in a counter clockwise fashion?

Wowsers such a busy weekend.  I'm exhausted even after my afternoon nap! Top photos are of my art, cards, jewelry, rag dolls at Cherie's in downtown St. Petersburg... Then the next set of photos are of me and the crumbcakes in the new art studio.  Then we move on to the Coliseum where Ted and I went to a Big Band dance fest last night.  It was fun but we had to leave to go out to eat at Ceviches... there was a two hour wait but we found two seats at the bar and enjoyed our meal and sangria in the company of strangers.  Just as well. I do enjoy people watching.  And I don't mind watching people do shots of Patrone.  (sp?)  My favorite thing to eat at Ceviches is a salad with smoked duck... there is also figs, artichoke, lettuce, pears and some other white spidery like vege that I don't know what it is... it was too dreamy and I savored every bite.  We headed downstairs--for the live music and enjoyed a gal named Silvia Wakte.  She plays--Wed, Fri and Sat nights.  It's her, her guitar and a drummer.  She is a cover band but, I'm guessing she has more to offer... like her own songs... perhaps she'll be singing them real soon.  This is just a hunch on my part. 

Britt and Cherie of Cherie's came by my art studio today.  They picked out 5 paintings to put in their shop.  I was thrilled and it makes me nervous too.  Sometimes I feel like I'm being swallowed whole by a giant sea monster.  Yes, it seems like a very exciting way to go... if you have to die anyway.  Seriously I feel this pressure now that I didn't have when I was just filling my house with paintings.  My house is practically bare now.  Actually, there are still a ton of pieces up... just the most personal.  All of my art is pretty personal.  Me, it's what i know best. And that has worked for many a female artist.  I would just like to break on through to the side of real art... mostly a man's world.  

Dinner is almost done... I made stuffed peppers.  This will be one of those meals where the kids look at it and almost cry... ha. They probably won't really mind it once they try it... sometimes working yourself up to the try is the hardest part.