Gail Wendorf Studio in the "Hotel California!"

"....Last thing I remember, I was

running for the door,

I had to find the passage back

To the place I was before

"Relax", said the nightman ,

We are programed to receive.

You can check out anytime you like,

But you can never leave!""

Many of us will remember these last lines of the Hotel California, by the Eagles.  Over this past month, I have come to realize just how apt these lines are in describing how I feel about living out this transition phase of my life.  Being an artist, to me, means sometimes embracing the float; waiting and holding on until the next step is under my moving feet.  That has been particularly difficult this last month.  Continuing to put one foot in front of the next, and trusting that I'm not just walking in circles; each door leading back into the room I just left.  And in the middle of it all, keeping something moving on the easel.  Its been slow, painful work.  But I've managed - and the result is below.  I know you'll enjoy this view of St. Agnes, in the Provence Alps Cote d'Azur region of southern France.  I was on my way to Fontan, I believed, when turned away by an avalanche (seriously!), and was forced to stay in the area I had originally planned to end up - seeing new friends at a party I'd been invited to - the beautiful village of St. Agnes, in the hills overlooking Menton on the French/Italian border.  I spent the day walking in the village, exploring the hills, and just absorbing the spirit and soul of this enchanting part of France.  So, here's the first of hopefully many... currently off the easel in the Hotel California (Glenfinnan).

 Old St. Agnes, Provence Alps Cote d'Azur, 16 x 12 in., oil on board, £1,250.00

On the other side of all this amazing change, is the sad fact that soon I AM leaving my home of 10 years.  And it is breaking my heart - Glenfinnan, in fact the Highlands, have been experiencing one of the most gorgeous autumns that I've had the pleasure of experiencing in the last 15 years since I began coming here to paint! I WANT to paint right now, and am forced to wait even for that since I have so much business work to take care of first!  What makes I bearable is that I KNOW I'll be coming back.... at the very least, to paint and visit my dear friends.....  You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave...
Another place I've had the honor of living in, that has also sunk deep hooks into my back.

 

 

 

 

 

Focus Amid Distractions

Hello again from (at this point) sunny Glenfinnan! We've had 7 days of inspirational sun, warmth, and autumn light and color. The biggest choice these days is between going out into the sun and basking in the warmth of it, or utilizing the light in my studio and painting without the aid of artificial light! I've done both actually. But this last month has been so full of distractions (and believe me, right now, I am EASILY distracted!), that while I'm working at the easel, its with long periods of space between. Just in the last two weeks, I have put together three painting or sales proposals, always welcome, but so nervewracking while I wait for answers; and also managed to complete one more painting from my Iona trip, as well as start on another French landscape. No, I'm afraid I've not started on the work from Glenaladale - again, I put it up to distractions.... Those pesky every day problems of paying bills, finding the cash to do so, and waiting while excited clients make up their minds about just what they want, if they want, to buy, nursing my aged horse through a fetlock (ankle) sprain. I'm finding that the focus is there, but is taking a lot of sitting quietly, and remembering to breathe and wait for the ability to stand and paint again. This month has been about hearing and understanding that need to WAIT, and yet prepare. And in the meantime, to keep on painting.... through the upheaval and transition. So enjoy what I've done! One of an Iona Sheep Farmer, and another of North Beach Iona (one of my favourite places to be!).