The travelling girls are home!

Saturday Tulips
black marker on bond
9 x 11 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

Back in November three of my paintings were
crated by a company that builds wooden crates
and packs artwork, then shipped overseas via
Milan, to get to the Florence Biennale on time
for the show to open.

When I arrived there they were miraculously
hung on the wall in exactly the right place. While
other artists struggled to restretch and hang their
work (by far a less expensive option) I stood
around and offered help and sympathy.

The show ended mid-December and my three
paintings of young women in party finery
stayed in Florence when I headed home. As
I'm new to International exhibits, and shipping
large work, I thought my paintings would be
back by early January. But I was wrong. They
got back in town last week, and then had to go
through customs clearance.

So it was a pretty big deal when Pete the shipping
guy carried the big wooden crate up and stuck it
on my back porch next to the large (and messy)
collection of tulips waiting to go in the garden as
soon as it is warm enough to plant them there.

Steven takes the screws out of the crate
so we can open it. Crates
for international shows must be
reusable. Now I'll save this one.

Today Steven, my dear husband, brought the
big crate into the kitchen, and out came the three
girls in perfect condition. I scuttled around the
studio taking down small paintings, and rearranging
everything so that they could come back. I was
absolutely thrilled to see them. The Florence Biennale
is not a sale show, and only a few artists made quiet
deals to sell their work. I've been asked before if I'm
sad when I sell my paintings. The answer is a
resounding no. But I have to admit I really, really like
the three who crossed the ocean. They feel more human now.
Will I sell them? Yes of course. But do I love
them. I do.

Opening the crate. The moment of truth.
All was well and the girls are back on
the walls safe and sound. What I don't
get is why they suddenly want
espressos.

The tulips I drew a couple of days ago are now
almost over. They have grown up beyond their
big green leaves. Sadly one of our cats thinks
that tulip leaves are delicious and he's somewhat
mangled the greenery, but the remaining leaves
and blooms are too beautiful to ignore, so I
drew this drawing for you.

Have a loving-your-own-work day.

P.S. To all the artists I gave the Sunshine Award
to. Please don't feel you have to do anything at all
about it. It's the gesture that counts. You are
my friends, and my people. Stay happy.